The overall market seems to continue to be strong. There are various deals on long items, with a few shippers. The retail movement continues to be steady. Quality continues to be good, overall.
The avocado market is relatively stable with field prices being the same. Harvest it moving into higher elevation in Mexico and as such starting to see slightly better volume on the 48 & larger fruit. In general, the fruit is currently peaking 60/48/70. The Split market of the last month is starting to bridge the gap (slowly). With the Cinco de Mayo holiday coming up we are seeing retain put a push on the smaller fruit for ads (pushing this market up). Look for this to be the case for the next 3-4 weeks. Calif crop is starting to pick up in volume and the market is following that of Mexican fruit. Most of this fruit is on the smaller side still 60/70/48; growers are hoping to keep most of the fruit on the trees for the time being to size up. Peru is starting to increase on their harvest…. just waiting on maturity levels to be allowed into the US…. look for fruit from here to start arriving at the end of April with light volume and decent supplies by the end of May.
BLACKBERRIES are another berry in limited supplies. Estimates out of Mexico are coming up short for the week. It won’t be until the first of May until California builds any inventories.
Cool temperatures and rain in the South and South East (Florida-Georgia) have forced the East Coast business to continue to look out West for supplies. Mexico continues to have limited supplies, and California is still looking to kick in with volume.
Continued limited supplies of RASPBERRIES. Cool temperatures in California have hindered the maturing of the berries. It may not be until the first of May until we have promotable supplies.
Weather conditions in California will continue to stay on the cooler side until next week. STRAWBERRY shippers are making cuts each day as they all are falling short. Salinas has started Straws with limited supplies, but no mixed berries.
Off-shore Grapes not seeing any change on the Green Seedless front– demand exceeds situation. Red Seedless market remains split based on quality. Market strong with light supplies. Shippers are looking to clean up over the next 2 weeks. Supplies are dicey. Mexico has tried to cross a little bit of fruit but nothing of note so far… We should start to see fruit in earnest over the next 14 days from Mexico.
KIWI is all import (Italy/ Greece/ Chile) at this time. Sizes are good and all pack styles are available and will be packed fresh for orders. The market is sit fairly strong but should start to come off as more Chilean fruit arrives to the US. Quality from Greece and Italy is good with occasional give (ready to eat relatively quickly)… Chilean fruit on the other hand is rock hard and will take some time to ripen up.
Lemons still going strong in District 1 with some orchards scratching in District 2. The fruit continues to peak 140/165/115 and clean so heavier fancy grade. In general, the fruit is well shaped with a nice yellow color. Look for this to shift into more choice around late May once District 2 is the predominant harvest area of fruit.
The quality of the Limes has improved only slightly. Overall, the color of the fruit is a nice dark green. However, we are still seeing a lot of the blanching/Scars/ and skin break down as predominate areas of grade out. Due to the lack of fruit, we are seeing pack-outs and repacks push the envelope on quality slightly. The fruit continues to peak on 230/250/200’s with other sizes very tight. Based on what shippers are seeing in the field this will remain the theme on Limes until early June.
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading early fairly active, late active. Prices Tommy Atkins slightly higher, Ataulfo generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
The Honeydew market is strong and the quality is fair. Mexico going with a few new areas with slightly better quality than that from Offshore.
Cantaloupe supplies are doing well though the market is still strong expect to see it come off over the next 10 days. All sizes are available from offshore. Quality is currently good to excellent. Early spring plantings are in the ground and looking at similar supplies to last year…. still looking at early to mid-May for starting.
Calif Navels look good but are starting to show age. The nice Calif weather is heating up which is leaving the fruit a little on the soft side though still has good color and great flavor. All remaining Navels are 100% gibbed. 88-138 Fruit is now starting to show limited supplies and increased markets. Unfortunately, you can expect to see the overall quality down slightly from here on out especially in choice grade….. the shelf life is going to be shorter, so please be aware. Shippers are trying to be proactive and grade outs are dropping slightly.
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.
Imported stone fruit is down mostly to the Plums and those will finish up over the next 2 weeks or so. We are still seeing supplies of Bartletts and Forelle Pears come in and will continue for at least another month. Next stop Calif fruit; the crops saw good chill hours and we have a nice set of fruit currently on the trees (expect to start this year’s season in much better shape than last year which was down 30%). With the warm weather we have been getting we are expecting to see some early Peaches / Nectarines/ Apricots by the end of the week. Sizing will be on the smaller side and supplies will be limited but we will have fruit. Cherries are looking good on the trees as well though they have a few more weeks before they start harvesting (if mother nature stays dry). Arils (pomegranate seeds) currently packing from Peruvian products.
Movement expected to increase. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged.