The Moroccan Clementine season has begun at Wilko Fruit in the Netherlands. "We're getting those from the Agadir, Marrakech, and Berkane regions. Their quality, color, and flavor are great, with a Brix between 11 and 12. They're just a little smaller than other years," Stefan Baremans says.
The citrus market is enjoying good demand. "Spain still has Clemenules shortages, so the Clementines from Morocco are a nice alternative." Wilkofruit supplies local and overseas retail and wholesale customers and market vendors. The importer offers this fruit in 10kg euro and traditional 30x40 cm boxes and 2.3 kg Pitufo packaging.
"The latter always sells well as the festive season approaches. Just as Chinese people gift each other cherries at Chinese New Year, we do the same with mandarins. Supermarkets, retailers, and market vendors specifically ask for them," Stefan explains.
"We'll continue with the Clementines until the last week of December and then switch to the first Moroccan Nadorcotts. There are 40% fewer Clementines. The Nadorcott production seems to be at just about at the same volumes as last season but with more small sizes."
"It's cooler in Morocco now; perfect for Clementines. The overall demand is good, and they're increasingly hitting the palate better. Customers had to get used to the price," Stefan continues, "after the expensive end of the South African orange and mandarin season. Clementine prices are normalizing slightly, though the average price is still much higher than last year."
"Regarding Moroccan oranges, local demand has risen so much that exports have decreased. Those prices are simply too high for exports. Moroccans, however, cannot eat all their mandarins. So, for the first Clementines, they depend on exports to other markets, like Canada, the United States, Russia, and Europe," Stefan concludes.
Gaudias fruit for pleasure
For more information:
Stefan Baremans
Wilko Fruit
14 Heilaar-Noordweg
4841 ZZ, Prinsenbeek, NL
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wilkofruit.com