"Netherlands: "Citrus sales quiet all round"

The total citrus trade is a little too quiet according to Toine van Hoof of FRS Holland. "We have already been waiting for two weeks and are still waiting for something to happen. Supply is more than sufficient and sales are actually reasonable, but one expects prices to decrease, but that only happens for a part. This is just dependent on the arrangements made and the minimum price, which is required in order not to supply under cost price."

According to the importer rather less Navels are coming from South Africa, but the total volume of Valencia's will increase. "But we still have to wait and see how much citrus will in effect come to Europe, which volumes will be taken up by new markets, such as India and China and how the supply to Russia will develop. It is quiet now along the entire line, but as expected Spain will enter the market in the beginning of September, which may start a change in demand."

At the moment the accent is on small sizes of the citrus, but FRS expect a large arrival of Oceanic-citrus from Zimbabwe at the end of the week, after which the entire selection will be available in more than sufficient quantities. "The quality of the fruit is good. In quality the citrus from Zimbabwe is the same or perhaps even better than the South African citrus."

For more information:
Toine van Hoof
FRS-Holland B.V.
Venlo - Holland
Tel: 0031 77 3999833
Fax: 0031 77 3999830
Cell: 0031 6 50526457
[email protected]
www.frs-holland.nl