The citrus market has been good for weeks. A good example is the grapefruit coming from South Africa and Mexico to Europe and barely touching the ground. Prices are at a level of 17/18 Euro and higher and is being pulled out from under the hands of the overseas importers. They are talking about 'golden prices that they haven't seen for years.
Lemons are also still getting good prices, although the level isn't as high as earlier in the season. Countries of origin overseas are Uruguay, South Africa and Argentina. Argentina has sent 20% more lemons to Europe and some Argentinians even speculated that they might get 40 Euro. It didn't get that crazy, as South Africa also exported more volume and Uruguay has volumes too. The current price level is between 23 and 27 Euro. Still good money, but the first Turkish lemons are expected a week on Monday and the trade is focussed on getting the largest volumes away, because as soon as Turkey is on the market, the prices are expected to drop. Large supermarkets will switch straight to the first Turkish lemons, which, according to traders, are yellow but have a limited juice content. But this is good for turnover...
Mandarins / oranges / limes
The market for oranges is unrelentingly good, with prices between 11 and 13.50 Euro. South Africa represents around 90% of the volume, but Argentina and Uruguay also send oranges this way. The hand orange market with Navel and Navel Late is starting to dry up a little. This is why large sizes of Valencias are being sold as hand oranges, under the guise of 'necessity knows no laws'. The mandarin sales -Nadorcotts from Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Peru - is going well. Peruvian minneolas also receive around 11 to 13 Euro, a price that makes an importer some money. The market for limes is reasonably stable around 6 Euro.
Melons / stone fruit / top fruit
The European melons season can be regarded as finished. Yellow melons have been arriving from Brazil for fourteen days now and the first Galias and Cantaloupes have also arrived. Specialised importers are also receiving Galia's from Israel and due to the shortage, especially high prices around 2 Euro per kilo are being paid. The interest in Spanish peaches, nectarines, paraguayos and platterinas corresponds with the end of the season. The plums, which will be on the market later, are replacing the other stone fruit at the moment. The overseas top fruit season is also over, with the last remnants of Fuji from Brazil and Granny Smith from South Africa. There are some Grannys and Goldens arriving from Spain and France, but the road is open for the domestic season, of which the harvest has burst loose.