Top fruit Europe, Russia and US
Europe
Pear: The local stock remains high, and although sales are forced, stocks can not be reduced as needed, since there is a strong competition between Conference and Abate Fetel. In Conference, Belgium increased the output to Russia, but the stock in all of Europe is high, and in Abate the situation is more complicated because of the high stock; losses begin to add up in quality.
Pears continue to enter from the southern hemisphere, but much less than in other seasons. Although the pace of delivery has increased somewhat in recent weeks, the entire amount that has entered is below the amount of the previous two years (-40% s/2011 and -16% s/2010). The market is slow for local pears and the commercial offer is starting to join in, while prices, although they do adjust, they do so at a slower rate than other years because there isn't a strong enough pressure from the supply; but they are lower than in the past seasons.
Williams and Bon Chretien prices remain stable at the lowest bid, although somewhat lower than previous years, with better demand in the north than in southern Europe.
In Rosemarie and Flamingo supply is rather broad, slightly lower than 2011, there is enough presence in retailer channels, and prices have adjusted more strongly. Something similar to what is happening with the Red Bartlett.
In Packhams, income remains low for now and only a few sales are made at this point, as most is stored waiting for the completion of the commercialization of early pears.
For Abate, the situation is not good since the income, although minor, is not marked as in the Williams and Packhams variety, and has strong local competition, so its placement is complicated and the prices are not good (well below 2011 and 2010).
Apple: The stock is just over that of 2011 and similar to 2010 and 2009, output being normal or slightly lower, so we should pay attention to developments over the coming weeks. As mentioned in previous reports, the situation varies according to regions and varieties. The export to Russia is dominated by Poland, leaving less space for other European countries, while in North Africa and the Middle East, sales are especially suited for some varieties, but the volumes are bounded. The industry continues actively buying. For the Gala, Red and Elstar sales are satisfactory, for Fuji and Breaburn outputs are also active but stocks remain high, while in Golden, Jonagold and Granny the situation is more difficult.
So far the arrivals from the southern hemisphere are quite lower than in other years (-40/50%) and although local Gala sales are fluid, their stock is low, allowing an adequate interest from buyers, with firm prices but somewhat lower than in the previous two years.
Russia
Pear: Conference has a good presence and some Abate from Italy, with stable prices but lower than in previous years. The arrivals from the southern hemisphere are still below those of 2011 and even 2010, having increased somewhat in the recent week; prices were adjusted for last week and remain below the previous ones for the last two years.
Apple: Poland dominates the market, which adds to the supply of Western Europe, with prices lower than those of 2011.
From the Southern Hemisphere a volume less than that of 2011 (-50%) and similar to that of 2010 has entered, due primarily to Argentina's reduction. The first prices that were registered, were basically for Gala, they are below last year's.
United States
Pear: The supply of local pear remains wide, both in D'Anjou and B. Bosc, with stable prices but lower than those of 2011.
The added revenue to date from Argentina and Chile are located in an average from the results of the two previous years, where Williams are predominant. Import prices are stable and are superior to those of 2011 and less than 2010, while wholesalers had some decrease from the previous week, they are similar to those of 2011 and less than 2010.
The average price offered by major retailers to consumers, for pears in this week, is between USD$1.42/ kg for Williams, USD$1.29/ kg for D'Anjou and USD$1.32/ kg for B. Bosc.
Apple: The supply of local apples is similar to those of previous years, with normal behaviour in the market and prices for wholesalers similar or slightly higher than those of previous years.
The first Galas enter the Southern Hemisphere, mainly from Chile, having shipped to date quantities less than previous years. The first wholesale prices for imported Gala are an average of those of the previous two seasons.
The average price offered by major retailers to consumers are of USD$1.36 / kg for Gala, USD$1.29 for Granny, USD$1.30 for Red and USD$1.09 for Pink Lady, except for Pink Lady all of them are above the prices for 2011.
Source: SecretarÃa de agricultura sefrn.gov.a