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Krino Röben from Fruchtversand24:

“Procurement of Moroccan oranges tends to be more difficult”

As Christmas is nearing, the Moroccan citrus season is gradually getting underway. However, it is shaping up to be a difficult season, says Krino Röben, specialized provider and managing director of mail order company Fruchtversand24. "The first Berkane clementines arrived in the first week of December. It was extremely dry in Morocco this year, which, according to initial forecasts, will be reflected in a below-average harvest. However, the quality has not suffered much."

The decline in volumes is also having an impact on clementine prices, Röben continues. "Initially there were package prices around 22 EUR/10 kg, but now the average price has fallen to around 15-18 EUR/10 kg. However, this is still significantly 1 to 3 EUR above the previous year's levels." The mail order company, based in Aurich, mainly sources its goods from France/Perpignan and the Netherlands/Rotterdam. In addition to the Berkane clementine, which is also considered a Christmas clementine, Röben sells the Nour (medium) and Nadorcott (late) varieties. Moroccan clementines are usually available until March.

In addition to clementines, edible and juice oranges of Moroccan origin form the basis of his citrus range. The first Navel oranges from the North African country were loaded in week 50. Röben: "The previous goods were of outstanding quality and nice and thick. However, we notice that there are some fruits in every box that have dried out on the inside, which is clearly due to the dryness. But we assume that this problem will not exist in the later varieties." Later in the season, the juice oranges Salustiana and Valencia Late will be on offer, among others.

Difficult procurement situation
In recent years, Moroccan citrus fruits have lost a lot of their importance in Germany, Röben observes. "Citrus fruits from Morocco have always been a good niche for us, but the availability and selection options have been lacking in recent years. Oranges in particular, especially Navel oranges, have been very difficult to procure for several years. We are considering a switch to Sicilian citrus."

Berkane clementines.

According to Röben, it is not just procurement, but marketing also, that is becoming noticeably more difficult. "Demand is shifting downward for several reasons. On the one hand, because of the high prices, but on the other hand, because the qualitative differences to Spanish goods are too small. People often choose Spanish products because these are generally visually more appealing. In addition to this, Morocco seems to tend to export more to the US and Canada, which is also related to the dollar exchange rates. Accordingly, exporters are not in the position of having to offer their goods on the European sales market."

Florida grapefruits.

Moroccan grapefruits
Grapefruits of the Star ruby variety from Florida will round off the citrus range at Fruchtversand24. “Here, too, the prices are sometimes exorbitantly high and we find ourselves forced to offer predominantly 56s, while we normally sell the larger 40s and 48s. In the longer term, the French market seems to be becoming increasingly important,” says Röben. "Interestingly, I have already been offered Moroccan Star Ruby several times, which are said to be of better quality compared to Turkish and Spanish fruits."

Overall, Röben expects a further decline in the Moroccan citrus fruit sector. "I have a very bleak outlook for this niche, especially if Morocco were to disappear in a few years. That is why we are looking for other specialties; we have already found some new lines with special potatoes and our extensive range of nuts," he concludes.

Images: Fruchtversand24

For more information:
Krino Röben
Fruchtversand24
Kirchdorfer Str. 177
D-26605 Aurich
Tel.: +49 (0)4941-9737 904
Fax: +49 (0)4941-998 934
[email protected]
https://www.fruchtversand24.de/