The Navel harvest is drawing to an end and the main Afourer (Nadarcott) season started three weeks ago. Richard Byllaardt from Sevenfields, Victoria said they have been picking the Afourer's for three weeks now. This is the main crop at SevenFields."We have a good crop this season, but volumes will be lighter than last year, due to an off year. Sizes are good, possibly slightly bigger than last year and in general colour is good; on our main farm (SunWest) we are doing selective picking while the fruit colours up," explains Richard.
Nardacott mandarins for the EU to Goesten, Holland with the Clemen Gold label
Navels will be finished next week on all farms, the crop was 20% below estimates from all growers, this was also due to an off year.
The first exports to Europe left three weeks ago so have not arrived yet, but according to Richard orders have been good for the Afourer.
"Fruit sent to the US and Canada has arrived and market the is OK, but in general the US is a bit overloaded with South American and South African fruit so it will be interesting to see if it clears out as it is not long until the domestic season starts," comments Richard.
So far Sevenfields have not sent anything to the Middle East, they will usually send the Afourers, but Richard said they will have to look at how the market is there before they send as prices may be dropping due big South African volumes.New Zealand and the Australian markets have done very well so far this year and the seedless easypeeler is increasing in demand every year.
Sevenfields send a lot of citrus to the Asian markets, Australian citrus is very well received there and quality very high. The company's main destinations are Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines among others.
"Navels sent to Japan and China have done very well, we sell there under our SunWest brand. These markets consider Australian citrus to be of the highest quality. Next week we will send this season's first mandarins to Japan, the easypeelers are are still gaining popularity in China, but I expect they will take off very quickly in the next few years."
Seven Fields will again be at Asia Fruit Logistica stand Hall 3d W-01
"Asia Fruit Logistica is an opportunity to see our existing customers to catch up and hopefully meet some new ones," said Richard.
For more information:Richard Byllaardt
Sevenfields
Phone: +61 3 5002 0502
E-mail: Richard.Byllaardt@sevenfields.com.au
Website: www.sevenfields.com.au