Other exotics - Q2 2019

Plantain banana

Unlike in Q1, when plantain banana sales saw a downturn and when prices saw a big drop, Q2 2019 was a more favourable time for the product. The increasing supply scarcity from May caused a significant increase in prices. In June, the market was in an under-supply phase, and prices soared to reach hitherto unknown levels. Colombia remained the main market supplier, with Ecuador shipping more modest volumes. As could be expected, they took advantage of the upward market trend.

plantain - france - wholesale price

Chayote and christophine

The chayote and christophine supply came mainly from Costa Rica throughout Q2 2019. Rates for these products slumped slightly until May, when they leapt up temporarily. Chayote rates dipped until the end of the period, while christophine rates rallied more significantly in June. This price revision was attributable to the reduction in volumes on the market, which dropped below the demand level, quiet as this was. Air-freight christophines from Martinique sold steadily.  

chayote and christophine - france - wholesale price

Dasheen

While air-freight dasheens from Martinique sold steadily throughout Q2 2019 with limited volumes, Saint Vincent dasheens had a more troubled time. This product, previously selling overall at between 3.00 and 3.50 euros/kg, saw its sale price collapse from the beginning of April. Stiffer competition between operators appears to have sparked this change. By offering the product at lower sale prices, certain receivers dragged the market as a whole into a long-term downward price trend. The dasheen rate effectively stabilised at between 2.50-3.00 euros/kg until the end of the period. 

dasheen - france - wholesale price

Chilli pepper

The Dominican Republic remained the main source of chilli peppers in Q2 2019. However, its supply fluctuated week to week, with in particular moderate incoming shipments in the first half of the period. The seizure of several batches on phytosanitary grounds temporarily intensified the shortage of produce on the market. The variable quality and coloration of the incoming batches partly explain the gradual dip in prices throughout the quarter. Cuban peppers more or less followed the same trend, albeit at higher price levels due to steadier quality and smaller shipments. FWI chilli peppers sold at high prices in April, falling in May before stabilising until the end of the period. The deterioration in market conditions was also due to a larger overall supply from the second half of April, with the arrival of batches from Morocco and temporarily from Uganda, which sold at between 4.75 and 5.00 euros/kg on average. Top-up batches from the Netherlands sold at around 8.00 euros/kg.

chilli pepper - france - wholesale price