Market situation in the Northern Hemisphere, week 5 — 2011

Apples

European sales and prices were stable, while the Argentine and Chilean apple seasons started with their first exports to Russia and the continent. Active U.S. sales of Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples led to price rises, but prices of other varieties remained stable. In Mexico was an increase in Gala apple supply and steady sales led to price adjustments. Asia’s principal markets were dominated by U.S. apples, with active sales at the wholesale level in the final weekend before Chinese New Year. In Brazil there was general stability of sales with minor price variations, while in Colombia low supply led to price rises.

Apricots

The U.S. has received the last registered arrivals from the Chilean apricot season, recording slight price rises.

Avocados

There were no major changes in avocado markets in the U.K. and Europe, which were dominated by European supply with limited Chilean avocado volumes. Higher sales were observed in the U.S. with price rises, while in Mexico prices rose slightly at the wholesale level.

Blueberries

Active sales in the U.S. led to higher prices for blueberries sold in the 8*18oz format, but there were no registered variations in sales of blueberries sold in the 12*6oz or 12*1 pt formats. In Europe and the U.K. there were reasonable Chilean blueberry sales, which allowed for stable prices. Chilean blueberry sales in Japan were stable, while prices rose in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong during the final weekend before the Chinese New Year.

Cherries

The U.K. and Europe saw the Southern Hemisphere cherry season come to a close, with quiet sales rates and no major changes in prices for fruit in good condition. Good sales activity was recorded in Asia during the final weekend before the Chinese New Year, but prices dropped at the wholesale level in the region’s main markets. There was a limited supply of Chilean cherries in the U.S.

Peaches/Nectarines

Lower sales activity was recorded in the U.K. and Europe, due to low winter temperatures and a high proportion of unripe fruit. In Asia there was a low availability of Southern Hemisphere peaches and nectarines during the final weekend before Chinese New Year. Both peaches and nectarines kept stable prices in the U.S. In Mexico there were active sales of peaches but there was less movement in the nectarine market. In Latin America, a high proportion of smaller size fruits led to price adjustments in Brazil and Colombia.

Pears

Europe and the U.K. recorded active sales of Abate Fetel pears, while supply the supply in South Africa has been rising each week with the Bon Chretien variety. In the U.S., Chilean Summer Bartlett pear prices reached higher levels than last season, while Argentine Williams pear supply did not reach a sufficient volume to establish a market. Imported D’Anjou pears in Mexico lead to slight price adjustments. The Brazilian market was more inclined to eat local variety pears, while arrival delays in Colombia led to higher prices.

Plums

There were healthy sales of Black Ambar and Fortune plums in the U.S. while sales were slower for the Sapphire variety. Moderate sales activity in Mexico led to price adjustments. In Europe and the U.K. there were also moderate sales but prices were stable. During the final weekend before the Chinese New Year, plum markets on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong recorded healthy sales, with high prices for Chilean supply. There were no changes in trends reported in Latin America, with the exception of Mexico.

Table Grapes

In Europe and the U.K. there was a larger proportion of table grapes in poor condition, which led to price adjustments in the white seedless variety. Storms in the U.S. and Canada have affected the consumption of all grape varieties. During the final weekend before Chinese New Year there was a downward trend in prices at the wholesale level in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. In Latin America, the Brazilian market showed little movement, with a lower supply and higher prices. In Colombia the supply was almost exclusively of the Peruvian Red Globe variety, with limited availability.