At LuBa Fresh in Venlo, the first containers of Indian grapes arrived last week. Two more containers were unloaded today (Monday), and another two containers are scheduled to arrive on Thursday.
"India started 10 to 14 days later, and there has also been a 15–30% decline in shipments so far. Some Indian exporters have chosen to focus more on supplying the domestic market after some difficult years, and that seems to be having a positive effect on market conditions," the importer notes.
"But the season has only just begun, so there could still be plenty of loading ahead, and how the season develops remains to be seen. Last year, India sent 10,000 containers to Europe, which was simply too much for the European market. That put considerable pressure on the market."
"This year, the indications are that grape exports to Europe are down by 25%, and I believe the European market could well absorb those 7,500 containers," Lucien continued. "In any case, sales are going well so far. The grapes unloaded today are already sold, and the price level is more acceptable—at least slightly higher than last year."
"The availability of specially packaged grapes is limited on the market, so they're arriving in an almost empty market. That was very different last year when there were plenty of packaged grapes from Peru and South Africa. But customers are also buying loose grapes readily, due to the price difference compared to South Africa," says Lucien.
Luuk and Lucien de Wit
"All in all, the battle has started again, but hopefully the grapes will continue to arrive in a somewhat calmer market. For now, though, I'm more positive than last year," says the importer. Last year, he continued with Indian grapes until the end of May. The vast majority of Indian grapes are Thompson Seedless. "New varieties are being tested left and right in India, but this variety still proves to be the best export variety under the country's climatic conditions."
For more information:
Luciën de Wit
LuBa Fresh
Tel: +31 077 777 7715
Mob: +31 06 41273443
L.deWit@LuBaFresh.com
www.LuBaFresh.com