The Fruit Logistica will be held in Berlin from 5-7 April 2022 with Exhibitors and visitors from all around the world attending the Global fresh produce trade fair.  From 1 April 2022, almost all Covid-19 restrictions in Berlin will be lifted.

A continued downward trend in price and demand for South African Pears due to the high volume of summer pears currently in the market. This is not good for the start of the new season Forelle/Vermont Beaut winter pears that are currently being packed. However, there are positive market trends and price levels for both red and green apple varieties in the market.

Lemon sales and price levels are under pressure due to the uncertainty of lemon volumes being diverted from other countries because of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

High demand for Red grapes in the GCC countries due to limited supply available from South Africa due to the tail-end of the season.

• Citrus
• Pome
• Grape, Stone & Kiwi Fruit
• India & Bangladesh
• PPECB Statistics

There will be a 6% growth on Navels this season due to a better crop from areas that have had more rain after a drought.

Lemon estimates are up by 4% this season. This increase is anticipated to come from areas packing later volumes.

Grapefruit estimates will be -4% down compared to last season.  The season is 1-2 weeks earlier for the most part.

Market update on Citrus from South Africa

There is panic and uncertainty in the Middle East market on Lemons and Mandarins being diverted from other countries to the Middle due to the ongoing problems in Russia and Ukraine.

Update on Grapes and a market update in the GCC countries

We are at the tail-end of the Grape season from South Africa with about 3-4 weeks left.  There is only some packing left on Red and Black grape varieties.

There is still a demand for Red grapes in the GCC countries due to limited availability from South Africa. 

Update on Kiwi Fruit and a market update in the GCC countries

Harvest of the new season Kiwi fruit is expected to in the next 1-2 weeks.

Customers are finalising programs for Chilean Kiwi fruit.

India

The Indian mango crop is expected to be lower than the yearly average. This is good for imported fruits.

Apple market is still slow with the Southern hemisphere apples en route, we hope that sales will pick up in Ramadan. Large volumes of RSA pears have hit the market and prices have dropped. The first Forelle/Vermont pears have been packed in RSA and should find their way to the market in about 2 weeks’ time. These will only arrive after Ramadan or maybe in time for EID festivities.

Shipping out of Cape Town is becoming more challenging each week.

Bangladesh

The demand for Forelle Pears has picked up. South Africa had a slow start to the first pear packing, but volumes will start to increase from next week.   

From a South African perspective, shipping capacity to Bangladesh is under huge pressure from Cape Town. With increasing volumes and limited containers available, trucking the fruit to alternative ports is the only solution to get the fruit shipped out.