"Small quantities and high prices - citrus fruits are currently comparatively expensive," explains Henrik Franz, head of purchase and sales of Thomas Franz e.K at Frucht-Hof in Berlin. "The point is, that there are currently relatively few products available. Because of this, the market is a little tense. As soon as the first larger quantities become available on the market, the price will drop accordingly, however. "The wholesale trader hopes that these large quantities will to come from Spain.
The citrus season has begun on the Iberian Peninsula, and the first fruit has reached the German wholesale markets. "With the products from Spain, it is slowly kicking off - very slowly", Henrik Franz, "the first oranges and clementines will soon be available from Spanish production." The wholesale trader is satisfied with the quality. "The quality is good so far. We will need to wait another one to two weeks for some products, until they have achieved the desired sweetness. But by and large, the quality of the fruit is already quite satisfactory."
Henrik Franz is especially happy with the beginning of the lemon season. "At last, the Spanish lemons have started in the season. Lemons have been extremely expensive as of late, but with the new Spanish products, one can count on dropping prices," says the expert.
The wholesale trader is banking on the large quantities arriving in two weeks. "Right now, it can also go very fast", says Franz. "As soon as the first larger quantities arrive, the prices will drop."
