Exports Slow - Harvest Underway
Exports in June were 3,048 tons compared to 4,280 tons last year
Exports year to date are 63,367 tons compared to 77,062 tons last year, a drop of 18%
Exports continue to slow in June as supply of clean fruit is dwindling. Buyers are also running stocks down in anticipation of lower prices due to the larger 2024 crop.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Malatya Agricultural Bourse finally announced their crop estimate for Malatya province. They predict 107,517 tons. When Elbistan and Elazig provinces are added this will be in the region of 125,000 tons total. This is in line with our survey from last month.
Harvest has started, and will continue until the end of August. Quality is good, all sizes will be available. There is much uncertainty over pricing with farmers touting a premium over last season to reflect the higher input costs, whereas buyers are expecting lower prices due to the larger crop.