"Top production for Spanish stonefruit"

Good volumes of Spanish stonefruit are expected on the market. "Nothing has gone wrong in the production, such as frost. The production is good everywhere. There should be sufficient volumes coming this way. The expectation is that as we come into the summer season, we may come into a difficult position regarding sales," says Erik-Jan Thur from Marni Fruit.

The trading company received the first peaches and nectarines from the southern regions like Murcia and Seville a few weeks ago. The switch to production areas like Lerida and Zaragoza will be made in mid June. "Everything is one or two weeks early. Egypt is also offering peaches, so there is enough on the market," says Erik-Jan. "The quality of the stone fruit is good on arrival but due to the higher temperatures in Spain it has been ripening quickly. So it is essential not too wait too long to sell."

"The prices are at a good level at the moment. The question is what affect the developments in Russia and the Ukraine will have on the market. The volume exported to those markets will have to find its way on the market and we will notice it here whether we want to or not," continues the trader. "But the demand for summer fruit is good at the moment. The consumers are pretty much done with oranges and mandarins and want new products."

According to the importer the stonefruit area has remained reasonably stable, although the area of paraguayos, platerina and apricots has grown again in the last year. "We have already received some Burlat cherries from the greenhouse, but they did not meet our colour and shelf life demands. We have received our first outside grown cherries this week and they are fine. We have started with the first Mauricia variety apricots and have also received the variety Mogador, which is more of a French variety with an orange look and red blush."

The prices are at a reasonably good level. The supply of peaches is, however, increasing and the prices are under slight pressures. Prices are around 6/7 Euro for those packaged in 10x500 grammes and 14/15 Euro for 10x1kg. The price for loose peaches in a 3.5 kg packaging, depending on size, is between 8/9 Euro," says Erik-Jan. "The price of apricots is also decreasing slightly, but retains a price level of 13-15 Euro for 5kg loose and prices of around 17/18 Euro for those packaged 10x1kg. These are the prices for good sizes, the smaller sizes are a few Euro lower on the market."

For more information:
Erik-Jan Thur
Marni Fruit BV
Gebroken Meeldijk 52
2991 VD Barendrecht
Tel: +31 (0)180 697 996
Fax: +31 (0)180 697 990
ej@marnifruit.nl
www.marnifruit.nl