French apple senders are biding their time faced with a very challenging UK market scene.
One importer said: “We are in an extremely competitive environment in the UK at the moment and trying to square the circle is proving very difficult.”
English apples are continuing to gain from massive retailer focus, as has become traditional in the first half of the season. However, in the new year, the traditional switch into more imported produce from France may pose more of a challenge this season.
The importer said: “This year, through to post-Christmas, a lot will depend on the exchange rate situation. At the moment, the pricing structure in the UK could prove difficult if the needs and expectations of the European apple producers are going to be met. They have their costs that they have to cover, and if the euro:sterling exchange rate remains at current levels, that will prove very difficult.”
The same importer also reports that there has been some difficulty with varieties out of France that are not grown in the UK so far this season. He said: “It has been hard to find the right quality on Golden Delicious so far this season because of problems with bruising. And with Granny Smith, getting the right skin finish required by the UK multiples is always a challenge. However, this year is not a vintage year, not just in France but throughout the northern hemisphere season. I think we will struggle.”
The view from France is one of “slight optimism”, according to Vincent Guérin of the national apple committee. He said: “It is true that the currency situation does penalise French senders to the UK, but there is so far some good demand for those varieties English growers cannot produce and our campaign outside the EU has started well.”
Guérin reported good pricing and strong movement of fruit too. “So far prices are running slightly higher than last year and volumes exported are at the same level as this point last year. This is a good sign, as last year we were up on the year before that,” he said.
France also stands to gain from plant-health restrictions put in place by the Russian market for product from a number of other sources.
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