Due to severe weather conditions, the city of Durban has suffered immense damages due to flooding and strong winds, causing reefer container stacks to collapse. The main road and only entrance and exit point to Durban container terminal has been damaged. The port terminal is currently closed.

No significant change in market trends. The Middle East market is slow, and this is normal during the month of Ramadan, as consumers usually purchase more before Ramadan starts.

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

Growers up North have slowed down on packing due to the severe weather conditions that has resulted in Durban port terminal being closed, as fruit can’t be shipped out of the port currently.

Market update on Citrus from South Africa

Continued increase in demand for Lemons from South Africa, due to growers packing more fruit for EU at higher prices.

Update on Grapes and a market update in the GCC countries

There was an increase of 37% on grape exports to the Middle East from South Africa by end of week 14.

Chile are at the tail-end of the season and have 1-2 weeks left on the packing of Red Globe grapes.

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

Latest estimates indicate that there will be more than 63 million trays of Zespri’s green and gold kiwifruit destined for Europe this season. The first shipment of Zespri Green Kiwifruit is expected to arrive in Europe in May.

By the end of week 15, no shipments of Kiwi fruit from Chile to the Middle East.  However, Chile has started packing and there should be some shipments to the Middle East in week 16 but limited volume until packing starts to pick up in the next few weeks.

India

Berlin brought to the foreground inflation across the whole world. Consumers worldwide have less money to spend. Food/Fruit inflation will be very high due to the exorbitant increases in the cost chain. The high oil prices and excessively high freight rates are the biggest contributors to this. High price imported fruits is thus struggling to find movement as consumers buy cheaper local fruits. Mango harvest is expected to be 30% down. Currently, apples are selling at breakeven. Plums are coming in from Dubai and this is causing the market price to be low.

Bangladesh

Ramadan sales are very slow and are the worst in years. All apples are selling at losses. Goldens are selling $5 below costs and RGA/Gala $1.50 below costs. Food inflation is also causing havoc here as well. All staple foods have increased a lot and this has led to the consumer having fewer monies to buy fruit.