Update on the market in the GCC countries 

The market is piling up with Northern Hemisphere Apples with a slow sales rate. The situation is not expected to change anytime soon.  The market is under pressure to sell the last of the South African Valencias, after Egypt announced they would start their new season Oranges sooner than expected.

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

Citrus fruit – In general

No report.

Market update

The first volumes of Egyptian Oranges is expected to make arrival in Saudi Arabia on Sunday/Monday. Volumes are still low and + 10 containers are expected to make arrival. With Egypt being in the market earlier than anticipated, this has put pressure on the market to push to sell the late season South African Valencias.

 Grapes -South Africa             

In the Northern Cape, the packing of the next varieties will start next week (week 50) such as Sugraone, Midnight Beauty, Sable, and Tawny varieties.

Market update                        

The early Grapes from South Africa (Prime Seedless and Flame red varieties) should start making arrival in the market by next week (week 50).  By the end of week 48, volumes from South Africa to the Middle East were down by 89% on sea shipments compared to the same period last season.

Stone Fruit – South Africa 

By the end of week 48 volumes exported from South Africa to the Middle East was down by 35% on Plums, 43% on Peaches, 58% on Apricots, while Nectarines was up by 32% compared to the same period last season. 

Market update  

The market is supplied with Stone fruit from South Africa, Australia, and Italy (Plums), however low volumes from South Africa due to the less availability.

Cherries  

By the end of week 47, volumes from South Africa to the Middle East was down by 3% compared to the same period last season. In Chile, there are concerns shipping through the Panama Canal due to the drought that has caused slot reductions and shipping delays.

Market update 

There has been a considerable downward trend on volumes shipped from South Africa to the Middle East from week 47-48.  In week 47 there was an increase of 40%, while in week 48 , there was a decrease of 3%.  This is due to South Africa being at the tail-end of the season and all volumes should be packed by next week (week 50). Cherries from Argentina have started to make arrival in the market.

Mangoes

Slow start to the Mango season in the Komatipoort ,Malelane, and Hoedspruit areas. There is predictions of heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday next week, and this will delay packing even further. The first packing of Mangoes started this week (week 49) with low volumes for the start of the season and the fruit predominantly peaking on small sizes (10/12) for the first pick of the season. Durban port is still a challenge, however growers trying to utilize shipping out of Maputo port as far as possible on Mangoes to alleviate the pressure in Durban port.

Market update

The Middle East is supplied with Mangoes from Kenya and Egypt, however only small volumes from Egypt, as they are at the end of their season.  Mangoes from Yemen should start soon, and it will be in Saudi market within 4-7 days when the season starts.

India

No report.

Bangladesh

No report.