Update on the market in the GCC countries. 

The overall market is slower than usual, and this is due to the end of Hajj and the long summer school holidays. Many local people have left the Middle East to travel abroad. Downward market trend in sales and prices for Citrus and Soft Citrus from South Africa due to higher volumes available in the market. The early Turkey Valencias from South Africa will compete with good orange colour Valencias from Egypt at low price levels. The market prefers to start with Valenicas from South Africa in week 28/29 (mid-July), to ensure arrivals in August and at the tail-end/end of the Egyptian Valencias season.

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

Citrus fruit – South Africa 

Valencias – the packing of Turkey Valencias are in full swing. Some growers will start packing Midknight Valencias. The first Cambria and Witkrans Navels from the Northern areas will start next week or week 29 if colour has fully developed. Mandarins – The Nadorcott crop looks excellent and good volumes are predicted in the Northern areas.  Packing of Nadorcott continues slowly in the early areas, due to colour that is delaying the picking and packing of Nadorcotts. Lemons – Packing in the Sundays River Valley area is in full swing and by far the biggest Lemon production region in South Africa.

Market update

Decrease in price and sales for Lemons from South Africa due to increased volumes in the market and re-exports from Dubai to Saudi Arabia. Lemons from Egypt is also available in the market and selling between $8.00 – $9.33 (14kg).  The price for both Navels and Soft Citrus from South Africa has dropped. In addition to higher volumes in the market,  the sales pace is slow. The South African Navel prices are taking a knock because of Navels arriving in the market with a green and yellow colour, however good quality Navels with orange colour are selling at good price levels. There is still Spanish Navels available in the market with good orange colour at higher prices compared to South African Oranges.

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 – Market update 

Kiwi fruit from Iran selling at the same levels in Dubai market as Kiwi fruit from Chile in Saudi Arabia around $30,00 (10kg) depending on the sizes.  However, there is a big price difference for Kiwi fruit in Saudi Arabia with Iran selling at $9,00 below Chilean Kiwi fruit. Chile is selling @ $30.00 (10kg) and Iran @ $21.33 (10kg).  

India

Apple market picks up  

The Apple market has started to pick up and should be good until the local crop starts. Delhi is still very slow due to the excessively high temperatures hampering the sales.

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Bangladesh

Local fruit season are ending

The market for all imported fruit will pick up as local fruit (like Lychee/Watermelon and Lychee) are nearing the end of the season. Currently, customers are still losing money on Egyptian Valencia and the sales of Soft Citrus are just covering the costs.