On-going logistical challenges with shipping lines due to equipment shortages, space constraints, vessels bypassing South African ports, and increased freight rates. This in turn has a knock-on effect in packhouses with increased stock levels as well as the volume of fruit exported to markets in a week,  and at increased price levels due to the increase in freight costs.

There is some relief for the GCC countries as more lemons from South Africa will be diverted to Europe due to the increase in demand.

There are still high volumes of summer pears in the market with a slow sales rate and low-price levels. However, positive market trends for apples and red grapes in the GCC countries.

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

There has been an increase in the demand for lemons from Europe.  There will be a shift from South African growers/suppliers to divert more volumes to Europe and less to other markets.

Market update on Citrus from South Africa

There will be some relief for the Middle East market as more lemons will be diverted to Europe due to the increase in the demand for lemons.

Update on Grapes and a market update in the GCC countries

South Africa is at the tail-end of the season, with limited packing on Red and Black grape varieties.

Chile has 4 weeks left on the packing of Red Globe grapes.

There is still a demand for Red grapes in the GCC countries due to limited availability from South Africa.  There has been an increase in the demand for Red Globe grapes from Chile. 

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

In addition to Kiwi fruit from Italy, there is also Zespri Kiwi fruit available on the local market at competitive price levels. Chilean Kiwi fruit will compete with these brands at lower price levels currently available in the market.

India

The Apple market is struggling to move the fruit at high prices. There are Northern and Southern hemisphere apples in the market now.

WBC is struggling to move and there is an oversupply of Sempre on the market. The South African summer pears are arriving yellow and with poor quality. The summer pears must compete with the early Packhams in the market.

The plum market is picking up for new good quality arrivals hopefully.

The Kiwi market is a disaster.

Bangladesh

The apple market went a little bit down in sales in the  Bangladesh market. This is mainly due to more availability from countries like China, Brazil, Northern Hemisphere, and South Africa. 

The good news for oranges is that the market is starting to pick up. 

From the 1st of April, the shipping lines have increased their freight rates again and drastically. This is going to put even more price pressure on the sales prices in a market where shipping opportunity is already limited.