The 
South African stone fruit season is coming on quite late this year (2021-2022). "We had a relatively cool spring with no hot spells, while apricots and nectarines in particular grow and ripen especially in high temperatures, of around 30-35 degrees. Accordingly, we are only getting the first larger volumes this week, which is why we missed the entire Christmas business," said Christian Hencke, managing director of FFC Fresh Fruit Company Ltd, based in Hamburg.
Despite the considerable delay, he said the goods at the beginning of the season were extremely satisfactory, with prices at about the same levels as last year. "Last year, too many containers hit the market clustered together in weeks 5 and 6, which is why there was an oversupply." This year, there will probably be a price adjustment in weeks 2-3, to boost the flow of goods. "To that extent, the situation is not worrisome for us and we remain cautiously optimistic."
Flavor Fall (l) and Sweet Christine / Image: FFC Fresh Fruit Company
Development of the variety range
Hamburg-based import company FFC Fresh Fruit Company has been in close contact with South African suppliers for 19 years and has been primarily dedicated to the import of overseas stone fruit for several years. Due to the high export potential, the South Africans have increasingly invested in the variety spectrum of stone fruits. "Old varieties such as Pioneer and Sapphire are being replaced by innovative mid- and late-season varieties such as Polaris, Sweet Christine and Queen Elsa. This decision is now bearing fruit," Hencke says.
Plums of the Ruby Sun variety / Photo: FFC Fresh Fruit Company
According to Hencke, the stone fruit business is still very temperature-dependent. "As soon as temperatures are rising outside, around March, demand increases markedly. South Africa has been able to establish a high profile in the second half of the season precisely because of its sophisticated range of varieties. Last year, we were able to market South African stone fruits into May because the Spanish early varieties simply do not yet have the eating quality that we can supply during this period. From March-April, however, we start to feel competition from Chilean produce as well."
A woman in the packing house. Right: red plums of the Polaris variety.
High demand for nectarines and packed apricots
According to Hencke, sales potential must be differentiated depending on the product category. "Pre-ripened and hand-picked nectarines are establishing themselves as the absolute top seller. White-fleshed nectarines have also been able to establish themselves, in part because of varietal innovations. Peaches, on the other hand, tend to be a minor item. In the case of apricots, food retailers have been moving away from loose to packaged goods for the past two years. We have responded to this trend with sustainable cardboard trays. In plums, on the other hand, we are seeing a strong trend toward red-fleshed varieties."
Garofa / Image: FFC Fresh Fruit Company
Despite alarming news, the procurement of goods has been maintained without any problems so far. "There is enough merchandise, but we feel fierce competition around the programs from retailers. There is always someone at our back," says Hencke, pointing to the second-divided sales market. "We are supplying our stone fruit not just in large quantities to German and Austrian retailers, but we also ship mixed pallets to the German wholesale markets. In the latter segment, there has been a considerable increase in demand precisely because of booming delivery services, specialty retailers and weekly markets."
For more information:
Christian Hencke
FFC Fresh Fruit Company GmbH
Oberhafenstraße 1
Fruchthof, 2. Stock
D – 20097 Hamburg
Tel.: +49 40/32 52 97 – 28 / – 29
Fax.: +49 40/32 52 97 31
E-Mail: info@freshfc.de
www.freshfc.de