Market Pulse week 10 — 2011

Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 10 — 2011

Apples

The opening prices for Chilean Royal Gala apples in the U.S. were lower than in the previous season, while Mexico recorded price variations for all varieties and providers. Canada’s volumes from the Southern Hemisphere were too low to establish a price trend. The first Southern Hemisphere Royal Gala apples arrived in the U.K. and the European continent, while prices for Brazilian apples were similar to what they were in the previous season. The Brazilian local market did not record any market changes as a result of the festivity period, Argentina recorded price rises for green apples, while Colombia saw high volumes of the Chilean Royal Gala variety. Main markets in Asia recorded their first sales of Chilean and New Zealand apples, while the supply of U.S. apples continued to dominate volumes in the region. 

Avocados

The Chilean season was reaching a close for supply to the U.S., leading to limited volumes, while Mexico registered new price highs at the wholesale level. The continental European and U.K. markets showed stable sales and prices, with the first volumes of green Peruvian avocadoes expected. Both Chile and Argentina registered low volumes available for consumption, influenced by the high prices they had received in the market.

Blueberries

Blueberries in the 1-pint format recorded active sales in the U.S. while sales of the 6-ounce format were moderate. The Canadian market showed good sales rates with 1-pint format blueberries recording moderate sales. A Large proportion of blueberries in the U.K. had problems with condition and this put pressure on prices. In continental Europe, blueberries in good condition received stable prices, while in Asia the earthquake and tsunami events in Japan impacted the final stage of the Chilean blueberry season. Sales were stable with flexible wholesale prices in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit supply remained limited in the U.S. with good sales rates and the first Chilean lots expected in the coming week. American kiwifruit registered price rises in Mexico, while Chilean kiwifruit volumes were limited in Canada and were insufficient to establish a price trend. The European continent and the U.K. saw stable sales and prices for Italian kiwifruit. Chile’s harvest delays meant the country's sales in the Latin American markets of Colombia, Brazil and Argentina were not able to open. In Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, there were slight price rises for New Zealand and Italian Hayward supply.

Peaches/Nectarines

Peach sales were active and nectarines maintained moderate rates in the U.S., while low availability in Mexico triggered price rises for both species. Arrivals of Southern Hemisphere peaches in Europe and the U.K. was expected to decline as the end of the season approached, while the nectarine season was expected to continue until the end of April. Nectarine prices fell in continental European and British markets. Prices in Brazil and Argentina were similar to what they were in the previous week, while Colombia observed lower supply volumes and good prices for nectarine importers. Australia reported limited sales volumes in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, while prices for Chilean produce fell in Asian markets. Taiwan continued to show little interest in stone fruit.

Pears

The U.S. saw moderate sales of Chilean Bartlett and Argentine Williams pears, while the Argentine supply in Mexico was not yet sufficient to establish a market. On the European continent, lots of ripening fruit put pressure on the market, both in terms of the Argentine Williams and South African Bon Chretien varieties. The rest of the pear market remained stable.

Plums

Price adjustments were observed for Larry Anne variety plums on both coasts of the U.S. Good sales rates and a lower supply of plums in Mexico allowed the market to reach stable price levels, as the first lots of Angeleno plums arrived, albeit in limited volumes. Prices were stable for South African and Chilean plums in the U.K. and continental Europe, as the first Chilean Angeleno plums arrived. In Latin America, Brazil registered price and sales volume stability, while Colombia observed price rises due to low supply volumes. Imported plums saw active sales rates in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, with price flexibility due to the large volumes in circulation. Taiwan’s situation was more complex due to a low rotation of inventory.

Table Grapes

In the U.S. there was a limited supply of red seedless grapes, price openings were registered for Chilean Crimson and Red Globe varieties in Canada, while Mexico saw active Red Globe sales which led to price rises. In The U.K. and Europe there were new price adjustments registered for Southern Hemisphere table grapes, while there were slight price rises in Russia due to a lower supply of white seedless and Red Globe grapes. In Latin America, Argentina maintained a high local supply and stable prices, Brazil’s situation was similar to what it was in week 9, while Colombia recorded low supply volumes and attractive prices for importers. There were no major changes in Asian markets, while Chilean and South African white seedless varieties continued with trade difficulties.

Source: iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com