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

After a gap of more than five weeks, litchis reappeared in Europe in the second week of November. Shipments from the Indian Ocean started two weeks later than in preceding years as a result of poor weather conditions during flowering and fruiting. Sales started under difficult conditions. Poor demand and lack-lustre markets soon drew prices down while quality was satisfactory as a whole. The 'early fruit' effect of the first litchis was short-lived and prices continued to weaken until and the end of the month. Mango: The European mango market worsened steadily in November under the effect of a massive increase in shipments from Brazil that had previously been moderate. The start of the season in Ecuador and then Peru at the end of the month worsened the trend by adding to the stocks that were accumulating. With ever larger shipments from Brazil, the European market finally crashed at the end of the period as supplies were too large and demand too sluggish. Quay prices in Rotterdam started at EUR 1.50 per box for 'Tommy Atkins' from Brazil at the end of November. Pineapple: The market was fairly special throughout the month. Supplies of 'Sweet' from Latin America were large while dwindling demand made it impossible to sell the quantities available. Only small amounts of 'Smooth Cayenne' were available but uneven quality did not make sales easy. The situation for imports by air was hardly any better. Quality problems affecting fruits of almost all origins prevented operators from making successful sales. The situation was a little better for 'Victoria' although quality and supply were fairly irregular. (Résumé d'auteur