Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 16 — 2011

Apples

In North America, the first New Zealand Royal Gala apples were traded in the U.S., but with limited volumes.

In Latin America, the previous week’s price adjustments led to a higher sales pace in Mexico, but it wasn’t as high as expected. Trading decreased in Brazil due to the holidays, with sales expected to return to normal in the following week. In Colombia, market activity was severely affected by wind and rain storms, while the Argentine market was still supplied by local fruit.

Royal Gala sales activity was low in the U.K. and on the European continent, while a higher proportion of Chilean Granny Smith apples had bitter pits and bruising, leading to slight price adjustments.

In the Middle East, active sales pace and stable prices were seen for Southern Hemisphere apples.

In Asia, stable prices were recorded in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland for Chilean Royal Gala apples, while prices rose for U.S. Red Delicious and Granny Smith varieties. Importers were waiting for the first arrivals of Chilean stock in Taiwan. India’s market for imported apples traded with a healthy sales pace, dominated by the U.S. Red Delicious variety.

Avocados

In North America, moderate sales activity continued in the U.S. with price changes for most sizes.

In Latin America, low availability and high prices of Chilean Hass avocadoes meant exports to Argentina declined. Chile’s domestic market was heavily favored by Easter sales.

The U.K. and continental European markets recorded low availability of Southern Hemisphere avocadoes, with Spanish supply decreasing weekly. Hass and Fuerte varieties maintained strong trading.

Blueberries

North American markets saw active sales pace for blueberries, with scarce availability and high prices for domestically-grown fruit. However, the supply of Chilean fruit remained stable.

The Southern Hemisphere season was over for continental European and U.K. markets, while fair sales activity was registered for Spanish and Moroccan blueberries, with volumes increasing.

In Asia, the Southern Hemisphere season was nearing its end, although arrivals from Chile continued with limited availability. Japan continued to be the main blueberry market in the region.

Kiwifruit

Price adjustments were reported in the U.S. with moderate trading, while a lack of availability of Chilean kiwifruit in Canada was insufficient to establish a market.

In Latin America, stable sales pace was registered in Mexico while low sales activity was seen for Chilean supply in Brazil and Colombia. Argentina’s market was stable and was only supplied by Chilean and domestic volumes.

Larger size kiwifruit registered price increases in Europe, while the first Chilean lots had begun trading in Russia.

Middle Eastern markets were still in transition to the new Southern Hemisphere season, while there was scarce availability of Italian Hayward kiwifruit.

In Asia, New Zealand kiwifruit arrivals were not yet registered in Japan, allowing for Chilean Hayward kiwifruit to report good sales activity. Italian kiwifruit was still traded in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, with markets not yet established for Chilean wholesale volumes. Fair inventory rotation was seen for Mediterranean kiwifruit in India.

Peaches/Nectarines

Both peaches and nectarines registered moderate sales activity in the U.S. without significant changes.

In Latin America, prices fell for both fruits in Mexico while the last Chilean arrivals were recorded in Brazil and Colombia. The Argentine market showed no significant changes, supplied by domestic production.

The Southern Hemisphere peach and nectarine season was over in the U.K. and continental Europe, with stable sales activity expected during the last days of trading.

The Southern Hemisphere season was also nearing its end for Asian markets, with Chilean arrivals expected to peak during the week and decline afterwards. Australian availability remained limited.

Pears

In North America, the first imported Packham’s T lots were traded on the U.S. East Coast.

In Latin America, moderate sales activity and stable prices were registered in Mexico, but the sales pace was very low in Brazil and Colombia due to the religious holiday. Domestic volumes in Colombia affected Chilean stocks, while the Argentine market was exclusively supplied by local volumes.

Plums

In North America, Angeleno plums registered good sales activity in the U.S. with stable prices.

In Latin America, prices rose in Mexico for good quality lots and Brazil’s market showed low availability with main supplies belonging to the Chilean Angeleno variety. Argentina was supplied exclusively by domestic volumes, which were decreasing weekly.

High volumes of Chilean Angeleno plums were observed in the U.K. and the European continent but with moderate trading.

In Asia, the Southern Hemisphere plum season was in its final stages with a dominance of the late Chilean Angeleno variety, complemented by low volumes of South African supply.

Table Grapes

Retail promotions continued to favor sales pace in the U.S., especially for the Crimson variety.

In Latin America, moderate trading was registered in Mexico as a result of the religious holiday, with prices remaining stable. The holiday led to slower sales activity in Colombia and Brazil, while Argentina’s market was stable with domestic grape supply.

Grapes in good condition in the U.K. and Northern Europe registered sales as expected in the lead up to the holiday, favored partly by better weather conditions which led to higher consumption.

In the Middle East, active sales pace and stable prices were seen for Southern Hemisphere grapes.

Variable prices were reported in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, depending on fruit quality and condition. Taiwanese sales activity was not as high as importers were expecting, while high Chilean grape volumes in the Korean market led to a difficult situation. India’s market for imported grapes was active, with the large size of the Peruvian Red Globe variety making it the most attractive for consumers.

Photo: www.ifoodtv

Source: iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com