Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 14 — 2011

Apples

Chilean Royal Gala apples maintained modest sales activity and stable prices in the U.S., while Mexico saw better sales pace for the U.S. Gala variety.

In continental Europe, the U.K. and Russia, moderate trading was reported for Southern Hemisphere Royal Gala apples with slight price adjustments.

There was healthy sales activity in Middle Eastern markets for imported Royal Gala apples, with price adjustments for European-origin varieties and stable prices for apples from other regions.

In Asia, moderate inventory rotation was seen in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, with variable prices that depended on quality and how old the lots were. India’s apple market registered healthy sales, with a dominance of the U.S. Red Delicious variety.

Avocados

Supply remained limited in North America with high prices in the U.S., but some sizes registered price falls during the week.

In Latin America, Chilean Hass availability was registered in Argentina with high price levels, while the domestic Chilean market reported similar prices to the previous week.

Peruvian and Kenyan Hass variety volumes increased slightly in European markets, with stable activity and prices recorded for Northern Hemisphere supply.

Blueberries

In North America there was scarce availability but a healthy sales pace and high prices for domestically-produced fruit, with stable Chilean supplies.

The Southern Hemisphere blueberry seasons finished for continental European and U.K. markets, while volumes from Spain and Morocco rose with healthy sales activity.

In Asia, the Southern Hemisphere blueberry season was nearing its end, although arrivals from Chile continue with limited availability, declining week by week. Japan continued to be the main blueberry import market in the region.

Kiwifruit

In North America, price adjustments were recorded for Chilean kiwifruit in the U.S. In Mexico, sales were mainly recorded for Californian supply.

On the European continent and in the U.K., Italian kiwifruit registered similar sales activity to what was recorded in the previous week, while the first New Zealand arrivals were expected in the first week of May.

In the Middle East, Iranian Hayward kiwifruit complemented Italian supply, while the market was expecting the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere season.

In Asia, Italian Hayward variety was still available in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, with a slow sales pace. The first Southern Hemisphere kiwifruit arrivals were expected in the coming days, although with very limited volumes. Fair inventory rotation was recorded for Mediterranean-origin kiwifruit supplies into the Indian market.

Peaches/Nectarines

Peaches and nectarines registered moderate sales activities and no significant price changes in the U.S.

In Latin America, prices fell for both species in Mexico while the last Chilean arrivals were registered in Colombia and Brazil. Argentina maintained its domestic volumes, showing no market changes.

The Southern Hemisphere peach and nectarine seasons were over for the continental European and U.K. markets, with stable sales activity expected during the last days of trading.

In Asia too, the Southern Hemisphere was nearing its end, with Chilean arrivals expected to peak during the week and decrease sharply afterwards. Australian availability remained limited.

Pears

Better sales activity was registered for Argentine Williams pears in the U.S., while Chilean supply was insufficient to establish a price trend in Mexico.

Continental Europe and the U.K. reported low rotation levels for Southern Hemisphere Packham’s T variety pears, leading to price adjustments.

Plums

Moderate sales rates were recorded for Angeleno plums in the U.S. and Mexico, leading to price adjustments.

Chilean Angeleno plums were dominant in the continental European and U.K. markets, registering healthy sales activity.

In Asia, imported plums showed slow inventory rotation in the main destination markets. In terms of Southern Hemisphere supply, Chilean volumes were dominant and South African varieties complemented the market, although with low availability.

Table Grapes

The U.S. market was mainly focused on white seedless grapes with wide price ranges and variable fruit condition, while the Canadian market registered price changes and moderate sales activity.

In Mexico, Thompson variety volumes decreased during the first half of April compared to last season. Imported grape supply exceeded demand Colombia, while sales activity improved in Brazil compared to the previous week. Condition problems were recorded for stored grapes in Argentina, leading to a shorter domestic season.

In Northern Europe and the U.K. there was a high proportion of Chilean white seedless grapes with condition problems, which made sales activity difficult.

No major changes were seen in prices and sales activity in Middle Eastern markets, but South African supply was declining week by week. Chile and India were the major providers to these markets.

Prices rose for the Southern Hemisphere Red Globe variety in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, while moderate inventory levels were registered in Taiwan. High activity for Chilean grapes was seen in the Korean market. India’s market for imported table grapes was active, as the Peruvian Red Globe variety continued to be the most attractive to consumers due to its large size and availability.

Source: iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com