Thanks to strong exports to Serbia and Belarus, Poland was able to reduce its supply of dessert apples by 547,000 metric tonnes, or 31% in November and December. In the EU as a whole, around 4 million metric tonnes (-4.5% compared to the previous year) were still in storage as of January 1st.
Based on this good starting position, in the current season at Lake Constance, the the prices for dessert apples of HKl.1 could continue at last year's stable level of 56 €/dt. Organic apples at a wholesale market cost net 134 €/dt.
Contrary to expectations, Braeburn has not yet been able to benefit in this way. The price level fell by 9% at 45 €/dt compared to the previous season. On the one hand, there was too much focus on calibers for filling food containers.
On the other hand, in the north, the discounters were strongly put under price pressure. After the conversion of CA-Ware, several actions and the successful export of small calibers from Lake Constance to England, the market seems to have adjusted and the prices for Braeburn are on the rise again.
The marketing of Elstar, however, went according to plan. The number of sales and prices of the apple variety most important to Lake Constance were similar to 2015/16. A the same time, a lot of commodities were still available for sale, almost 17,500 metric tonnes in January, while a clear deficit was observed in Europe. Therefore, fixed prices can still be expected.
The marketing of Gala Royal was particularly successful. The dismantling of the stocks took place exceptionally quickly last season. At Lake Constance, for example, sales increased by more than 10% to 8,600 metric tonnes. Additionally, the prices of the previous year remained stable and have shown a clear upward trend for five weeks.
If the decline in the stocks of Elstar, Gala and Braeburn were to continue at this rate, it could also have a positive effect on the demand for Jonagold apples. In particular, the 84% larger supply of Red Jonaprince could be addressed in good time.
Source: Proplanta
