"There are hardly any paraguayo and platerine peaches in the market"

The market lacks paraguayo and platerine peaches at the moment. Murcia has less and less fruit, while Lleida and southern Huesca, the largest paraguayo production area in Europe, is still suffering the impact of the losses caused by frost and hail in the early areas. In any case demand continues to be small, mainly because of the lack of stability from the weather conditions in Europe.

"Demand is not high and that is keeping prices more or less stable. But if we now had the good weather that we had last year at this time in Europe, we would have serious problems to supply our customers and prices would be sky high. It's been a long time since we saw such a lack of stock in late June in the sector," points out Francesc Pena, of the Lleida-based company S.A.T. Bepa Cat.

Such is the shortage of product, according to the grower and exporter, that while it is usual for the price of large calibre paraguayo peaches to be between 20 and 30 cents higher than that of the small ones, "now the difference between an A and an AA amounts to between 50 and 60 cents. In early July, we expect an increase in the volume of paraguayos and platerines, although there should also be more demand."

S.A.T. Bepa is specialised in the production of paraguayo peaches and platerines, shipping them to Europe and to distant markets, like Singapore and Hong Kong. "Today we are making the first shipment to Manila, Philippines," explains Francesc, who notes that "white-fleshed stonefruit has become popular in Asia."

More competition from the US and Turkey for cherries in Asia

"Since Turkey started shipping significant volumes to Europe in mid-June, prices have been falling, after having remained stable due to the shortage of product in Spain and Italy. At present, production is already available in many countries, such as Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Belgium and the Netherlands, etc., so prices are under pressure," explains Francesc Pena.

According to the producer, "this year, the Turkish competition has been much stronger in the Asian markets, where they have exported more fruit as a result of the Russian veto. The pressure from both Turkish and US cherries has made it extremely difficult to sell fruit in Asian markets," he affirms. "If a protocol is eventually signed between Spain and China for the cherries, we must keep in mind that it will be very difficult to compete with those markets."

For more information:
Francesc Pena
S.A.T. BEPA CAT.
Les Eres, 19. Seròs. Lleida. Spain
T: +34 973780064
M: +34 626493104
francesc@olimpfruit.com
www.olimpfruit.com