From the 20^th of May, foreign citizens arriving in Saudi Arabia must quarantine for 1 week in government-approved accommodation to help stop the spread of Covid 19.

In 2020 Saudi Arabi suspended Umrah Pilgrimages to try and contain the pandemic. This year only vaccinated or Covid-recovered pilgrims have been allowed to the Holy City and although the Mosque increased to 50,000 Umrah pilgrims and 100,000 worshippers per day it was still well below its full capacity of 4 million people. This has had a tremendous impact on the market sales due to the decrease in demand as well as the overall revenue for the country.  Normally over this period, there is a high demand and increase in sales for all commodities as the market prepares for millions of Umrah Pilgrims into the country. 

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

South African Citrus growers/suppliers chartered the largest reefer vessel to assist in alleviating the capacity demands of South Africa’s increasing citrus exports due to the global container shortage. The reefer vessel “ Cool Eagle” arrived for the first time in South Africa’s ports and made arrival at Durban port on the 14^th May.     

Citrus – South Africa

The packing of the first early valencias (Turkey variety) started in week 19 in the Limpopo Province.

Shipped YTD from South Africa

Lemons to the Middle East – a decrease of 20% on cumulative volumes shipped to date compared to the 2020 season.

Grapefruit to the Middle East – a decrease of 15% on cumulative volumes shipped to date compared to the 2020 season. 

Soft Citrus to the Middle East – a decrease of 23% on cumulative volumes shipped to date compared to the 2020 season.

Market update: In Saudi Arabia, the continued decline in lemon price levels as high volumes of lemons are being re-exported from Dubai to the market.

Sales are slow for the most part on all commodities and especially after Eid.

Stone fruit

The plum season has ended in South Africa with a significant increase of 71% compared to last seasons volumes. Europe represents 50% of all the plums exported , followed by the Middle East with 22% and the UK with 18%.

Continued market pressure and decline in price levels with the oversupply of plums in the GCC countries.

Shipped YTD from South Africa and Chile

Plums from South Africa to the Middle East – an increase of 88% on cumulative volumes shipped to date compared to the 2020 season.

Plums from Chile to the Middle East – a decrease of 9% on cumulative volumes shipped to date compared to the 2020 season.

Kiwi fruit

A continued increase in demand for Chilean Kiwi fruit across the globe with limited supply due to a decrease in production.  Europe and America have received the bulk of the volume this season.

Kiwi fruit volumes shipped from Chile to the Middle East remain low at -49% on cumulative volumes shipped to date compared to the 2020 season.

India

It seems that there is no quick end in sight for the lockdowns. The feeling in India is that lockdown restrictions will only be lifted by mid to end June or possible in July only. Not much further to report on sales. Apple and Orange sales still doing well. Other fruit sales non-existent.

Bangladesh

There has been slower movement in the market in Bangladesh during the Eid holidays, although the tempo is expected to pick up as everyone returns to “business as usual”

Egyptian Valencia in full swing, thereby tempering the demand for South African citrus at this time.

Apples remain strong, despite a decline in the market prices attributed to the slow movement during the holidays

Freight rate increases cause relentless increments in the cost of imported produce, as congestion controls the rate of volumes supplied