Market Report June 2026
Logistics: Please plan your orders well in advance
Following a comparatively stable start to the year, the ocean freight market has changed significantly over recent weeks. While geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their impact on bunker fuel costs were previously the primary focus, the market is now increasingly being shaped by a short-term shortage of available vessel capacity. Since the end of May, we have observed a noticeably stronger-than-usual increase in demand on the key trade lanes from Asia to Europe. At the same time, many shipping lines have already reduced capacity through blank sailings. The combination of these factors is currently resulting in limited shipping capacity, longer booking lead times and increased market volatility.
Shipments from China and Southeast Asia to Europe are currently the most affected. Demand from India has also increased, while trade flows from the Mediterranean region and South America remain comparatively stable. Based on current market conditions, we expect this situation to continue throughout June and July. Transit times are currently averaging at least 60 days. At the same time, higher freight rates and potential delays in arrival and onward transportation should continue to be expected. We therefore recommend planning your requirements well in advance and engaging with us early to secure capacity. Together with our logistics partners, we monitor market developments on a daily basis and closely manage critical shipments to identify potential impacts on delivery schedules at an early stage and safeguard security of supply wherever possible.
Tomato
Global tomato processing volumes are expected to reach approximately 40.1 million tonnes in 2026, slightly below the previous year’s level. The AMITOM region (Europe and the Mediterranean) remains the world’s largest processing region, with an expected production volume of 17.6 million tonnes, accounting for more than 40% of global processing. Compared with 2025, this represents moderate growth of around 4%.
Globally, the market picture remains mixed. While California is expected to produce around 9 million tonnes, representing a significant decline of approximately 15% compared with last year’s exceptionally strong crop, China continues to strengthen its position, with production forecast to increase to 5.85 million tonnes (+19%). At the same time, China continues to invest in additional cultivation areas and processing capacity.
The industry continues to face structural challenges. Extreme weather events, limited water availability, rising costs for energy, fertilisers, packaging and logistics, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and new regulatory requirements are all contributing to increased complexity and market volatility.
So far, the 2026 season in Southern Europe has developed positively and remains stable overall. Following a partly cool and wet May, planting activities have now been largely completed. Spain continues to show excellent crop development and, despite the current heat, is expected to produce approximately 2.75 million tonnes (+14.1% compared with 2025), further strengthening its position as Europe’s key growth market. Portugal is forecasting a stable crop of around 1.30 million tonnes, in line with last year, supported by favourable weather conditions. Italy is expected to remain Europe’s largest producer with around 5.80 million tonnes. Despite high temperatures, planting has progressed according to schedule, while improved water reserves in southern regions are providing positive support. At the same time, significantly higher production costs continue to drive intensive price negotiations throughout the value chain.
Overall, the European supply situation currently remains balanced to comfortable, supported by production growth in Spain and stable volumes from Italy and Portugal. The current heatwave across Europe is placing increasing stress on crop development. High temperatures and dry soil conditions are affecting fruit set in particular, creating regional risks to both yields and product quality. At the same time, the heat is accelerating ripening, which may result in smaller fruit and, in some areas, lower Brix levels.
On the pricing side, the market is currently moving sideways to slightly lower. The main reason remains the carry-over stocks from last year’s crop, particularly for double concentrated tomato paste, which continue to put pressure on prices for the 2026 harvest.
At the same time, attractive purchasing opportunities are currently available. In addition to European origins, Egypt and Chile in particular are offering competitive price levels, in some cases significantly below European quotations. Against this backdrop, we recommend taking advantage of the current market situation and securing attractive short-term pricing opportunities. For strategically important requirements, partial forward coverage may also be advisable to mitigate potential market changes later in the season. The next six to eight weeks will be decisive, as actual crop development in Spain, Portugal and Italy, together with weather conditions during fruit development and harvesting, will determine whether the current price pressure persists or whether markets begin to strengthen again.
Tuna
The market situation in the two main origins supplying Europe – Ecuador and the Philippines – remains under significant pressure.
In Ecuador, the tuna industry is currently experiencing one of its most challenging years to date. Catch volumes have declined considerably: in the first quarter of 2026, skipjack catches amounted to only 53,966 tonnes, approximately 35% below the previous year. The main driver is the ongoing El Niño conditions, which continue to negatively impact tuna stocks in the eastern Pacific. At the same time, longer fishing voyages are leading to significantly higher operating costs. In addition, further supply constraints are expected in the second half of the year due to upcoming fishing bans (veda periods). Against this backdrop, raw material prices have increased sharply and are currently quoted at around USD 2,100/mt.
Additional risks to supply are also emerging from General Santos in the Philippines. A severe earthquake in the region has affected infrastructure, meaning production is currently only resuming on a limited basis. Furthermore, the port is expected to remain closed for container loading until early July on safety grounds, resulting in further delays throughout the supply chain.
Overall, the market remains under considerable pressure due to limited raw material availability, rising costs and logistical constraints. Further price increases are likely from today’s perspective. Against this background, we recommend covering existing requirements in the short term and continuing to closely monitor market developments. We currently still have available volumes of MSC+ FAD Free Flakes SFO in 7 kg bags, as well as limited quantities of MSC Chunks SFO in 7 kg bags and 2/1 cans. Please contact us if you have any interest or requirements.
Capsicum
The market situation for capsicum products shows a mixed picture depending on origin.
In Egypt, initial price indications for the 2026 season are approximately 20% above the previous year’s level, while still remaining at a highly competitive level. With a team of local experts, we closely support both cultivation and production in the areas of quality assurance and production standards.
In Turkey, the situation remains tight. Significantly higher production costs – driven in particular by persistently high inflation as well as increased expenses for energy, packaging and labour – are leading to initial price expectations for the 2026 season of around +20% compared with last year. At present, the ongoing heatwave has not yet resulted in widespread or significant crop losses. However, should the high temperatures persist, the risk of reduced yields and quality deterioration is expected to increase as the season progresses.
The Peruvian market, by contrast, remains largely stable. Prices are generally in line with the previous year, with only occasional fluctuations depending on quality, calibre and specification. Overall, we currently do not expect any significant market disruptions.
Against the backdrop of these differing developments, we continue to closely monitor the markets and recommend that customers secure their requirements at an early stage.
Coconut
The coconut market is expected to remain firmer over the coming months. In the short term, supply conditions remain broadly stable; however, signals are increasingly pointing towards a more challenging market environment in the second half of the year. This is driven by seasonally rising demand as well as the anticipated impact of El Niño on harvests and pricing in Southeast Asia. Market participants expect conditions to tighten further towards autumn and winter, with effects likely to remain visible in producing countries well into 2027.
At present, selective purchasing opportunities are still available. We are currently able to offer particularly attractive conditions for coconut milk from Vietnam, while alternative origins such as Sri Lanka also provide additional options for securing supply.
Our assessment therefore remains clear: the market is expected to stay firm with further upward price potential. We recommend covering requirements during June in order to secure availability and protect against potential price increases in the second half of the year.
Pineapple
The pineapple market is expected to remain significantly firmer over the coming months. This is mainly driven by a notably smaller harvest forecast for Thailand in 2026. Current estimates have revised production down to approximately 750,000–800,000 tonnes due to weather impacts linked to El Niño, compared with around 972,000 tonnes in 2025. At the same time, fruit sizes are smaller in many areas, raw material availability remains tight, and Thai processors are currently only offering volumes to the market very cautiously.
Raw material prices are currently around THB 8.00–8.50/kg and are expected to continue rising into the autumn according to current market expectations. Although approximately 5,000 tonnes per day are still being processed, available supply remains limited. This restraint may indicate that producers are securing their positions and avoiding the risk of failing to fully cover existing contracts in an increasingly tight market. In addition, the low season begins in July, before the winter harvest resumes in October/November. This winter crop is expected to be significantly impacted by El Niño conditions.Our assessment remains: firm market trend, constrained availability and further upward price potential.
For you, this means that the market is currently clearly favourable for procurement. Anyone seeking to secure availability for the coming months and hedge against further price increases should place requirements now rather than wait for potential market easing. We recommend planning volumes in advance and proceeding with timely procurement.
Bamboo
The market situation in China is becoming increasingly price-driven for the upcoming season. Compared with the 2025 harvest, domestic demand for bamboo raw material is expected to rise significantly, leading to higher raw material costs for the new season. The new bamboo season is expected to start between late June and early July. Processing facilities plan to begin production from mid to late July, with first shipments expected towards the end of July. Overall production volumes are expected to remain broadly in line with last year, meaning no additional relief from a volume perspective is expected.
On the pricing side, we currently expect a significant increase compared with last year. Initial indications suggest price rises of around 10–20% in USD terms. This development is driven not only by higher domestic demand, but also by increased raw material costs and an unfavourable USD/RMB exchange rate, which has already weakened by around 7%. In addition, rising costs for labour, packaging materials, energy and transport are further supporting prices.
Against this background, we recommend planning requirements early and securing volumes as soon as possible, particularly for longer-term needs, in order to mitigate further price increases during the season. At the same time, the availability of early-season production from late July should be closely monitored, as market dynamics typically only become clearer once the new campaign is underway.
Product and product waste regulation (PPWR):
Regulatory requirements for food and packaging remain at a consistently high level. We ensure that all delivered products, including the packaging materials used, comply with applicable German and European food law regulations.
