The first containers of Moroccan mandarins under the Gaudias brand will be shipped this week and are expected to arrive next Tuesday at Wilkofruit in Prinsenbeek. "Morocco has a good citrus harvest this year. Last year's crop was disappointing, but this year the trees are well-prepared to produce abundantly," says Wilko van der Zwaard.
"We expect to continue supplying clementines until the end of the year from Berkane and Agadir. The fruit in Morocco is maturing about fourteen days earlier this year. This applies to the Nadorcott mandarins as well, which are expected to arrive in the third week of December, whereas they typically come in the second week of January. The Nadorcott production looks promising. In previous years, heat sometimes caused the fruit to drop from the trees, but the outlook is good this year."
Astronomically high prices in domestic market
While Morocco has become a significant player in the European mandarin market, orange exports have lagged in recent years. "For the past four years, Morocco has enjoyed a robust domestic market for both juicing oranges and Navels, selling them at almost astronomical prices to locals and tourists. However, I don't think people in Morocco will be able to continue paying these prices, and last year we saw larger volumes becoming available for export. I expect Moroccan suppliers to spread their risks and rely less on the domestic market," he adds.
"In the past, Morocco was a major orange producer from January to September. However, as they have neglected export in recent years, many buyers have turned to Egypt, which has now developed into the largest orange-producing country in the world, benefiting from the issues around the Suez Canal," continues Van der Zwaard. "Many Valencia Late trees in Morocco have been replaced with Nadorcott, but in recent years, we are also seeing new plantings of both Valencia and Navel Late. So, we can certainly expect more late mandarins in open-top boxes from Morocco."
Mandarins arrive in empty market
"Spain also has a good orange harvest this year. Initially, the clementine crop looked promising, but rain has caused some damage to the early varieties, such as Marisol, resulting in fewer clementines available. The volume of clementines with leaves is also significantly lower than last year. I expect prices to remain high. Typically, starting November 4, when the harvest in Nules begins, we see a more normalized price level, but due to rising costs, I anticipate mandarins will remain relatively expensive. They are arriving in an empty market. We will receive the last shipments from Peru this week, and South Africa's supply is also winding down."
"There is still a shortage of hand-picked oranges. These will continue to be quite expensive because Navelina oranges are not available in large sizes. We expect more normal sizes starting November 5. Traditionally, German supermarkets quickly switch to Spanish Navelinas for juicing oranges, so those intermediate sizes sell well. Other customers prefer South African varieties because they tend to be tastier and more stable in quality, while prices for Salustiana oranges are already quite high."
Unhealthy price level of lemons
"Lemon prices have dropped after a long period of being high. I believe this is mainly due to two ships from South Africa arriving simultaneously, leading to some panic buying. The new Primofiore lemon harvest has started in Spain, but it is now facing competition from South Africa, resulting in lemons being sold at unhealthy price levels. The advantage is that this low price level will quickly clear out the stock, although it will take some time before the market fully recovers."
"Last but not least, we are seeing good demand for grapefruit. Supply had dried up from South Africa, but we are now receiving top-quality grapefruit from the mountains in Turkey. The grapefruit is arriving in a favorable market. Over the last decade, the grapefruit market seemed to be declining, but it is now showing signs of recovery. In Spain, many new fields are currently being planted with grapefruit. The increasing focus on healthy eating is significantly boosting the consumption of lemons and grapefruit."
Wilko Fruit's own brand: Gaudias, fruits for Pleasure
"The overall demand for citrus is quite good, especially since alternatives in imported fruit are limited. The stone fruit season started and ended earlier this year. South Africa has slightly fewer plums, and that season is starting later than usual. We are kicking off the season with air freight because people want a variety of fruits beyond just mandarins and oranges. Additionally, the weather is still too mild for a swift consumption of citrus."
For more information:
Wilko van der Zwaard
Wilko Fruit
Heilaar-Noordweg 14
4841 ZZ Prinsenbeek
[email protected]
www.wilkofruit.com