"Quick sales of easy peelers but orange market more difficult"

The Spanish are high on prices for oranges at the moment. This was noted by Henk Vlaeminck of Van Dijk Foods. "To sell oranges for those prices isn't easy. There is a reasonably large supply of Valencias from Egypt and Salustianas and Maroc Late from Morocco and that price difference is considerable."

"Consumers have their preference for Spanish citrus, but when there is a price difference of 40-50% people are more likely to go for Egyptian citrus. As far as this is concerned the fruit is price sensitive. It isn't easy to make 11.50/12.50 Euro for Salustianas (15 kilo) when the Egyptians are being sold for 7.50/8 Euro (15 kilo). Yet the price of Spanish oranges on the trees remains high. They have the benefit of a good local market and also have wide sales in other countries," says the importer.

Unlike the oranges, the sales of easy peelers are going well. "The price of Nadorcott is around 1.40 - 1.50 Euro per kilo. Afourer is being sold for a kilo price of 1.10 - 1.20 and Clemengold is going for 1.40 - 1.50 Euro depending on the calibre," Henk sums up. "The demand for citrus is generally good and the supply is sufficient. There aren't any shortages and everything finds its way. All the citrus being offered for the right prices is being sold quickly, but it's more difficult for the expensive oranges at the moment."

For more information:
Henk Vlaeminck
Van Dijk Foods Belgium
Kempenarestraat 50
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel.: +32 15 55 65 61
Fax.: +32 15 55 65 66
henk@vdfb.be
www.vandijkfoods.be