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 & Honeycrisp have started.
Mexican field prices continue to increase up and pushing up all sizes, small fruit is the most impacted as demand exceeds; prorations are likely. We expect this for at least another 6 weeks. Note MX freezes last Sept are being felt now 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 winding down as past its peak. In general; the demand is picking up, crossing and imports are not keeping pace, market is on fire. 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 appear to increase. So look for better supplies and maybe an easier market.
The 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. There are 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 starting to inch up due to school demand. Chilean fruit is hard and will take sometime to ripen up. Looking for market to push up due to school starting and the demand is increasing.
Lemons remain tight. Imports are available on both coasts from Argentina and Chile. Despite this the market continues strong. Quality is very good on imports and good quality. 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.
Weather has improved some with not as much rain over the last week in Mexico. We are at the tail end of one crop season, with the next season just getting started. New crop fruit is commanding higher pricing and beginning to show up on some inbound loads. Fruit that is currently in the supply chain continues to show stylar, some skin breakdown, as well as some yellowing. Shipping sheds will continue to grade out everything possible. Our current product utilization has been around 88% which means 12% of the fruit that is being sent to the packing shed from Mexico is being thrown away due to quality. We have heard other shippers utilization rates are closer to 75-80% as quality is down industry wide until the new crop gets up and running more full speed. Large fruit (110-175ct) will tighten up the first couple weeks as new crop fruit will start off heavier to the small sizes (230s and smaller).
Movement expected about the same. Crossings include a light volume of Haden variety. Trading on Kent’s is active, Keitt’s are light. Prices on Kent are slightly higher, Keitt’s generally unchanged.
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 excellent with high sugar content.
Honeydews harvesting West side. Sizing is big mostly 5/6’s no little ones really around. Look for this season’s crop to stay light with California acreage being down. Quality is very nice at this time…. good clean fruit with high sugar…. Eats great.
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 good. We will see re greening on the fruit for the balance of season. Note this regreening doesn’t effect the quality of the fruit.
Pricing is strong to begin the season. Quality is good. New crop Bartlett’s & starkrimson red pears have started.
Movement expected about the same. Supplies light and in few hands. Trading early is active, late moderate. Prices is 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 Import Mandarins/Tangerines are here and eating well/good quality 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. Yellow peaches in light production better supplies on white. Good sizing and availability on yellow and white nectarines should continue for 3 to 4 weeks. Black plums are in light supply and good on reds. Peaking 50/55 size and larger.
Movement expected about the same. Trading early is fairly active, late slow. Prices on Seedless 24 inch bins approximate 35 count slightly lower, others generally unchanged. Quality is generally good.