French market, november 2002 : indicators. Banana, avocado, orange, grapefruit, easy peelers, litchi

Banana: The market emerged from the October slump. West Indian, African and dollar supplies fell to below-average levels. Demand reawakened thanks in particular to good supermarket mobilisation in favour of this fruit. However, prices only began to recover in the middle of the month because of the stocks available. The average price therefore remained very mediocre. Avocado: The performance in November 2002 is a perfect illustration of the old saying "Every day is a new dawn". The average price of avocado bottomed out as never before in November 2001 and broke all records in November 2002. The shortage of supplies-already marked in October-became acute this month. Orange: The orange market worsened after getting off to a good start in October. The quantities of Naveline from Spain were too large for this year's particularly sluggish demand. In addition to an unfavourable economic context, orange has received strong competition from the broad range of clementines available and whose quality better met consumer requirements. Grapefruit: Performance has been relatively satisfactory in spite of supplies that have been markedly larger than average and much larger than last season. The average price remained at a good level thanks to comparatively brisk demand during the first part of the month. Easy peelers: In contrast with that of orange, the clementine market recovered rapidly after a very difficult start. Performance was good in November with prices and quantities marketed up in comparison with the average for the past three years. The overall improvement in quality resulting from the transition from Marisol/Oroval to Nules very probably stimulated demand. Litchi: The alternate bearing phenomenon in production in the Indian Ocean and the weather conditions during growth of fruits should affect the quantities sold this year. Smaller harvests are already announced in Réunion (- 40%) and Madagascar (- 50%). Thanks to production potential distinctly greater than the quantities exported, Madagascar should nevertheless be able to deliver the same quantities to Europe as last year. Only South Africa has announced a larger crop. (Résumé d'auteur