Weekly Stone Fruits Market Updates
The warmer weather in Europe has led to a rising demand for stone fruits. The availability of products from the Mediterranean region is increasing in the Wikifarmer Marketplace, with quantities reaching their seasonal peak. Our experts have provided valuable insights from the wholesale markets in Germany and France, key players among wholesale traders. To enhance our market overview, we have also included price data from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network.
In the central European market, Spanish batches dominated the apricot sector, with French and Italian batches following far behind. Turkish Matador apricots were available in many markets, except in Munich, where only Turkish Sekerpare apricots were present. Greek products were notable in Frankfurt, while Hungarian imports, sorted and packed in Austria, were praised for their flavor in Munich. Despite the dominance of Spanish apricots, their organoleptic properties sometimes left something to be desired, and French products occasionally lacked flavor. Overall, the availability of apricots increased noticeably. However, demand did not always keep pace, resulting in frequent discounts, particularly for smaller calibers.
Regarding the cherries market, Spanish offers were the most significant, followed by Turkish shipments. Greece and Germany contributed almost equally, with Italian, French, and Belgian consignments supplementing the market. The overall supply expanded to cover demand, but this increase led to price reductions as traders aimed to avoid stockpiling. In Munich, the high cost of Italian Ferrovia cherries hindered quick turnover. In Berlin, dark red-colored Spanish California cherries were popular, priced at €7 per kg for fruits with 32 mm+ size, while Turkish Napoleons were considerably cheaper at around €3 per kg. In Hamburg, domestic cherries were priced up to €9 per kg.
The Spanish peach offers predominated, surpassing Italian and Turkish offers. Deliveries from France and Greece played a complementary role. Despite the increased overall unloading, interest was not particularly strong due to low temperatures. Traders often had to reduce their prices to avoid larger surpluses, which significantly impacted small-fruited items. Prices for Platerinas and Paraguayos, which have become important in the product range, also fell in many cases.
Last month marked a significant shift in consumer preferences noted by Belgian wholesale, with a notable focus on stone fruits. As the transition to the summer season began, consumers moved away from citrus and grapes, eagerly anticipating the arrival of seasonal stone fruits. From mid-May, French and Spanish cherries, along with other stone fruits like peaches and nectarines, became available and were highly anticipated. This year, these fruits have reached an excellent quality due to optimal growing conditions in France and Spain, where it hasn't been too hot. The arrival of these stone fruits represents a key moment in the seasonal transition, providing consumers with fresh, high-quality options that differ from the winter produce.
Overall, the switch to stone fruits has been a welcome change for consumers, marking the beginning of the summer fruit season and offering a variety of choices that signal the end of the dominance of citrus and grapes.
The popularity of flat peaches has surged over the years, evolving from an initially unattractive and misshapen fruit to a premium product prized for its excellent taste, aroma, and high sugar content. The stone fruit season begins in southern regions of Turkey, and social media has played a significant role in boosting demand. Viral posts from influencers in countries like Malaysia have significantly increased their popularity. As a result, orders have grown from mixed loads to full truckloads.
Focusing on exports to Asia and the EU, efforts are made to extend the season by planting early and late varieties to ensure a consistent supply, despite the challenges posed by climate change. Although the southern region's season is ending, farms in the northern part of Türkiye will continue to provide a steady supply, promising even better and more abundant fruit in the future.
Italian crops facing extreme weather conditions
Italy is facing weather challenges in both the Northern and Southern regions, impacting the crops. In Northern Italy, extreme weather events have led to severe flooding, particularly affecting regions like Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. The heavy rainfall has made some agricultural lands inaccessible and risks causing "crackling" in cherry crops, which renders them unsellable and results in significant economic losses. Other fruit crops, such as plums, peaches, and persimmons, are also experiencing challenges, alongside cereal and vegetable cultivation. Efforts to protect the cherries include the use of protective films and nets, with ongoing developments in protection systems like the "green shield" to reduce pesticide use and water consumption.
In contrast, Southern Italy, particularly Sicily, is facing a severe drought with no rainfall this year. The lack of irrigation threatens the survival of grape and olive crops, and cattle are struggling without hay. The drought is causing a drastic reduction in cherry production, with varieties like Ferrovia and Bigarreau seeing significant declines. The water shortage is sparking competition between agricultural needs and municipal water usage, prompting calls for a reevaluation of agricultural practices and support for an agroecological transition to better adapt to the changing climate conditions.