The Spanish fruit season has started again for Marni Fruit. The first Iwasaki tangerines arrived some weeks ago in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, and by now, the first kakis and avocados have also arrived. Erik-Jan Thur looks ahead to the season. “Weather conditions have been good, and productions have not been affected by extreme rain and temperature fluctuations as yet.”
Avocados and mangoes
“Yesterday, we received the first Bacon avocados. These come on the market in a period in which not many green avocados are available, and they really meet a need. Prices are around 10-11 euro for smaller, and up to 13.50 euro for larger sizes (4 kilos). Prices for Hass avocados are a bit lower, but we see our buyers in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe prefer green avocados,” Erik-Jan says. Fuerte and Hass varieties will also arrive at Marni’s, following the Bacon avocados.
“Expectations are that Spanish supply will increase this week, and that prices will be adjusted somewhat. I expect that the market will be between 8 and 9 euro,” Erik-Jan says. He has seen the Spanish avocado area increasing over the years. “But an expansion as can be seen now is not always positive for the market. Take Osteen mango, for example, a few years ago, this was an exclusive product, but because of the enormous amount of new plants, it has become a bulk product. In the early years, prices were sometimes around 10-12 euro, but nowadays, 6-8 euro is more likely, although it always depends on the European season.”
Kakis
Kaki is another example of a product on the rise. Last week, Erik-Jan visited his Spanish suppliers, and he feels positive about the season. “In recent years, we’ve had some seasons with very large or very small kakis. This year proportions are more balanced. In kakis, the tendency for some growers to harvest the fruit unripe can be seen occasionally, so they can profit from the first, good prices. Last week, the first kakis from the Valencia region reported between 9 and 10 euro. The Spanish kaki volume will increase again this year, more kakis are planted in the more northern regions now as well.”
Citrus
After Marni Fruit received the first Iwasaki tangerines last week, they have now switched to the first Okitsu Satsuma tangerines. “Volumes won’t be too large. In total, it is expected that tangerine production in Valencia will be 15 to 20 per cent lower,” Erik-Jan says. According to him, a slight tendency is that more and more Spanish producers try to market the Iwasakis and Okitsus with leaves. “But I think only a small, specific target group appreciates these.”
“Prospects for Spanish oranges are also positive. More large sizes will be marketed, it will be a bit more difficult for smaller sizes (70-90),” Erik-Jan expects. “It’s still too early to make any predictions for Spanish lemons, but I personally think prices won’t be as high as in previous years. Prices of 17.50-18 euro for Spanish Primofiori lemons seem more plausible to me, but that’s still in the future!”
For more information:
Erik-Jan Thur
Marni Fruit BV
Gebroken Meeldijk 52
2991 VD Barendrecht
Tel.: +31 (0)180 69 79 89
info@marnifruit.com
www.marnifruit.com