Exports in May were 3,697 tons compared to 4,767 tons last year, a decrease of 22%
Exports year to date are 69,335 tons compared to 60,185 tons last year, an increase of 15%
The relatively modest 22% drop in exports may indicate that less defaults than expected have occurred to date, though the higher average export prices suggests that new sales are also kicking in at the higher prices following the devastating frost in April.
There is very limited supply coming to the market, mainly from traders and packers selling their packed stock in the local market. Payment terms in the local market are 100% cash on delivery. Farmers are not selling, what little they have has to keep them going for 18 months and they are expecting significantly higher prices after the traders and defaulters liquidate their stocks.
Many of the younger and middle aged trees are showing signs of recovery with leaves re sprouting. We dont know if they will recover enough to bloom next year. Older trees that were the worst damaged are being pulled and cut up for winter fuel. Up to 20% of the trees are being pulled. The price of logs has fallen from roughly $100 per ton to $25 per ton in the past month.
Sour off coloured smuggled Uzbek and Tajik apricots have started to turn up and no doubt some packers may try to blend them, beware, we have seen several parcels that are fermenting.
Prices are currently trading at between $10,000 per ton for smaller fruit up to $12,500 for larger fruit. Natural apricots when they can be found are at a significant premium.