The overall market seems to continue to be strong. 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 numbers in January and the US is eating them up. Look to see MX supplies steady through June 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 until late Feb early March. The crop size was estimated at around 300 million pounds (still waiting on crop reports due to January stong winds in southern Calif). We will keep you posted as they come out.
Limited supplies of BLACKBERRIES. Rain and cool temperatures will create an oversold situation and very limited supplies for the next 2-3 weeks.
Major delays at the California ports have caused supply shortages for all imported BLUEBERRIES. Peru’s labor protests have affected future supplies. Mexico has seen cooler temperatures, thus slowing down production. Chile imports remain about steady. Florida is slow to get started.
Again, rain and cooler temperatures have created an oversold situation for RASPBERRIES. Expect pro-rates or complete cuts of orders next week.
California rains and cooler temperatures in Mexico have and will hinder current and future production of STRAWBERRIES. The market continues to strengthen as we get closer to VALENTINE’S DAY. Pro-Rates and quality issues will arise in the coming week. Be advised.
Offshore Grapes are finally picking up in volume out of the west coast. We are continuing to see 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.
KIWI is all repacking out of storage with products from Calif and Greece (and Calif is winding slowing down). The 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 domestic season. All packs available. 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 steadily picking out of District 1 mostly. In general, the fruit is peaking 140/165/200. Quality is looking very nice, lighter yellow in color. The fruit is clean and packing out mostly fancy as a result 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 squares.
The current regions of lime: Gulf of Mexico: High presence of blanching, scaring, and skin breakdown due to rains from the last few weeks. The intensity of the green color has decreased. The availability continues in sizes medium to big. In the Pacific Region: Forecast rains during the week and as a consequence will have a medium presence of skin break down, scaring, and blanching. The good green color in the fruit. The sizes available will continue in the medium sizes. The availability 250’s-5%, 230’s-10%, 200’s- 20%, 175’s-22%, 150 -110’s – 43%
Mango season is over in Texas. Very few Peruvian available.
Honeydew supplies are doing well with a good run of sizes. 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 which has been mixed is improving.
Navels peaking 88/72’s. Demand is good with most of the market steady, small fruit 113/138 is getting very snug and 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. 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 continue to predicting weather to come through Calif Citrus growing areas over the next 5 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. Small pears are extremely tight. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices on 8s slightly higher, others slightly lower. Quality is variable.
Mandarin/ Clementines are in full swing harvesting from the desert up through central Calif. 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; 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.