After a turbulent 2024 campaign, 2025 looks set to be a more 'traditional' year for sugar snaps. Here is an update from Bertrand Sabadie, sales director at ElbeFruit, a specialist in Peruvian origin.
© Elbe Fruit Snow peas.
New exporters on the European market for the 2024 campaign
The previous campaign was marked by the arrival of new players on the European market, creating a certain imbalance. "The collapse of prices on the American market between July and September 2024 - probably linked to the presidential campaign - prompted several exporters usually present in the United States to turn to Europe," explains Bertrand Sabadie. As a result, the supply from Peru and Zimbabwe had completely saturated the market. "These players are not present this year, and to date, the volumes exported to Europe from Peru are 23% lower than last year." Despite a fairly calm summer period, as is the case every year, imported volumes have been able to flow more easily in a relatively fluid market.
Half of the Peruvian volumes at the start of the campaign
© Elbe Fruit
This year, ElbeFruit received its first container on the European market at the beginning of May. But heavy rainfall and sudden temperature variations took their toll on volumes. "The quality of the first arrivals did not suffer too much from the weather, but volumes were halved. However, the summer period started well, despite some pressure on stocks at the end of July and beginning of August," according to Bertrand Sabadie, who points out that the period from July to September is always the most difficult for the Peruvian origin. "Zimbabwe brings strong competition with much lower prices. But Peru's consistency in terms of quality, the reliability of its shipping services, and the exceptional length of its season (with sea shipments available for eight months of the year) remain strong assets. These advantages enable us to secure volumes and streamline supply chains for almost two-thirds of the year, which represents real added value for our clients."
Import volumes doubled from week 38
The company is now entering its 3rd and final phase of the 2025 campaign, with the last shipments from Zimbabwe giving way to sea arrivals from Peru. Last year, the two origins overlapped, but in 2025, the configuration is very different. "In 2024, the Peruvian production peaked prematurely (due to exceptional weather conditions), with volumes exceeding expectations. This year, the excessively low nighttime temperatures and high humidity have delayed the production peaks. Volumes imported into Europe are therefore set to rise sharply from the beginning of October. Over the next three weeks, sugar snap volumes will be excellent, enabling us to supply the market and support promotional campaigns. The availability of snow peas is likely to be more limited, but sufficient. We should see solid sales and excellent availability, enabling us to better support our clients' programs with the volumes and quality they need."
© Elbe Fruit Sugar snaps
What are the prospects for the next Egyptian season?
Although the Egyptian season is still a long way away, it is likely to be very different from the previous one. In 2024-2025, the Egyptian crop got off to a good start, with high volumes in January. The 20-25% increase in area under cultivation compared to 2023 led to overproduction, flooding the European market. "The market literally collapsed, unable to absorb the volumes exported." This year, however, production areas are down sharply. "Many farms have not replanted snow peas because of the losses suffered last year. As a result, exporters are asking higher prices for the 2026 season," explains Bertrand Sabadie. More information should be available after the Madrid trade fair, which is very popular with Egyptian producers. "Programs are often finalized during the event."
For more information:
Bertrand Sabadie
ElbeFruit
Phone: +49 40 6755 5194
[email protected]
http://elbefruit.eu/