The grape market is on its knees at the moment. "The Egyptian season started quite well, but at the end of the second week there was already a decrease and it never recovered," said Patrick Konings of Marni Fruit. "There is a lot more production than last year and more suppliers from Egypt are trying to sell their product on the European market. Last year the market for white seedless grapes wasn't great either, but there was a shortage of red grapes. Now there's no sign of this, as there is more production than last year."
"Spain and Italy are also getting going, but everyone has far too many grapes sitting around. The demand is usually both from the supermarket and the day to day trade, but nothing more can be expected with the summer holidays and all of the summer fruit on the market," continues Patrick. "White grapes that normally sell for 7/8 Euro, are now going for 5. We have asked our Italian supplier not to send white and dark seedless grapes if he can sell them elsewhere."
"In our main sales markets - the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and the Netherlands - the market is just as bad. We hope it won't collapse further. Egypt will be almost done with sending grapes next week and we have to hope the market will be empty soon, so that we can make some money from the Spanish and Italian grapes," says the trader.
New varieties have been the order of the day in grapes for the last few years. "There is a lot of experimentation with the dark grapes in particular, often even when there is still a number from the seeding house and, when it gets going, the variety gets a commercial name. Mixed packaging with white/green and red grapes are also increasingly popular. The Dutch, English/Irish and Scandinavian market is mainly aimed at seedless grapes. In ethnic groups and in the Baltic states, for instance, people are more likely to pick the larger grapes with seeds."
For more information:
Patrick Konings
Marni Fruit
Gebroken Meeldijk 52
2991 VD Barendrecht
Tel: +31 (0)180 697 989
patrick@marnifruit.nl
www.marnifruit.com