In General

Market activity across most commodities in the Middle East remains slow, driven by ongoing uncertainty and rising logistics costs across both sea and road freight. Despite this, there is an increased demand for navels and lemons due to limited market availability, with China and Spain nearing the end of their navel seasons and lemon volumes seem to be less this week.

There is also expected to be good opportunities for South African mandarins as Morocco and China reaches the end of its season.

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

Last of the Egyptian Navels and Lemons are still available in the Saudi market, with large volumes of Egyptian Valencia oranges selling at average prices.

Prices for South African lemons are starting to come down as more volume is arriving each week.

South Africa

Lemon supply continues to improve steadily as additional harvesting regions come into production. Volumes are increasing week-on-week, supporting better overall market availability, although peak supply levels have not yet been reached.

Weather conditions in the Eastern Cape production regions remain a concern, with intermittent rainfall still causing minor disruptions to harvesting and packing activities.

The Eastern Cape has now entered the market with good volumes, further contributing to the gradual increase in supply and improved market coverage.

Grapes           

Seedless Grapes (Red & Black)

Prices remain relatively firm where stock is still available, although trading activity continues to be slow with limited volumes in the market.

Seeded Grapes

Red Globe grape prices declined further this week following the continued arrival of fresh volumes from Peru, increasing overall market availability.

Stone Fruit

Plums
Prices continue to soften as the market adjusts to current stock availability and improved supply conditions. Overall market movement remains stable.

Kiwi

Kiwi supply remains limited, with small volumes moving from Iran via overland routes.

India

Consumption slows

Oil and gas prices increase, the Indian Rupee weakens, exporters are asking higher sales prices and volumes shipped are significantly up. All these factors are currently affecting the movement of apples through the chain. The next couple of weeks will be difficult with arrivals of volumes of apples from various origins. We however expect it to start picking up after this.

Bangladesh

Thriving Market

Market for South African apples are doing well especially Royal Gala.