The 2023/2024 Spanish grapefruit campaign is now in its final stretch, having lasted over two weeks longer than the previous season due to slow sales.
The production in Spain has increased again this year and is expected to continue growing in the coming years, based on figures on the planted area in recent campaigns. "I believe that the grapefruit supply is growing at a faster pace than consumption," says Miguel Barber, from Pomelos MBC, a leading grapefruit exporting company in Spain.
"We have had a slow, but stable market throughout almost the entire campaign, which is why we will finish later this year. Usually, our season ends between mid and late May, but this year we will do so in the first or second week of June," says Barber. "Prices remain stable."
"Fortunately, the weather has not been very warm, so the fruit is holding up well on the trees, although at this time, the selection process is usually a bit more exhaustive," says the producer and exporter. "Although the first batches of South African grapefruit are already arriving, the supply is still limited and there won't be large volumes available until later this year. Moreover, their fruit is not yet in a optimal conditions for consumption."
"Turkish grapefruit is already being withdrawn from the market, and the Corsican one is as good as gone. We have also heard of certain problems with the sale of Israeli grapefruit in French markets due to political reasons," says Barber. "Meanwhile, Florida's presence has barely been noticeable this year."
Pomelos MBC expects its grapefruit campaign to come to a close after the marketing of around 16.5 million kilos of Spanish fruit and about 2.5 million kilos of South African grapefruit. The latter is marketed in the off-season.
For more information:
Miguel Barber
Pomelos MBC
Avinguda de l'Estatut, 5 . P. I. Les Vinyes
46711 Miramar, Valencia. Spain
T: +34 962 81 91 08
[email protected]
www.pomelosmbc.es