Review of the Russian market - week 35

Russia: fresh air on Russian produce marketWeek 35 brought fresh air onto Russian fruit market together with the weather which changed from summer to autumn in Saint-Petersburg, Moscow and Central Russia – from above 30C to 12-15 C in a day time. That effected consumption immediately. Arrivals were comparable with the last week – 11 800 palletes (50/50 between Argentina and South Africa). The interesting thing was the considerable quantity of grapefruits in arrivals of week 35 which might effect negatively the further situation with this product.OrangesOranges have been slightly improved from 0,78 $/kg last week to 0,90 $/kg in the middle of week 35 with further up-trend as large players were not in a hurry to sell their stuff out. In week 35 trade was mostly done by little importers who needed to move quickly. The lowest prices were received from retailers – on 0,60 $/kg level. Origin didn’t matter for retail too much. As for the ratio between origins on wholesale market it remained to be the same as last week – from down to top : Uruguay, Argentina, South Africa.LemonsThe situation in week 35 was rather stable. The price level was between 0,96-0,98 $/kg with stable demand.Mandarins1,49 $/kg level was for sizes larger than 80, 1,57 $/kg – for smaller fruits. However, all these numbers could be applied only for mandarins without decay which is not often product this time in the Russian fruit market. Thus, the market for mandarins was strictly divided onto two parts - many importers had in stocks mandarins with waste which had no market at all.GrapefruitsAfter rather tough week 34 some movements on the market were observed. Argentine stuff went up to 1,30 $/kg, South Africa stayed on the same high level of 1,61 $/kg. ApplesStill Golden of crop 2006 was actively sold in Moscow on 1,57 $/kg level. The assortment of Serbian apples has included more varieties in comparison with last week – Gloster and Jonagold were the new ones. The trade was done on 1,37 $/kg level. Quality was reasonable. Moldavian stuff has got negative trend (0,70 – 0,78 $/kg) as it stays close to domestic apples which are quite a lot in Russia this season. PearsAs the competition from local production didn’t come (too small and not keepable) imported pears met eventually good market in week 35. Almost all available varieties (Conference, Guyot, Williams, Durandeau) were moving about 1,45 $/kg level. Triumph variety was available also but on lower – 1,25 $/kg level.GrapesThe lowest price level was given by the market to Uzbekistani grapes – 1,14 $/kg for white varieties. The next one was local stuff from Krasnodar region – 1,29 $/kg for small berries, up to 1,57 $/kg for large ones. Turkish Sultana was the next – 1,40 – 1,57 $/kg depending upon quality. Further – Italian/Spanish white varieties – 1,96 $/kg, and, finally blue ones – up to 2,55 $/kg. In general, the market for grapes was active.Summer fruitsThe activity of the market for summer fruits was limited by the cold weather in the end of the week. Anyway some movements took place which kept the situation optimistic. The worst ones were plums which were sold on 0.78 $/kg for local stuff which was taken by supermarkets mostly. Higher quality of Serbian and Polish due to higher price (1,14 $/kg) was not in demand but certain signs of correction appeared in the end of the week. Peaches went slightly up to 2,19 $/kg, nectarines stayed the same – 2,34 $/kg. Apricots seem to be over.
Pavel Bandurovsky195269, Russia, St. Petersburg, 54, Svetlanovsky pr., letter "B" Tel.: + 7 (812) 324-2514, + 7 (812) 324-2515 Fax: + 7 (812) 324-2510 Email Website