Fresh Plaza
“More smaller sizes as result of cold during growing period”
At end of this week the first Maroc Lates will arrive at Maroc Fruit Europe BV. For three years now the company has import fruit and vegetables from Morocco. Maroc Fruit is about 15 days later this year than last season. “Because of the cold weather during the growing period the oranges are late. We have waited till the citrus has the correct brix and that moment has now arrived.”
Hicham is in Morocco at the moment and he advises that the quality of the fruit is good. “In various regions it has been very cold and no rain fell during a period the citrus needed water. This has resulted in smaller sizes.” He cannot yet predict what this will mean for the market. “We will have to wait a little. I know that in general there is a good demand in Europe for smaller sizes. In Russia they prefer the bigger sizes.”
The trader expects sufficient volumes from Morocco this season. In certain areas there is damage, but what the exact effect will be is not clear yet. He mentions that less Valencia Late are expected from Spain. “There it was also colder during the cultivation.”
“At the moment most importers are in a transitional period and are slowly changing to Maroc Late” as per the owner. “The prices in Europe are round 9 to 10 Euro. For the larger sizes the level is somewhat higher. This is a good price at the start of the season. Now we have to wait and see how long this will last.” The most important selling areas of Maroc Late are the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Russia.
Hicham Kissami
Maroc Fruit Europe B.V.
Tel The Netherlands: 0031 641 44 29 22
Tel Morocco: 00212 642 81 34 31
info
www.marocfruiteurope.com
Publication date: 3/23/2012
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