Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 12 — 2011

Apples

Royal Gala Chilean apples showed moderate sales and stable prices in the U.S., their supply was limited in Canada, while the Mexican market registered healthy sales rates. Slight price adjustments were registered on the European continent for Southern Hemisphere Royal Gala apples, with slow sales. Argentina’s market remained unchanged, Brazil reported high prices for Argentine Red Delicious apples, while sales of Royal Gala remained high in Colombia with an increase in prices. In Asia, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland continued with a moderate rotation of Southern Hemisphere-origin inventory, while sales increased for the Red Delicious variety from the U.S. Taiwan reported a recovery for the imported apple market, while India reported stability in sales rates and prices. Saudi Arabia recorded the first arrivals of both green and red Chilean apples, while the UAE registered a significant rise in South African apple volumes.

Avocados

Avocado sales rates were moderate in the U.S. with stable prices, although there were price adjustments for supply that was of caliber 60 or lower. A lower supply in Mexico triggered new price highs at the wholesale level. On the European continent and in the U.K., Spanish Hass prices rose, while the first Peruvian Hass arrivals came in very limited volumes. Argentina’s market opened for domestically-produced Hass avocadoes, pushing down prices for Chilean supply, while in Chile itself domestic demand continued to be strong with new price peaks.

Blueberries

Moderate sales rates were observed in the U.S. market, while Canada observed good sales rates for its limited supply of Chilean blueberries. No major changes were observed in the European market with stable prices, while Japan remained the main Asian market for Chilean blueberries. Meanwhile, markets in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland observed limited availability.

Kiwifruit

Opening prices for Chilean kiwifruit in the U.S. were similar to what they were in the previous season, while Canada expected the first lots of the Chilean Summerkiwi variety in the following week in Toronto. Price adjustments were seen in Mexico for the supply of Californian kiwifruit. Prices were stable with active sales rates for Italian kiwifruit on the European continent and in the U.K. Prices and sales were stable in the Argentine market, while a shortage of Chilean kiwifruit in Colombia led to attractive opening prices. Mediterranean Hayward kiwifruit continued to be available in Asian markets, with sales of the Italian variety and recent arrivals from France. A slow movement of inventory was recorded during the final stage of the Northern Hemisphere season in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. India registered moderate sales for Italian Hayward kiwifruit, which were compatible with demand. Prices and sales rates were stable in the Middle East for Italian Hayward kiwifruit.

Pears

Williams pear sales rates remained moderate in the U.S. with stable prices, while the Mexican market showed an increased proportion of Argentine supply. The Williams pear season reached closer to its end for European and U.K. markets, while there was a greater presence of the Packham’s T variety in the market, with its most healthy sales on the continent. Argentina’s domestic market remained stable and without variations, while Brazil registered lower volumes of Argentine D’Anjou supply, with attractive prices for importers. Low prices were seen for Chilean Summer Bartlett pears in Colombia.

Peaches/Nectarines

In the U.S. market there was active movement of peaches and nectarine sales rates declined, while in Mexico peach sales and prices rose but the opposite was the case for nectarines. For the U.K. and European markets, peach supply from the Southern Hemisphere declined as the season came closer to its end, but both markets observed continued high nectarine sales. However, a decline in nectarine volumes is expected with the next arrivals. Argentina’s market didn’t change from the previous week, while Brazil continued to have a low supply of peaches. Stone fruit demand in Colombia decline due to preferences for domestically-produced mangoes. Lower sales rates for imported nectarines were observed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. Chilean supply dominated these markets, complemented by a limited availability of Australian produce.

Plums

Prices remained stable with moderate sales rates in the U.S., while the same was observed for Larry Ann plums in Mexico, albeit with slight prices adjustments. There was greater participation from the Chilean Angeleno variety on the European continent and in the U.K., but sales rates were slow. In terms of prices, Chilean and South African plums were similar to what they were in the previous week. Argentina’s sales rates were stable and without changes in the market, while Brazil recorded slight price rises for Chilean Angeleno plums. Attractive prices for Chilean Larry Ann plums were observed in Colombia, while in the Asian markets of Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland there was a recovery in inventory rotation for imported plums, in the lead up to the Qingming festival, or ‘Ancestors Day’.

Table Grapes

Thompson Seedless and Crimson Seedless grapes observed price adjustments in the U.S., while higher sales rates were registered in Canada. In Mexico sales continued at a good pace, especially for the Thompson Seedless variety.  On the European continent, high volumes of white seedless grapes continued to put pressure on sales. There were no variations in the Argentine market compared to the previous week, while Brazil recorded price rises for Chilean Thompson Seedless grapes. A shortage of the Peruvian Red Globe variety in Colombia led to increased prices in its domestic market. Asian markets showed healthy activity for imported grape sales, with the exception of white seedless, with a slower rotation of inventory compared to other Southern Hemisphere grapes. Indian and Middle Eastern markets reported stability in sales rates and prices for imported grapes.

Source: iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com