The most important buyers of SAFE were mainly the Far and Middle East, then Europe and to a lesser extent Russia, South and Eastern Europe. "The export to countries in the Far East is increasing, because 'new' countries have opened to South African fruit. The Middle East and Northern Europe seem to be stable. Southern Europe, Russia and East Block countries seem to have declined. Within Europe the emphasis is turning towards supermarket programmes," says Wilbo. "Locally, the juice market is important for sales and price formation."
SAFE is currently preparing for the grape and lychee season. "We already have lychees for air transport and will start with the lychees for sea transport in week 47. Up until week 51 we will be loading lychees," says the exporter from South Africa. "We will start with red and white grapes in week 48. It looks positive for both!"
For more information:
Wibo van den Ende
South African Fruit Exporters
Tel: 0027 216 57 4000
wibo@safe.co.za
www.safe.co.za