Dutch fresh produce trader Origin Fruit Direct is in the middle of the season of Rosemarie-pears from South Africa. Just as in previous years, Safpro is one of the first producers expecting the Rosemarie and sending them exclusively to Europe to Origin Fruit Direct. According to Randolf Aaldijk the demand for Rosemarie pears is as always, good. "With green pears there is competition with Conference pears on the European market, but in Europe there are no other pears with blush available. Therefore prices are always a little higher."
"There is a lot of interest from Europe for these pears, especially from Russia. The large sizes are selling well," the importer explains. Nevertheless the area remains rather stable. "The area of Forelle pears is getting bigger, but for the Rosemarie there remains a special market for a special pear. The general trade has been regulated far more than a few years ago. No longer are people send fruit just on trust."
"More and more exporters look for markets outside Europe, also for other fruit. Citrus is being exported from South Africa to South America and China opens up for grapes. Other markets opening up are; Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore. For quite some time the Middle-East has been a strong partner," Randolf sums up. "Europe receives whatever is left, as they are unwilling to pay fixed prices."
"For fruit of good quality usually a better price is received. This was for instance clear with grapes, when the Flame were sold at a very high price six weeks ago. This has never happened before. The reason is, that far more fruit goes to China and other destinations, where fixed prices are being received and 80% is paid in advance. Whatever is left goes to Europe and the prices increase. Of course there is also the other side, that if a little too much product is available or it does not entirely satisfy the required quality, the price may fall like a brick."
"At the moment we offer Rosemarie and Williams pears. I expect to have sold everything next week and then we will receive the first Packhams next week and the first Forelle-pears in two weeks time. The volumes will not be all that large. Good prices were made for the European pears and that is also known in our import areas and therefore they want good prices as well. Here in Europe not many companies are willing to run this risk, because one buys at a fixed price and then has to wait and see how the market develops."
"The overseas top fruit import has been bad for a while, but as a result of the above mentioned factors it has become a lot better over the last few years. Also the rates of exchange have been favourable for imports from South Africa," Ronald concludes. "Furthermore we can really only establish whether everybody is satisfied at the end of the season. We have good prices this season, but are short of volume. Last year Chile sent plenty of red seedless grapes to Europe, because the American market was not interested. Now we are short on volume. It is a matter of waiting to see how the season will continue."
For more information:
Origin Fruit Direct
9c, Keilestraat
3029 BP Rotterdam
Tel.: +31 10 244 93 00
Fax: +31 10 478 39 66
www.originfruitdirect.nl