NL: Final Spanish citrus needs higher prices

According to Toine van Hoof of FRS the citrus trade is not doing too well at the moment. "Especially the last two months it is worse. Sales by the Dutch supermarkets are still at a reasonable level, but in other countries it is rather moderate. In general prices are too low. Spain wants towards the end of the season to take some more fruit out of the market, but that is insufficiently respected."

FRS Holland at the moment offer oranges and lemons from Spain and via importers mandarins from Uruguay and Argentina. "The satsumas from abroad were a catastrophe last season, insufficiently available. This also has an influence on the price. Importers, who had a large volume last year, are not doing anything or hardly anything now. However, the quality of the satsumas is clearly better than last year. Prices are good now, but it is expected that they will stabilize somewhat."

"The lemons are now at the season change and as a result few small sizes are available. Condition is that they are well paid for" Toine says. According to the citrus trader it is difficult to say how the citrus market will develop. "We hope that prices will increase. Then the end of the Spanish season could still be good. Otherwise it will be a different story."

For more information:
Toine van Hoof
FRS-Holland B.V.
Venlo - Holland
Tel: 077 - 3999833
Fax: 077 - 3999830
Cell: 06 -50526457
[email protected]
www.frs-holland.nl