The South African citrus season had a successful start. "South Africa is sending more fruit to other destinations, such as Asia and the Middle East. This results in a controlled volume for the European market," says Jan Rozema of Olympic Fruit. "The lower yields in some areas of the navels and clementines also play a part. In addition, Spain had disappeared from the hand orange market earlier, providing plenty of room for overseas citrus. We definitely have no reason to complain about the start of the season."
Olympic Fruit currently offers grapefruit, Navel oranges, Clemenule and Nova mandarins and lemons from South Africa. "The grapefruit market is also going a lot more smoothly thanks to lower supplies. Next week we'll also receive the first juice oranges. I'm expecting a good start there as well, because the season in Spain and Morocco ends earlier," Jan says. "Undoubtedly, within the next weeks a larger supply will come and prices will go down somewhat, but at least we've had the start."
Like the previous years, the threat of Citrus Black Spot is looming over the import of South African citrus. Two discoveries have been made on the British market now, although the possible consequences of additional measures remain unclear if there are five interceptions. "It's mainly on the minds of the South African producers. Those people are really worried," Jan concludes.
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