We are still inching to the end of the 2019-2020 crop of reds. New crop Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, & golds are now available. USDA orders have kept the market strong. The retail movement continues to be steady, in the wake of COVID-19. **FREEZING TEMPS moving in** We have an extreme cold moving in & growers are trying to harvest the last varieties. We could see price increases. Quality has been good, overall.
Calif harvest will continue going slowly picking out of the northern groves through the month. Mexico has been trying to push up the markets by slowing harvest… seeing some of this taking root on 48 and large sizes. The general market is steady. Mexico has good volume on smaller sizes 70/84. Sizing is peaking 60/70/48. Look for Chile & Columbian fruit to start hitting the markets.
Very limited supplies of Domestic fruit, with more arrivals weekly coming from Mexico. Look for a steady market next week.
Domestic Blues are finished for the season. Imported fruit from Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile will be arriving in the United States with decent amounts, increasing weekly.
Good supplies of both the Domestic and Imported Raspberries. We could see this market adjust down next week. November looks like a good month for Raspberries.
The recent heatwave is being felt in California will keep the harvesting of Salinas/Watsonville fruit. Now fruit from this area will be smaller than normal, but available. Santa Maria/Oxnard fruit will continue to increase in volume as we progress into October. Mexican imports are starting to arrive. The market is good.
Central Calif is still looking at good supplies of Green and Red seedless grapes. We expect to have supplies through Nov (or the first hard rains ) when the crop harvest winds down. The green seedless market is up slightly as we get into later varieties and supplies of them decrease. Though we should have Reds through the end of the year (seeing a slight overlap at the beginning of imports). Black Sdls and Globes are in light supplies. The quality and condition of all grapes are very good to excellent. The split in the market due to berry size is starting to wind down. The market is steady.
Calif is shipping locally grown KIWI. The fruit is hard so plan to condition. All sizes and packs are available. The market is starting to come down slightly as more fruit is picked and put away later for shipping.
Lemons are currently available from Calif and imports. The market is lower on the imports and inching up on domestic fruit. Calif harvesting Dist 3 (Desert). In general, the fruit is peaking 140/115; quality is looking very nice firm fruit/lighter yellow in color (some gassing is being done which is minimal).
Movement expected about the same. Supplies 110-150s very light, 230- 250s heavy. Trading early fairly slow, late slow. Prices 110-150s lower, others slightly lower. Quality is variable.
The season finished in Texas.
Honeydew supplies are picking up a bit out of the desert and also crossing in from Mexico. Thankfully with this, the quality has improved. Sizes mostly 5/6’s.
The cantaloupe profile is peaking on 9/12 with good volume. Harvest is going well in the desert with Mexico also crossing supplies. As such the market has come down the last 10 days and appears to be stabilizing. Quality has been good to excellent.
Valencias are down to the stragglers mostly on larger sizes. Shippers did a good job this year stretching this to the limits. Navels have started and it was a slower start than anticipated…. fruit is taking about 4-5 days to gas up for color. Demand is strong and supplies are very limited. Most shippers are only able to pack a few days a week. The initial pack-outs are heavy to fancy and peaking 113/88. Shippers not expecting to see anything bigger than a 72 for at least 3 weeks. The market will be strong for the first few weeks. Sugar levels will be at a minimum for the first few weeks as well. If you are looking for juicing stay with Valencias for the next 10 days.
New crop Bosc, Bartletts & D’Anjou are here, along with red pears. Pricing has been very strong from the beginning. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged.
Tangerine/Mandarin imports are all but done… we will be looking at new crop domestic starting up in a few weeks around the first week of Nov (figuring cool nights prevail). Just waiting for color and sugar to improve. We are currently seeing Pumellos start to pick… sizing is on the small side and the exterior is a nice green color. Check back here for more specialty updates.
Plums are winding down and are in a few hands so be sure to call for more information. Pomegranates are going with good sizing and nice color. Fuyu & Hachyia Persimmons are also going; so come and get them.
Crossings expected to increase seasonally. Current supplies in too few hands to establish a market. Quality is variable. The first F.O.B. report is expected to be issued the week of November 8.