Litchi: The marketing season for litchis from Madagascar finished rapidly at the beginning of February. The prices of fruits of satisfactory quality were the same as in the preceding weeks. The proportion of rejects increased at the same time, making sales returns smaller. No fruits for any other source appeared during this period marking the end of the Indian Ocean season. The first batches of litchi shipped from Thailand by air were expected at the beginning of April. Mango: The price of 'Kent' mango from Peru peaked in February because of limited supply from this source and small arrivals from Brazil. However, prices fell, losing from EUR 0.50 to 0.75 per box in the middle of the month. They then stabilised until the end of the period. Market under-supply did not result in rocketing prices as a paradoxical phenomenon of adjustment of demand was observed. But this price weakening was contained and prices settled at a level twice as high as in the same period in 2008. Pineapple: In February, the pineapple market featured small supply and also weak demand, contributing to a fall in prices throughout the month. This was the time of half-term holidays and, as in previous years, a distinct decrease in demand was observed on the air mango market. This did not have a direct impact on prices but considerably affected the volume of fruits sold. The situation was hardly better for 'Victoria', which is even more sensitive to fluctuations in demand. Supply volume was very irregular and even almost totally absent at the end of the month. Sea freight: For a while it appeared that charter market developments throughout the month were mirroring the behaviour pattern in February last year, albeit with a slight delay. In this respect the monthly year-on-year TCE average is compatible. However it does not mask the continued disappointment felt by reefer owners and operators who had budgeted for an early season 'demolition dividend'.