Update on the market in the GCC countries. 

Continued high demand for new season Apples, Pears, and Grapes from South Africa for pre-Ramadan sales and for Ramadan (10 March 2024). This is the first year that Iran are allowed to wax their Lemons. They are currently storing Lemons to send to the market before Ramadan. There is also a high demand for Bananas for Ramadan, as consumers like to eat Bananas when breaking their fast-during Ramadan.

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

Citrus fruit – In general

All growers from the Northern areas will start packing Lemons from next week due to the colour that has developed. This will ensure that the Lemons arrive in the market with a good yellow colour.

Market update

The market is optimistic about Lemon supply from South Africa, as the market is still full of Lemons from Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Syria, and China.  Price levels continue to decline for Lemons, and South Africa will compete with Lemons from all these countries in the market.

 Grapes -South Africa             

The season on Red Globe and White Seedless Grapes will end sooner than anticipated from the Hex River region. There is about 2 weeks of packing left on these varieties.

Market update                        

Continued increase in demand for Red Globe Grapes from South Africa for Ramadan.

Stone Fruit

The season on Apricots from South Africa has concluded for the season, with volumes being 19% down compared to last season. The packing of the late season Nectarines, the August Red variety has started, and volumes are up compared to last season.

Cherries  

No report.

Mangoes

The Keitt variety is in full swing. The season is expected to end by the 1^st week of March with selective picking for export and the last shipping from South Africa is expected to be by the 2^nd week of March (week 10).

Market update

Continued downward trend in price levels for the Tommy Atkins variety of Mangoes from South Africa. The market is expected to pick up with the arrival of the Kent/Keitt varieties.

Kiwi fruit                        

No report.

India

Pear market clears up and Plum prices increase  

The illegal Chinese Packhams came to an end in early January and this allowed the market to clear most of the SA Packham stock before the SA summer pears arrived. Shipping problems out of SA and especially Cape Town will cause a flooded market as a lot of pears will arrive at the same time. The plum supply form SA will be limited due to the heat waves experienced in the production areas. This is pushing prices up in the market.

Bangladesh

Royal Gala shipments underway  

The first Royal Gala shipments to Bangladesh are en route and will arrive in time for Ramadan sales. Both importers and exporters are expecting a good market during this time period whereafter sales will cool down and return to normal.