At N&K in Barendrecht, the first South African lychees have arrived by air freight. "We started with the Early Delight variety, which will be available for about three to four weeks, after which we switch to the Mauritius variety," says Lorenza Ciccaroni. From week 48, lychees will also arrive from the Republic of Mauritius, soon followed by the Madagascar harvest. "We expect to receive lychees by air freight until the third week of December."
High lychee prices
"We'll get the first lychees by boat from South Africa just before or after Christmas. Normally, the boat season continues until the third week of January, but due to the lower harvest, it's uncertain whether we'll reach that this season," Lorenza says. The lychee crop in South Africa is significantly smaller this year due to drought. Additionally, authorized exports to the United States provide an attractive new market for South African growers. "This has created high prices in the market, with the selling price currently between €14 and €15 per kilo. Demand for lychees is very broad, ranging from catering customers buying by the box to retailers ordering full pallets and everything in between," Lorenza explains.
"For example, there is traditionally strong demand from southern and eastern Europe for lychees, including the Eastern European market. Dutch customers are also very receptive to lychees. Market and catering customers are particularly fond of the South African lychees, which are often a bit larger and sweeter than the Madagascar variety. With the tree-ripened lychees from our supplier Tomahawk in South Africa, we can stand out in terms of taste and size. There will always be demand for the coarse XXL size with a small stone and plenty of flesh."
Challenging pomelo season
"N&K – the Dutch import office of the French Kinobé group – is also currently amid the Chinese pomelo season. "Chinese pomelo prices are high due to lower production and strong local demand. Additionally, the ongoing issues in the Red Sea have resulted in long transit times, complicating the start of the pomelo season. I don't expect this situation to improve soon," Lorenza says.
The situation for coconuts is not much better. "Côte d'Ivoire is facing low production, and neighboring countries are buying up the crop – often with cash and without a quality check – as it comes straight from the plantations. This makes supply very challenging at the moment, and it's a situation that will impact not just us. However, it has prompted us to consider growing in other countries of origin."
Severe shortages of passion fruit
"Although Christmas sales are not as significant as they used to be, demand for exotic fruits is traditionally on the rise," says Lorenza. "For instance, lychees are always popular. We will see severe shortages of passion fruit from Colombia until after Christmas, as we've faced difficulties with supply all season. In contrast, the supply of physalis and baby pineapples is steady. Demand for dates is also expected to increase as the holidays approach. Additionally, there's still a substantial supply of oranges from South Africa and Zimbabwe in the market. There have been many delays, and until last week we were still receiving shipments. However, due to severe weather in Spain, these supplies are likely to be absorbed into the market more quickly."
For more information:
Lorenza Ciccaroni
N&K b.v.
Tel: +31 (0)78 3032 440
[email protected]