The previously rather relaxed situation in this segment changed this week. Spanish shipments continued to shrink due to the end of the season and logistics issues, while Dutch ones gradually expanded. However, the latter could not fill the gap created, so the supply was insufficient to meet demand.
In Frankfurt, Turkish products fetched some 20% more for bulk as well as 400-g flowpack goods. Turkish production gradually switched from protected to open-air cultivation.
Apples
Domestic items still dominated the market, with Elstar and Jonagold leading the way. The wide range of apples from domestic harvests narrowed slightly. Boskoop and Royal Gala lost relevance, and the presence of Pinova also dwindled.
Pears
South African imports grew: Besides Williams Christ, Rosemarie, Abate Fetel and Cheeky, Celina all arrived. There was a slow but steady transition from European goods to shipments from overseas.
Table grapes
South African batches dominated the scene, with IFG, Arra varieties, Crimson Seedless and Thompson Seedless leading the way. Peruvian and Namibian shipments complemented events, with the latter seemingly losing importance.
Oranges
Spain dominated the blonde orange sector, although with declining volumes, providing primarily Lane Late, Navelate and Salustiana. The season was coming to an end and in the Iberian Peninsula, exports did not proceed as normal, due to problematic weather and strikes.
Small citrus fruits
With the very spring temperatures, their importance continued to decrease and the season consistently progressed towards its end: both demand and availability limited. In addition, the organoleptic qualities of the offerings visibly dropped.
Lemons
The range consisted primarily of Spanish Primofiori and Turkish Lama. Italian fruits completed the range in Frankfurt with the untreated variety with leaf for €2 per kilo and in Cologne with the standard quality for €1.40 per kilo.
Bananas
As a rule, ripeners coordinated supply with demand, so there was little movement in terms of prices. Demand was mixed: while customer interest weakened noticeably in Frankfurt, traders in Hamburg were pleased to see customers making hearty purchases.
Cauliflower
French products dominated, more so than Italian and Spanish. Belgian batches cost €12 per 6-unit preparation at the start of the week in Frankfurt, but settled into the price level of French products as the week progressed.
Lettuce
In lettuce, Belgium dominated ahead of Italy; local from Bavaria complemented the action in Munich and Frankfurt as bale lettuce, only as a marginal item, as the tariffs were still very ambitious. The ongoing strikes in the logistics sector, as well as rainy weather in the Spanish growing areas, led to firmer prices for iceberg lettuces, with a lively demand.
Cucumbers
Dutch cucumbers now dominated. In terms of importance, very present domestic and Belgian batches followed. Spanish supplies participated only locally in marketing, but continued to lose importance.
Tomatoes
Availability over wide areas was again characterized this week by a tight and scarce supply situation as well as further increasing valuations. Supplies of all varieties from Spain became even scarcer and, meanwhile, continued to increase in price.
Source: : BLE