Growing conditions for the crop have been mixed, but so far importers are reporting normal volumes for the UK market, although warning of marketplace competition on smaller sizes.

Demand in the UK is always strong for 55-60mm spec fruit but importers in the Far East are also eyeing these sizes and are prepared to pay good prices. The result is likely to be that programmes for UK supermarket and wholesale customers will be fulfilled, but there is unlikely to be a lot of extra volume to destabilise wholesale market trade.

Capespan, the largest player in South African fruit on the UK market, received its first arrivals two weeks ago. 'We started at the right time,' said the company's Martin Dunnett. 'Fruit has good flavour and is well coloured. It has been hot in South Africa so colour is not too high and so we don't have any problems with block colour on the fruit.' The UK will also find itself competing with different markets more fiercely for additional varieties as other African countries, such as Libya and Angola, are proving of increasing interest to South African senders of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious. This is likely to continue to be the case as UK retailers are ever more demanding of their suppliers in terms of due diligence and fruit specification, while stiff competition on the high street persists in putting pressure on prices.

Meanwhile, pears from South Africa are proving short on volume this season as frost and hail in key growing areas has reduced crops, to the tune of 50 per cent of a normal year for many. Williams and many of the blush varieties are affected and Capespan reports a likely two to three week gap in supplies of the blush types before Florelle comes on stream at the end of April.

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