Market Pulse week 6 — 2011

Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 6 — 2011

Apples

In Europe and the U.K. there were stable market conditions without significant price changes, with the first arrivals of Gala Argentina variety apples in week 7. The U.S. market was active but there were no registered price variations, while in Mexico local apples recorded higher sales rates than imports. Brazil maintained supply from last season with stable prices, while Colombia did not show any market variations.

Apricots

In the U.S. the last apricots from the Chilean season arrived, with slight price rises.

Avocados

In the U.S. sales rates declined for avocadoes with price adjustments, while Mexico’s wholesale prices rose again. European Hass variety sales were stable in the U.K. and the continent, without major price changes. Israeli Pinkerton avocado sales were more complicated, with minor price adjustments. 

Blueberries

Blueberry sales were active in the U.S. with higher prices, while Canadian sales rates improved with stable prices. A greater proportion of soft fruit was observed in the U.K. and Europe, which affected sales slightly. However, fruit in good condition recorded stable prices.

Cherries

In the U.S. the supply of Chilean cherries was very limited as the Southern Hemisphere season finished. In Europe and the U.K there were slow sales with no major price changes for cherries in good condition. Asian markets recorded strong sales in the final weekend before Chinese New Year, but with lower prices at the wholesale level in the main markets of the region.

Peaches/Nectarines

Moderate peach sales activity was recorded in the U.S. while nectarine sales were more active. The opposite occurred in Mexico, where peach sales were higher than nectarine sales. In Europe and the U.K. sales were not very active and were without major price changes. The Latin American market in general was slow with a low rotation of stonefruit and slightly lower prices.

Pears

There were price adjustments and active sales of Chilean Summer Bartlett variety pears in the U.S., while imported D’Anjou pears maintained healthy sales rates in Mexico. South African Bon Chretien pears showed active sales and stable prices in Europe and the U.K., where significant volumes of Argentine Williams pears were expected in the following week. Brazil’s market remained slow without any great changes, while in Colombia prices were lower than expected.

Plums

Plum sales in the U.S. and Mexico remained stable, without price variations compared to the previous week. In Europe and the U.K. there was an increased Chilean supply in the market, which was still dominated by South African volumes. Plum prices fell in Brazil while Colombia had a lower supply and lower rotation rates in the market.

Table Grapes

In the U.S. there were stable prices for both the Thompson S and Flame varieties, while in Canada the market for Flame table grapes continued downward due to the large Chilean supply. Low temperatures in Mexico affected the country's grape production. There was a greater proportion of white seedless grapes in poor condition in the U.K. and Europe, mainly from South Africa and Argentina. However, sales remained active and prices were stable for grapes in good condition. The Brazilian market continued to be stable with few changes, while Colombia’s market was more dynamic with a high rotation of grapes and competitive prices.