We are inching to the end of the 2019-2020 crop, with new crop Gala, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold & Gold supremes are now available. New crop Goldens & Fujis to start within the next 2 weeks. 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 Avocado harvest 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. Peru is winding down on imports quickly and should be done mid-Sept.; this fruit has been peaking 48/60. Calif has wrapped up in the south moving into Northern Calif groves; sizing peaking 48/40/60 size. The markets are the same for all growers with more strength for domestic fruit. Look for Chile to start showing up in September to replace the Peruvian product.
No change with BlackBerries. Limiting supplies out of California will keep the market active.
Better supplies this week of BlueBerries, both domestic and imports. Rains anticipated for the East Coast will keep interest out West.
Like the BlueBerries, we witnessed a better supply of Raspberries this week. Demand was slow, and inventories started to build. We could see a price decrease next week.
New crop Strawberries are being packed out of the Santa Maria Valley. While there are still good supplies coming out of the Salinas/Watsonville area, Santa Maria may be an area of interest.
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 lemon market is moving up 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 and with the heat last few weeks, this harvest has been slow making even shorter supplies. Peaking 140/115; quality, in general, is good with the occasional scaring/blemish/discoloration.
Movement expected about the same. Prices seem to be falling. Supplies 110-150s very light, 230- 250s heavy. Trading 200-250s slow, 175s moderate, others active. Prices 175s slightly lower, 200-250s much lower, others generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Movement expected to decrease slightly. Crossings include light supplies of Kent and Ataulfo varieties. Trading early fairly slow, late moderate. Prices slightly lower. Quality is variable.
The honeydew market is still fairly 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/ 12 with good supplies due to heat bringing on maturity. With these supplies, the market has adjusted down slightly. This will turn around here in about 7-10 days as we have to wait a bit for plants to catch up. Quality has been excellent.
Valencias are blowing out of the sheds fast. With the Calif heat and the great demand on Vales this year we are anticipating a gap to be seen between now and new crop Naples. A number of Independents are already done for the season just waiting for Navels (not currently expected until mid to late Oct). Fruit quality has been just fair with some softness/and fuzzball on receiving. Sizes peaking on 88/72 with small fruit running out the doors. Most shippers are grading hard. The market is strong and will stay this way until new crop Navels start. Offshore Navels are available with trucks waiting to move them off to retail and wholesale markets. The majority of this fruit is fancy
New crop Bartletts are here, along with a few red pears. Pricing has been very strong for the beginning. California Bartletts are still going & are getting the majority of the movement right now. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are much lower. 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 are starting to wind down for the season. We still have good supplies of Plum & Pluot. All are eating great. Nectarine/Peaches peaking 40/48 with very few 60 and smaller. Red & Black plums, as well as Pluots all sizing have good availability sizing here, is predominately 50/40; we should see supplies through into Sept at least on Plums.
Movement in Texas expected to increase; Oklahoma expected about the same. Trading 45 count active, others moderate. Prices Seedless 45 count slightly higher, 60 counts lower, others generally unchanged. Quality is generally good.