According to Charles Farran, import-export salesman at Frutas Ponche France, there is a big deficit in the French market. "We have to import green asparagus because they are not available in France. The market in Northern France absorbs 40% of French production; the rest goes to export, and this causes a deficit.” Charles also mentions the French peaches and nectarines: "Unfortunately, large volumes of French peaches and nectarines are sold on the German or Scandinavian market in summer, because French products have a certain reputation. We’re forced to import Spanish products to offset this export."
Charles Farran
The cold has disrupted Spanish production. "Strawberries, cucumbers and lots of vegetables have had a hard time getting started, and the asparagus harvest is further delayed by the rain. Prices are rising and as Easter’s due very early in the month of April, so that will undoubtedly disrupt the trade. The most popular products in France for Easter menus are asparagus, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes and artichokes.
The citrus market continues. "There are still a lot of mandarins. The Valencia variety is on the starting block, and there are still Navel Oranges on the market - the citrus trade takes quite a while."
"The persimmon season is almost over. Currently, we are mainly dealing with more exotic products, such as the avocado. It's the end of the Spanish season and the Mexican season is starting. Due to the climate conditions in Spain, the strawberries arrived earlier in France, and we don’t have to import them."
30% of the products imported by St. Charles International are reexported; The other 70% is for the French market. The most important products imported from Spain are citrus fruits, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and peppers. Charles: "Green and red peppers have always dominated the market, but now the range is much wider."
The tomato market situation isn’t easy. "The quantity has been reduced by the cold in Spain, and there is a strong demand in the countries of the East. The Occitan markets, like France and Germany, are a little under-supplied. The French market can barely manage the very high prices."
In recent years, the preferences of the French market have not changed much. "The apple has always been the primary fruit, and the tomato the prime vegetable. However, the Charentais melon is on the rise. The production begins in Morocco, after it ends in Spain and France.”
For more information:
Frutas Ponche France
453, Av. de Milan – Marché de Production
Locaux 18-19
66033 Perpignan Cedex
+33 4 68 85 20 44