French kiwifruit grower-marketer Primland is anticipating a “good” export season, thanks to higher French volumes and good quality.
“This season should be good, because so far the production is higher than last season and the climatic conditions were nice so the quality will be ok,” Primland general manager Jean-Baptiste Pinel told Fruitnet.
This should be in stark contrast to the 2015/16 campaign, when global market prices plummeted due to high volumes of low-grade Italian product, he explains.
“Last season was tough because the production of Italian kiwifruits was very high and some Italian exporters shipped some very low price product. Fortunately because of our premium Oscar kiwifruits, and our reputation, we could go on with our customers,” says Pinel.
In terms of global demand this season, the outcome hangs on the marketing schedules of other supply countries.
“Chilean volumes are finishing these days, so that’s good,” says Pinel, speaking in mid-October. “Regarding New Zealand and Italy, it will all depend on their management: if New Zealand does not finish too late with bad quality product due to shelf-life, and Italy does not start too early with inedible product, it should be ok. If consumers start out having bad quality kiwifruit, they will turn to other products and the global market will not be very active.”
Primland continues to enjoy a strong market presence in Asia for its Oscar kiwifruit, particularly in China, Taiwan and Thailand. The company, like other French kiwifruit shippers, is also looking forward to the anticipated opening of the Vietnamese market.
