A fresh approach to dried fruit and natural dried foods

Died Fruit report August 6th 2009 Imports to the UK of Californian raisins have reached 19,793 mt up until end June, which although not a record, is still a very respectable figure and reflects the UK’s liking for the Californian product.   It also means that availability from other origins over the past months has been relatively limited.  Turkey remains as the work number two producers of dried fruit, but although the same grape produces both sultanas and raisins, the need for a longer drying period and the greater risk attached for this means that many farmers are reluctant to dry their fruit as raisins.   The situation may well change in the coming months if Iran produces a large crop of Bidohan raisins as has been predicted.   Prices of US raisins remain steady at around $0.70 per lb C&F Felixstowe.  The absence of a decision on the US export program is still causing some major packers to predict a price hike , before the new crop but this is far from clear at this stage. News from turkey suggest that this years crop of Turkish apricots may well exceed the 100,000 mt forecast  and be anything as large at 120,000 mt, with a carry over of between 10-15,000 mt.   Following a meeting between some of the Malatyan exporters and representatives from the Turkish ministry, there is a move once again to establish some form of minimum export price by creating an export program.   The reality is that some of the bigger exporters are nervous of a significant drop in prices once the crop has been safely harvested. This is understandable, but with a large numbers of packers and exporters spread between Malatyn and Izmir it will be extremely difficult for the industry to reach a decision which works for all parties.   Indicative prices are around $2650 - $2750 pmt for whole pitted number 4 apricots and $2750 - $2850 for whole pitted number 2 apricots.  The first shipments took place on the 1st August so new season apricots should be available in the UK shortly. The Turkish fig crop is also thought to be much larger this with estimates ranging between 55,000 – 60,000 mt.  Most packers are still rather coy about predicting new season prices as there is a reluctance to admit that prices of Turkish figs have risen to high in recent years and it seems likely that only market forces will reduce them significantly.   Further news is awaited.

George Harker & Co Ltd Park Drive Industrial Estate Braintree Essex CM7 1AW Tel 01376 321 272 Fax 01376 552 160

               

Demos Ciclitira Head Office - London Capitol House, 60 - 62 Leman Street London E1 8EU TEL 020 7626 1121 FAX 020 7702 0560