Southern Hemisphere topfruit suppliers are facing challenging conditions in the European market as their season enters the home straight. Chile’s iQonsulting reports that high stocks – particularly in apples –coupled with the start of the local production season in Europe is putting mounting pressure on prices.
“Stored fruit is being finished off to make way for the new season crop. In pears we’re already seeing volumes from Spain and France, while in apples the first Royal Gala and Elstar are starting to come through,” said Isabel Urrutia of iQonsulting. “With European volumes set to rise considerably over the next two weeks, competition during the final stages of the Southern Hemisphere season will be fierce.”
In pears, where stocks are relatively low, a 12.5kg carton of Pakham’s from South Africa is fetching around €7, while Chilean and Argentinean fruit is selling for an average of €10 per 18kg carton.
Stock levels for apples are higher, however, with fruit still available from Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Brazil. Royal Gala and Chilean Granny Smith are currently faring worst, averaging €10 per 18kg carton. Other varieties, such as Fuji, Cripps Pink, Braeburn and Red apples were seeing prices closer to €15 per 18kg carton. While larger sized apples from South Africa are also averaging €15 per 18kg carton, smaller sizes are faring as badly as Chilean fruit.
The situation has got so difficult that in some cases marketers are opting to throw stored fruit away to make room for new season arrivals, Urrutia said.
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