At the height of the clementine season, Benoît Maillard-Guillon of Ets Meseguer takes stock of the current campaign. The company, based on the Rungis market, works daily to offer the best quality to its clients, while at the same time seeking to guarantee a return on the efforts made by producers to achieve this sought-after quality.
© Ets Meseguer
Clemenules and Esval: The two "most popular" varieties on the market
The first Spanish clementines arrived on the market in the second week of October. "We work with clementines 12 months a year, so our contacts were already present on the citrus market with the Orri Mandarin. There is, therefore, continuity in the campaign." Ets Meseguer is working with two varieties, Clemenules in the Extra category and Esval, also in the Extra category, but a special selection. "These two varieties are both excellent, visually and in terms of taste, with a perfect ratio between sugar and acidity. They are very fresh, juicy, with a lot of pulp and a thin skin. The difference lies in the flavor: the Esval is slightly stronger, lingers a little longer on the palate, and has a more melting endocarp. These are the two most popular varieties on the market."
The quality is even better this season, thanks to favorable weather conditions. "The harvest is very good this year, in every region of Spain. The taste and visual quality in our production regions are particularly good. If the market falters this winter, it certainly will not be because of quality, which is more of an accelerator this year, rather than a brake on consumption."
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"Those who come out on top will be those who offer the best quality"
These two varieties should be available in consistent quality until late December or mid-January, with the introduction of mandarins in mid-December. As for the market, although November is often affected by the consequences of Black Friday, Benoit Maillard-Guillon does not seem particularly worried. "In general, the market responds quite well when we offer quality products. We are not generally in very buoyant markets at this time of year, but sales of our products are fairly fluid. From November to mid-December, citrus fruits are generally the stars of the fruit department. And even if other origins are present, such as Sicily or Calabria, there is room for everyone. The ones who come out on top will be those who select correctly and focus on offering a product that tastes good rather than a price. Although marketing and communication inevitably support sales, consumers will only repeat their act of purchase if the product is tasty."
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Fine de Corse takes over from Caffin
At the same time, Ets Meseguer is offering Corsican clementines for sale. The first Fine de Corse (PGI - leafy clementines) arrived on the market last week, and are gradually taking over from the early Caffin variety, which has been on sale for a month. "Both varieties are doing very well this year. We have had a very good harvest, and the taste is really excellent. Corsican varieties are still very popular with consumers, who are sensitive to the fact that they come from France. Sales are all the more dynamic because retailers are doing a lot to promote them. This year, with slightly lower volumes, marketers are under less pressure, and prices remain buoyant. We can and we must charge prices that reflect the efforts made by our producers to achieve this level of quality. This year, prices are very reasonable, although we can always do better. But we have to make sure that the gap with our competitors is not too wide, so as not to put the brake on sales."
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The season looks well underway, especially as the current weather conditions are favorable for citrus consumption. "We are very lucky: the sun is shining, the cold is coming, and the quality is there. All indicators are green for a great season!"
For more information:
Ets Meseguer
Benoît Maillard-Guillon
+33 146 864 170
[email protected]
www.etsmeseguer.fr
