Update on the market in the GCC countries. 

The overall market has been sluggish, and the expectation is that the market will hopefully pick up towards the end of this week after pay day and pre-Ramadan sales during next week. Big volumes of Bananas in the GCC countries and arriving with damages due to the longer transit time. Apples continue to perform well for pre-Ramadan sales. There is 1 week to go before Ramadan is expected to start on 10 March 2024. Increase in market price levels in Dubai, with the arrival of the Shelley variety of Mangoes, however price levels remain low for Tommy Atkins variety in the Middle East market.  A new shipping company has started operations in Saudi Arabia with a new container line, and is expected to provide customers with non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) services and create new trade lanes offering end-to-end shipping solutions.

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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 13% compared to the same period last season.

Market update

The market is optimistic that a higher volume of Egyptian and Turkish Lemons will be shipped pre-Ramadan and during Ramadan to start clearing the volumes in the market . Egypt and Turkey is expected to be in the market for another 2 – 3 weeks. Iran are currently storing Lemons to send to the market before Ramadan. The market is supplied with Lemons from Egypt and Tukey, Iran, Syria, and China. 

 Grapes -South Africa             

Only Crimson Red Seedless is being packed in the Hex River region for the next 2 weeks.   

In General 

Peru finished Red Globe Grapes 2-3 weeks earlier, and this has helped the Chilean industry to keep high price levels, and especially to the USA where there is a high demand with high price levels. There has been a delay in the harvest from Chile due to the weather and also later varieties that have been planted to avoid a large overlap with Peru during January and early February.

Market update                        

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

Stone Fruit

 Overall exports on plums from South Africa across the globe is down by 11% compared to last season, and Chile is down by 8%.

Cherries  

No report.

Mangoes

Most growers in South Africa have finished packing Mangoes, however there are some growers that are still packing limited volume at the tail-end of the season.  

In General 

The Mango season from India is expected to start around 15^th of March. Due to favourable weather conditions, the crop is higher this season compared to last season. Volume and Quality is looking good for the season.

Market update

Overall Mango prices are still low for the Tommy Atkins variety from South Africa; however, the sales and market price levels have picked up in Dubai with the arrival of the Shelley variety from South Africa. The market is supplied with mangoes from South Africa, Yemen and India is expected to start in the Middle of March and Pakistan in April/May.

Kiwi fruit                        

No report.

India

Pear prices drop  

The expected drop in pear prices is now happening daily as more summer pears start to clash with early Packham arrivals. Plums are moving if prices correctly. A lot of push back on Plums when process increase. The Plum crop in SA will end very quickly and most growers have finished packing their Plums for the season. The Plum volumes will be drastically down.

Bangladesh

South African Royal Gala Arrived  

The first shipments of Royal Gala from South Africa have made arrival. Current selling prices are below the importers’ cost, but market conditions are expected to improve once Ramadan starts.