“Supplies have been tight,” says David Levy of Fresh Yagoda. The company is based in California, but also has offices in Costa Rica, Israel and the Netherlands. "All produce we source, services the Russian market," said Levy. For mangoes, volumes are definitely less. Right now, the season is transitioning from region to region in Brazil and in addition to that, there have been some heavy rains in some areas, and lack of water in others. The situation’s just been difficult in the past few weeks.”
That said, Levy notes that by week 24, supplies should even out again and Brazil’s mango output should rise again to its usual levels. Yagoda sends largely Tommy Atkins and Palmer mangoes in smaller sizes, mostly 10s and 12s, to the Russian market. “We do have times in the season we source Keitt or Kent but those usually lack color,” he adds. “In the Russian market, they like to have at least 65 percent red coloration when the fruit arrives.”
The Russian challenge
This despite the fact that the Russian market has been a challenging one in the past few years. “The economy has taken a hit and so we’re shipping less exotics and we’re focusing more on staple products such as potatoes and carrots and celery and radish,” Levy says. “We still do have our programs with multiple retailers and supply them a variety of exotics including mangoes. But there’s definitely less demand for exotics.” After all, Levy says, Russians are gravitating towards products that are long-lasting and less on items considered luxuries, including mangoes. “It still comes from abroad and it’s not seasonal and can’t grow in the area,” he says. “So it’s still considered a more expensive product.”
However, pricing has remained relatively stable and equivalent to last year’s pricing as well, says Levy.
For more information:
David Levy
Fresh Yagoda
Tel: 1-818-975-0177
david@freshyagoda.com
www.freshyagoda.com
The Russian challenge
This despite the fact that the Russian market has been a challenging one in the past few years. “The economy has taken a hit and so we’re shipping less exotics and we’re focusing more on staple products such as potatoes and carrots and celery and radish,” Levy says. “We still do have our programs with multiple retailers and supply them a variety of exotics including mangoes. But there’s definitely less demand for exotics.” After all, Levy says, Russians are gravitating towards products that are long-lasting and less on items considered luxuries, including mangoes. “It still comes from abroad and it’s not seasonal and can’t grow in the area,” he says. “So it’s still considered a more expensive product.”
However, pricing has remained relatively stable and equivalent to last year’s pricing as well, says Levy.
For more information:
David Levy
Fresh Yagoda
Tel: 1-818-975-0177
david@freshyagoda.com
www.freshyagoda.com