Vine and Tree Fruit Market Report 03.06.24

Vine Fruits

Sultanas and Raisins

There is a 90% decrease in crop deliveries to processors compared to the year before, at 167,000 MT opposed to 317,000 MT in 2023. It's estimated that the volume of the 2023 crop will reach around 200,000 MT which is in line with what was said at the start of the year.

2023 Crop Exports

Crop exports reached 173,000 MT by the end of May 2024, a 10.4% drop from the same week of last year. The average price to export units has increased to $2,241 per metric ton - up $548 from $1,693 per metric ton on the previous crop.

85% of the total export volume from Turkey has been sent to the UK (43,000 MT), The Netherlands (23,500 MT), Germany (16,900 MT), Italy (12,700 MT), and Australia (12,000 MT). While this was an increase in volume for Australia, all other countries imported fewer raisins and sultanas than the previous season.

Market Outlook

Growers tend to sell their fruit after harvest at the start of the New Year, once the risk of frost is over. However this season, they are trying to hold onto their fruit as long as possible due to daily price increases and growers want to get the best value they can.

This crop has been marked by the introduction of alcohol producers to the market. These producers don't require excellent quality and by-products would be more than sufficient. For various reasons though, alcohol manufacturers pended up purchasing fruit during the timeframe when growers usually release raw material. Prices have jumped by about 50% on a TL basis since February 2024 but there is only a 4% difference with the exchange rate, and in turn, raw material prices are going up daily. There has been more stock made available to the market in the second week of May but the timing of quantity hasn't compensated for the increased demand from alcohol producers.

Vineyard Information

The flowering period in the first half of May meant that berries started to form within the first 10 days. The rainfall was lower compared to the previous year April, and although by May it was back within normal parameters, a hailstorm in the first week of the month caused some damage to shoots and bunches in some areas. Pest control spraying is continuing to prevent Downy Mildew and Powdery Mildew.

Tree Fruits

Apricots

There was a 21.2% drop in apricot exports, at 59,400 MT in May 2024 compared to 72,000 MT for the 2022 crop in the same period. Average export prices have increased by 12.3% from last year, and they have also jumped on a weekly basis from $5,764/MT to $6,012/MT. With the current crop, there is more availability for sulphured apricots than natural and organic. Due to good expectations for the 2024 crop, the market prices seem to be softening.

Flowering in all regions of Malatya for apricots has finished. The frost and cold weather passed without any incident in terms of crop viability and in general fruit development looks good. Total fruit availability looks to reach higher numbers than last year at around 140,000 MT. A risk of hail is still going to be present until July in the high-altitude areas which could lower the quality.

Figs

Fig exports only decreased slightly at 3.5% lower than the previous crop year. Prices jumped quite a bit though, with a 29.6% increase on the average unit export price.

Small sizes are more available than jumbo sizes with the current crop. Availability problems mean that raw material prices are tight. Crop development this year is going well, and berries are starting to show. Pollination is set to begin during June, and despite the dry weather in April, last month had a good amount of rain to help with the crop quality. Fig volume is expected to reach around 80,000 MT but it's still too early to make any substantial yield predictions.

via Pagmat