Because of more late varieties and better storage techniques, European apple suppliers are stretching apple availability in Europe longer into the year. Rising freight costs and changing currency valuations have also diminished the presence of Southern Hemisphere fruit, further allowing European suppliers a longer period of time in which to sell their fruit.“A decade ago, most of our shipments were through by mid-March,” said Marc Peyres of Blue Whale in France. “Today, we're working in Europe as late as April, and we can even stretch into June with Pink Lady apples.”
Additionally, European growers have been producing big volumes in recent years. Poland, especially, has been putting up impressive production figures, and with better storage techniques, that fruit sticks around longer, specially for very cheap apples.
“At the moment, for the good varieties, the market is active and positive,” Marc said. “Except for some old varieties that are in decline, like the golden delicious, Granny Smith and the Red Delicious, all varieties we produce in France have had a positive year.”
Outside the continent, European shippers have had mixed results. Shipments to Africa have gone down, but Marc blames that on restrictions put in place in the last few months that discourage fruit imports in several African countries. That's in step with other prominent markets around the world, which are putting up trade restrictions in order to promote local production.
“International markets were always under pressure from restrictions, currency and phytosanitary barriers, so this is not new,” said Marc, “and it hasn't gotten better in the last two years. It seems that we are copying Americans with phytosanitary restrictions and barriers that promote local consumption. In the future, fresh apple volumes will probably not go down in overseas markets – I still believe in an increase – but the international trade will continue to be more complicated and much more risky.”
For more information:
Marc Peyres
Blue Whale SAS
Tel: +33 5 63 21 56 56
Email: marc@blue-whale.com
www.blue-whale.com