The stonefruit market is in a state of impasse right now in terms of production volumes. With Murcia in the final stage of the campaign and Lleida starting slowly, there is very little fruit in stock.
"Until week 27, we do not expect a significant production, and there will still be fewer kilos available than last season," explains Xavier Juvillà, manager of the Lleida-based company Viyefruits. The weather conditions during the spring were far from ideal for the flowering, and frosts and hail took a toll on important early stonefruit production areas, such as Sobes, Aitona, Seròs, Alcarràs, etc.
According to Xavier Juvillà, with these limited volumes, retail prices should become higher than the average paid right now, because, so far, there has not been a big buying pressure. "It seems that the situation will change after this week, as the weather conditions improve in Europe."
Conference pear consumption has collapsed
"We have already started the pear harvest in Lleida with the first Etrusca and Castell in limited quantities, which are shipped mainly to Italy," explains the producer.
At the same time, the latest Conference pears are reaching very low prices due to the fall in consumption. "In Spain there is no demand for Conference pears, while Belgium and the Netherlands are putting pressure on the market with very low prices, because they have plenty of pears in stock. Fortunately, we no longer have any Conference pears."
For more information:
Xavier Juvilla
Viyefruit, S.A.
T: +34 616 982672
javier@viyefruit.com
www.viyefruit.com