Litchi - January/February 2016

  • Published on 13/04/2016 - Published by Market News Service / FruiTrop
  • FruiTrop n°239 , Page From 14 to 14
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Marketing of Madagascan litchis proved more difficult at the beginning of the year. Unlike in previous campaigns when the fruits sold along the same lines as during the end-of-year holidays, January saw a considerable fall in distribution sector purchaser interest in this product, manifesting consumer indifference. External markets (outside of France) gradually closed, whereas the fruit quality was still deemed satisfactory. In the second and third weeks of January, the European market received Madagascan litchis shipped in sea containers, which marked the end of the shipments. The accumulation of volumes impaired transactions, which dwindled as time went on. At the end of the month, a slight upturn in interest was seen from the distribution sector, coinciding with Chinese New Year. The attractive prices favoured the launch of multiple promotions. Yet this was just a blip, and sales slowed again thereafter. In the second half of February, the campaign came to a slow end, accompanied by a constant fall in prices. In addition, quality deteriorated gradually, requiring sorting of the fruit and clearance sales. Meanwhile, the South African sea-freight export campaign got into full swing. The fruit from this source encountered the same sales difficulties as Madagascan produce. However, its greater freshness and better sizing resulted in higher sale prices. South Africa finished its campaign in the second half of February, with some batches of the Red McLean variety.

The air-freight campaign continued in January. In the first half of the month, the French market received the final batches from Reunion, with prices fairly stable depending on the presentation type (destalked, on-stem or trussed). At the same time, South Africa shipped limited quantities of trussed Red McLean variety litchis, at prices remaining stable. South African shipments wound down in late January.

litchi - europe - incoming shipments - weeks 1 to 4
litchi - europe - incoming shipments - weeks 1 to 4
litchi - europe - incoming shipments - weeks 5 to 8
litchi - europe - incoming shipments - weeks 5 to 8
litchi - france - import price - weeks 1 to 4
litchi - france - import price - weeks 1 to 4
litchi - france - import price - weeks 5 to 8
litchi - france - import price - weeks 5 to 8

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