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).  However, low demand for Lemons due to the oversupply in the market from Egypt and Turkey.  Decrease in prices for Tommy Atkins variety of Mangoes from South Africa, however prices are expected to increase when Tommy Atkins is out of the market and the arrival of the new Keitt/Kent varieties.

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

Citrus fruit – In general

Middle East – Exported volumes on Lemons shipped from South Africa is down by 83% compared to the same period last season. South Africa is being cautious at the beginning of the season due to the competition from Turkey and Egypt for good quality Lemons at low price levels.

Market update

There has been a notable decrease of 82% of early Lemon volumes from South Africa to the GCC countries, and this is mainly due to the GCC countries being oversupplied with Lemons mainly from Egypt and Tukey, as well as supply from Iran, Syria, and China. 

 Grapes -South Africa             

Only Crimson Red Seedless is being packed in the Hex River region for the next 3 weeks, as the Red Globe variety is finished. The South African season will end earlier compared to previous seasons.

Market update                        

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

Stone Fruit

Middle East – Exported volumes on Plums shipped from South Africa is down by 18% compared to the same period last season. Although the Apricot season has ended, it was a bumper season in demand and sales from around the world.  South Africa is the only supplier of Apricots from January until March. There is a huge demand for the Carmingo and Robyngo Red Blush Apricots.  This year’s Carmingo variety of Apricots was airfreighted and shipped to supermarkets in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Dubai.

Cherries  

No report.

Mangoes

The season seems to be ending sooner than anticipated.  Most growers finished packing Mangoes this week (week 8), with only one to two growers packing the last of the Mangoes next week (limited volume).

Market update

Overall Mango prices are still low for the Tommy Atkins variety. It has been a difficult season on the Tommy Atkins variety and mainly due to the quality on arrival, however the market is optimistic that price levels will increase significantly each week for the Kent/Keitt varieties, as soon as all the Tommy Atkins variety is out of the market.

Kiwi fruit                        

No report.

India

Red Sea opportunity for SA  

SA apples are in high demand in India due to the closure of the Red Sea. Pear prices are dropping daily as more volumes arrive in the market. The next two weeks will be a big test as the high volumes of summer pears shipped arrive in the market.

Bangladesh

No report.