The quantities of organic bananas on offer are currently being met with adequate demand, as Sascha Suler, plant manager at BioTropic GmbH, based in Duisburg, tells us. "Supply and demand are almost in balance, although the qualities fluctuate greatly in some cases, which in turn is due to the weather in the most important growing countries. Because in the Dominican Republic it was sometimes very hot, whereas in Peru and Ecuador it was somewhat too cool."
Despite the difficult conditions, prices are roughly the same as last year, Suler continues. Meanwhile, sales have been relatively constant over the year as a whole. "Apart from the classic summer lull and smaller increases in demand in spring and fall, there is a certain basic demand throughout the year. However, the situation is more difficult in the segment of Demeter products: Here, the available quantities on offer are far from sufficient to meet the demand on the local markets, which in turn is due to the decline in production in the Dominican Republic, the most important country of cultivation."
Sascha Suler (m) during the BioFach 2024 in Nuremberg.
Tight supply situation characterizes the mango market
In addition to bananas, the Duisburg-based company offers a wide variety of organic exotics, including mangoes. Suler: "Sourcing has been particularly challenging this year. It was very hot in Spain, which had a negative impact on quality, especially in the final phase of the season. Brazil has started relatively normal, while we are already expecting the first arrivals from Peru in calendar week 48, three to four weeks earlier than usual. Due to the tight supply situation, we are currently observing a rather high price level, although we expect prices to fall at the beginning of the Peruvian season. In general, we are finding that sourcing goods is becoming more difficult. In the past, the marketing window per country of origin was always 10 to 12 weeks. Now, in some cases, it is only 5 to 6 weeks, which leads to gaps in supply that can hardly be filled. We see this especially with African mangoes."
In general, sales of organic exotics tend to be sluggish, which is mainly due to inflation and a decline in purchasing power. "Coconut, for example, is a product that has developed strongly in recent years and is now available year-round from the Ivory Coast. However, due to increased demand, this product is increasingly being sold in local markets, while supply is noticeably declining," Suler concludes.
For more information:
Sascha Suler
BioTropic GmbH
Daimlerstraße 4
47167 Duisburg
Tel: +49 203 51 87 60
E-mail: [email protected]
www.biotropic.com