There is uncertainty in the Middle East market about soft citrus volumes from South Africa.  The market is afraid that high volumes of soft citrus will be diverted from Russia to the Middle East due to limited or no shipping to Russia. As this is what has happened on the pears.

Middle East customers have pushed for the loading of fruit last week/this week and next week for making arrival before Hajj. Hajj will start on the 7th of July.

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

The picking of the first early Valencias (Turkey variety) should start next week but most growers will only start in the next 2-3 weeks by mid-end of June (week 24/25).

Although there is a decrease in the volumes of lemons, navel oranges, and soft citrus shipped YTD to the Middle East compared to the same period last season, the Eastern Cape is packing in full swing and therefore volumes will continue to increase week by week.

Market update

The market has stabilized on lemons and there is a slightly lower demand for South African lemons. This can be contributed to the Eastern Cape that is packing and there will be more volumes available week by week.

There is a slightly higher demand for South African navels due to Spanish navels that are almost finished. However, the demand is low for South African early Valencias, because currently the market is being supplied with high volumes of good quality Valencias from Egypt at low price levels.

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

Chilean kiwi fruit exported to the Middle East is 8% down compared to the same period last season. There is also a higher % of smaller size Kiwi fruit from Chile compared to last season, and the market can only absorb a small % of this smaller fruit. Chile is competing with both Iran and Italy in the market with good sizing, quality, and low prices.

India

The pear market has totally crashed and I have never seen such low prices being offered out from SA exporters as what is happening this year. There seems to be no bottom to this, as fruit is also being supplied on consignment. Still bigger volumes of pears to make an arrival.

Flash Gala nobody wants anymore due to poor quality arrivals. Royal Gala Red and Royal Beaut apples are the only commodities showing some resilience.

It is a mess.

Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi government has implemented additional duty of 20% on all fruit imports. Now there are also limitations on LC values and customers are expected to put bigger deposits down for the establishment of LC’s. Importers are trying to fight this duty increase.