The first arrivals of Israeli mangoes are expected to hit UK shores at the end of July.
Israeli produce specialist Agrexco says the frosts which struck the country in January did not really affect mango production, as the fruit was not blooming. This year will be an ‘off’ one for the industry, with volumes therefore set to be lower than last, although fruit sizes are due to be larger.
However, lychees were not so lucky, and volumes for the coming season are set to be down 40 per cent. Agrexco UK sales manager Ian Crispin said: “We expected to have more than 400 tonnes of lychees, but instead we will have a maximum of 300t. The melon season which draws to an end in a few weeks was also affected by the frost, with a resulting loss of 20 per cent on what was predicted.”
While pitahaya was not affected either by the frost, as it had finished, and also will not be affected this year, dragon eggs felt the impact of the cold snap. “The frost caught the tail end of the season last time around, and knocked it on the head. For the coming season, we expect there will be some effect on the plants, although it is too early to tell
to what extent,” said Crispin.
But Agrexco estimates that passionfruit will be in good supply in the coming season, along with figs, pomegranates and sharonfruit.
However, the falling value of the sterling against the Israeli shekel has reduced returns to growers. “Programme prices going forward will have to take this into account,” said Crispin. “Rising oil prices have also affected costs, particularly on airfreighted fruit from further afield.
“I have just finished the Argentinean/Peruvian fig season, and the cost to customers was up 10-15 per cent based on airfreight alone. Israeli airfreight costs have also risen again, and ultimately the cost will have to be passed down the line and swallowed up by everyone in the chain. It is for this reason that we are trying to bring in as much by sea as possible,” he added.
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