Market Pulse week 9 — 2011

Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 9 — 2011

Apples

The U.S. market showed price adjustments for Gala apples and prices rose for the Red Delicious variety, while the first lots of Argentine Gala apples were expected to arrive on the east coast in the following week, albeit with limited volumes. Chilean supply in Canada was too low to establish a market or a price trend, while Mexico’s apple market activity was active, although with price adjustments for the American Gala variety. Southern Hemisphere Royal Gala arrivals began to increase in the U.K. and Europe, but with volumes still too limited to establish a market. Meanwhile, the presence European Gala apples became less prominent. There were high volumes of local Red Delicious apples in the Argentine market due to the harvest season. Imported red apple availability was low in Brazil as the market awaited new arrivals, while Colombia registered attractive prices for Chilean Royal Gala apples for importers. U.S. apples continued to dominate Asian markets, as the Southern Hemisphere season gradually got started.

Avocados

In the U.S. and Mexico the avocado supply was lower than demand, leading to new price highs in both countries, exceeding the prices reached in the same week last season. In Europe and the U.K. there was a decline in the supply of Spanish and Israeli Hass avocadoes, as they moved closer to the end of their respective seasons. It was expected that Europe would record its first arrivals of Peruvian green avocadoes for the season in the following week. In Latin America, Argentina registered slow sales for the Chilean supply but with no variation in prices compared to the previous week. Slight price increases continued in Chile because of local supply and strong domestic consumption.

Blueberries

Moderate sales and stable prices were recorded for good quality blueberries in the U.S. and Canada, while there were no significant changes in the U.K. and European markets, where Chilean supply maintained constant volumes and price stability as a result. Arrivals of Chilean blueberries in Hong Kong and Japan were in variable condition, as demand in the face of low availability led to aerial shipments.

Kiwifruit

Italian kiwifruit supply remained limited but with good sales rates in the U.S., while Californian kiwifruit showed active sales rates in Mexico but with pressure problems. Stable sales for Italian kiwifruit were seen in the U.K. and Europe, where there was sufficient supply to meet demand. Italian Hayward variety kiwifruit registered lower prices in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, where there was market stability for New Zealand-origin supply.

Peaches/Nectarines

There was higher sales activity for peaches in the U.S. while nectarine sales kept a good rhythm. Peach sales rates rose in Mexico leading to higher prices, while nectarine sales were moderate with stable prices. Low sales rates kept down prices in the U.K. and Europe, where there was an increase in arrivals of Chilean nectarines. In Latin America, Argentine markets observed high volumes of local peach and nectarine supply, while the market behavior in Brazil was very similar to what it was last year. Importers saw attractive prices in Colombia, but there was inconsistency with the volumes that arrived. Arrivals of good quality Chilean nectarines triggered high sales rates and increased prices in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, while there was higher stability in the Taiwanese market.

Pears

Argentine Williams pears showed moderate sales and price falls in the U.S., while imports of the D’Anjou variety continued to show a good rhythm in Canada and Mexico. On the European continent there were high volumes of Argentine Williams pears, while there were sales pressures for South African Bon Chretien pears. In Russia, Williams pears reached favorable sales rates, with prices slightly higher than those recorded in 2010. In Latin America, the Argentine market continued to sell high volumes of local supply, while prices were attractive for importers in the Brazilian market. In Colombia, there were no price variations for Chilean Bartlett pears compared to the previous week.  

Plums

The U.S. recorded moderate movement in the market with price adjustments on the east coast, while in Mexico the larger supply of Larry Anne plums put pressure on the market. In Europe and the U.K. there was an increase in plum arrivals from both Chile and South Africa, which kept down prices. Argentina maintained its local supply of plums with stable prices, while Brazil showed a decrease in movement as Carnival approached. Inconsistent volumes were observed in Colombia with attractive prices for importers. In Asia, conditions varied for South African plums, leading to price flexibility in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. The Chilean supply, which was in good condition, had more favorable results in both Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.

Table Grapes

The level of table grape supply was balanced with demand in the U.S., while there was higher sales activity for Flame grapes in Canada. Chilean Red Globe grapes recorded price adjustments in Mexico. In Europe and the U.K. there were problems with the condition of white seedless grapes, leading to price falls, but there were good rotation levels for fruit that didn’t have conditional problems. Argentina maintained a high level of local supply due to the harvest season, while the Chilean grape supply in Brazil presented attractive prices for importers. A large market for Chilean grapes was observed in Colombia. In Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland there was a slight recovery in imported grape sales, with the exception of white varieties, while Taiwan had low market activity with moderate sales and price stability. Korean importers sped up sales of Thompson S variety grapes.

Source: iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com