Market Report Week 40 - 2024

Update on the market in the GCC countries.

There is currently a lot of re-exports from Dubai to Saudi Arabia on Pears, Nadorcotts, and Cambria from South Africa, causing a drop in sales and price levels due to more volume arriving in this market.

Lemon prices remain high for both South African and Egyptian Lemons, while there is still limited stock available from Egypt.

Grapes from Italy are performing very well in the market and especially Autumn Crisp variety. Italy has increased the price this week for supply to the Middle East from $14.00 – $19.00 (4.5kg) on the Autumn Crisp variety, due to the high demand and price levels for retail supply into supermarkets in Europe. The Middle East is currently ready to pay at these levels for the Autumn Crisp variety.

1.00 USD = 3.67 AED (Emirate Dirham)

1.00 USD = 3.75 SAD (Saudi Riyals)

1.00 USD = 119.54 BDT (Bangladeshi Taka)

1.00 USD = 83.96 INR (Indian Rupees)

1.00 USD = 17.43 ZAR (South African Rand)

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

Citrus

Citrus fruit – South Africa

There has been a 4% dropped on Oranges and Soft Citrus exported to the Middle East from South Africa compared to the same period last season.

The latest projected crop estimate for the South African Valencia season is 48.7 million cartons compared to the initial estimate of 58.3 million cartons. This is a decrease of 16% for the 2024 season.

Market update

Lemon prices remain high for South African Lemons and for Egypt, however price levels for Egyptian Lemons are subject to the quality. Price levels expected to drop in the next few weeks as more volumes arrive from Egypt.

There are still Egyptian Valencias in the market but selling below the price of South African Valencias. The price for South African Valencias is expected to continue to increase in coming weeks due to less volume available this season from South Africa.

The new season for Mandarins from Spain has started with the first shipment to the Middle East next week (week 41). This is very early as they usually only start in November. Mandarins from Spain start at very high prices, but this season price levels have dropped because they are now competing with South Africa and Australia in the market.

Less volume of Navelates available in the market, however big volumes of Cambria from South Africa available and causing a downward trend in price levels.

Market Prices (Dubai, Kuwait and Jeddah)

Pome

Pome fruit

South Africa

No report.

Market update

The market is currently stable on Royal Gala Apples but is expected to drop in coming weeks when more volume makes arrival in the market from all origins. Granny Smith from Serbia and South Africa and Red Delicious from USA is doing well. However, Red Delicious prices are expected to drop slightly as Italy will start making arrival in the market soon.

The market price has dropped for South African Pears, as there is still availability in the market. The market trend is expected to change in coming weeks as there will be very limited volumes available.

Market Prices (Dubai, Kuwait and Jeddah)

Grape, Stone, Kiwi Fruit

Grapes -South Africa

The South African Table Grape Industry first national crop estimate of 76.4 million cartons (4.5kg equivalent cartons) is anticipated for the 2025 season and expects a 1% increase on volumes inspected for export compared to the 2024 season.

Market update

The market is currently supplied with Grapes from Turkey, Egypt, and Italy.

Stone Fruit -South Africa and Chile

The early Northern areas have started with the first packing of Stone Fruit, and the Western Cape is expected to start with the packing of the first Peaches/Nectarines in week 42.

Cherries

No report.

Mangoes

No report.

Market update

No report.

Kiwi fruit – Market update

The market is currently supplied with Kiwi fruit from Iran. There are also cartons that have been labelled with Kiwi fruit from Chile, however the fruit is actually from Iran and not Chile.