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.
Avocados supplies are currently plentiful with fruit from Mexico/Peru/Calif. Mexico is in there summer season with decent supplies of 48 and smaller; the harvest is slowing slightly with rains in the regions. Peru imports will hit their peak around the second week of August; this fruit is hard and peaking 48/60. Calif is going strong and is close to a demand exceed supply situation (due predominately to promotions pushing US-grown product); sizing here is a little larger peaking 48/40/60 size. Most of the market is the same for all growing areas though slightly higher for Calif. Mexico and Calif fruit showing better maturity and oil contents though most shippers are having ripening issues. Look for the market to stay relatively stable on 60/70 and trying to inch up on others over the next month. Note by late August Calif and Peru will be winding down and Mexico will be in the driver’s seat with new crop fruit.
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 are harvesting and we are seeing some very nice berry/bunch size out of this region; the market is strong for fruit out of this area. All colors available Red/Green/Black seedless as well as Red Globes.
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. With that being said the market is but 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). With this being said hopefully we will start to see a little lightening of the markets before 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 is very active. Prices are much higher.
Movement expected about the same. Crossings include light supplies of Hadens. Trading is fairly active; quality is variable and prices are slightly higher.
The honeydew market is steady. Honeydew supplies are all shipping out of the westside. Quality is good to excellent with mostly larger sizes 5/6 with a few 8s. Look for this to start to turn around size-wise over the next 10 days as maturity starts playing a big factor in size.
Cantaloupe size profile is peaking on 9/ Jbo 9 with few smaller sizes (being sucked up on retail ads). Quality has been excellent. Supplies are picking up on these big sizes as more fields break on the westside. Look for this to start to turn around size-wise over the next 10 days as maturity starts playing a big factor in size due to recent heat.
Valencias are in full swing on Valencia with less than 40% of the crop still to go….. and the roller coaster heat starts to take its effect on the fruit. Sizing is peaking on 88/72 and the small fruit is cleaning up fast and demanding a premium. The fruit looks good and due to heat, most shippers are grading hard so heavier to fancy grade. The market is strong with a lot of the fruit going into 10/4# bags and or loose for the USDA box program. Market to stay strong on the Valencia program through the end. Some independent sheds closing til late August for regular maintenance– also to give themselves product for “school” pulls in Aug/Sept. Offshore Navels are now arriving and are priced well to move 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. Apricots are tight and winding down with limited size available. Nectarine/Peaches peaking 40/48 with very few to none 60 and smaller. Red & Black plums, as well as Pluots all sizing have good availability sizing here, is predominately 50/60; we should see supplies through into Sept at least on Plums. All tree fruit is eating nicely.
Movement expected to increase. Trading approximately 60 count fairly active at slightly lower prices, others fairly active. Prices approximate on 60 count are slightly lower, others generally unchanged. Quality is variable.