Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 19 — 2011 (May 13)

Apples

In North America, greater interest for the Southern Hemisphere Royal Gala variety was observed in the U.S., along with reports of the first Chilean Cripps Pink arrivals.

In Latin America, the Mexican market remained stable and no significant price changes were seen, despite a decrease in Chilean Royal Gala volumes. Argentina’s lower availability led to higher minimum prices, while imported supply increased in Colombia leading to price falls. The Brazilian imported apple market remained stable.

In Europe, the Royal Gala variety registered slow sales activity, while Red Delicious and Granny Smith apple traders reported favorable sales pace. However, problems with condition persisted, especially in the case of the Granny Smith variety.

In the Middle East, all supplies of imported grapes registered active sales pace with relatively stable prices.

In Asia, imported apple availability fell in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, showing relatively stable prices. Trading was moderate in Taiwan, while the first Chilean Fuji arrivals of the season were registered with high volumes. India’s imported apple market was healthy, although prices varied depending on fruit quality.

Kiwifruit

In North America, Chilean kiwifruit supply was sufficient for sales activity on the U.S. East Coast, while the market was slightly pressured on the West Coast.

In Latin America, imported fruit registered moderate sales pace in Mexico, leading to new price adjustments. Imported volumes increased in Colombia and Brazil, causing price adjustments for medium-size kiwifruit. Higher domestic supply made competition difficult for imported kiwifruit in Argentina.

Italian Hayward kiwifruit was traded in the Middle East, while Chilean supply was starting to enter the market.

In Asia, markets in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland reported active trading for Southern Hemisphere Hayward kiwifruit, while current market activity was not as favorable as expected in Japan. India’s kiwifruit was dominated by the New Zealand Hayward variety, while the first arrivals from the Chilean season were registered.

Mandarins

In North America, Southern Hemisphere supply was limited in the U.S. and only Peruvian fruit was available with delays for Chilean supply.

In Europe, sales activity was slow while Southern Hemisphere volumes put pressure on the market, with a dominance of the Satsuma variety. Better sales pace was observed in Russia, where Argentine arrivals were expected to decrease, favoring market activity in the coming weeks.

In Asia, the Southern Hemisphere mandarin season was slowly starting to supply the main markets of the region. South African and Australian Nova variety mandarins were traded in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, while the 2011 season had not yet started in Japan.

Pears

In North America, green pear sales activity was stable and without price variations in the U.S. , while the market was slightly down for the Bosc variety with smaller sizes.

In Latin America, moderate sales rates were observed for imported D’Anjou pears in Mexico, with price adjustments registered for Argentine supply. Good prices were reported for imported pears in Colombia, while imported pear prices fell in Brazil due to an increase in supply. The Argentine market remained stable, supplied by domestic volumes.

In Europe, pear markets remained stable despite the pressures of an influx of summer fruit. In Russia, sales rates continued to be positive with Argentina as the main supplier.

Plums

In North America, the Chilean plum export season came to a close in the U.S., where sales pace was moderate and prices were stable despite limited supply.

In Latin America, imported Angeleno plums showed problems with condition, putting downward pressure on prices in Brazil and Colombia. Market activity was healthy in the Argentine market during the last few weeks of the season.

In Asia, the Southern Hemisphere plum season came to a close, with limited Chilean Angeleno availability and a shortage of arrivals expected to continue until late-May.

Table Grapes

The Chilean white seedless grapes season was over in the U.S. with the last lots traded during the week, while the Mexican Perlette variety registered opening prices on the West Coast.

In Latin America, the Chilean Thompson Seedless season was finished for Mexican markets, where sales activity was mainly focused on the Red Globe variety. Colombian traders observed a higher proportion of imported grapes in poor condition, leading to price adjustments. Lower availability in Brazil led to price rises, while strong domestic supply in Argentina led to price falls.

In Europe, a high proportion of Chile’s last white grapes were in poor condition, while higher volumes of Red Globes also showed problems with condition. However, Crimson varieties showed optimal condition.

In the Middle East, the Indian Thompson Seedless season was nearing its end, while Southern Hemisphere seeded varieties registered healthy sales activity.

In Asia, sales activity was back to normal in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland following a holiday in the previous week, reporting stable prices. Chilean Red Globe grape prices fell in Taiwan, while trading was still difficult in Korea due to high volumes of Thompson Seedless. Chilean Red Globes were also dominant in India, which registered its final stocks of Peruvian grapes.

iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com