The sales of overseas apples of Enzafruit, and especially the Jazz variety, is going very smoothly. Demand is higher than supply, and it looks as if a good connection to the European season cannot be made. “Up till now we have sold about a third, and that is better than expected. Especially Jazz apples are being sold quicker that we would like. It once again promises to be a good season,” Tony Fissette summarises the situation.
More apples
Fissette indicates that it is a combination of factors which influenced the market. “Average prices for all varieties are higher than last year, and for all of them we can say sales are smooth. Additionally, certain European varieties are running out and retailers notice quality of some European apples is decreasing. The European Championship is also having a good influence. Especially when the weather is bad around the time of the matches, more apples will be eaten inside. Bad weather always has a great effect on consumption of these kinds of fruit.”
Tony Fissette during Fruit Logistica 2016.
Clear demand
Fissette is a true optimist concerning ‘his’ apples. “My whole life I have sold quality and that is wonderful to see. There is very clear demand for top fruit from the Southern Hemisphere. The Cox season is at an end. Royal Gala is mostly finished as well, and is going very smoothly. Besides, Pink Lady and Breaburn are doing great. At Jazz, we are far ahead of schedule. We really need to take care not to get entangled in our programmes.”
High Prices
At the start of the season Fissette said it was a real ‘struggle’ to receive his volumes. “Yet I succeeded, and I managed to take some from Asia and America by proving we can get good prices in Europe as well. For example: between Jazz and Braeburn is a price difference of 8 to 9 euro per box and that clearly proves the increasing popularity of Jazz. If I had heard five years ago that we could get these prices for Jazz apples, I would not have believed it.”
No connection
As said sales are going quicker than planned, therefore Enzafruit does not expect a good connection can be made with the European season. “We expect a gap in any case. Because this could become a problem in coming years, we have decided to have the European season last a month longer starting next season. We hope to avoid a larger gap this way. By now more Jazz trees have been planted in Europe as well.” Many cultivators in New Zealand prefer producing Envy. “In Asia they get between 75 and 80 American dollars per box. Those prices are crazy, truly astounding.”
Tony Fissette
Enzafruit New Zealand Continent
Tongersesteenweg 135
3800 Sint- Truiden