Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Download the latest full GCC Market Update from the Global Star Group website.
This week’s GS Intelligence report tracks Royal Gala price erosion, Egypt’s takeover in the lemon category, the ongoing Valencia slide, and how four months of port charges have bled importer margins dry.
Powered by Global Star Group, GS Intelligence delivers weekly market intelligence for growers, exporters, logistics networks, and fresh produce buyers.
Key market highlights
Week 44 brought heavy downward price pressure across core lines. Multi-origin Gala apple arrivals oversupplied wholesale floors and triggered a US$2-US$4 drop.
The South African lemon campaign has hit a dead end, falling another US$5, opening the door for fresh Egyptian and Turkish arrivals to take over. Meanwhile, Valencias dropped another US$5 this week as peak volumes continue to overwhelm wholesale floors.
GCC wholesale floor prices (aggregated ranges across regional distribution floors, all prices in US$)
Apples
Italy: Royal Gala ($22.67-$25.33); Golden ($25.33-$26.67); Granny Smith ($32-$36.27); Fuji ($25.33-$26.67); Dolce Vita ($26.67-$29.87); Evelina ($26.67-$28.80); Kanzi ($33.33); Pink Lady ($30.67)
South Africa: Royal Gala ($24-$26.67); Royal Gala Beaut ($24-$28); Gala ($22.67-$24); Granny Smith ($30.67-$32.53); Crisp Pink ($22.93-$24)
Serbia: Royal Gala ($21.87-$22.67); Granny Smith ($29.27-$32)
Turkey: Royal Gala ($20.80-$21.87); Granny Smith ($25.33-$28)
Chile: Royal Gala ($28-$28.80);
France: Royal Gala ($23.47-$25.33);
Portugal: Royal Gala ($21.87-$23.47) |
Moldova: Royal Gala ($20-$24)
Lemons
South Africa: KSA ($4-$6.67); UAE ($10.89); BHR ($10.60)
Egypt: KSA ($10.67-$13.33); UAE ($16.88); BHR ($16.43)
South African Citrus
Oranges: Cambria Navels: KSA ($25.33-$29.87); UAE ($21.79); BHR ($27.83); Valencias: KSA ($17.33-$20); UAE ($20.43); BHR ($19.88-$21.20)
Mandarins: Nadorcott: KSA ($22.67-$24); UAE ($20.43); BHR ($21.73); Tango: KSA ($21.33-$22.67); BHR ($21.73)
For detailed pricing by grade and market, please refer to our full published price sheet.
Strategic outlook: the true cost of port congestion
While falling wholesale floor prices grab the headlines, the real commercial bleeding over the past four months has happened inside port gates.
Customs clearance backlogs haven’t just shortened shelf-life and degraded quality; they have hit balance sheets with secondary costs and cash flow drain. Importers have shouldered months of compounding demurrage, detention, and reefer electricity charges at Jeddah Port.
When a box of fruit that already lost 30 per cent of its market value due to transit delay is also burdened with hundreds of dollars in port holding charges, gross margins turn deeply negative. These unrecoverable port-side charges eat importer capital faster than wholesale price fluctuations ever could.
Disclaimer: This report summary has been produced by GS Intelligence using information it believes to be accurate. Fruitnet does not accept liability for any error or omission.
