The ethnic-exotic market is currently stable - seasonal fruit is the preferred choice and imports generally slow down during the summer months.
"Quotations of mangoes arriving by sea hover between €4.50-5.00 per packet, this is because seasonal fruit is preferred this time of year. As for those imported by air, volumes from Mexico are dropping. It might be because of the health crisis that has been going on for over a year, but there is not a lot of money around, so people are less willing to spend on certain kinds of fruits," explains Giorgio Donnarumma, sales manager at Nuovafrutta.
The sales manager reports that there have been fewer direct arrivals from Mexico, as it is possible to find produce on the European markets at the same cost. This is because quantities demanded are very small. According to Donnarumma, sales have dropped by 40-50%.
"Things are different for Gota de Oro and Mingolo yellow mangoes imported by air, as the quality of fruits from Santo Domingo is good. The season has ended with good results and an increase in consumption. We have registered average shipments of 20 pallets a week against the 12-13 of past years, and have managed to sell the produce in markets such as Rimini, Verona and Roma."
At the end of August, it will be the turn of Ataulfo mangoes from the Petrolina area in Brazil. The campaign only lasts three-four weeks.
After the increase in June, lime prices have also settled. "After months of low quotations, things have improved between June and last week. Now the situation is changing again as, due to the lack of containers available, some ships we were waiting for from Brazil will not be coming. In the meantime, consumption has dropped, so prices will stabilize - if limes were on sale at €12 around 10-15 days ago, they now sell at €8.50-9. They will soon drop to €8, which is still an acceptable price."
"Watermelons, melons and stone fruits are now the protagonists, but there is still demand for Formosa papayas, especially from those supplying beach resorts."
"When it comes to avocados, Greenskin campaigns are almost over and whatever is available is sold at very high prices despite the low quality. Hass from Peru, Brazil and South Africa will be the only ones available until September. Prices are low at the moment. Produce from Israel will become available in September."