This year’s Israeli premium mandarin Orri season, was described as average, but at least better than last season for producers and exporters. The season is nearly over with some producers expected to ship the last volumes over the next two weeks. According to Yonatan Meron, Export Manager of Granot Fresh in Israel: “Generally the season was average and much better than the last one.”
Last season was characterised by many challenges such as rain early in the season, freight and packaging increases, a strong local currency, shipping delays as well as the effects of the Russian war in the Ukraine. This 2023 season Israeli producers have had some relieve on many fronts, which aided in recovering from last year. “The season started good with high prices. The quality throughout the season was average. The size split this season was good and matched the requirements of the Orri market,” says Meron.
One of the positive factors that helped producers to recover a bit is the local currency, the Israeli Shekel, which has been weaker since January this year. It also helped to keep up returns after high Orri prices in key markets started coming down in January says Meron. “The currency ratio has a positive impact on the final results. Prices went down after January like they normally do and improved slightly only towards the end of March, though we expected them to climb earlier due to the lack of fruit from Morocco and Spain.”
While Granot has finished packing and shipping, Meron says some of the other Israeli growers will continue packing for the next two weeks. “Volume from Israel is 10% higher than the previous season by now. Some growers will keep on loading for the next two weeks, so it turned out to be quite a long season,” states Meron.
For more information:
Yonatan Meron
Granot Fresh
Tel: +972 52 6808805
Email: yonatanm@granotfresh.com
www.granotfresh.com