“Never before experienced demand for imported apples but pear season going very badly”

It’s hardly possible to imagine a bigger contrast than that between the import apple and pear seasons this year. “The overseas apple season is going very well, but that of the pears is abysmal,” says Jan Marc Schulz of SFI Rotterdam. The importer traditionally has a good Chilean range. “Every apple sold well this year. Because of the night frost across Europe in April 2017, the European stocks were very limited. Granny Smith is actually the only apple currently selling for fairly normal prices, all other prices skyrocketed. Prices of 27-30 euro for a box of 18 kilos were easy to reach, and the tendency is rising rather than dropping,” the importer says. He’s talking about an extreme situation. “I’ve never before experienced a similar scarcity on the market.”

Fresh4Cast’s figures show a considerable shift in the export of Chilean apples from the US to Europe (+33% in value compared to last year up to 15 June). The shipments of Royal Gala to the EU increased by 55% compared to last year, the export of Granny Smith and Fuji increased by 87 and 115%, respectively. “During the fair in Berlin it already became apparent expectations were high, but when the first prices were announced here, the Chileans also became aware of the scarcity. They started sending more, but the available supply practically flies out of containers. Competitors are contacting each other for trade,” Jan Marc continues. He’s expecting to receive Chilean apples at least until August.