A weak harvest year is emerging in the most important growing regions of Serbia. "We have been in constant contact with our suppliers since May, visiting orchards and cold stores. All the fruit harvested so far has yielded significantly less than expected. In the case of strawberries, for example, there are very low harvest volumes due to rain and bad weather, and hardly any exports. Prices are around 40 per cent above last year's levels. In general, Serbian production volumes are falling every year, while imports from Egypt, Albania and Greece are increasing," explains Anneliese Vollweiler, specialised fruit importer and Managing Director of Anevo Trading Ltd.
Since week 24, the European fresh market has also been supplied with Serbian blueberries. Vollweiler: "The producers are satisfied with the expected volumes and the quality is better than last year. Customers often consider Serbian produce to be better than Romanian blueberries. This is due to the fact that the rejection rate for Romanian produce (approx. 10-15 per cent) is significantly higher than for Serbian produce (approx. 5-10 per cent)." Meanwhile, prices per kilo are one to two euros below last year's levels.
The Serbian berry range is rounded off by blackberries. Good quality and Brix values are expected so far.
The raspberry harvest has also already begun in the early regions: According to initial forecasts, around 40-50 per cent of the yield consists of IQF fruit, normally this proportion is 60 to 80 per cent. This will have a corresponding effect on the price, which, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Serbian producers' association, is around one to two euros per kilo higher than last year, explains Vollweiler. "There are still some small quantities available in the cold stores, which the producers are holding back and only bringing onto the market once the harvest is complete. Hopefully, the market situation in other countries will depress these prices. Most recently, it was said that Ukraine is expecting a fairly normal harvest with good fruit qualities, taking into account war activities and shortages in the supply of stable electricity. There are hours without electricity, so the raw materials are mainly exported to Poland."
Meanwhile, the sour cherry harvest is coming to an end and prices are higher than ever before. "We had a similar situation in 2016-2017, but the difference is that the harvest is almost over in less than three weeks. The price level is expected to be twice as high as last year. The quality of the cherries is very good due to the lower quantity on the trees, which has allowed the individual cherries to grow larger and the fruit to have a good Brix value. The storage areas are now full of frozen cherries with stones and are waiting for the prices to rise," Vollweiler continues.
Anneliese Vollweiler is Managing Director of the import agency Anevo Trading, based in Erlangen. She warns that the increasing shortage of harvest workers in Serbia will have a noticeable impact on the market and the final prices of the goods this year.
Low apricot yields, good prospects at the start of the plum harvest
Due to low yields, apricot prices at the start of this year's season are up to 40 per cent higher than last year. "This applies to both the hand-cut, frozen halves and the fresh produce, which is mainly exported packed in 6kg wooden crates." The early variety Cacaks Frühe (Rana) is now being harvested in the plum orchards, with prices at around the same level as last year. "Under the current conditions, a normal, average harvest is expected. The quality looks very good and stable. The next variety Cacaks Schöne (Lepotica) will start in ten days and Stanley will follow another 10-14 days later. The Serbian producers expect to be finished with the harvest by the end of July," Vollweiler concludes.
Pictures: ANEVO Trading GmbH
For more information:
Anneliese Vollweiler
ANEVO Trading GmbH
Fraunhoferstraße 16
D-91058 Erlangen
Phone: +49 (0) 9131 6108673
Mobile: +49 (0) 170 581 7970
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.anevo-trading.com