Sultanas: Desperate attempts to drive up prices
August 2, 2017 at 9:45 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
33% increase in exports
The new season is due to start in four weeks. Turkey has exported as much as 248,400 mt over the last eleven months, which is an 32.6% year-on-year increase. Currently 5,000 mt are shipped every week and total exports should climb to 270,000 mt in 2016/17.
Sultana exports in mt |
|||
season |
mt |
avg USD |
avg EUR |
2016/17 |
248,399 |
1,559 |
1,319 |
2015/16 |
187,304 |
2,066 |
1,748 |
since the beginning of the season |
Rumours are afloat
Last year’s high yields indicate that this year’s crop will be slightly smaller since the vines require time to regenerate. Market players reckon that 270,000 mt of sultanas will be produced. Some reports, however, state that the drought in spring may have affected the grapes and that the crop may be smaller.
Yet, it should be noted that these reports are mainly based on rumours and are a convenient means for traders to drive up prices. Big suppliers, intent on pushing up prices to a higher level, and the annual school project, in which sultanas are distributed in schools, are also regarded as price drivers.
Prompt deliveries currently cost 270 EUR/kg less than last year (-18.7%). A smaller production is likely to prompt a rise in export prices to 1,400-1,450 SUD/mt FOB Izmir.
Sultanas, Turkey |
||
type |
2016 |
2017 |
Grade A, Type 8, STD |
1,340 |
1,400 |
Grade A, Type 9, STD |
1,360 |
1,475 |
Grade A, Type 10, STD |
1,450 |
1,600 |
Bio, Grade A, Type 9 |
2,000 |
2,100 |
FOB Izmir |