The overal 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 continues to increase caused by higher field prices especially on 48 & larger fruit in MX. Sizing is 60/70/48 with fruit big struggling; definite split market appearing between the 60 and 48’s which will continue. 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.
Limited. Very few supplies from Mexico, as we wait for California volume to kick in. With cooler California temps, no volume until the end of the month.
Imports (Chile) season is finished. Mexico continues to supply limiting amounts. California supplies will start to build as we get into April. With fruit being harvested from Florida and Georgia, a lot of the East Coast business will not look out West for supplies.
RASPBERRIES continue to be very limited. It seems almost every order is getting cut this week. Need warmer temps before California volumes begin to build. Short supplies into next week.
We continued to see limiting supplies of STRAWBERRIES this week. Cool temperatures in California have slowed down production, and with Mexico finished, we are falling down on projected volumes. We will see average to below-average numbers into next week, with no relief until the end of the month.
Off-shore Grapes 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 issued in good supply and looking for homes. Shippers are looking to clean up over the next 2-3 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 the 3 weeks of this month from Mexico.
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.
Lemons still going strong in District 1 with some orchards scratching in District 2. Fruit is peaking 140/165/115 heavier fancy than choice. In general, the fruit is clean with a nice yellow color. Look for this to shift into more choice around late May once District 2 is the predominant area of fruit. There are just a few Meyer Lemons still available but for the most part, this variety is done until imports.
Quality: Good performance will be 68%. 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. Tight volume continues on big-size limes. Low volume availability continues probably until June. In the Pacific Region: Medium incidence of skin break down, blanching, scaring, and good green color. The availability continues in small sizes, the big sizes are tight. The availability 250’s-10%, 230’s-56%, 200’s- 20%, 175’s-10%, 150 -110’s – 5%
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading is fairly active. Prices Tommy Atkins 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 still but are definitely showing the age of being on the tree for a few months. 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. 100% gibbed fruit– trademark is a lighter orange color. 88-138 Fruit is now starting to show limited supplies and increasing markets. Unfortunately, you can expect to see the overall quality down slightly from here 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, still heavier to fancy but this is because more is not necessarily making choice grade either. Calif also has Cara Cara and Blood Oranges for your varietal needs… both have great color and 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. Call your favorite Amerifresh representative and get details.
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 are available with both Yellow and Brown skin varieties imports. Imported Plums available at relatively stable markets. Peaches will finish over the next 10 days. Next, stop Calif fruit in late April early May will start out with Apricots, early Peaches, and of course Cherries (if mother nature stays dry).
Movement expected to increase. Trading is active. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is variable.