The lower supply of Spanish mandarins is evident on the market. "It is actually one of the few positive products on the current import market," states Jan Thur of the Dutch company, Marni Fruit. "Mandarin prices are between €12 and €15. This is truly exceptional. We have not experienced anything like this in recent years."
"Despite the high prices, demand is good. The considerably less overseas product on the market contributes to this. Fortunately, we are getting ample Spanish citrus of mainly leaf mandarins. We are now switching from the Marisol to Oronules and Clemenules", says Erik-Jan.
"I do, however, expect the market to hold for the time being. Morocco will come onto the market with mandarins soon. But, they only supply this product without their leaves. Those are popular elsewhere. Prices will, of course, drop a little, but prospects look good."
"The orange market is also stable. Prices of between €11 and €13 are being paid. There are fewer smaller sizes available. There is a limited supply of South African oranges on the market. I am also not expecting too much competition right away from the Greek and Moroccan products," says the importer.
"The lemon offer is currently being dominated by Spanish Primafiori lemons. There are enough of these coming in, but not too many. There are also no large sizes available yet. Prices are at the €13 - €13,50 level. You will pay €15 to €16 for top quality."
Kakis are a negative outlier this year. "There is an enormous amount of these. We can hardly get rid of them. We sold them for €3 this week, just to be clear of them. It is, however, getting colder now. Prices are, therefore, clawing their way up to between the €4 and €4,50 mark. But, that is still nothing to write home about. A lot of kakis have been planted in recent years. That does not make sales any easier," explains Thur.
The importer had no difficulties with the problems at the Spanish-French border. "We kept this in mind with arrivals. Everything did, therefore, not arrive, all at once, on the weekend. We got enough vegetables like bell peppers and aubergines."
"Iceberg lettuce production is returning to normal levels and prices. This, after the extreme weather that hit the early cultivation areas. Prices were around €11,50 late last week. This week they are between €6 and €7,50. I hope we can hold on to these prices for a while. They benefit everyone in the chain," concludes Erik-Jan.
For more information:
Erik-Jan Thur
Marni Fruit
52 Gebroken Meeldijk
2991 VD Barendrecht, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 180 697 996
Fax: +31 (0) 180 697 990
ej@marnifruit.nl
www.marnifruit.nl