Published on August 19, 2003 Questions or Comments? Click here ! Fruits Market Report: Raw Material Situation Pineapple Raw materials Fresh pineapple supplies in the country has increased slightly about 20-30 percent this week, according to our industry source. Fresh supplies, which are currently available for harvest at this moment, mostly come from Rayong, Chacheongsao and Ratchaburi provinces. The increase of fresh supplies is considered as good news for Thai pineapple processors, with an anticipation of gaining a strong demand from both domestic and foreign markets. Meanwhile, fresh supplies from Prachubkirikhan province, the biggest producing area in the country, are available for harvest merely in a small amount. It is expected that winter crop, ready for harvest during October - December, would be available in a huge amount if planters avoid using chemicals to force their fruits growing up faster due to an attractive price. Pineapple supplies of winter crop would reach peak level in November to December. As regards to supplies' quality, the source said it was still poor and fail from buyer's expectation. A lot of pineapples become rotten due to the humidity from rainfall and postponement of harvest. A large amount of pineapple supplies were tainted with black spots. Moreover, the source noted that a lot of fresh supplies has also tainted with green spots on the flesh due to the current rainfall in pineapple producing areas because trees had absorbed too much water. Buyers and factories rejected these poor qualities of fresh supplies. However, there is no problem about the size of pineapple during this week. Price Pineapple price in this week is now trading at 4.80-4.90 baht per kilogram, dropped slightly from 5 baht per kilogram last week due to the increase of fresh supplies, compared with 5-5.80 baht per kilogram last year. However, our industry source added that in some areas, which are far from pineapple orchards, are now trading at 5-5.20 baht per kilogram due to transportation cost. Market Year Total export of Thai fesh pineapple Total export of Thai canned pineapple Total export of Thai fesh pineapple Tons Million Baht Tons Million Baht Tons Million Baht Jun 2001 495.63 4.58 40,219.93 832.97 6,625.98 161.26 Jun 2002 433.51 4.86 35,241.79 867.44 8,655.96 227.74 Jun 2003 353.17 3.63 43,661.46 1,043.11 9,746.59 255.45 Jan-Jun2003 2,445.25 27.48 254,702.48 6,081.35 56,223.22 1,509.74 Source: Thai Customs Department According to the Thai Customs Department, total exports of Thai fresh pineapple in June 2003 stood at 353.17 tons, worth 3.63 million baht, dropped 22.75 percent from June 2002 and 15.79 percent from the previous month due to a shortage of fresh supplies in the country. Total cumulative Thai pineapple exports from January - June 2003 was 2,445.25 tons, valued at 2,445.25 million baht, compared with 2,689.07 tons and worth 27.68 million baht in the same period last year. Biggest destination for Thai fresh pineapple in June 2003 remained Singapore (189.97 tons) followed by United Arab Emirates (83.22 tons), Saudi Arabia (50.38 tons), Kuwait (14.86 tons), and Malaysia (13 tons). Thailand exported 43,661.46 tons of canned pineapple to foreign markets in June 2003, increased slightly from 35,241.79 tons a year ago and up from 41,452.42 tons in May 2003, increased 19.28 percent and 5.06 percent, respectively. Total cumulative for Thai canned pineapple exports from January - June 2003 stood at 254,702.48 tons, valued at 6,081.35 million baht, increased 24.84 percent from the same period last year in terms of quality. Total volume of Thai canned pineapple to US market--the biggest market, this month stood at 9,746.59 tons, increased 11.19 percent and increased 5.02 percent from the previous year and May 2003, respectively. Another major importers of this month are Germany (5,774.36 tons), Japan (3,187.71 tons), Netherlands (2,210.74 tons), Canada (2,123.44 tons) and United Kingdom (1,730.25 tons). The strong demand for Thai canned pineapple from both domestic and foreign markets have existed, the offering price from buyers is very attractive. It is expected that the increase of fresh supplies at the moment would be adequate for both production and buyers. Papaya It seems that this year is the gloomy year for Thai fresh papaya outlook due to the limitation of fresh supplies both red and yellow since the beginning of the year. Current supplies mostly come from the southern part such as Krabi, Chumporn and Surathanee provinces. Meanwhile, fresh supplies from the east region as Sakeaw and Chantaburi is available for harvest in small amount. New crop of papaya would be ready for harvest in the end of the year during October- November. It is expected the crop would be available in a huge amount because planters have cultivated their crop in lager amount due to strong demand from buyers and factories. However, our source said buyers' orders are considered whether it would be an excess demand. The quality of fresh papaya in the country remains poor since the beginning of the month. A lot of papayas are small and the thickness is not enough for fruit cocktail production as a result of unfavorable of weather condition. Moreover, pale of papayas has been a major problem for production as some buyers cannot accept it, stemmed from the change of weather and mutation. Price Red and yellow papaya is now trading at 7-8 baht per kilogram, compared with 6-7 baht per kilogram in the previous week and 6-9 baht per kilogram for red papaya last year and 5-10 baht per kilogram for yellow papaya a year ago. Market The orders for Thai fruit cocktail from both domestic and foreign buyers are continued, but not a large amount. Moreover, Thai processors are now facing with a shortage of papaya and guava, which also use for fruit cocktail production. It is expected that the situation would be better when new crop has arrived in the end of the year. Hawaiian papayas Month Area Fresh Production Total in crop Harvested 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 Acres Acres Acres Acres 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds Jun 2,2050 2,175 1,725 1,575 3,285 3,195 Jul 2,270 2,175 1,680 1,580 3,915 3,375 According to USDA latest report, it is estimated that Hawaiian fresh papaya utilization would reach 3.38 million pounds for July 2003; increased 6 percent from 3.29 million pounds in the previous month but 14 percent lower than July 2002. The crop harvesting area in July 2003 remains steady at 2,175 acres since the previous month but lower 4 percent from 2,270 acres a year ago. Harvesting area for papaya in Hawaii in July 2003 totaled at 1,580 acres, virtually unchanged from last month but 6 percent lower than last year. The report noted that weather conditions were variable during July with adequate showers and sunshine over major papaya producing areas. Non-irrigated orchards have adequate soil moisture.   Questions or Comments? Click here ! Source: FoodMarketExchange.com