Export Company Pomona Fruit SA has been offering grapes into the Russian market from the first week of November. However it is clear that the Russian market is extremely nervous with regards to the high levels offered by the South Africa and Namibian exporters in general, and penetrating this market segment is also a frustrating procedure.
The Russian market is still well supplied by Peruvian, Brazilian & Californian products, and for an importer to make the mental leap from the lower selling prices in a sluggish market to having to commit to the high levels from South Africa and Namibia is tedious and in most cases very risky.
After a tumultuous citrus season where many Russian importers and exporters were both hit hard by the adverse market conditions, all parties seem to have taken a back seat in confirming orders. At the moment the Russian market is not buying considerable volumes from South Africa, and most likely this trend is set to stay for some time.
Source: www.freshplaza.com