ndian grape season is tailing off in Europe and the Egyptian season is getting into full swing. It has been a very unique year according to Geoff Green from Capespan, "It is the first time in three years that there have been weeks and weeks of good volumes of grapes in April and May, this is down to much larger amounts of Indian grapes, they have shipped 2000 containers more than last year and 3,000 more than the year before. In total Europe, including Russia, received 5,200 containers."This a substantial increase, it was an early start to their season but continued much longer than normal, packing until mid-end April. This meant some fruit came through later than it should have done to clash with the start of the Egyptian season, which for the first time in three years started on time. The Egyptian grapes have come in with far greater volumes in late May and early June as a result of all the new plantings of Prime and early sweet, meaning much greater availability than before from Egypt.
Cape packed white seedless
"Prices have been affected significantly this year; in the last two years early Egyptian grapes have had good prices due to such an empty market and late start whereas this year there has been far more competition. As for quality, the Indian grapes have been good throughout the season, but the new Egyptian grapes are fantastic quality, fresh and very good sizes”. Many Egyptian suppliers are having to wait until Indian and Chilean Crimson are cleared to access some customers.
According to Geoff prices have come under pressure quite quickly, but are not a great surprise given the circumstances. The main packing season in week 24 is almost over for most farms.
Capespan packed mixed(3637)
"The competition between Indian and Egyptian grapes will get greater over the next years. India will see Europe as a growth opportunity as Chilean volumes have declined and price remains a key driver for supermarkets. Egypt is expected to have even more early production coming on stream"
Crimson seedless from Chile will be a challenge for Egyptian Flame, they have been coming in big volumes in a very short time frame this year. This has been down to a late season as well as port strikes which delayed departures.
ARRAFIFTEEN (3510)the new late white variety 3 weeks before harvest
The Egyptian Flame is looking very good with small volumes already arriving. Bigger volumes will arrive by the middle of next week, which will then cause a problem for the Chilean Crimson still in the market.
All in all Green thinks the Egyptian season will be steady with good quality fruit and a domestic situation which is almost completely back to normal.
For more information:
Geoff Green
Capespan
[email protected]
