The new Israeli grapefruit season begins at Starfruit next week. Despite the attacks and ongoing conflict, supply seems to be unhindered for now. "The exporters we work with are located around Jerusalem. There, the situation is currently relatively calm, so, so far, we can start as usual," says this Belgian import company's Ive Lambert.
© Starfruit Company
Ive, who imports mainly citrus but also avocados and mangos from Israel, says trade is continuing as much as possible in the parts somewhat further from the conflict. "The grapefruits are now en route and should arrive problem-free. There's also enough room for them on the market. Turkish grapefruit will only be available in about four weeks, which will change the market considerably."
The trader dare not speculate how things will unfold in the next while. "All the warring parties generally leave the area where our exporters are alone. None of them want to touch any of their religiously significant parts of that city. Things will change as soon as there are problems in the ports or production zones. It certainly won't get any easier, but in the parts further from the conflict, people try to keep their lives going as normally as possible. That includes trade," Ive explains.
Fewer Israeli goods
According to him, Israel has been sending noticeably fewer goods to Europe in recent years. "Several supermarkets take a little if there are no other options. Consumption in the Middle East has also changed so much that it's more beneficial for them to sell their goods more locally."
"For us, volumes vary from year to year," says Lambert. "Last year, we traded plenty of Israeli pomelos because Chinese pomelos were so expensive. This year, though, freight rates have dropped again, making the Chinese product somewhat more affordable."
"We do, however, still get grapefruit from Israel, and that will continue. We'll have to wait and see if the conflict spreads to the rest of the country. We're in touch with our partners in that country and will respond as the situation changes," Ive concludes.
For more information:
Ive Lambert
Starfruit Company
112 Werkhuizenkaai
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 224 20 876
Email: info@starfruit.be
Website: www.groupadw.be/starfruit