Update on the market in the GCC countries 

In general, the overall market in the GCC countries is sluggish especially due to the oversupply of apples from the Northern Hemisphere and Oranges (Valencias) from South Africa with stock piling up. However, Forelle pears from South Africa are performing very well, with very high price levels.

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

Citrus fruit – In general

In Turkey and the East Mediterranean, harvesting cannot happen because of war in Israel and work in pack houses, as well as military threats in South and North of Israel does not allow workers to access fields – it is currently impossible to assess state of war on harvesting season,  it is already clear this will have a huge impact to citrus industry. July was warm, but fruit was not affected, Easy Peelers shows decrease of 12%, Oranges increase of 24%, Grapefruit increase by 2%.        

Market update

The market is still under pressure due to the oversupply of Valencias from South Africa in the market.

Stone Fruit – South Africa 

Nectarines – the overall projected estimate for the season is that Nectarines is expected to increase by 18%, and this is due to young orchards and new cultivars coming into production. However current sizing is small and peaking on size 25. Apricots – the volume is expected to decrease by 23% this season and it has been a slow start to the season. Peaches – the overall volume is stable compared to last season, with an estimated increase of 1% for the new season. However early season volumes are expected to be down, and volumes will pick up for the later season varieties. Plums – Plum exports are expected to be down by 4% compared to last season. Middle East: increase of 15% on Peaches and 92% on Nectarine volumes shipped from South Africa to the Middle East compared to the same period last season. However, Apricots are down by 51% compared to last season.

Cherries

Cherries are in full swing from South Africa . Chile had rain last weekend, and 30-50% of that fruit cracked and can’t be exported. This affected most of the growers that wanted to start harvest this week. However, the overall volume on cherries is expected to be up 15-20% this season.    

Market update 

The Middle East market is supplied with cherries from Australia and South Africa.  Middle East: decrease of 23% on volumes shipped from South Africa to the Middle East compared to the same period last season.

Mangoes

The very early fruit at the beginning of the season seems to be peaking on smaller sizes (size 10/12),  and this can be contributed to the Northern areas having few days with temperatures above 35ºC and more cooler days in the low to mid 20ºC, and this doesn’t help with fruit growth.

Market update

The Middle East is supplied with mangoes from Egypt, Kenya, and Australia.  Egypt should be out of the market in the next 4-5 weeks; however, Kenya will be available until January. The Mangoes from Australia are only available by airfreight and at high price levels and can’t compete with South African mangoes when available.

India

No report.

Bangladesh

No report.