This year’s 2023 European summer season proved to be one of ups and downs for Brazilian Tahiti limes suppliers. According to Sérgio Negrão, CEO and one of the founders of the exporter Jagrao in Brazil: “The European season of 2023 was one of ups and downs for Tahiti Limes. Although the European market is increasingly accustomed to limes, the challenge is to remain constant, respecting demand.”
Sérgio Negrão and Lucas Neves in Paris.
While the EU market demand was generally high, prices varied considerably as the weather constantly changed this summer. It went from sweltering hot, to rain and devastating floods in several European countries. This all affects the ongoing demand and prices says Negrão. “Demand is high. It is up to the origins, not only Brazil, to understand that supply and demand need to walk together. Prices follow trends and moments on the continent. Price variation is directly related to good weather, holidays, vacations, events and offers. Without monitoring all these factors and their trends, the risk of not staying covered is great.”
Europe enjoys Brazilian limes
“During the current season, Jagrao Comercial Exportadora Ltda exported limes to Holland, Germany, Greece, France, Belgium, Turkey, and others. While Green Vault Export Ltda exported to Spain, Germany, Baltic countries, Norway, and others. Outside Europe both companies exported to the United Kingdom. On average we exported seven containers per week while reaching 10 containers in a single week. During this period, we did not export to the Middle East, but we do have cargo that is periodically sent to Turkey, which has a very demanding market, and we are making progress to serve them,” states Negrão.
The Jagrao team visiting their importer Westfalia in Holland, from left to right Lucas, Michel from Westfalia, Sérgio and Xuxa.
During their last visit to Europe a few months ago Negrão saw a lot of waste. During this summer it was a lot less he notices. “During the spring season, days before the arrival of summer, the limes market dropped due to too much volume in Europe. As a result, stocks took longer to be sold, which can lead to waste, but nothing compared to what I saw at the beginning of the year. We stayed in Europe for 30 days, from May 24th to June 25th. At first it was cold and then it started to warm up. We were in Holland, France, Belgium, Germany and England.”
There are some other challenges for limes exporters to Europe he notes while the end of summer does signal a drop in demand. “Increasing volumes to meet importers' demands means increasing responsibility throughout the process. With regard to greater attention to phytosanitary matters, maintaining good quality and social responsibility. This end of season remains at a good level for limes. It is natural that demand drops for the European winter, but we are prepared and used to adapting to adverse market situations,” concludes Negrão.
For more information:
Sérgio Negrão
Jagrao
Tel: +55 13 99721 8969
Email: [email protected]
www.jagraobrazil.com
