The Middle East market remains stable on Valencia oranges from South Africa, with a slight downward trend in price levels from week 40-42. Increase in demand and price levels for lemons from South Africa due to limited availability.

Overall drop in sales and market prices for Royal gala apples in the Middle East market as more volume starts to arrive from Italy/France, Serbia, and Poland.

Operations have resumed slowly at South Africa’s ports, with exports mainly on blueberries, early stone fruit and the last of the citrus.

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

This should be the last week of citrus packing in the Western Cape bringing the citrus season to a close. However, due to the Transnet strike and with operations only starting to resume slowly, there is a huge back log of citrus containers that still needs to be shipped. The Spanish season has started for clementines, and mandarins and volumes should start increasing from next week. The volume should be good this season, however the economic situation is more challenging with the increase in energy, fuel, and production costs.

Market update

The price for valencia oranges from South Africa dropped slightly in the Middle East from week 40-42. However, in Saudi Arabia there has been an increase in the price level of Lemons from South Africa due to the limited supply. The market is expected to continue showing positive market trends and price levels for lemons.

Exported volumes from South Africa to the Middle East remain unchanged from week 40-42 with only a slight change in oranges from 9% to 8% increase. This is due to Transnet port strikes with no container vessels loading. There will be a gap in supply for at least two weeks. Operations at the port have only started to resume slowly.

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

The Orange River in the Northern Cape will be harvesting Early Sweet and Prime white varieties from week 46/47 (mid-end November) and this will be packed until week 49/50 (beg-mid December)

The packing of Tawny red variety will start at the end of week 49 (beg-mid December) and Midnight Beauty black variety will start in week 50/51 (mid-end December).

The packing of the first peaches started this week (week 42). Although Nectarine packing started about 2 weeks ago, it was a slow start and mainly supply for the local market. Volumes on Nectarines will pick up towards the end of next week (week 43).

India

Importers in India have dropped the prices of pears to levels below cost. There is no need for this, but some importers are just panicking, dropping prices and will then ask for discount from their suppliers. This is irresponsible behaviour. Orange market is still selling below cost.

Bangladesh

Importers were starting to ask for apples as the volumes from China were lower than normal. This changed quickly when one vessel from China with 120 containers of apples on made arrival this week. Citrus market is maintaining on oranges as limited volumes will make arrival due to the port strikes in South Africa. Poor quality oranges are being auctioned and selling at very low prices.