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.
After jumping in price last week, we should see the market settle this week. Supplies will still be somewhat limited, but the market should remain steady
Better supplies yet the market will not adjust down. With the Labor Day Holiday approaching, demand will continue to increase and keep the market active.
We are past the peak of Salinas/Watsonville season. Supplies will start to decrease as the days get shorter. Demand continues to be good and prices will remain steady.
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.
Hurricane Grace went through Veracruz, Mexico this past weekend as a Category 3 hurricane with some heavy rains and high winds. Growers are still assessing any damages and looking at how that may affect the crop, but initial reports are there is not much damage to the trees from wind. The heavy rains are what is causing the most issues. Veracruz experienced flooding, mudslides, and some damage to roads on the way to a from some of the farms. Rains are still continuing daily this week, and there is a smaller less significant storms looking to hit later this week. Prices look to remain steady on all sizes this week except for a little relief on 200ct and 230ct. As the new crop gets going, smaller sizes should come down first, followed by the larger sizes a few weeks later as the new crop fruit is able to size up a little more. Crop quality did improve slightly this week, but with the heavy rains from Grace, we will most likely start seeing more stylar in the coming weeks.
Movement expected about the same. Crossings include a light volume of Haden variety. Trading is active. Prices are 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 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 are 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 is slow. Prices on Seedless 35 count slightly lower, others generally unchanged.