At the beginning of October, Edwin van Leeuwen saw both mango and avocado prices rise. Edwin is the Dutch company, Yex’s, Commercial Manager. “In the summer, large volumes of avocados came from Peru. That resulted in lower prices on the market. However, that changed around September/October. The Peruvian season ended, and supply became scarcer. There are usually fewer shipments at that time. Then, prices of €3.50/kg aren’t anything strange.”
Mango prices also rose in October. But, Edwin thinks that will change again in a few weeks if nothing crazy happens. “Currently, only Brazil is active in the European market. In a few weeks, there will be enough volume from Peru again. That will increase the supply. These are mostly of the Kent, Keitt, and Palmer varieties. We import those. We supplement the assortment with Spanish Osteen mangos.”
Yex sells mangos and avocados throughout the year. The company works with growers in different production countries. “The avocado season in countries like Peru and South Africa is ending. Now we source most of our avocados from Chile and Mexico. But also from Colombia and Guatemala. Our mangos come mainly from Senegal and the Ivory Coast. Besides these countries, also from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico," says Edwin.
"Currently, we're getting most of our supply from Brazil. Soon Peru will start the season again. Most of the volumes come to us by boat. Depending on our clients’ wishes, we can also ripen them at our location in Poeldijk. We can make these ripened mangos and avocados ready-to-eat for supermarkets or the hospitality industry’s kitchens. We hope to do this from our new location from early 2021. There, we’ll have additional ripening cells and a new packing station for our products.”
“In the European market, consumption continues to rise," continues Van Leeuwen. "Packaging has also become much more diverse. Avocados aren’t only sold individually. They’re sold in two-packs, per four or in nets. With our Discovered brand, Yex can also provide our clients with various packaging options."
"We’ve set up a sustainable packaging line with cardboard packaging for both exotics. We have cultivation programs in the various countries. With those, we bring sustainability to the field too. We also support the growers to meet the European market’s requirements. We greatly value partnerships. Together, we’re building on having healthy production and sales,” concludes Edwin.
Edwin van Leeuwen
Yex
Tel: 0174 214 531
e.vanleeuwen@yex.nl
www.yex.nl