The 2023 Juniper harvest is fast approaching, and Tommy from Beacon Commodities has just returned from Serbia.
He was meeting collectors and inspecting the prospects for the new crop with harvest due to start in September.
Good quantities starting to ripen
Predictions for the new crop are better than 2022 but this is to be expected given the disastrous harvest last year from both a quality and quantity point of view. In Serbia, there appeared to be average numbers of berries on the bushes and good quantities of these were starting to ripen.
At Beacon, they always discuss how cyclical Juniper bushes are with mixed crops of poor, average and good. Last year was certainly poor and they are hoping for an average crop this year.
Demand across the globe
Difficulties lie ahead in determining the demand across the globe given the nervousness surrounding increasing costs and the Russia/Ukraine war and the cost-of-living crisis. Coupled with this, many users are short/out of stock given it was so hard to source from the 2022 crop. This shortage will mean that the market will open up high but hopefully there will be enough berries to satisfy demand.
Favourable weather conditions
Some regions that Tommy visited were 10-15 days off from reaching ripeness and others were a good month away. Tommy has everything crossed for favourable dry and sunny (not too hot please) weather conditions to encourage ripening and bring the moisture content down naturally.
The berries he saw looked to be of excellent quality which was pleasing. Serbia had significant rainfall in May/June which is good for Juniper berries and something they did not get in 2022.
Un-ripe berries for 2023 (larger) and 2024 (smaller)
Excellent quality berries
Tommy’s visit took him to a number of regions with differing terrain. There was pleasing evidence of the natural regeneration of bushes which was put down to under-grazing. Previously, the mountains were grazed harder by cows and sheep.
Although these animals did not eat the Juniper bushes, they certainly damaged young plants holding back their growth. Livestock numbers have dropped though with many rural people moving to the city and farms becoming bigger and more commercialised.
One year old bush on the right, two-year old bush on the left
Climate change affecting botanicals
Tommy’s discussion with collectors certainly confirmed what Beacon has long thought that the change in climate is leading to more extreme weather and these extremes are affecting the botanicals and how/when they grow.
Beacon’s stocks of the 2022 crop are healthy which is something we are all extremely proud of. In the most difficult year, we were able to secure our customer’s requirements and that is thanks to our Suppliers and hard work.
Natural regeneration
A protective grasshopper
Macedonia and Albanian Juniper
Tommy and Michael will be off to Macedonia and Albania later in the year to inspect the harvest and hopes to have more positive news. Please feel free to contact either Tommy or Michael direct to discuss in greater detail
Get in touch
Tommy can be contacted on either +44 7900 244 939 or tommy@beaconcommodities.co.uk
Michael can be contacted on either +44 1273 844 264 or michael@beaconcommodities.co.uk
