The GCC countries have a local supply of stone fruit and grapes from Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia at low prices and these commodities should be available in the market until August/September. 

Pears, apples, oranges, and bananas are the four main commodities that consumers buy for Hajj, and for this reason, suppliers are holding apples, pears, and valencias in cold stores for pre-Hajj sales.

India has finished with grapes, but there are still a lot of Egyptian grapes coming into the market.  However, this should not affect the price too much for red globe grapes from Chile as Egypt doesn’t have red globe grapes.

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

Some growers in the Northern areas of South Africa are busy with their 2nd lemon pick and the sizing seems to be peaking between count 113- 162. Valencia picking has started and the volumes will increase in 2-3 weeks.

Market update

There are very few Spanish navels available in the GCC countries and only navels from South Africa are available in the market. However, due to the late start on the South African navels, there is a decrease of 55% shipped YTD to the Middle East compared to the same period last season.

The market is still supplied with Egyptian valencias and selling prices in Saudi Arabia are between $7.50 – $8.00 (15kg) for plastic cartons and $9.35 – $10.65 (15kg) for cardboard boxes. Saudi Arabia anticipates an increase in the price of oranges from South Africa and Egypt pre-Hajj sales and during Hajj.

The market is supplied with Grapefruit from Turkey and South Africa. The market demand has dropped for grapefruit with slow sales and low-price levels. Market sales are also slow on lemons even though South Africa is down on volumes shipped YTD to the Middle East by 23% compared to the same period last season.

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

The price of Chilean Kiwi fruit is expected to go up from Chile in Saudi Arabia in the next 2 weeks due to Hajj.  Kiwi fruit from Greece was selling between $17.35 – $18.65 (10kg), however Iranian Kiwi fruit in the market pushed the price down to $15.00 – $16.00 (10kg). 

India

It is still very difficult to sell any imported fruits. Consumers’ purchasing power has disappeared total. Packham pears selling for $9 and Vermonts for $11 in the market. Importers are losing a lot of money. Even at these prices stock is still not moving.

Bangladesh

Importers are storing stocks hoping that the market will turn in two weeks’ time just before the Hajj holidays. Excessively high Freight rates are still wreaking havoc. Importers are selling at a loss on all imported fruits currently. Citrus from SA will be a tough sell at these high freight rates.