Strong market to begin the new year. Small-sized fruit is limited availability on some varieties. USDA orders & a shorter crop, have kept the market strong. The retail movement continues to be steady, in the wake of COVID-19. Quality has been good, overall.
The avocado market remains steady with Mexico crossing record high numbers the last few weeks and the US is eating them up. Look to see supplies steady through June out of Mexico sizing 60/48/70 with fruit starting to size up slightly. Calif’s new crop is now all released for picking though we won’t see much volume from here until late Feb early March. The crop size was estimated at around 300 million pounds. However this number could change due to recent weather (strong winds in southern Calif) could decrease the overall crop, still to be determined how much fell off the trees.
Weather-related problems have created an oversold situation in all areas. Shippers holding to Contracts only this week and into next week.
Major delays caused by Port Congestion will limit supplies of all imported BLUEBERRIES. Peru imports are on the decline. Argentina is finished for the season. Cooler temps and rain in Mexico have slowed production, and Chile has just pasted their PEAK season and will slow production.
RASPBERRIES are another fruit that has been hindered by the cooler temperatures. Supplies are limited and orders are being adjusted the rest of this week and into next week.
Rain and cooler temperatures will slow down the production of Domestic and Imported Mexican fruit this week and into next week. The market will continue to strengthen as we approach February. Shippers are looking for pre-orders on Valentine’s day business.
Central Calif Grapes should be done but a few are still cleaning up. This is due to the west coast vessel delays limiting the amount of product available. We are seeing slightly better supplies out of the East on Red and Green Seedless. Look for this market to remain strong with light import supplies for the next two weeks at least. The remaining Calif grape condition is fair at best and you will see the issue. The quality of the imports is very nice but limited. Don’t expect to see any real changes in the market until mid-Feb.
Calif KIWI is all packing out of storage and fruit is big mostly 30 and larger, just a few 33/36 (these are getting better money). Sizing will remain this way for the balance of the domestic season. All packs are available. The market is steady but looking to start moving up a bit in February. East coast is seeing some Greek imports 36 and larger.
The lemon market is steady picking out of District 1 mostly. In general, fruit is peaking 140/115. Quality is looking very nice lighter yellow in color. The fruit is clean and packing out mostly fancy as a result; the choice grade is moving fast. Currently seeing good demand for export which is keeping floors clean. Also available– Meyer Lemons, great for cooking think curds/ lemons pies/and Lemon squares.
Quality: Good performance for this week 62%. The current regions of lime: Gulf of Mexico: The weather forecast winds and isolated rains for this week due cold front # 29. The risks are the high presence of blanching, scaring, and skin breakdown. The intensity of the green color decrease. The availability will be medium to big sizes. Pacific Region: Forecast rains during the week and as consequence will have the medium presence of skin breakdown, scarring, and blanching. The good green color will continue well. The sizes available are medium sizes.
Mango season is over in Texas. There is a GAP of product for 2-3 weeks.
Honeydew supplies are doing well with a good run of size. Mexican supplies are starting to drop off a bit but offshore is coming on nicely to fill that gap. The market is steady at this time.
Cantaloupe supplies remain limited on both coasts due to weather and hurricane issues. This should start to turn around at the end of the week with more arrivals as Honduras starts arriving. As such the market is firm. The profile of fruit remains mostly 9/12’s. Due to the weather, fruit quality is mixed but improving.
Navels peaking 88/72’s. Demand is good with most of the market steady, as small fruit 113/138 are getting very snug and there the market is rising. Quality is very nice with fruit packing out about 85% fancy. Night temps in the low to mid 30 to low 40’s have made the color bloom. In addition to Navels, we are also harvesting Blood Oranges and Cara Cara. Supplies on both of these are looking very nice and the sizing mirrors the Navels. ** Note forecasters are predicting weather to come through Calif Citrus growing areas over the next 10 days with a good amount of precipitation. This will limit harvesting and tighten supplies for the next two weeks on Oranges/ Lemons/ and Specialties.**
All varieties of pears are available. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading 5-7s moderate, 8s fairly slow. Prices 5-7s slightly lower, 8s generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Mandarin/ Clementines are in full swing. The fruit is looking and eating great. Sizing is peaking 32/36/28; the market is steady with good demand. Pummelos/ Oro Blanco (Sweeties) are also currently picking … sizing 10/12/8’s with a very nice color. Grapefruit going again out of the desert with very light supplies. Desert and Central Calif have Minneola supplies are size is on the larger side.
We continue to have Arils (pomegranate seeds) through the winter packing fresh to order. Asian Pears are available with both Yellow and Brown skin varieties and expect to continue with this fruit into early spring. Imported Peach/ Plums/ Nectarines are now available mostly in tray packs with strong market and light supplies.
Movement expected to increase slightly. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is variable. Most supplies crossing through the Progresso Point of Entry.