Litchi: As in preceding months, the European market received comparatively small amounts of litchi in October. Israeli fruits were clearly dominant until the beginning of the month. Spain also shipped litchis in September and October but in isolated batches and very limited quantities. The first batches from Mauritius at the end of October started the Indian Ocean export season and the most important period for litchi sales on the European markets. Mango: Prices on the European mango market weakened markedly in October as a result of stepped up deliveries from Brazil and continued sluggish demand. After falling at the beginning of the month, prices stabilised in subsequent weeks. Supplies from Brazil formed the bulk of deliveries although a few batches of 'Keitt' from Israel sold at falling prices towards the end of the month. Shipments from Spain also completed supplies with 'Osteen' and a few 'Kent', with prices remaining fairly even and then losing ground at the end of the month. Pineapple: The fall in prices that began in September continued throughout October. Supplies of 'Sweet' were no larger but the poor demand did not match the volumes available and prices continued to slump. Sales of air pineapples were merely satisfactory, with the month marked above all by the irregular quality of the fruits from certain sources hit by heavy rainfall. The situation continued unchanged on the 'Victoria' pineapple market, with demand still sluggish. The availability of late season red fruits did not to help a recovery of pineapple sales. Sea freight: Although the Spot market remained in the doldrums for the month with approximately 10 vessels prompt at Cristobal at any one time, there was no significant down-wards correction in either TC or box rate fixtures. Combined with a dramatic fall in the price of oil and associated drop in bunker costs this resulted in an improvement in the average monthly TCE yield.