In General

Overall, the market remains slow across most commodity categories due to current market conditions. The market demand is expected to improve once schools re-open at the end of August and local consumers return from their summer vacations.

Locally sourced fruits continue to dominate the market, with competitively priced sweet melons, watermelons, grapes, and stone fruit from Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt limiting demand for higher-priced imported fruit.

Logistics continue to be a major challenge across the region. Ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea are delaying shipments destined for Jeddah Port. During periods of severe congestion at Jeddah, more container shipments were being sent to Khor Fakkan as another alternative port for discharging cargo, resulting in increased congestion at that port while easing some of the pressure in Jeddah port. In general, importers are experiencing longer transit times and operational delays due to vessel routings. Elevated freight rates and higher supply chain costs continue to increase landed costs and place pressure on importers and market pricing.

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

Lemons

Lemon supplies continued to build as further Southern Hemisphere arrivals entered Middle East markets. High availability, combined with subdued demand, created a significant supply imbalance, forcing prices lower across most size categories. Quality inconsistencies between shipments remained a challenge, with lower-grade fruit heavily discounted to maintain sales momentum.

Oranges

Egyptian Valencia oranges continued to dominate the market, while South African Navel volumes increased further.

Grapes           

Egyptian grape volumes remained limited. Competition from other seasonal fruits intensified, resulting in slower sales and additional pressure on pricing.

Stone Fruit

Plums
Egyptian plum supplies remained limited; however, demand continued to weaken, resulting in a difficult and slow-moving market. Buyers remained highly cautious, purchasing only to meet immediate requirements, while prices came under further downward pressure as sellers competed to move available stock.

India

Pears

Vermont and Forelle market is looking promising while the Packham market has slowed down due to local pears in the market. The local pears are normal for this time of year and should affect the Packhams until end of August and then the market normally turns better for Packhams.

Bangladesh

Sluggish market

Pricing and demand currently have challenges due to large simultaneous arrivals of both citrus and apple in the market.

Sales are facing difficulties.