W24: Grapefruit Update

In W24 in the grapefruit landscape, the South African grapefruits are gradually being introduced to the Netherlands market, with prices declining due to rising production costs. Consumer consumption has decreased, but still widely used in hotels and catering. On the other-hand, the Florida grapefruit crop is projected to be the lowest since 1911-1912, but the estimates released on June 9, 2023 show a modest improvement for oranges and grapefruit, with the estimate for grapefruit increasing by 20 thousand boxes. In addition, Early Sweet is a new grapefruit hybrid developed by the US Department of Agriculture's Fort Pierce, Florida research station. It resembles a white grapefruit, but stands out due to its significantly sweeter taste. Taste tests have already been conducted among consumer groups in Florida, yielding encouraging results. It would take approximately eight years before substantial quantities are ready for export.