"Larger export of Chinese pomelos expected due to weak local economy"

The new Chinese pomelo season started last week at Krocom in Barendrecht. According to Everard Kronenburg the harvest is comparable to that of 2014. He expects to receive 5 to 15 containers of pomelos weekly for the next while. "Due to the weak economy, the Chinese producers will focus more on Europe."

The harvest in the Guangdong region ended last week and this week the harvest in Pinghe has started. Where a few years ago up to 25% of the imported containers of pomelos were checked by the NVWA, which caused a lot of delays in the trade, the checks now mainly take place in China itself. "The suppliers are more conscious than ever of the European MRL guidelines and the number of problem cases has strongly declined in recent years."

Colleague Christiaan van der Goes with shoes in a fitting pomelo colour

According to Everard the number of pomelo importers in the Netherlands is decreasing slightly, but most established players are in the season slightly earlier. "China hardly has any competition on the pomelo market. Other origins don't start until the Chinese season has ended. Thailand and Vietnam enter the market when Chinese exports finish, but almost no one carries pomelos all year round."

Not a huge product here
The pomelo import has risen in Europe from 3.500 containers five years ago to 4.900 containers last season. "The consumption within Europe has been rising slightly in recent years. There is also a growth in sales in some supermarkets in the Netherlands, but it will never be a huge product here. Within Europe the Eastern European countries, France and Germany are the largest buyers."

The first pomelos are being sold for a price level around 12.50 to 13 Euro at the moment. "True to tradition the prices are reasonably good at the start of the season, after which they drop a little and a revival follows in January/February," says Everard. The rumour that the first pomelos are on the sour side isn't true, he says. "The moisture level is slightly lower, but the sugar levels are acceptable. Some prefer a Granny to an Elstar!"

For more information:
Krocom
Koopliedenweg 22
1991 LN Barendrecht
Tel: 0031 (0) 180-769252
everard@krocom.nl
www.krocom.nl