Europe is beginning to give out positive signals to the fruit of the Valley. Exports have shown a growing trend and the returns obtained are well above those achieved in previous years.
The old continent is a very important market for the placement of pears and apples from the Rio Negro and Neuquen Valley, since it accounts for nearly 20% of the total regional exportable supply.
Two issues had a positive impact on fruit trade in this first part of the season.
The first issue was the prices obtained at source. The wholesale markets in the main cities of Europe show 20% to 50% increases on apples, when compared to the same period of the previous year. The increases are due to a lack of supply in the market. Meanwhile, pear prices remain relatively stable due to the strong presence of the Italian Abate Fetel variety. According to different analysts, this scenario could change in the coming months. "We estimate that in the short term the market for pears will be flat, but when Italy places most of its Abate pears prices will tend to strengthen, as there is Conference pear to market," said Hector Zubeldia, an analyst.
The second issue was the exchange rate. The difference between the euro against the dollar has increased by 12% in relation to the exchange rate parity there was a year ago. This means that, to give an example, producers currently earn about 2.5 dollars more for a box of pear that is sold at 20 euro in the German market than in the previous year.
Taking into account the commercial trend observed in exports, this improvement represents for the Valley an additional income of around 15 million dollars.
Euphoria in Spain
"Apple prices in Spain are at historic levels that we've never seen at this stage of the campaign so far this century, while pear prices have gone back to their best levels since 2013," according to the Zegre newspaper of the production area of Lleida.
The aforementioned data refers to wholesale prices achieved in Mercolleida. According to their information, a kilo of Golden apple, with calibers superior to 70, costs 0.65 to 0.75 euro in origin. The Fuji variety is quoted at 55 to 65 cents, while the price of the red varieties continues stable at 45 to 50 cents; prices that more than double the prices achieved in the previous year.
Source: rionegro.com.ar