Israel's Wonderful pomegranate season has started, while the kumquat harvest season is set to start this week. Yinon Osem, CEO of Edom Fruits in Israel says, "There is good demand for our pomegranates in the U.S. and Europe. We're now at the start of the Wonderful pomegranate season. It is looking like a regular season regarding quantities, with prices that are just fine in Europe."
He says Israel is the one of the few countries in the Northern Hemisphere with market access for pomegranates in the lucrative U.S. market. "We're continuing to develop the American market, which is where Israel has an added value. We're one of the only countries from Northern Hemisphere, with our main competition coming locally from California."
On the other Israel has strong competition for pomegranates in the European market. "In Europe we have strong competition from Spain, Turkey and Egypt. What sets us apart is our quality, which is very good externally and internally. We export around 2,000 tons from Israel," states Osem.
He says Israel's Wonderful pomegranate season will last the next few months. "We are looking to sell our fruit in the next two and a half months, with departures from Israel until mid-January. Our main pomegranate sizes are the big ones from sizes, five to eight, with a supply of 3.8 kg cartons. The big sizes are mainly for regular markets."
Edom Fruits is one of the main players and suppliers of pomegranates in Israel says Osem. "We almost have all year round supply. We supply pomegranates from Israel, Greece and Peru. We source it from farms that work with us, they need our knowledge because we are one of the most experienced in this fruit type."
Israel Kumquat season starting soon
Osem notes as South Africa's Kumquats season ended, Israel fits in-between them and the supply from Spain that is coming from mid-December. "South Africa's season is finished, Spain will start as usual from mid-December. The main players on the world market for Kumquats at the moment is supply from Israel with 95% coming from here. We will start harvesting this week. We do around 70 tons of kumquat that is mainly sent via airfreight. It is a very niche product in our window that is very exclusive and expensive, which is presented in special packaging. It is available for those who want the fruit when there's no other stock available. When Spain starts there will be more volume. We export the kumquat to Europe, with mainly Germany and France as the receiving markets. The prices range between €5-€7 per Kg."
Organic peppers starting soon
Edom Fruits grow their fruit and vegetable around the Sea of Galilee in Israel says Osem. "We will start harvesting our organic peppers that are mainly exported to the U.S. and Canada, which will begin 10 days from now," concludes Osem.
For more information:
Yinon Osem
Edom Fruit
Tel: +972 52 5450 783
Email: [email protected]
www.edom.co.il