Bonaire exports mainly to the Middle East and Asian market but also does some volumes to Europe and the UK.
As for nectarines, the mid-season cultivars are finishing up, Langeveldt said the current situation in the ME is looking very bleak, especially after the peaks with Alpine in weeks 46/47/48 which has put pressure on prices.
Peaches have been similar to nectarines, a big rise in supply on some varieties (as much as +300%), especially in early varieties such as Spring Princess, has put prices very much under pressure, there were also big volumes shipped to the Middle East market. Volumes to Europe were down on peaches and nectarines this year which is probably related to the small fruit size, which put alternative markets even more under pressure.
Quality of the South African plums has been very good so far as there has not been a lot of rain, it is much better than the start of last year when they were hit by hail and a lot of rain around the harvest time of early varieties.
But according to Langeveldt the start of the harvest was a bit off due to small fruit sizes causing a drop in estimates, but for most of the plum varieties there has been a slight increase, "Fruit size is definitely a problem, we need to focus on keeping a good price for the big sizes as they are scarce where as small fruit are creating more market pressure."
When looking at the competition it is important to look at the weeks of harvest when planting new orchards, "This year it will be difficult for the plums when Chile comes into the market around week 4, we are expecting a very big crop from Chile, it is a good thing that our season has been a bit earlier so we will already be in the market before the Chilean fruit really picks up. Last year we saw a very good end to the season with the Angelino and African Delight varieties because Chile wasn't even in the market. I don't see that happening this year though. We must be careful not have the same expectations as last year. The smaller size plums are already coming under pressure."
With increases in production in South Africa there is the need to look at new markets, and Africa is one of those. "Africa is feasible," according to Langeveldt. "Logistics may be a problem in the beginning though, stonefruit is sensitive to heat and humidity and has a shorter shelve life. At the moment they are focussing on apples and citrus as they are more hardy. If we can sort out the cold chain problems that Africa has to deal with and infrastructure there is definitely possibilities."
China and Asia in general are very difficult markets as you have to send the right product, "We try to send the right fruit to Singapore, Malaysia, SE Asia, Hong Kong and China, there are still a lot of possibilities there but we need to do a lot more market building and product training, the customers and consumers need to learn more about our product."
"As a market Russia have not really been viable as yet this season, the falling value of the rouble made it very difficult at the beginning of the season, but it is starting to look a bit better now. It may come into the frame, but you also have to send the right varieties there. Fortunes, which is a hardier plum than most, some Sun Supreems and big yellow plums may also be sent," concludes Langeveldt.
For more information:
Hannes Langeveldt
Bonaire Fruit Pty.
Tel: +27 218 762 250
Email: hannes@bonaire.co.za
www.bonaire.co.za