Fisher Capespan halfway through South African clementine deal
Fisher Capespan halfway through South African clementine deal
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- "We are finally into the South African season," Marc Solomon said July 10. "We had a very slow start with late crops" from not only South Africa, but Chilean and Peruvian citrus as well.
Mr. Solomon is the president of Fisher Capespan U.S.A. LLC, which has offices here and in Montreal.
On July 10, Fisher Capespan was among a number of importers receiving South African citrus brought to the port aboard a green reefer refrigerated break-bulk ship docked at the Gloucester Marine Terminal, here.
Lesser volumes of South African product had first arrived June 26 on a container ship that unloaded across the Delaware River at Philadelphia's Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. Two other container ships called on Philadelphia before the July 10 conventional vessel.
Most of the citrus on the most recent ship was either Navel oranges, Cara Cara pink Navels or clementines. Mr. Solomon said that the Cara Caras are a small-volume specialty citrus item that is also grown in California.
Mr. Solomon said he was pleased by the "significant volume" of the most recent ship. Initially, South Africans were concerned about competing with the California crop, "but now the market is empty and we have real strong demand. We will struggle to meet demand."
Mr. Solomon said that South Africa had experienced cool growing weather and, for the Navel orange crop, "the color is good. And eating quality is very good. There is a real shortage of large sizes."
Clementines were on the three early container ships, and seasonal volume was declining with regular clementines from South Africa to end later in July. But, "there are late varieties that only start in August," he said.
In July, South African clementine quality "is very good," Mr. Solomon said. "There is good color and good size, with good eating quality." For Fisher Capespan, "the clementine size is fine."
South Africa will ship citrus "through November, so there is a lot more to come," he said. "As of this week, we're 10 percent into the orange crop and halfway into the clementines. We are filling the pipeline on oranges. The market is empty."
Mr. Solomon added, "The clementine market is in general empty. Chile, Peru and South Africa are all sending less to market than previous years. It's a combination of Chile and Peruvian crops being late, and sizing issues and sales to other markets. South Africa was also late and there are really good opportunities in other markets. The value of the dollar is one factor and there is a rising demand in Russia for clementines. Global demand is good for growers, overall."
But, Mr. Solomon stressed, "The main news is that the fruit is here and we're really pleased. We expect to move quality. We will have a large boat next week." Utilizing a combination of conventional and container ships "we don't have to wait so long and can receive fruit on a regular basis."
Mr. Solomon is the president of Fisher Capespan U.S.A. LLC, which has offices here and in Montreal.
On July 10, Fisher Capespan was among a number of importers receiving South African citrus brought to the port aboard a green reefer refrigerated break-bulk ship docked at the Gloucester Marine Terminal, here.
Lesser volumes of South African product had first arrived June 26 on a container ship that unloaded across the Delaware River at Philadelphia's Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. Two other container ships called on Philadelphia before the July 10 conventional vessel.
Most of the citrus on the most recent ship was either Navel oranges, Cara Cara pink Navels or clementines. Mr. Solomon said that the Cara Caras are a small-volume specialty citrus item that is also grown in California.
Mr. Solomon said he was pleased by the "significant volume" of the most recent ship. Initially, South Africans were concerned about competing with the California crop, "but now the market is empty and we have real strong demand. We will struggle to meet demand."
Mr. Solomon said that South Africa had experienced cool growing weather and, for the Navel orange crop, "the color is good. And eating quality is very good. There is a real shortage of large sizes."
Clementines were on the three early container ships, and seasonal volume was declining with regular clementines from South Africa to end later in July. But, "there are late varieties that only start in August," he said.
In July, South African clementine quality "is very good," Mr. Solomon said. "There is good color and good size, with good eating quality." For Fisher Capespan, "the clementine size is fine."
South Africa will ship citrus "through November, so there is a lot more to come," he said. "As of this week, we're 10 percent into the orange crop and halfway into the clementines. We are filling the pipeline on oranges. The market is empty."
Mr. Solomon added, "The clementine market is in general empty. Chile, Peru and South Africa are all sending less to market than previous years. It's a combination of Chile and Peruvian crops being late, and sizing issues and sales to other markets. South Africa was also late and there are really good opportunities in other markets. The value of the dollar is one factor and there is a rising demand in Russia for clementines. Global demand is good for growers, overall."
But, Mr. Solomon stressed, "The main news is that the fruit is here and we're really pleased. We expect to move quality. We will have a large boat next week." Utilizing a combination of conventional and container ships "we don't have to wait so long and can receive fruit on a regular basis."
