Market Pulse week 8 — 2011

Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 8 — 2011

Apples

The first lots of Chilean gala apples arrived in the U.S. but with limited volumes, while the same Chilean variety registered active sales in Mexico with prices slightly higher than last season. The first lots of Argentine gala apples arrived in Europe but with limited volumes, while the European market showed adequate sales generally considering the supply. In Argentina’s domestic market, the start of harvests for the new season led to a higher supply, while prices fell in Brazil and Colombia due to high volumes in the market. U.S. supply dominated the market for imported apples in Asia, where there was a slight recovery for the Red Delicious variety in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. In Taiwan the supply of Fuji apples maintained a moderate rotation of sales and price stability.

Avocados

A fall in Mexican avocado supply led to new price rises in the U.S. and Mexico itself, where there were healthy sales rates. In Europe and the U.K. the Hass avocado market showed stability and was supplied by Spain and Israel, while importers are expecting the first Hass shipments from Kenya and Peru. The Argentine market was slower due to bad weather and the vacation period, while Chile’s market continued with high sustained demand. 

Blueberries

Active blueberry sales continued in the U.S. with stable prices while in Canada the market observed pressures which led to price falls. In Asia, aerial arrivals of Chilean blueberries continued in Japan and Hong Kong, where there were flexible wholesale prices due to variable fruit conditions.

Kiwifruit

Active sales rates with price variations were observed in the U.S. and Mexico, while Europe and U.K. markets were largely unchanged and dominated by Italian kiwifruit supply, as Chile sent its first shipments to the continent. There was some concern with respect to the quality and condition of these shipments. Markets in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland reported price stability for Italian and New Zealand Hayward kiwifruit.

Peaches/Nectarines

The U.S. recorded price adjustments for nectarines while there weren’t any great variations for peaches, which registered declining sales in Mexico. There were no reported changes in Europe during the week, with Chilean supply dominating the nectarine market and peach markets recording a large reduction in volumes. The local Argentine market registered price falls with high volumes, while Brazil’s market was more dynamic due to good weather and stable prices. Colombia’s peach and nectarine shortage led to slightly higher prices. In Asia, demand for Chilean nectarines was low while Australia registered practically no availability in the region’s main markets.

Pears

The U.S. east coast recorded price adjustments for pears due to the increased supply of the Argentine Williams variety, while the supply of Southern Hemisphere volumes in Canada was insufficient to establish a price trend. In Mexico, imported D’Anjou pears maintained active sales rates. Russia had a public holiday and the pear market was stable, while sales of the Conference pear variety were healthy. The same was the case in the rest of Europe for local fruit, but in terms of overseas sales there was a shift from South African Bon Chretien to Argentine Williams pears. In Argentina itself there weren’t any great price changes, while Brazil observed a higher movement of pears and attractive prices. Despite good quality arrivals in Colombia, lower prices were expected.

Plums

Higher plum sales activity was seen across both coasts of the U.S. while the Mexican market was more active due to significant entry of new varieties. European plum markets were stable, however it is expected supply increases from overseas will likely be reflected in price adjustments. The Latin American market for this type of stone fruit is less strong than other fruits generally, except Brazil where consumers preferred plums that were less ripe and imports increased by 40%, with the arrival of large-sized plums. In Asia the main markets supplied plums from Australia, Chile and South Africa. Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland continued with slow sales, with price flexibility that depended on the quality and condition of fruit arrivals.

Table Grapes

In the U.S. there were new price adjustments for Red Globe and Black Seedless grapes, while in Mexico the Thompson S and Red Globe varieties showed the highest activity. In Europe and the U.K. markets maintained high prices for grapes in good condition, while the market was difficult for lots in variable condition; that said, the markets are still progressing well. A slow market was observed in Argentina due to the vacation period, while the Brazilian market improved with its largest movement before carnival celebrations. In Colombia prices fell due to the end of the trucker strike, which caused speculation about oversupply. Sales of Southern Hemisphere grapes were quiet in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, while the Korean market absorbed an adequate level of grapes from a high Chilean supply.

Source: iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com