European market, April 2006 : indicators. Banana, avocado, orange, grapefruit, litchi, mango, pineapple, sea freight

Banana: Although the quantity of bananas exported to Europe is still not significantly greater, these fruits have nonetheless contributed to making the market more fragile as a result of the competition between an increasing number of operators of very varying sizes. Thus prices have been gradually lowered in spite of satisfactory local demand and a marked deficit in supplies from Africa and the West Indies. Avocado: Record performance with insufficient quantities available during a good period for avocado as demand is very strong for Easter promotion operations in supermarkets. But supplies remained painfully short as the season was over in Israel, Spain was concentrating on wholesale channels and Mexico suffered logistic problems. So the surprise avocado at Easter was mainly green and Kenyan. Prices rose to levels previously unseen during the Easter promotion period. Orange: Performance was fairly mediocre. Although demand had been brisk at the beginning of the month it was very disappointing from the Easter weekend onwards (school holidays, competition from strawberries). In addition, the pressure of Spanish 'Navelate' production continued to block the development of sales of fruits from other origins (Morocco) and other varieties ('Valencia' from Spain). Prices displayed a slight downward trend and were at the usual level for the season. Grapefruit: Demand finally turned to Israel as the small Florida season had ended and the quality of the fruits from Turkey was very uneven. Nevertheless, pressure from Turkey was still intense with very large shipments (178% up on the average), causing prices to worsen. Thus, in spite of an overall supply deficit of some 50% in comparison with the average, prices were a disappointing 10% lower than average. Litchi: Supplies to the European market were light in April and shipped from Thailand alone. The marketing season for this origin started in the second half of March with batches sent mainly to the Netherlands. Distribution throughout the European Union became more harmonious when shipments from Thailand increased in April. Although prices lost ground they remained at high levels throughout the month. Mango: The pattern of two sources-Peru and West Africa-gradually gave way to supplies of uneven quality from a large number of suppliers. The period was very difficult because of the continuing of the Peruvian season with large tonnages being shipped. The change of supply origins took place under conditions of very intense competition that were not such as to maintain prices. Shipments of 'Amélie' both by air and by sea from West Africa were squeezed between fruits from Peru and the early start of 'Kent' from Côte d'Ivoire. The results for the beginning of the West African season are very likely to be mediocre. Pineapple: The pineapple market was fairly dynamic in April. Fairly clear distinction can be made between two periods of business in the first and second halves of the month. Supplies were substantial-especially of 'Sweet'-in the period before Easter and it was difficult to satisfy the strong demand. In contrast, volumes and demand were down in the period following Easter and prices fell gradually. The air market was very tense for both 'Smooth Cayenne' and 'Victoria'. Although supplies were fairly limited overall, demand took time to develop and operators found it difficult to meet the sales and price targets that they had set for themselves. Sea freight: Owners' optimism of a prolonged peak season and soft landing into June at the start of the month had evaporated by week 17 into the realisation that this year was not going to be dissimilar to all the others! (Résumé d'auteur