Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 22 — 2011 (June 3)

Apples

In North America, increased market activity was observed with Royal Gala apples in the U.S.

In Latin America, markets remained stable with price rises only seen in Colombia for the Granny Smith and Red Delicious varieties.

In Europe, apples faced strong competition with stonefruit, but lower European apple availability favored Southern Hemisphere supply.

In the Middle East, prices remained stable for Royal Gala apples while high levels continued for the Granny Smith variety. Slow sales pace continued in Saudi Arabia while better activity was registered in Dubai.

In Asia, markets were stable but attractive prices were only registered for good quality supply, with Taiwanese importers reporting condition problems with the Fuji variety.

Avocado

In North America, active sales pace continued in the U.S. with high inventory rotation.

In Latin America, markets were stable with price rises due to lower availability as the season neared its end.

In Northern Europe, stable market activity was observed with favorable trading, while a similar situation was seen in the U.K. with Southern Hemisphere arrivals progressively increasing.

Kiwifruit

In North America, Chilean kiwifruit volumes were appropriate for sales rates in the U.S., while high activity was registered for New Zealand supply.

In Latin America, low sales rates led to price adjustments in a bid to boost inventory placement across all markets.

On the European continent, markets were slow and under pressure from New Zealand Hayward supply. Higher sales rates were observed in Russia for large-sized fruit while lower sales rates were seen for small-sized kiwifruit.

In the Middle East, the first New Zealand kiwifruit were registered while Chilean supply remained low.

In Asia, better condition was observed for Chilean Hayward volumes, leading to improved sales rates in China compared to the previous week. Prices were stable in Japan despite low sales rates which put the market under pressure.

Mandarins

In North America, Southern Hemisphere supply was still too low to establish a sufficient market in the U.S.

In Northern Europe, satsuma activity was slow with consumers showing little interest in the fruit, while higher mandarin stocks in the U.K. put the market under pressure.

In the Middle East, the first clementines were traded in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

In Asia, markets were stable in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland while high U.S. Minneola stocks were registered in Japan.

Pears

In North America, slow inventory rotation was observed for Bosc pears in the U.S., with price adjustments observed for Argentine pears and stable prices for Chilean supply.

In Latin America, a decrease of Argentina's Williams supply paved the way for its Packham's T variety in Brazil. Low availability of Chilean Packham's T was observed in Colombia which led to price increases.

In Northern Europe and Russia, pear markets were slow due to increased competition with summer fruit.

Pomegranates

In North America, moderate sales pace was registered in the U.S. with slight price adjustments.

In Northern Europe the Chilean pomegranate season was established but with low arrivals. Markets were put under a bit of pressure due to high fruit inventories in Russia.

In the Middle East, Chilean exports were mainly bound for the UAE while the domestic season was set to begin in Saudi Arabia.

In Asia, Southern Hemisphere pomegranate supply was scarce, with Japan registering occassional arrivals from Chile.

Table Grapes

The Southern Hemisphere table grape season was over for the North American market.

In Latin America, price falls were registered for imported grapes in Brazil as condition problems made sales activity difficult. Imported Red Globe grapes in good condition were scarce in Colombia with price rises, while prices varied for grapes in weaker condition depending on damage levels

In Northern Europe, Chile's season for red seeded and seedless grapes was nearing its end showing problems with condition, while low volumes of Egyptian and Israeli grapes were entering the market. Stable market activity was observed in the U.K. where the Chilean Crimson variety was dominant.

In the Middle East, the Southern Hemsiphere season was also nearing its end, with low prices due to competition with domestic stonefruit.

In Asia, Southern Hemiphere supply was mostly of the red seeded and seedless grape varieties in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, where sales activity and prices were variable depending on fruit condition. Sources in Taiwan reported low prices and slow a sales pace, while Red Globe was the only variety traded.

iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com