Stone Fruits Market Digest w23

Weekly Stone Fruits Market Updates

Main Price Movements in the EU

The stone fruit season is in full swing, and we've compiled valuable information from the Wikifarmer Marketplace and the wholesale markets of Germany and Rungis in France. Our team of experts has carefully curated insights for this week's Fresh Digest, seamlessly integrating data from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network.

The central European market was predominantly influenced by Spanish apricots, cherries, and peaches, supplemented by deliveries from Italy, France, Turkey, and Greece. Despite a rise in supply, prices declined due to increased volume, although large-sized Spanish cherries commanded high prices, reaching €16 per kg in Berlin. Domestic offerings were scarce but of high quality. Spanish peaches were sought after, while initial Italian products negatively affected sales. Overall, the stone fruit sector started the marketing year at competitive prices, with some regions experiencing stable pricing despite challenges in meeting demand, particularly in Hamburg.

As we move into the stone fruit season, the cherry offers are transitioning, with bigger sizes of Spanish and French produce becoming available in the market, as we observe in the wholesale market of Rungis. Due to this, a slight uprise in prices was observed compared to the previous week’s overview. It has been observed that apricots of Mediterranean origin are priced below 4€ per kg, and peaches and nectarines remain at the same levels.

As our field experts have informed us, Greek cherries are already being exported to European markets, with larger sizes offered through our platform at the best price. Regarding Italian cherries, adverse weather conditions, especially excessive thunderstorms, have affected the crops in the Modena area. A loss of 50% of the total yield has been reported, and affected agricultural companies were called to report their damage on the regional portal.

The French cherry market has shifted from a shortage to an oversupply, with recent abundant production outpacing low consumption due to poor weather and end-of-month timing, causing prices to drop significantly. However, the market is expected to stabilize as store prices decrease, promotional activities boost demand, and improved weather conditions enhance the appeal of the high-quality, flavorful cherries, ultimately balancing supply and consumption.

Exceptional Spanish cherry variety is making an appearance

The arrival of summer in the Spanish region of Extremadura is marked by the appearance of cherries from the Jerte Valley area, particularly the renowned picota variety. Cultivated since the 17th century and protected by a Denomination of Origin certificate, picotas are known for their distinctive sweetness, crisp texture, and dark color. These cherries are hand-harvested and packed without post-harvest treatments, maintaining their natural quality. The picota cherry season is short, from May to July, and celebrated with events such as the 'picota' cherry fair on June 1st in Jerte. The cherries are primarily grown in the mountain valleys of Jerte, Ambroz, and La Vera, covering approximately 10,000 hectares with over 3,700 registered farms.

The picota cherries are a significant export product, with around 40% of production sent abroad, mainly to Germany and the United Kingdom. The cherries are processed at cooperatives, where they are washed, sorted by size, and packed. Larger cherries are especially valued and marketed under the slogan "Cherries with diamonds - different flavors." In addition to its agricultural significance, the Jerte Valley is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty and scenic landscapes. This combination of high-quality cherry production and tourism makes the Jerte Valley a notable region in Spain.

How does the weather impact stone fruit demand

The market of Spanish stone fruits is currently stable, influenced by variable weather. Despite normal arrivals, the typical June sales boost is missing due to inconsistent summer weather. Surprisingly, warm temperatures in other parts of Europe, such as Scandinavia, have led to unexpected inquiries that have benefited the market. Currently, the Netherlands are receiving stone fruit primarily from southern Spain, with cherries experiencing high demand but a shortage of larger sizes. Standard cherry sizes are priced around 6.50-7 euros, with larger sizes reaching 9-10 euros. Peach supply from the Zaragoza region initially started with smaller sizes, with prices ranging from 5-5.50 euros for smaller sizes to 8-9 euros for larger ones.

Nectarines from southern Spain, specifically Huelva and Murcia, are priced similarly to peaches, with packaged peaches around 6-7 euros and 10x1 kg packs between 12-15 euros. Paraguayo peaches are priced between 7.50-9 euros depending on size. Spanish plums, such as Red Beauty and African Rose varieties, are priced at 11-12 euros for 5 kg. The overall quality of the fruit is good, though cherries are particularly sensitive to quality perception. A notable trend in the stone fruit market is the growing popularity of smaller packages, especially 10x500 grams, which dominate the market except during peak summer when 10x1 kg packaging becomes more appealing.