Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 18 — 2011 (May 6)

Apples

In North America, the U.S market for imported apples remained stable without price variations, while the first sales of Chilean Granny Smith apples were recorded on the East Coast.

In Latin America, imported apple markets were also stable in Mexico without price variations, while Colombia recorded healthy sales rates. Both Brazilian and Argentine markets were stable with an uptick in volumes.

In Southern Europe, Royal Gala sales slowed down, but Red Delicious and Granny Smith sales were active. Russia also recorded positive apple sales.

In the Middle East, healthy sales pace was recorded for U.S. and Southern Hemisphere apples, while the last Italian red apple lots were traded.

In Asia, Hong Kong and Chinese mainland markets registered a recovery in sales rates following the celebrations of the previous week, while Taiwanese importers expressed concern about the high arrival volumes of Fuji apples from New Zealand and Chile.

Kiwifruit

In North America, retail promotions stepped up a notch leading to healthy sales rates in the U.S.

In Latin America, price adjustments were recorded in Mexico while kiwifruit import prices fell in Colombia and Brazil. However, a shortage of supply led to higher imported kiwifruit prices in Argentina.

In Europe, the availability of Italian kiwifruit continued to decline, giving way to Chilean supply. Despite the better condition of Chilean kiwifruit this season, some buyers were reluctant due to problems last season. New Zealand supply was expected to start European sales in the following week.

In the Middle East, the Southern Hemisphere season of Hayward kiwifruit was slowly commencing.

In Asia, markets in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland were reported as stable, with healthy sales for Southern Hemisphere kiwifruit, while sales in Japan were lower than during the same period in 2010.

Pears

In North America, the first Argentine D’Anjou pear lots were sold in the U.S.

In Latin America, the supply of U.S. pears declined in Mexico, while demand for imported pears increased in Colombia. In Brazil and Argentina, markets and prices were stable.

In Europe, despite competition with summer fruit, sales activity was adequate, with the exception of Argentine Williams pear lots. Good market activity was observed in Russia.

Plums

In North America, the U.S. market showed moderate sales and stable prices.

In Latin America, the Chilean plum season was finished for Mexican markets, while low availability was reported in Argentina. Imports were also decreasing in Colombia, with higher sales activity expected in week 19 in Brazil.

In continental Europe, slow sales activity was recorded for Chilean Angeleno plums while the U.K. season was expected to finish by the end of the month. The season was nearing its end in Russia and the Netherlands.

Table Grapes

In North America, the first Mexican Perlette grape shipments were expected to arrive in the U.S. in the following week.

In Latin America, Mexican sales activity was focused on the Chilean Thompson Seedless variety, in a bid to clear inventories as the domestic season began. Chilean lots registered a higher frequency of conditional problems in the Colombian market. In Ecuador, the last Peruvian volumes were sold at low prices, negatively affecting sales activity for Chilean supply. Problems with condition were also observed with Brazilian grapes, leading to price falls.

The Southern Hemisphere white seedless grape season was almost finished for the U.K., Northern European and Russian markets, while the market for red varieties was under pressure.

In the Middle East, Chilean Red Globes were dominant while black and white grapes from South Africa and India complemented the market.

In Asia, lower sales pace was registered for imported Red Globe grapes in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. Market activity remained moderate in Taiwan, while the Korean market was still under pressure with high inventories of Chilean supply.

iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com