Israeli pomegranate exporter and year round distributor, Edom Fruits, had a challenging season in the US due to California that finished late says Yinon Osem, CEO of the company. They are also currently seeing up to 40% lower Wonderful pomegranate volumes from South Africa for this season.
Yinon Osem, CEO of Edom Fruits with a box of Orri's.
“We have finished the Israeli pomegranate season and the big change was that 70% of the crop was diverted to USA. It was a challenging season in the US because California finished very late and it had a huge effect on the prices,” explains Osem.
Israel harvests around 14 000 tons of pomegranates, of which Edom Fruits, based in Afikim near the Sea of Galilee, does a total of about 3 000 tons. Edom harvested more or less the same volume of pomegranates as last year says Osem. The company usually mainly exports to Scandinavia and to Europe including France and the Netherlands where it is re-imported to the rest of the continent. They also have some orders from Russia but the situation is difficult due to the war in Ukraine. Sales in Europe were slow due to inflation, consumers that were under pressure, which caused the diversion to the US.
Edom Fruits also export Ori mandarins from Israel. The season for Israel’s most popular citrus export fruit is almost over says Osem. The weaker exchange rate between Israel’s Shekel and the Euro and dollar has brought some relief. “The Ori season is finishing and it was a regular season. I believe that most of the Ori was marketed in the French market even though 30% more was sent to USA. The Shekel has weakened and it helps a bit but there was no dramatic changes.”
He says that, due to a very wet summer in South Africa, the volume of pomegranates is much lower than usual. “We are now busy with the South Africa season. The quantity of wonderful from SA is 30%-40% lower. Last season we mainly sent the fruit to the Middle East. This season we are sending mainly to Europe and the UK, because the prices are better in Europe. Peru sent 30% less than last season, so the market is better this season than last year,” concludes Osem.
For more information:
Yinon Osem
Edom Fruits
Tel: +972 52 5450 783
Email: yinono@edom-fruits.co.il
www.edom.co.il