The import season of citrus fruit from South Africa is ending and it is now time to empty the storage units.
Nino Leonardi from Leonards snc explains that "the campaign is rather slow. Oranges from South Africa are finishing so prices are dropping (€10-11 for 15 kg boxes, i.e. €0,70/kg). Now we are waiting for Navel oranges from Spain."
The Leonardi snc stand at the fresh produce market in Verona.
The situation is different for lemons as "after the high prices of July and August, they are now dropping because fresh produce from Turkey, Chile and Spain is arriving. The Turkish produce is mediocre, whereas the Spanish one is good with prices 15% higher that the competition."
"The problem is that there is still a lot of produce from Argentina in storage, and it must be sold to make room for the new one."
"As regards fresh lemons, prices hover between €1.30 and €1.50/kg. Argentinian lemons can be found at all prices," as the important thing is to get rid of them.
"Italian lemons will arrive soon. There are already limited quantities from Trapani and that from Syracuse will arrive in November."
As regards other citrus fruit, "Miyagawa tangerines are doing well - still not a mass product, but yet interesting, with a sweet flavour and seedless. Demand is quite good and it can be found on the market at between €0.80 and 1.50."
"There is less demand in general and things are already slow. We used to be able to make a few plans in the past but now we see how things go day after day."
Contacts:
Leonardi Salvatore snc
Via Sommacampagna, 63
Verona (VR) c/o mercato ortofrutticolo
Tel.: (+39) 045 953787
Fax: (+39) 045 8622324
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.leonardisnc.com