This season mandarins have been selling quickly as consumers demand more premium grade fruit with a blemish free appearance, according to Sevenfields Executive Chairman Greg McMahon. “The good quality this year kept the fruit moving and consumers were happy to keep buying mandarins. This year was a good year for supply and quality,” he said.
Domestic prices were lower on average due to the good supply, but for exporters prices would be better than in previous years in the wake of a lower Australian dollar. “If anything, it’s getting harder to sell the composite grade fruit as customers demand higher and better external appearance. Eating quality is a given.”
Growing conditions have been favourable, with no crop losses to report, only some places affected by localized hail and frost, which is always tough for growers, according to Mr McMahon. “We spend a lot of time and money trying to increase the percentage of class 1 or premium grade fruit,” he said.
There has been little change in terms of new plantings, Mr McMahon said, but there has been a changeover in some varieties.
As for general commodity information the main varieties popular on the wholesale and retail market at the moment are the seedless Afourer and Honey Murcotts coming out of Queensland, and exports are coming out of the Eastern states to Asia and New Zealand, with a few other markets starting to move.
Citrus Australia is holding an industry forum along with its AGM in Melbourne later in the week, and total volumes, new plantings and industry insights will be released following the meeting.
For more information
Greg McMahon, Executive Chairman
Seven fields
Phone: +61731203344
E-mail: greg.mcmahon@sevenfields.com.au
Website: www.sevenfields.com.au