The overall market continues to be strong. There are various deals on long items, with a few shippers. Retail movement continues to be steady. Quality continues to be good, overall. New crop gala starting over the next week & a half.
Mexican field prices continue to increase up and pushing up all sizes, small fruit is the most impacted as demand exceeds. We expect this for at least a few more weeks. Note MX freezes last Sept is starting to be felt and will continue to be felt over the next 2 months. The Flora Loca still struggles to make USDA dry matter standards thus causing delays to import into US. Peruvian fruit is available mostly out of the east but Calif is receiving some as well. Calif crop is still looking good but on the light side and dropping fast. In general; the demand is picking up, crossing and imports are not keeping pace, market is on fire. It has increased double digits in the last 7 days. CA expected to finish at the end of September. Mexico is accounting for about 61% of US supplies while Peru is 24% and domestic is 15%.
The majority of blackberries are being harvested out of California, with a few from Mexico. The East Coast is finished. The market will remain steady next week.
Unlike the previous couple of weeks, California blues are running short. Retail ads across the country have gobbled up most of the supplies. Look for a higher market next week.
Better supplies of raspberries are forecasted for next week. California and Mexico numbers appeared to have increased. So look for a possible easier market.
The strawberry market continues to be good. Demand for summer fruit remains strong. Recent high temperatures in Salinas/Watsonville area have brought on some soft berries that harvesting crews are having to discard. This will limit volumes for extra fruit. Keep orders close to numbers.
Central Calif Grapes are in full swing harvesting all colors. Quality has been excellent, however high temps in the picking areas can and will slow harvest down. Red and Black grapes’ color is struggling slightly as such market is pushing up and good supply on greens.
KIWI is all Chilean at this time. Sizes are good and all packs styles are available and will be packed fresh for orders. Market is steady and shouldn’t see much change until mid August. Chilean fruit is hard and will take sometime to ripen up. Looking for market to push up due to school starting and the demand increasing.
Lemons remain tight. Imports are available on both coasts from Argentina and Chile. Despite this the market continues strong. Domestically fruit is all harvesting district 2 (Ventura/ Oxnard) but supplies are light. Look for the market to continue to show an increase on a weekly basis. Domestic is demand exceeds with grading heavy to choice standard due to scarring.
Product remains on the tighter side for most shippers, and pricing continues to go up again this week. What we are seeing leads us to believe we will see another couple weeks of similar trends before almost all growers are into their new crops, which should improve the market conditions. Weather has also improved a little. Shippers continue to have to run all inbound product for quality and defects on arrival into the US with stylar remaining present and getting graded out. Current utilization on inbound product is sitting at about 90%, so 10% of limes that growers are sending is being thrown out during the grading and packing process. This number should improve in the coming weeks.
Movement expected about the same. Crossings include a light volume of Haden variety. Trading early fairly slow, late active. Prices on Kent 9s higher, 10-12s much higher, others slightly higher. Quality is variable.
Cantaloupe size profile continues Large 9/12’s and almost no small fruit. Calif West side is going but with fair supplies which has increased the market slightly. Quality is very good with high sugar content.
Honeydews harvesting West side. Sizing is big mostly 5/6’s no little ones really around. Look for this seasons crop to stay light with California acreage being down. Quality is very nice at this time…. good clean fruit with high sugar…. Eats great. Heat is limiting harvesting effecting big fruit the 5’s.
Mixed Melons should be in good supply in the next few weeks. Crenshaw’s, Casabas, Juan Canary, Santa Claus, etc.
Valencia’s going well peaking on a 88/72/113’s. Market is firming up as businesses are opening more and more and many are looking to schools opening over the next month. Quality is fair to good due to the heat. We are seeing re greening on the fruit.
Small D’Anjou pears are extremely tight. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good. Hearing new crop NW Bartlett’s begin the 2nd week of August.
Movement expected about the same. Supplies light and in few hands. Trading is active. Prices on 8s slightly higher, others generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Calif Grapefruit looking nice picking in Bakersfield area. We are now into the Summer/Marsh varieties. Fruit is peaking smaller sizes 40/48/56’s and demand is good. Off shore Mandarins/Tangerines are here and eating well/good size and color…. call your Amerifresh rep for more info.
Peach size is mostly 54/56 & larger available with some 60’s available. Yellow Nectarine production is steady with good demand. Red and black plums are available in all sizes with good supplies. Pluots, flat peach and velvet apricots are available.
Movement expected about the same. Harvest in Oklahoma expected to start the week of August 15. Trading is early fairly active, late slow. Prices are lower. Quality is generally good.