Update on the GCC countries

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

Strong demand for Royal Gala apples.

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

South African grapes and mangoes face market pressure with higher volumes.

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

Citrus fruit – South Africa 

No report.

Market update

No report.

Grapes -South Africa             

In the Hex River, growers began harvesting Sable and Sugraone last week (week 3),  and this will be followed by small volumes of Sweet Celebration. Harvesting of Joybells and Arrafifteen varieties will take place shortly after this, followed by Sweet Joy, Sweet Globe, Crimson, and Autumn Crisp varieties. The region is also expecting favourable weather conditions in the coming weeks, which will help with the final stages of development for the mid-season varieties.

Market update

South African grapes continue to experience market pressure as higher volumes start to arrive.

Stone Fruit -South Africa          

Projected volumes from South Africa, is that the overall crop on Apricots is expected to be up by 30 – 40%, mainly due to young trees coming into production. Of the total volume, 60% is being exported, and 40% is being sold locally.
Nectarines are projected to be up by 5% compared to last year.
Early plums are expected to increase by 20 – 25% from last year, while packing for mid-season plums is currently underway, with a 10% volume increase expected.
Angelino plums are still small, making estimation difficult. However, based on the counts per tree, they are forecasting a 32% increase for both Angelino and Suplumsix varieties.
Yellow plums started this week, with volumes expected to rise next week with the Sungold variety.
Overall, the season is progressing well, with the EU and UK markets taking the largest share at 65%, while the Middle East follows at 15%.
Quality is better than last season, but there’s concern about this week’s heat wave, which will require an additional 50% water supply for the crops.
Growers are expecting a strong finish to the season, with most plums still to be packed.

Market update

Market demand for South African peaches remains strong, while demand for nectarines is lower. Plums shipped YTD from South Africa to the Middle East is 20% down on volume compared to the same time last year.  Volume is expected to increase with the packing of the mid-season and late-season plums.

Kiwi fruit – Market update

No report.

Cherries

No report.

Market update

The only available options are from Chile and New Zealand.

Mangoes -South Africa

The growers are busy packing the Kent variety, although there aren’t many plantings left in the industry. Kent is expected to finish in about 1-2 weeks. Keitt is projected to start a bit earlier this season, around weeks 7/8/9 currently.

Market update

The Middle East market is not performing well on Mangoes due to the high supply of Tommy Atkins mangoes that arrived from South Africa.

India

Pear market 

For the first time in a long time Packhams are selling better than Vermonts in the market. Northern hemisphere apples are in the market with limited volumes. Sales are still slow on apples but it is moving. Market is ready to switch over to Southern Hemisphere apples.

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Bangladesh

No report.