EU: Better pear market, apple sales still difficult

The noises coming from the top fruit market are starting to improve. "The pears are going pretty well", says Kris Wouters a Belgian trader. "First the prices were around 40 cents and they're now between 45 and 55 cents. They're not brilliant prices, but it makes a difference to the growers. "First they were selling under the cost price and now those extra few cents are welcome."

"The cause of the improving pear market is the increasing demand from Russia", continues the exporter. "This change occurred on the market last week. There is just a small problem in transport prices, which went up. Because only few went to Russia before this, transporters chose different destinations and there isn't enough transport now. I expect this will soon be solved due to the increasing demand from Russia."

The top fruit supplier expects to supply large amounts of pears until at least the end of February. "After that it depends on the supply of Williams from Argentina. Last year that ended badly due to the large harvest in Argentina. Russia also suddenly stopped importing our pears, because they didn't like the quality. That was a really tough situation. This year the quality is better and I expect that this will help us compete with the Argentinian Williams."

Difficult situation in the apple market, intensive competition from Poland

"The situation is more difficult with apples", says the trader. "Russia wants bigger sizes like the 85+ of the variety Jonagold. These are sold pretty easily, but it's like we cant sell anything else. We only export to Russia, but I've heard from colleagues in the hard fruit sector that the apple market is difficult." He thinks it's due to the high production in Poland. "Russia chooses Poland because they think the quality is the same. Poland can also offer the apples for a lower price, the transport costs are lower and they don't have to pay as much import tax. In short, we can't beat that. We hope the supply in Poland runs out soon and the prices go up. We could maybe still supply to Russia at the end of the season. It doesn't look promising otherwise."

Due to the competition in Poland Wouters is looking for new markets. "It's quite a hard route. Every country has its own taste and Southern countries for instance, want a sweet apple. But we're working on it. Next week a load will leave for a new destination. We'll see how it goes."

Wouters Fruithandel will be present at Fruit Logistica in Berlin in Hall 6.2/B-06. "We're presenting a new pear variety there. The first trees have been planted and anyone interested can come and view the new variety at our stall."

For more information:
Wouters Fruithandel
Kris Wouters
Kasteellaan 21
3454 Rummen, België
Tel: +32 11586190
Fax: +32 11581041
www.woutersfruit.be