Weekly Stone Fruits Market Updates
The stone fruit market in Europe is expanding, now including fruits from northern Europe, which enhances the variety in terms of both quantity and quality. Our experts, alongside data from Wikifarmer’s transactions, confirm that there remains a robust demand in the stone fruit sector. To gain a clearer understanding of this week's market trends, we have also compiled data from the primary wholesale markets in Germany and Rungis, France. Our sources for this information include the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network.
The Central European stone fruit market has shown a dynamic range of offerings this season. Apricots, primarily from Spain, dominated the scene with supplementary supplies from Turkey, France, and Italy. Additionally, smaller quantities arrived from Moldova, Greece, Hungary, and Poland. Although priced higher at around €3.00 per kg, German apricots garnered positive attention and sold well. The increased availability ensured that demand was met without difficulty, though there is potential for price increases up to €3.50 per kg. Some distributors opted for price reductions, bringing prices down to €2.80 per kg to accelerate sales, further boosting market activity.
In the cherry sector, the dominance of Spanish cherries has decreased, with German varieties now taking the lead. Turkish Napoleon cherries remain significant, supported by shipments from Belgium, Greece, Italy, and Eastern European countries. The overall demand remained steady, with larger cherries (32 mm and above) being particularly favored, maintaining their price levels at approximately €4.50 per kg. Smaller cherries occasionally required price reductions to around €3.00 per kg due to mixed quality, especially among the Spanish offerings, leading to a wide price range in the market.
According to reports from the Hamburg wholesale market, the cherry harvest in southern Germany started slightly late this year, while northern regions began ten days earlier, potentially ending the season sooner. Typically, demand for German cherries drops sharply after August 10, with last year's season concluding on August 20. Protected cherries from the Altes Land region, which are larger and higher priced, are gaining importance due to increased quality and stability requirements. Varieties like Henriette, Kordia, and Regina are prominent, though Regina cherries are still too red. Meanwhile, the Bavarian cherry harvest in 2024 is projected to yield around 1,930 metric tons, a 31% decrease from the previous year due to frost, hail, and heavy rain. Cherries are expected to yield 3.07 tons per hectare, with overall production anticipated to fall by 33.9% to about 1,670 metric tons. Final results will be available in September 2024.
Peaches and nectarines also featured a wide array of options, led by Spanish imports and complemented by Italian and French products, with additional supplies from Greece and Turkey. Customer interest was generally high and easily satisfied, supported by the overall good quality of the fruits. Prices remained stable with minor fluctuations, typically ranging from €2.50 to €3.00 per kg. However, in Berlin and Hamburg, oversupply due to colder weather conditions led to decreased prices, sometimes significantly, dropping to as low as €2.00 per kg as storage capacities were challenged.
Besides market price trends, Europe is transitioning to a more sustainable food supply chain, and Moldova is swiftly adapting to European market requirements by adopting reusable trays in fresh fruit packaging promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring product traceability and quality. This shift not only reduces waste and environmental impact but also caters to the diverse packaging preferences of B2B clients. Despite challenges with customs clearance due to Moldova's non-EU status, the country is investing in modern production and packing facilities and seeking efficient logistics solutions to better meet the growing demand for quality fruits in Europe.
The French apricot and peach campaign for 2024 has been under pressure due to the unfavorable conditions of the production and the market in general. As of July 1, 2024, the French statistics service Agreste reports a significant decline in apricot production, expected to be over 30% below the 2023 harvest and 20% below the 2019-2023 average. This decrease is attributed to several factors, including alternation after a high-yielding year, insufficient winter cold, and flower and fruit drop due to storms in spring and summer. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which harvested 51% of the national apricots in 2023, experienced severe reductions due to hail and fruit drop in late varieties, and early varieties were often sent for processing due to visual defects.
The Occitania region, responsible for 33% of apricot production in 2023, saw a 22% decline due to fluctuating temperatures and ongoing drought, particularly affecting the Gard area and Roussillon. In Provence-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur, thunderstorms and unfavorable weather conditions during flowering and winter further reduced production by 17%. These adverse weather conditions have collectively contributed to a significantly weaker apricot harvest across all major producing regions in France.
Despite the reduced production, demand for apricots increased towards the end of June 2024, spurred by targeted retail campaigns and promotions for jam-suitable fruit. However, apricot prices in June were still 3% below the previous year and 4% below the five-year average. Early in June, poor weather and low Brix values led to lower-than-expected consumption. Conversely, imports from Spain rose significantly, with a 65% increase over the previous year, although still 4% below the five-year average. Spanish apricots accounted for 30% of France's annual imports in June, benefiting from a better harvest in Spain, according to data from the Saint-Charles market in Perpignan.