The overall market seems to continue to be strong. USDA orders & a shorter crop, have kept the market strong. The retail movement continues to be steady, in the wake of COVID-19. Quality has been good, overall.
The avocado market continues to increase caused by higher field prices especially on 48 & larger fruit in MX. Look for this to continue especially next week as harvest and crossings will be down (no harvesting April 1-5 due to holy week). Sizing is 60/70/48 with fruit big struggling; definite split market appearing between the 60 and 48’s which will continue. Mexico has not yet announced the effect the cold snap has on the fruit and the trees (stay tuned for that). Calif crop harvesting very slow to start with more small fruit than anticipated…. growers are trying to keep fruit on the trees to size up as much as possible.
Estimates out of Mexico continue to come up short and will remain in this situation until California builds inventories. Expect 2 weeks.
While we continue to wait for the California season to begin, Mexico is currently the primary region supplying the market. Volumes are limited and will remain in this situation until the week of the 12th.
This was the tightest week for supplies of RASPBERRIES. Again, until California kicks in (2 weeks) we will continue to come up short on all orders.
Supplies were limited this week, as the Easter Holiday business gobbled up all available supplies for those Easter Brunchers now that restaurants are open again. Mexico is finished and West coast business will be supplied 100% California fruit. We look for Salinas/Watsonville to begin in 7-10 days.
The offshore Grape market is very strong. As expected not seeing any change on the Green Seedless front– demand exceeds situation. Red Seedless market is definitely split with good quality fruit market strong with light supplies…. and fruit is in good supply and looking for homes (for good reason). This quality split will continue to be an issue for the balance of the season so be aware. Supplies are looking a little dicey for going into April and look for the market to stay strong. Look for Mexico to start as soon as they get color and sugar levels hopefully by mid-April.
KIWI is all import supplies. The size is good. Look for Chile to join this market in about 2 weeks. All pack styles are available and will be packed fresh for orders. The market is up and will remain this way until the supply lines fill up out of Chile so at least until early May. The east coast is seeing better volume of imports.
The lemon market is still going strong in District 1 with just a little scratching in District 2. Fruit is peaking 140/165/115 heavier fancy than choice and still moving strong on exports. In general, the fruit is clean with a nice yellow color. Once the scales tip to heavier out of District 2 you will see a tip in the grade shifting to more choice. We still have some Meyer Lemons though this season domestically is winding down with only bits and pieces for the next 2 weeks.
Quality: Good performance will be 64%. The current regions of lime: Gulf of Mexico: Medium incidence of skin break down, blanching, scaring, and good green color. The availability continues in small sizes, the big sizes are tight. Rain is forecasted this week and will delay harvest and inbounds from Mexico. Tight volume continues on big-size limes. Low volume availability expected for next 2 weeks for big size limes. In the Pacific Region: Medium to low incidence of skin break down, blanching, scaring, and good green color. The availability continues in small sizes, the big sizes are tight. The Easter holiday for Mexico is a big celebration that will disrupt the flow this week for the following days Thursday/Friday/Saturday and production/harvesting will restart again until Monday.
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading early moderate, late fairly active. Prices Tommy Atkins higher, Ataulfo generally unchanged.
Honeydew the market is getting bullish as Mexico continues to gap slightly though new districts are starting up. Offshore offering remains light. Look to see this to be the case for the next 2-3 weeks before supplies and markets improve. Fruit quality is just fair to good while we work through the gap.
Cantaloupe supplies are doing well though the market remains strong. All sizes are available from Honduras. Quality is currently good to excellent. Early spring plantings are in the ground and looking at similar supplies to last year…. still looking at mid-May for starting.
Calif Navels look very nice with fair to good color and great flavor. 100% gibbed fruit– trademark is a lighter orange color. 113/138 Fruit continues to be very limited for the balance of the season. Calif quality has been good to excellent but this late in the season you will occasionally see some puffballs. Still packing heavier to fancy though this is starting to turn. Calif also has Cara Cara and Blood Oranges for your varietal needs… both have great color, flavor and can be packed in full and half cartons. Florida also continues to harvest light numbers of juicing oranges and this market is up especially on smaller sizes.
All varieties of pears are available. Small pears are extremely tight. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is fairly active. Prices are higher. Quality is variable.
Murcotts/Tangerines are in full swing harvesting with good supplies. Sizing is peaking 32/36/28; the market is steady with good demand. Central Calif is harvesting their Minneola — peaking 100/80/125 great for those school lunch bags as an alternative to Oranges…. deep color and lots of juicy flavors. Calif Grapefruit is back and picking in the desert as well as the Bakersfield area with light supplies. Fruit is peaking smaller sizes 40/48/56’s and demand is expected to stay strong.
Arils (pomegranate seeds) currently packing from Peruvian products. Asian Pears available with both Yellow and Brown skin varieties and expect to continue for another month or so with domestic product… we starting to see some imports. Imported Plums continue to arrive with decent supplies at relatively stable markets. Peaches are now starting to wind down and will finish in about 2-3 weeks. Nectarines supplies are down to bits and pieces. White Varieties of Peaches and Nectarines are all be done… Next, stop Calif fruit in late April early May.
Movement expected to increase. Trading early active, late moderate. Prices are slightly lower.