An operator at the wholesale market of Perpignan provides an overview of the current dynamics of the orange market.
"At the moment, we mainly work with three main origins: Spain, Italy and Portugal. For Spain, we source from the Seville, Malaga and Valencia regions, with varieties such as the Naveline and, more recently, the first Salustiana, which are particularly sought-after to make orange juice. We are keeping a close eye on their Brix levels (which need to be between 40 and 50%) to ensure optimum sales to supermarkets. We have also started the Italian campaign with Naveline Feuille oranges, from Sicily and southern Italy (especially Puglia). These leafy oranges are highly prized for their freshness and premium appearance. The first Washington Navels, renowned for their sweetness and quality, are also just now arriving on the market. Additionally, we are looking forward to the Newhall PGI Citrinos do Algarve oranges, which will be available shortly. For the moment, we are working with classic Portuguese Newhall oranges, while we wait for the labelled fruit that is so sought-after on the French market. For each origin, we offer oranges with or without leaves, both of which are very popular on the market for their visual quality and shelf life," according to the operator.
"Spain remains our main supplier, but this season is somewhat unusual. The floods in the Valencia region have slightly reduced the volumes available. Thanks to the harvests in the Seville and Malaga regions, the overall impact remains limited, but we are seeing some weaknesses on certain fruits, such as water stains due to dampness."
A gradual price drop expected over the coming weeks
"For the time being, prices remain high, but we are entering the heart of the season, and a gradual price drop is expected over the coming weeks." On the wholesale market, prices are fluctuating between €1.00 and €1.50/kg [1.06-1.59 USD/kg], depending on variety and origin. Premium oranges, such as the Italian Naveline Feuille or the future Portuguese Newhall PGI, are positioned at the top end of this range. Logistical disruptions and slight drops in volumes due to bad weather, particularly in Valencia, have kept prices high. However, we remain confident that prices will stabilize as volumes increase over the coming weeks. Our aim is to continue to supply quality products, both leafy and bare, to meet the expectations of our clients and of French consumers.