The avocado market is going through a complicated period. Demand in Europe is currently very low, and January was marked by minimal consumption. "We are coming from a very difficult month, after the Christmas holidays. There is a shortage of fruit in Europe. The Pinkerton variety from Israel is almost absent, while avocados from Morocco are keeping purchase prices down: we are talking about €10 at the most. Even Spain, which initially offered high prices, is starting to reduce them due to competition," reports Giorgio Donnarumma, sales manager of Milan-based Nuovafrutta.
Moroccan and Spanish Hass avocados
"As for green avocados, Peru has started to export its first products," continues Donnarumma. "Although Israel has good quantities, we have noticed a peculiarity this year: despite geopolitical tensions, Israel is selling a considerable amount of avocados to Russia. This is surprising, given that Russia has ties with nations considered enemies of Israel. This choice could be motivated by economic reasons, as Russia offers higher prices due to international sanctions, making trade with that nation more advantageous for Israel."
Mangoes
As far as mangoes are concerned, a distinction must be made between airfreighted and ship-borne fruits. "Airfreighted mangoes are changing production area in Peru from Piura to Casma. The product from Piura has slightly lower prices and the quality is not always top. Mangoes from Casma, on the other hand, already cost a lot because their campaign lasts a little less and fruits are bigger. Quality is very good in this case. This means there is some confusion on the market, as the origin is still Peru. Prices can fluctuate from €28-30 up to €32-34, which can be misleading."
Right: airfreighted mangoes from Peru
"After a very bad period in November and December, when prices for mangoes transported by sea reached €3-4 per package regardless of variety, there was a 15-20 day pause in shipments from Peru and Brazil. Now the market for mangoes by sea has finally returned to purchase prices of €7-8. Look for example at the Brazilian Palmer and the Peruvian Kent variety."
Brazilian Palmer and Peruvian Kent mangoes
Limes
"The situation for limes was really difficult in January, with very low consumption and purchase prices fluctuating between €3 and €5 depending on grade, color, and origin, such as Peru or Brazil. The market is still not reacting and there is a lot of stock available. In my opinion, the situation will not improve until March. Most limes currently come from Brazil, with smaller quantities from Peru and very little from Mexico. Sometimes limes also arrive from Guatemala and Colombia, but Brazil dominates the market. I think the situation will remain difficult for at least another month," stresses the wholesaler.
Brazilian limes
Papayas
The papaya market was rather stagnant in January. "Papayas sell well if you have a high-quality product. I have noticed an increase in consumption over the past two weeks, which is a positive sign. However, it is crucial to have high-quality fruits that are tasty, with the right color and a good texture. Most papayas come from Brazil. In short, quality is crucial to stand out in an otherwise stable market, and without major price variations."
Brazilian Formosa papayas
Ginger
The ginger market is going through a period of transition. "Final stocks from Brazil are still available, although the season usually ends in June-July. The quality of this ginger is now poor, as it is a stored product. Many are trying to move to the new Chinese season, despite the fact that the first batches were not of very good quality. The purchase prices for Chinese ginger are currently around $1,900 per tonne, which is about €2/kg. A 10 kg crate of Chinese ginger costs around €20 to buy and sells for €24-25. In comparison, a 13 kg case of Brazilian ginger costs €27-28 but, being old season, the quality is inferior, often fibrous and not very tasty."
"Personally, I am focusing on new-season Chinese dry ginger, with purchase prices between €2.40 and 2.50/kg, which I consider reasonable for the current market. I am trying to convince customers to switch to the Chinese product, although we may soon start to see fresh Brazilian ginger, the so-called young ginger, transported by air. This young product has a very short shelf life of about 10 days."
Brazilian and Chinese ginger
"For those who do not want Chinese ginger, the alternative is airfreighted Brazilian ginger, with high purchase prices of around €3/kg, taking all expenses into account. Thai ginger will not be available until March, so options are limited. There are still some batches of Peruvian ginger in circulation, but its presence on the European market has been low this year," Donnarumma concludes.
Article photos provided by Giorgio Donnarumma
For more information:
Nuovafrutta
Via Cesare Lombroso 54
20137 Milan - Italy
[email protected]