Birmingham wholesalers are being forced to offload “mountains” of poor-quality, Moroccan citrus at a third of the usual price.
Produce usually worth between £14 and £15 a box is being sold at around £5 due to major issues with quality and problems with new boats.
Mark Tate, chairman of the tenant’s association at Birmingham wholesale market, said citrus from the North African country currently has no shelf-life, and supermarkets may need to look elsewhere.
“They will have to source end-of-season Spanish, or even move into Cyprus or Egypt,” he said.
According to Tate, lots of the citrus is going to waste, including soft citrus varieties nadorcotts and clementines.
Tate added: “Usually Morrocan suppliers are very, very good. They do know what’s going on and they are tightening up operations from their side.”
Elsewhere on the market, Tate said Chinese whispers are starting to build up over the details and logistics involved in the long-awaited move to The Hub at Witton.
He said: “Due to the council’s disarray, the move is now probably going to take place in the back end of 2016, or even 2017.
“There has been a delay due to the council rearranging itself and this is creating a level of uncertainty.”
