Rainfall in Turkey over the last 10 days is likely to bring about an early end to the satsuma season from the country.
Munir Almaz of Bamsped International said: “It has been raining in Turkey, which has been very poor for picking. Satsumas will finish early because growers cannot pick enough fruit. But I don’t think there will be a shortage for Christmas. The supply situation on the wholesale markets might run a bit tight though, as everyone will be fulfilling their supermarket order.”
Ken Smith at importer Greencell forecasts that there will still be enough satsumas in the system. “There should be enough to see us through to the end of December, but we are unlikely to see any in January,” he said. The supply picture in Europe is shifting, according to Greencell. “Satsumas from Spain are finishing earlier and earlier year on year, as they are growing less and less of the variety,” said Smith. “Turkey would normally go into January, but there would always be a gap after it finishes before southern-hemisphere supplies begin.”
This season it looks like that gap will be a little longer, although Smith expects to start with early fruit from northern Argentina in the third week of February, rather than at the end of that month. Prices are also a little stronger, at 20 per cent above last season; although with a 30 per cent lighter crop from Turkey, increased freight costs and a strengthening of the Turkish lira, most of this advantage is swallowed up.
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