The Spanish mandarin season is off to a good start at Marni Fruit. "There's good demand. There are few overseas mandarins on the market, which certainly boosts demand for the Spanish product," Erik-Jan Thur begins.
Satsumas under the Pardo house brand's original blue color, exclusive to Marni Fruit.
This Dutch company's assortment currently consists chiefly of Satsuma (Iwasaki) leaf mandarins. "These are usually a little less colored but are delicious. Our mostly ethnic buyers happily see past the color. These mandarins aren't that popular with supermarket customers, though."
Left: Own brand leaf mandarins. Right: Clemengros mandarins.
"There are plenty of these available. The large sizes are in particularly high demand but are also reasonably available. This year's size distribution is fairly good. The Satsuma season never lasts that long, but the first Clementines and Marisol mandarins are coming. We now also have Clemengros mandarins. These are full colored and good to eat too, but have limited availability," says Erik-Jan.
Own King's branded Satsumas.
The Spanish lemon season has begun again too. "It's not yet entirely clear how this market will develop. South African lemons sell for €17-€18, a price the Spanish ones would be happy with too. However, I doubt that will happen. Like many other products, all the cost increases have led to higher cost prices. The question is, though, whether consumers will pay those prices. I expect that, as Spain and Turkey enter the market with larger quantities, the price will drop some."
The Spanish persimmon season, too, has been underway for a while. "We started with the Maxim, a Sharon type. There were fewer of these available, so the season is already over. Last week, we started with the well-known Rojo Brillante variety, which are treated. Those sales are going well. Large sizes are priced at €9.50 to €10.50 for 4.5 kg; the smaller ones go for between €7.50 and €8.50. The market has slightly fewer large sizes, so a fair number of persimmons are packed in 10x1 kg," continues Thur.
At first, it seemed the Spanish crop was to fail considerably, but so far, Marni Fruit has received ample supply. "However, after last summer's weather, supply could be concentrated in the season's first weeks, with volumes plummeting after that."
Last but not least, this Dutch importer received the first bacon avocados from Spain. "The economic situation is wholly uncertain, yet I'm satisfied with the sales. Prices are generally higher than in past seasons. Then you might do a little less quantity, but regarding sales, we're not complaining," 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: [email protected]
Website: www.marnifruit.nl
