"The volume of Navels is a lot less than last year, whilst the supply of Valencia's is about the same. "It is striking that this season the medium sizes 72/88 receive emphasis, but that is only favourable because the biggest demand worldwide is for those. There really is a good market. Cultivation is running well and prices are good."
Grapefruit/lemons
"Based on the available volumes I also expect an increase in grapefruit prices in the coming weeks" Wibo continues. "The lemons are already correctly priced with 15 to 17 dollar FOB. What is of influence is the large reduction in the supply of Argentinian lemons and in addition the higher price required by Argentina for export as a result of the rates of exchange." "The availability of Argentinian lemons is limited at the moment from other sources. Argentina is the biggest supplier of the southern hemisphere, but this season the growing area Tucuman was hit by a number of set backs. The harvest is as a result a lot smaller than last year with a delay of 30-40 days. The result is a shortage after the Spanish season."
Chairman Roberto Sanchez Loria of the Tucuman Citrus Association says, that there were days when no workers could be found, as a result of which the citrus was on the trees too long and the fruit became too big. "The quality is very good, but the large sizes could not be exported and were often gotten rid of through the processing industry. Furthermore because of the drought there is a lot less volume than last year. There are even companies which have not started harvesting."
For more information:
Wibo van den Ende
South African Fruit Exporters
Tel: 0027 216574000
[email protected]
www.safe.co.za