After a difficult start to the year, the banana market regained some momentum in March. The overall supply continued its seasonal rise, but regained slightly lower levels than in 2016. Despite very high Colombian volumes (+ 32 %), the overall dollar banana supply to Europe remained smaller than in 2016 because of declining levels from Ecuador and Costa Rica. Meanwhile African volumes, on their seasonal increase, were above average (+ 20 %), yet were unable to offset the still highly acute shortfall from the French West Indies. Hence the combined volumes from these two sources remained 4 % below average. In addition, their sales significantly gathered pace in Northern Europe and above all Eastern Europe, where promotions were launched and where the presence of seasonal fruits remained scarce (early end to citrus campaigns, delayed strawberry campaigns). Prices, hitherto stagnant, strengthened from the beginning of the month in Eastern Europe and toward mid-March in Western Europe. Only the Spanish market proved more difficult because of rising volumes from the Canaries, at above-average levels.
Click "Continue" to continue shopping or "See your basket" to complete the order.
