Update on the GCC countries

The market is showing strong performance for peaches, apples, and pears.

Demand and prices for Royal Gala apples from Italy, Poland, and Ukraine remain strong, while Granny Smith apples from Serbia are nearing the end of the season, boosting demand in the Middle East.

Prices for South African Forelle and Vermont Beauty pears are high due to limited stock.

South African grapes face market pressure with higher volumes, while demand for stone fruit especially peaches remain stronger, however, a lower demand for nectarines.

The Middle East has a surplus of Tommy Atkins mangoes from South Africa, but higher-quality Peruvian mangoes are commanding higher prices in Saudi Arabia.

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

Citrus fruit – South Africa 

No report.

Market update

No report.

Grapes -South Africa             

Growers from the Orange River are expected to complete their season within the next two weeks. The final harvest will include Autumn Crisp, Sugar Crisp, Adora, and the remaining Sweet Celebration varieties. The season is anticipated to end on a positive note, with high-quality fruit.

In the Olifants River region, growers are actively packing exceptional fruit, including varieties such as Krissy, Sweet Celebration, Sweet Globe, and the last of the Tawny harvest. The fruit from this area is of a high quality, benefiting from favourable weather conditions, that have increased sugar levels.

The Hex River region will start harvesting in week 3 with Sable and Sugraone varieties.

Market update

South African grapes are facing market pressure as higher volumes have begun to arrive.

Stone Fruit -South Africa          

Year-to-date export volumes from South Africa to the Middle East show a decline of 31% for plums, 22% for peaches, and 26% for nectarines, while apricot exports have increased by 69%.

Market update

Market demand for South African peaches remains strong, while demand for nectarines is lower. Due to quality issues with South African apricots, the market favors sourcing apricots from Australia by air.

Kiwi fruit – Market update

No report.

Cherries

No report.

Market update

Currently, only Chile and New Zealand still have cherries available, and being offered to the Middle East being via airfreight at very high price levels.

Mangoes -South Africa

The early region has completed with Tommy Atkins variety for the season (export and local).
The remaining Keitt mangoes from this region will be allocated to local markets and processing for drying and juicing.

In the later region (Hoedspruit), the export season is also finished, with the last remaining fruit being sold locally.
This season, rain arrived later, allowing the early region to complete their Tommy Atkins harvest before significant rainfall began.
Tommy Atkins production was lower this year, but local market performance has been strong.

In the later regions, Shelly, Kent, and Keitt varieties are still being harvested.
However, these areas experienced heavy rainfall, and it remains to be seen how exports will proceed, particularly as the Middle East market is currently saturated with Tommy Atkins mangoes.

Market update

The Middle East market is currently experiencing a high supply of Tommy Atkins mangoes from South Africa.
In Saudi Arabia, the recently arrived mangoes from Peru are of a higher quality compared to those from South Africa and are reaching higher prices.

India

Currency devaluates

The INR has devaluated to below INR86=$1 and expectation is that it could to INR90 this year. On apples and pears the market is looking good and getting ready for SH supply.

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Bangladesh

Import duties increase

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue raised import duties on fresh fruits to boost revenue. Notably, prices for apples, oranges, and grapes have risen, significantly impacting negatively on consumer buying power and habits. Importers/Wholesalers and retailers are still fighting this increase and hope for a positive outcome.