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.
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 packing 60/48/70. With Cinco de Mayo this week the push on the smaller fruit for ads has pushed market up. Look for this to be the case for the next 2-3 weeks. Calif crop is to pick up in volume and 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 harvest…. just waiting on maturity levels to be allowed into the US…. look for fruit from here to start arriving decent supplies expected by the end of May.
Continued limitations coming from Mexico coupled with cooler temperatures in California; very short in supplies.
Storms in the South East (rain-tornadoes) are keeping the buyers out East looking West where supplies are limited. Mexican Blues are the primary region supplying the West coast, and numbers are down.
All RASPBERRY shippers are pretty much over-sold for the next few weeks. Cooler temperatures are hindering the production, and other suppling areas are limited.
Light rain and cool night temperatures have slowed down production. The end of this week and the early part of next week will be the Mothers Day pull. So don’t look for big supplies, or any deals to be offered. But, after the Holiday we should be in promotable numbers.
Off shore Grapes only Red Seedless remain of any worth and these will continue for the next 3-4 weeks until cleaned up. We are seeing some Green Grapes scratch and cross out of Mexico but don’t expect to see much volume until mid May at best… Should have good volume on Reds the 4th week of May out of both Mexico and Coachella… mother nature allowing. Market on new crop will be strong until early June at least.
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 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 going strong in District 1 and scratching in District 2. Fruit continues to peak 140/165/115 and clean so heavier to 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 predominate harvest area of fruit.
Quality: Good performance will be 63%. 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. Pacific Region: High incidence of skin break down, blanching, scaring, light green color and smooth skin. The availability continues in small sizes, the big sizes are tight. The availability 250’s-7%, 230’s-50%, 200’s- 25%, 175’s-12%, 150 -110’s – 6%
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading early active, late moderate. Prices on Tommy Atkins 6-12s and Altaulfo 12-14s lower, others generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Honeydew market is stable with Mexican fruit showing much better quality. Mexico is starting to increase volume daily. Off shore fruit remains very light and is cleaning up for the season.
Cantaloupe supplies are doing well and we are seeing a little loosening on smaller sizes in the markets. All sizes are available from offshore and Mexico. Offshore will finish up shortly and looking at Domestic to start around the 10th of May (fingers crossed). Quality is currently good to excellent.
Calif Navels still going with good supplies in larger sizes. The nice Calif weather is heating up which is leaving the fruit a little on the soft side and with occasional issues. 88-138 Fruit is limited with strong increasing markets…. as shippers try to extend this season as long as they can. 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. Valencia are on the cusp of starting but most if not all this fruit will be sent to export.
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 generally unchanged. 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 of so. We are still seeing supplies of Bartletts and Forelle Pears come in and will continue for at least another month; Look for Calif to start with Summer sprites in late June early July followed closely by Bartletts. Calif Tree Fruit with the good chill hours trees got this winter we are expecting a good crop, We are now starting so see some early yellow Peaches and Nectarines as well as Apricots. Fruit in general is 64’s and smaller at this time, occasionally getting a few pallet of 54/56’s. Look for some Apriums available this week in very light numbers. Cherries are looking good on the trees as well thought they have a few more weeks before they start harvesting (if mother nature stays dry). Arils (pomegranate seeds) currently packing from Peruvian product.
Movement expected to decrease sharply as many shippers are finished for the season. 24 inch bins per bin Red Flesh Seedless type approximately 35 and 45 counts supplies in too few hands to establish a market. Lighter and sporadic shipments expected to continue through May 8. Quality is variable.