Dried fruit prices closely dependent on dollar rate of exchange

As there is a lot of fresh fruit in the market during the summer there is always less demand for dried fruit. Towards winter this increases again. This is according to Monique Van Tendeloo of Quality Nuts. "The new season of dried fruit starts again. The new harvest of figs, dates and apricots is arriving from various countries. They come via the Netherlands and are imported directly. Up to the middle of October new products arrive."

"During the winter local supply of fresh fruit is always less or it is more expensive. Therefore consumers more often choose for dried fruit. From September to the holidays there is a really busy period and this mostly continues until the first strawberries are in the country. Nevertheless the dried fruit trade never completely stops. During the summer there is some demand, but a difference is very noticeable. July and August are especially quiet months. The market for nuts is at a good level all through the year."

Monique says that they import directly from Turkey and America. "The other products come from countries, such as the Philippines, Japan, China, Tunisia and are transported to us via traders. The trade with America is becoming more and more exciting. Originally this was a lot more constant, but since the crisis our products change more often because of the dollar rate of exchange. In addition the situation in Greece is closely related to this. We continuously look at this." According to her this year prices are increasing in any case. "The economic situation is the main cause. Also various harvests were lower because of the dry weather. Therefore there is more demand than supply and that makes everything more expensive. And that applies to both nuts and dried fruit."

Quality Nuts product range is especially directed towards speciality shops.

For more information:
Quality Nuts
17c, Boutersemdreef
B-2240 Zandhoven
+32 (0) 34846776
+32 (0) 34844973
[email protected]
www.qualitynuts.be