The prices for pears were extremely high this season. This is the importer's answer to the question whether the importer will benefit from the virtually empty Dutch pear market: "Buyers are going to switch a little bit due to lack of other pears. Whether we'll profit from that from a price point of view, is the question."Our import market is spread out a lot, and people prefer buying older stocks. This ensures that not all possibilities in the market are exploited."
Origin Fruit Direct is selling off the remainder of Forelle pears at the moment. "The season will last for another three to four weeks. Prices per kilo vary at the moment from 1.30 Euros for the smaller sizes, to 1.70 Euros for the bigger sizes. These are good prices in itself, but blushed import pears should yield premium prices and that hasn't happened, compared to other varieties."
The importer from Rotterdam sells Forelle pears throughout Europe, but Germany, Switzerland and Austria are traditionally the most important sales regions." The pears are mainly destined for re-export within the Netherlands. Furthermore, the bigger sizes are exported to Eastern Europe and Russia. Consumption of Forelle pears is fairly stable. It still is a very particular pear. I don't foresee an increase in consumption for now," says Randolf. Origin Fruit sold less import apples this season. "We didn't get too many coloured apples, only a few Granny's from South Africa. They sold really well, especially in the mid-size range."
Citrus
The measures taken in regard to Black Spot caused a significant decline in import for South African citrus. "This resulted in high prices, but we shouldn't forget that the cost for importing a box of fruit from South Africa has increased considerably as well. This goes for sea shipments as well, but extra check-ups at farms, packing stations and ports are all on the shoulders of the growers. The impact this has on producers is often underestimated, who will do anything to export a good product. Sea shipping has increased to a whopping 1,500 Dollars per container. The exchange rate for the Dollar isn't unfavourable for us, but there's still an extra cost of 1 Dollar per box."
For more information:
Origin Fruit Direct
Keilestraat 9c
3029 BP Rotterdam
Tel.: +31 (0)10 244 93 00
Fax: +31 (0)10 478 39 66
E-mailwww.originfruitdirect.nl
