Europe is not traditionally a big market for Australian citrus, but Richard Byllaardt from Seven Fields explains how the markets have shifted this season.
“Volumes of mandarins to the EU are up. Last year we sent 5 containers, this year that increased to 100, mainly due to the shortage of early Spanish varieties. The Australian Dollar is also in our favour, the Spanish and Moroccan crops are low for the start of the season due to bad weather. We’re filling in that gap for them.”
Richard hopes the opportunity will expand the export to Europe.
“There has been a lot of interest here at Asia Fruit Logistics from Europe so we hope business will continue after this year. I think it’s going to get bigger and better.”
Asia is still their most important market, which includes Japan, Korea and China, plus the U.S. and Europe, but Richard explains that they can cover the larger demand.
“We have a better crop this year than we did last year, so we are able to keep up supply domestically, plus the extra supply into Europe. We are also getting more growers on board to pack with us and supply all these programmes.
The drop in the US dollar makes a huge difference to us, as does the Euro. Our fruit is very expensive compared to fruit sourced from other places, such as South Africa. It’s really helping us.”
Nadorcott is the main mandarin variety for the company; known as, W.Murcott in the USA or Afourer in Australia.
The company is currently still picking Navel oranges, which will finish after the mandarins in around 4 or 5 weeks. Then the Valencias will follow, a variety Richard says is a favourite among the Japanese, as well as in the Middle East.
The CBS situation in South Africa has both positives and negatives for the company.
“Although an import stop would make space for us on the European market, if the South Africans aren’t sending their fruit to Europe, where are they going to send it? They might send more of it to Asia, which is into one of our markets. We are hoping Europe stays open to South Africa. That would be better for everybody.”
Asia is still very much a booming market, Richard explains that he believes that they could send 4 or 5 times their current amount to the Asian market.
“The amount of interest from China, the Philippines, Korea, it’s unbelievable. We try to work to the highest standard so that we can meet the protocols for every market. Everyone knows Australian citrus is the best citrus,” he laughs.
