Update on the market in the GCC countries. 

Positive market trends for Mandarins, Navels, Grapes, and Plums and continues to be volatile for all other commodities. The market is under pressure for Royal Gala Apples, and this is due to the high volumes from Poland over the last few weeks. Poland and Serbia is expected to be in the market until sometime in May. There is optimism that the market will start to improve in coming weeks once Poland and Serbia is out of the market. Pears are stable and the market is expected to pick up in coming weeks, as less volumes will be shipped from South Africa. Lemons are not doing well and are peaking at a certain price level; however, the market is expected to pick up slightly with less Lemons that have been shipped over the last 2 weeks from South Africa. Re-exports on both Lemons and Apples from Dubai to Saudi Arabia is pushing the market price down even further.  Mandarins from Morocco has finished, and although there is supply from Spain, price levels are high and therefore there should be a good window of opportunity for Soft Citrus from South Africa. The market for Bananas is still down and selling below cost.

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

Citrus fruit

There was a 8% decrease in exported volumes of Lemons from South Africa to the Middle East compared to the same period last season.   The packing of Lemons from the Eastern Cape has picked up and volumes are expected to increase from next week onwards, as well as for Novas. In general, overall fruit sizing is expected to be better compared to last season, where sizing was bigger with all commodities from the Eastern Cape. In the Northern areas, the packing of Star Ruby’s is in full swing with sizing being smaller (count 50/55), however some growers are picking smaller fruit orchards first, and fruit sizing might get bigger as the season progresses. Some growers will stop picking Star Ruby’s and leave some volume to be picked later to avoid over supply in the markets.  Early Navels should start soon in some of the earlier areas up North, but all will depend on the colour and de-greening of the fruit.

Market update

There is not much volume left on Lemons from Turkey, however the quality is not good. In Saudi Arabia, the price seems to remain at a peak level of $12-13.35 for direct shipments from South Africa, however re-exported volumes from Dubai are arriving in the market at price levels of $11.20 – $12.00.

Grapes -South Africa             

No report.

Market update                        

No report.

Stone Fruit -South Africa and Chile            

No report.

Cherries  

No report.

Mangoes

No report.

Market update

No report.

Kiwi fruit                        

Zespri is expected to have a normal crop this season, however overall volumes from New Zealand are up by 35-40% compared to the shortage last season. The Kiwi fruit season will continue until week 42/44.   The Chilean season is underway; however, the crop is down by 20% this season.

India

Red apples  

A lot of Northern Hemisphere Red Delicious still in the market and is expected to be there until June. This is due to it having to transit via the Cape of Good Hope. SA Plum supply is finished and last Angelino’s have loaded from SA.

Bangladesh

Apple Market Continues Downtrend  

The apple market conditions have only worsened over the past week and importers are losing more money. The arrival of nearly 400 containers apples from China have also added to the downward pressure on South African apple prices.