After a difficult time, supply-wise, the situation in the European avocado market is beginning to stabilize. "Prices were low, so Peru sent very little. But, the supply from several other countries is picking up again, so prices are also slowly falling," says Ive Lambert of the Belgian company, Starfruit.
"Container costs are sky-high across the board, but those from South America take the cake. If return prices from Europe are terrible, people try to sell their product elsewhere. A lot of Peruvian avocados, thus, went to, for example, America, where the container costs are, of course, lower."
The limited supply led to a spike in sales prices. "Now, however, we're getting avocadoes from other countries. We still get volumes from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and even Peru. Tanzania and Kenya, too, are starting to bring more and more product back to the market. That's depressing prices again, and importers and exporters, alike, are working with acceptable prices," Ive explains.
According to him, demand at this time of the year usually leaves something to be desired. "August is never really a top month; neither will early September be. Exotics aren't usually really hot in the summer months at all. That only changes when there are shortages of certain products." The importer notes that trade, too, is generally quieter.
"That's partly due to the vacation period, but the high energy prices are also causing cautious sales. With these energy prices, consumers are anxious about the winter. So, they're vigilant about buying things like exotic produce. All in all, things are chugging along, but there certainly aren't presently any products flying off the shelves," Ive concludes.
For more information:
Ive Lambert
Starfruit Company
112-154 Werkhuizenkaai
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 224 20 876
Email: info@starfruit.be
Website: www.starfruit.be