Exofi in Brussels, Belgium, is gradually moving away from their winter season with the final leafy clementines such as Orri, Nadorcott and Murcott. “We’re now selling a lot of Spanish strawberries and domestic strawberries and asparagus are on the shelves of a lot of fresh produce shops this spring period,” says Jan Vermeiren of Exofi. “We’re seeing the first peaches and nectarines arriving on the European import centre for fruit and vegetables in Brussels. The first stone fruit is fetching high prices because volumes are small. Moreover, the nectarines currently supplied by Spain are grown in greenhouses for an earlier availability. We expect larger peaches from Spain in the coming days, and the first Nispero, or medlar, is offered for about 4.50 euro per kilo for size GG.”
Shortage of ready-to-eat mangoes
According to the trader, some things are worth mentioning regarding the exotics. “The latest arrivals of flown, tree-ripened Dolce mangoes from Peru have arrived and prices are historically high. We never had to pay as much for tree-ripened Kent mangoes from Peru as right now. For the next ten days, we won’t have any air freight from Peru. That’s why we’re switching to Kent from Ivory Coast. Ready-to-eat mangoes are scarce, and these are selling for high prices. Ready-to-eat Santana mango is much sought after, but supplied amounts are much too small.”
Passionfruit and limes
Colombian passionfruit is scarce for the coming Easter period. “We’re anxiously looking for new supply of passionfruit from Colombia, but unsuccessfully so far. We managed to find some passionfruit in Kenya and Zimbabwe, but our customers prefer Santana passionfruit from Colombia. The supply is smaller than demand in Belgium, and prices for greenskins are rather high, about 8.50 euro per crate. Another alternative is passionfruit from Vietnam, but that supply is also very limited,” Jan continues. Limes are hardly in stock as well, and prices are around 9 euro per crate. Some batches of Brazilian limes are still in stock, but quality leaves something to be desired. It’s difficult to find Mexican limes at the moment.
Easter week
“In green asparagus we’re still supplying Jumbo-sized product from Mexico, but the Spanish production from the Malaga region started about two weeks ago. In other words, there’s plenty of supply, domestic green asparagus are available as well. However, supply of asparagus tips from Thailand and Peru is limited. These are often on Easter menus in Belgium, but there’s a shortage in supply,” the trader says. “As for the daily supply of Kenyan French beans, there were some problems in recent weeks. Because of the dry weather in Kenya, supply of beans and legumes wasn’t sufficient. We’re now waiting to see how the Easter week will be. Extensive experience shows there will naturally be a scarcity around Easter, as with the Colombian passionfruit. This is the case almost every year, and that’s why we’d recommend placing orders as soon as possible,” Jan concludes.
For more information:
Jan Vermeiren
Exofi Fresh Market
Werkhuizenkaai 112, mag.25-26
B-100 Brussels, Belgium
+32 22 43 12 49
+32 475 86 09 80
info@exofi.be
www.exofi.be