Mineola
“We mainly import oranges from South Africa and South America from July through November,” said Olivier Fakhri of Helfer France. “Then we don't do oranges after that because Spain has so much volume.” They also don't import Spanish fruit because, already in Europe, Spanish suppliers can easily send fruit to France on their own.
Or clementine and lemon
Grapefruit
Helfer France imports Orri clementines from Israel, Minneolas from Turkey, lemons from Argentina and South Africa, and grapefruit from Turkey, Florida and South Africa. Olivier noted that the grapefruit they import from Florida is, far and away, the best quality of grapefruit available on the market. While Mexican and South African grapefruit is also good quality, Florida fruit is much preferred by consumers because of its taste and good ratio sugar/acidity. But demand for the fruit, both for high-quality product from Florida and price-first fruit from countries like Spain and Turkey, has been shrinking.
Grapefruit from South Africa, Turkey and Florida
“It becomes more difficult to sell grapefruit, even the good fruit from Florida,” said Olivier. “This is due to the fact that it's a difficult fruit to peel and eat which is not convenient for the young generations, and it becomes a less attractive item with all this confuse communication about mixing it with some medicines.”
For more information:
Olivier Fakhri
Georges Helfer
Tel: +33 1 45 12 36 60
Mob: +33 6 12 44 08 77
olivier.fakhri@helferfrance.fr
www.georgeshelfer.com