FruitTrop Magazine n°239
March 2016 edition: mango close-up, apples and pears, Tunisian dates, Israeli dates.
- Publication date : 5/04/2016
- Price : Free
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European mango market 2015 monthly review
- Published on 12/04/2016 - Published by GERBAUD Pierre
- FruiTrop n°239 , Page From 65 to 67
- Free
A good year
The increase in export volumes from most of the sources was well received, with consumption on the rise. However this increase was not enough to erase the transition phases between the major suppliers to the European market. Thus April and September remained fragile times of year...
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Good market conditions in January to start the year
In early January, the transition from Brazil to Peru proceeded gradually. The fluidity of the supply worked overall in favour of steady rates. In mid-January, Peruvian exports were 60 % less than at the same time the previous year. This big decrease helped maintain good market conditions, rarely seen in January when the quantities received are traditionally large and rapidly rising. The Peruvian supply was still evenly divided between the European and North American markets.
Generalised dip in February and stagnation in March
The accumulation of substantial tonnages from Peru and moderate demand led to deteriorating rates across the European markets. Europe seemed to be the main target for Peruvian operators, with volumes aimed at North America proving more limited. In late February, the change of production zone had the consequence of going from a supply hitherto comprising mainly small sizes, to a supply where the bigger sizes gradually took over and were subject to commercial pressure. In mid-March, Peru ended its export campaign to the North American markets and concentrated its supply on the European market. In this context the official export campaign opening dates were announced for Côte d’Ivoire (20 March) and Mali (16 March).
Under-supply in April
The withdrawal of Peru at the end of the campaign left the European market in a distinct phase of under-supply, leading to strong rates. Imports from Brazil, Puerto Rico and Central American sources (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, etc.) could only partially compensate for the end of the Peruvian season. The West African supply arrived only after this trough period. In this context of slight under-supply African mangoes, especially from Côte d’Ivoire, were particularly prized, and consequently sold quickly and at high rates.
May supply provided mainly by West Africa
The influx of West African volumes, combined with those from Brazil and Puerto Rico, very readily satisfied European demand, especially since mango consumption was tending to wane as seasonal fruits came onto the market.
Stocks forming in June, with seasonal fruits preferred
The combined incoming shipments from the West African and Latin American sources (Brazil, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic) proved greater than the natural market demand. These more difficult conditions led to stocks forming, which depressed prices heavily. Tropical fruit consumption was reined back by the arrival of large volumes of seasonal fruits, which were favoured by consumers. In mid-June, the European mango market went through the most difficult spell since the beginning of the year. The qualitative disparity of West African mangoes only increased sales difficulties. The overlap of Mexico and Senegal, particularly early this year though still limited to air-freight shipments, did nothing to help sales or keep prices in line with the costs for the merchandise.
Rebalancing in July and August
In July, despite the listless general demand due to the abundance of seasonal fruits, the European mango market gradually climbed out of the rut where it had spent several weeks, and rebalanced with a more restrained supply level. West African stocks were depleted, and Brazilian exports dipped to a lower level than the previous year. Shipments from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic seemed stable and steady. Only Senegalese imports were on the up. In late August, the European supply level remained moderate, in a context of restrained demand. This balance helped maintain stable and high rates, more particularly for good quality fruits.
Incoming shipments on the wane in September
The Israeli campaign approached its final phase, while Puerto Rico too neared its end and the Dominican Republic shipped marginal volumes. There were few alternative supplies, chief among which was Brazil (Keitt, Palmer and Tommy Atkins). In mid-September, the end of the Senegalese campaign and the decline in Israeli shipments contributed to Brazil climbing up to be the top European market supplier. This source increased its shipments slowly, split 75 % for the North American market and 25 % for the European market. Spain started its campaign with quantities 50 to 60 % below initial predictions, due to the July and August heatwaves which damaged production.
October-November: the months of Brazil
Early October saw the supply return to a more normal level for the time of year. Brazil was the main supply source to the European market. The varietal composition of its shipments gradually altered: 32.1 % Tommy Atkins, 35.2 % Keitt, 19.9 % Palmer and 12.4 % Kent. The split of Brazilian exports between North America and Europe became more balanced. The Spanish campaign finished early in late October, with rates still high.
In November, the market was better supplied, with larger quantities from Brazil in spite of variations in incoming shipments. Prices were also high. Brazil stepped up its winter campaign, with an increase in Kent volumes to make up 40.3 % of the shipments. Brazilian Keitts also had a strong presence, accounting for 34.1 % of exports. In late November, the European market was distinctly swelling under the effect of increased shipments from Brazil. The weekly imports tempo exceeded 200 containers, creating an accumulation of merchandise in excess of the market’s absorption capacities. The Brazilian volumes were especially large since its campaign on the North American markets was winding down, gradually replaced by the Ecuadorian campaign.
A tight and overloaded market in December during the Brazil-Peru handover
The market was particularly tight and overloaded in early December, for both air-freight and sea-freight mangoes. The transition from the Brazilian to Peruvian campaign resulted in an influx of merchandise in excess of the market’s absorption capacities. Brazilian shipments remained large, and dominated the supply. The early start by Peru, with shipments rapidly rising, swelled the already excessive supply from Brazil. In spite of demand being invigorated by the run-up to the end-of-year holidays, prices tumbled, as in the worst years. A tempo of 250 containers per week, across all sources, represents the limits of the European market.
