We are inching to the end of the 2019-2020 crop, with new crop Gala are now available. Storage supplies are still good for some varieties. USDA orders have helped to continue to strengthen the market, over the past months. The retail movement continues to be steady, in the wake of COVID-19. Quality as been good overall.
Mexico’s Avocados are in their summer season harvest and has backed off a bit cleaning up inventories and weather in the regions. Loca fruit is very light in volume currently peaking 48 and smaller (keeping market up). Peru has hit its peak with volume only going down from here; this fruit is hard and peaking 48/60. Calif is wrapping up in southern Calif moving into Northern Calif groves; sizing peaking 48/40/60 size. The markets are the same for all growing with more strength for domestic fruit. Look for Chile to start showing up in September to replace the Peruvian product.
Like all the California berries, BlackBerries will be in short supplies next week. Recent cooler temperatures will slow down production and imports have slowed. Will be a good active market next week.
Adequate supplies of BlueBerries are keeping the California market steady. A tropical storm on the East Coast hindered production this week and will keep supplies limited on the East. Mexico is still producing and is helping to fill California shorts.
Raspberries are in the shortest production week of the season. Demand exceeds supplies and the market reflects the shortage. This will continue into next week.
As reported last week, California Strawberries are past their peak. The numbers will continue to drop throughout the month. Cooler temperatures in the Salinas/Watsonville will make for smaller sized fruit. The market will be active next week.
Bakersfield/Arvin/Fresno is harvesting multiple varieties of green and red seedless and we expect to have excellent availability through mid-Oct. Black seedless and Globes in light supplies. The quality and condition of all grapes is excellent with a very nice berry/bunch size. The market is strong and steady.
We are hitting the Chilean fruit-heavy at this time with all Kiwi sizes available to ship. The fruit is firm and eating well. Supplies expected to stay good through the summer months into early fall.
The summer season of Lemons — where demand is strong and supplies are light. The market is relatively steady on all sizes. The tightest volume to be had is on the 140 and smaller. We now have fruit available domestically as well as Chile and Mexico (both these areas are bringing in mostly fancy grade and 140 and larger). We should start to see the relaxing of the market by the end of the month. Domestically harvesting district 2. Peaking 140/115; quality, in general, is good with the occasional scaring/blemish/discoloration.
Movement expected to increase slightly. Trading early very active, late fairly slow. Prices are lower and quality is variable.
Movement expected about the same. Crossings include light supplies of Hadens. Trading is fairly active, late is moderate; quality is variable.
The honeydew market is flat and steady. Honeydew supplies are all shipping out of the westside. Quality is good to excellent with a run of sizes.
Cantaloupe size profile is peaking on 9/ Jbo 9 with few smaller sizes (being sucked up on retail ads). Quality has been excellent. Supplies have finally started to pick up and as such the market has adjusted down slightly. Quality is excellent at this time.
Valencias are in full swing with less than 40% of the crop still to go….. and the roller coaster heat starts to take it is showing up in the fruit quality with some softness and occasionally fuzz ball on receiving. Sizes peaking on 88/72 with small fruit running out the doors. The fruit looks good and due to heat most shippers are grading hard and packing heavier to fancy. The market is strong and will stay this way until new crop Navels start. Independents are starting to pack again the tail end of their crops… hoping to string the fruit out until Oct Navels. Offshore Navels are now arriving (slowly) with trucks waiting to move them off to retail and wholesale markets. The majority of this fruit is fancy.
Done for the season on pears. New crop Bartletts to start the 3rd week of Aug.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is active. Prices are slightly higher. Quality is variable.
Imported tangerines/mandarins are now into imports arriving on both the east and west coasts. Larger sizes are spoken for on retail ads but we still have some nice fruit to offer out packed bulk and bags. These are easy to peel with good sugar and flavor.
Nectarine, Peach, Plum, and Pluot are all going strong and are eating great. Nectarine/ Peaches peaking 40/48 with very few 60 and smaller. Red & Black plums, as well as Pluots all sizes, have good availability predominately 50/40; we should see supplies through into Sept at least on Plums. All tree fruit is eating well.
Movement expected to increase. Trading is fairly active. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is variable.