At the moment Brazil has a low production and a shorter shelf life so more volume will be kept for the domestic market. "This along with less from Mexico will reduce availability and so prices are beginning to increase again. The prices are now back around a normal level – what I would call in balance, a fair price for the grower and the consumer."
September can be a difficult month, the weather is unpredictable. If its warm, demand will go up and then we could face a fast rising market. October and November will see consumption levels drop as per normal but this is in balance with lower supply.
Some are saying that the market will spike fast next week, but Rob does not see a drastic change, "There will be a staged increase and bigger fruit will command the higher prices and the smaller sizes following on. There will be a range of prices – anybody offering low money has a reason (quality). I am not pessimistic but I see levels now around €6.50 and maybe we will see another Euro or 2 on top – these are good prices but I don’t see the crazy €12 situation that can happen in the Summer as the consumption levels then are much higher. However it is very very easy to get lime predictions incorrect!”
For more information:
Robert Cullum
Pacific Produce
Tel: +44 (0) 1865877801
Email: rob@pacificproduce.co.uk
www.pacificproduce.co.uk