"There was good demand for leaf mandarins at the beginning of the season. Customers were keen to sell the first of those and found eager demand. That had stagnated slightly, but the current colder weather is clearly boosting demand for Spanish citrus," says Erik-Jan Thur of the Dutch company Marni Fruit.
"Though it's still warm in Spain, the mandarins' color is improving. The Iwasaki leaf mandarin season is over, and we still have a limited supply of Satsuma with leaf. This week, we also received the first leaf ClemenRubi, and Satsuma with no leaves."
"Leaf Satsuma are priced at around €9 to €11, while those without leaves go for between €11 and €12. The Spanish growers would like more, but there's no way to get that out of the market now. Large ClemenRubi sell for about €15-€16, €14 for the medium sizes, and €13 for the small ones, but then they must be very nicely colored," Erik-Jan explains.
Marni Fruit expects Spanish oranges when the first Navelinas are loaded later this week. "Our suppliers say the size distribution is nicely balanced. Price-wise, South Africa is the only genuine reference right now. I cannot make the high €18 to €20 that South Africa makes with the Spanish product. If the market stays unchanged, Spanish oranges will more likely be priced at approximately €15-16."
"We've received the first Primofiori lemons, but not too many are arriving yet. Prices for large calibers are between €14 and €15. The Spaniards soon want €18-€19 for exclusive quality, but I'll pass on that for now. I also expect the first Turkish lemons in 9 kg packs towards the end of the week," Erik-Jan continues.
Last but not least, there is an abundance of Spanish persimmons on the market. "At the start of the season, the market was very quiet, but demand is starting to pick up slightly."
"Not everyone loves the early Maxim variety," says Thur. "Once the Rojo Brillante is on the market, demand always begins. I think that demand is even better than last year."
"Large Class I's are fetching between €8 and €9. The smaller ones are being offered for €7-€8, though they're really selling for €5.50 to €6.50. There are also nice Class II permissions laid single-layer going for between €3.50 and €4.50," Erik-Jan concludes.
For more information:
Erik-Jan Thur
Marni Fruit
52 Gebroken Meeldijk
2991 VD, Barendrecht, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 180 697 996
Email: ej@marnifruit.nl
Website: www.marnifruit.nl