What are the current dynamics of the orange market? Some answers with an operator from the MIN in Perpignan.
“At the moment, we mainly work with three main origins: Spain, Italy and Portugal. For Spain we source from the regions of Seville, Malaga and Valencia, with varieties such as Naveline and, more recently, the first Salustiana, particularly awaited for their juice yield. We monitor their Brix rate (which must reach between 40 and 50%) to allow optimal marketing in supermarkets. We also started the Italian campaign with Naveline Feuille oranges, from Sicily and southern Italy (notably Puglia). These leafy oranges are highly prized for their freshness and premium appearance. The first Washington Navels, renowned for their softness and quality, are also starting to arrive. We are looking forward to the Newhall PGI Citrinos do Algarve oranges, which will be available soon. For now, we are working with classic Portuguese Newhall oranges, while waiting for the labeled fruits that are highly sought after on the French market. For each origin, we offer naked and leafy oranges, both of which are very popular on the stalls for their visual quality and their conservation,” specifies the operator.
“Spain remains our main supplier, but this season is obviously somewhat unique. Floods in the Valencia region have slightly reduced available volumes, but thanks to harvests in the Seville and Malaga regions, the overall impact remains limited. That said, we are seeing some weaknesses on certain fruits, notably water spots due to humidity.”
Price: a gradual drop expected in the coming weeks
“For now, prices remain high, but we are entering the heart of the season, and a gradual decline is expected in the coming weeks.” On the wholesale market, prices vary between €1.00 and €1.50/kg, depending on the variety and origin. Premium oranges, such as Italian Naveline Feuille or future Portuguese Newhall IGP, are positioned at the top of this range. Logistical disruptions and slight volume declines due to bad weather, particularly in Valencia, kept prices high. Despite this, we remain confident that prices will stabilize thanks to the increase in volumes in the coming weeks. Our objective is to continue to provide quality products, whether leaf or bare, to meet the expectations of our customers and French consumers.”
