The Middle East market is slow with a low sales rate on virtually all commodities even after the schools have re-opened.  The market is anticipated to pick up towards the end of September and into October.  The only commodity that is doing well is pears and this is due to the limited availability.

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

The latest estimated prediction is that South Africa will pack a total of 54.6 million cartons of Valencias for the season. This is a decrease of 3.6 million cartons compared to the original estimate of 58.2 million cartons.  South Africa is at the tail-end of the Valencia season with about 5 week’s left of packing.

Market update

There has been a slight increase in the price of valencias and late mandarins from South Africa in Saudi Arabia, and this can be due to less volumes available in the market.

There has been an overall increase in the volume of citrus shipped YTD from South Africa to the Middle East market by the end of week 36 compared to the same period last season. Exported volumes indicate 1% increase on oranges, lemons are up by 10% and a decrease of 4% in soft citrus.

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

Zespri is reviewing the drop in the quality of their SunGold Kiwi fruit during the past season. There are several factors contributing to the drop in quality including the lack of skilled labour due to border closures during the pandemic. Besides harvesting problems this season, there has also been a gradual decline in the quality of the fruit over the last few years with fruit getting softer.  Chile has been experiencing the same problem with softer fruit and this can be because of climatic changes.

The market remains under pressure and is still supplied with Kiwi fruit from Chile and Iran.

India

Prices of Oranges are dropping daily with a lot of fruit arriving and on the water. Vermont market is short and very good.

Bangladesh

All good quality fruits are selling above cost. Unfortunately SA has a lot of poor quality citrus this season that is causing huge losses. Goldens still selling below cost, but prices are picking up slowly. Orders on Oranges have slowed down due to the high volumes that have being shipped and high shipping costs. Good demand for Soft Citrus, but SA has now finished.