Market Report Week 3 - 2023

High market price levels for customers who still have late Forelle winter pears from South Africa, although the market demand has not been very high for the first Rosemary and Sempre summer pears from South Africa at high price levels for the first fruit. However, with Ramadan being earlier this year (22^nd March) only summer pears will make arrival before Ramadan, as it is too early for the start of the first winter Forelle pears.

There is still a high demand for Polish apples as Italy and France are the tail-end of their season.

The early lemons from South Africa will compete with Egypt, Turkey, and China that will be in the market until mid-end of March at low price levels.

1.00 USD = 3.67 AED (Emirate Dirham)

1.00 USD = 3.75 SAD (Saudi Riyals)

1.00 USD = 104.06 BDT (Bangladeshi Taka)

1.00 USD = 81.16 INR (Indian Rupees)

1.00 USD = 17.21 ZAR (South African Rand)

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

Citrus & Mango

The packing of the first early lemons from the Northern areas are starting towards the end of this week (week 03-04). Growers anticipate that the first fruit will peak between count 100-113.

Market update

The market is still supplied with lemons from Egypt, Turkey, and China at low price levels and these countries will only be out of the market between mid-end of March. The first lemons from South Africa will compete with these countries in the market and price levels will need to be very competitive.

Mangoes – South Africa

The Tommy Atkins variety is finished, and only minimal volumes of the Shelley variety is currently being shipped. There will be a 3-week gap in supply until the Keitt variety starts.

Market update

The market is currently supplied with Mangoes from South Africa, Brazil, Kenya, and Ghana. The supply from Kenya has increased and more volume is continually arriving to the market.

Market Prices (Dubai, Kuwait and Jeddah)

Pome

The packing of the first Rosemarie and Sempre summer pears from South Africa has started. The industry is showing growth in Rosemarie, Cheeky and Celina varieties of pears, however, there seems to be a decrease in Forelle winter pears.

The overall pear crop should be similar to last season.

On apples, 47 million cartons will not materialize because of the hail, total production will be down between 20-25% in the Ceres area. There will be a shortage of Royal Gala apples this season.

Market update

There is still a high demand for Royal Gala apples from Poland. The market is currently supplied with apples from Poland, Serbia, France, and Italy; however, France and Italy are at the tail-end of the season and will finish soon.

Continued high market prices for customers who still have the late season Forelle pears from South Africa. However, the demand has not been very high for the first summer pears and at high price levels. The summer pears will compete with other commodities on the market at lower price levels. It’s all about price and consumer preference.

Market Prices (Dubai, Kuwait and Jeddah)

Grape, Stone, Kiwi Fruit, Cherries

Grapes

The Northern Cape had 30% less volume due to bad weather conditions and it seems as though the Western Cape is also short on volume. This is leaving growers short on volume to fulfil their European/UK program orders. Due to the limited supply available, high prices are being paid to secure the fruit.

Red Globe is delayed by another week and packing should start in week 05/06

Market update

The Middle East market is supplied with grapes from South Africa and Peru. Chile is anticipated to start with the first harvest of red globe grapes in week 7.

Stone Fruit

Middle East – Overall increase on all commodities except for Peaches. Peaches were down by 7% on cumulative volumes shipped to date compared to the same period last season.

There is a significant problem with irrigation this season due to the ongoing loadshedding in South Africa and this will impact the fruit sizing.

Other challenges this season is the bad weather conditions that was experienced in the Franshoek/Montagu areas resulting in smaller fruit as well as in the Karoo area.

There is a campaign to promote South African Stone fruit into the UK during the 2 big plum peak weeks (week 3-6 and 11-13 arrivals).

The packing of the first Laeticia variety has started this week (week 3) but small volumes.

Cherries

No report