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.
Avocado market relatively stable in Mexico though growers are still trying to move up the field prices. MX sizing is increasing, seeing more 48/40/60 in the pack outs. 60’s and larger are moving up in price and crossing to increase slightly. Continued rains in the region could slow that down. Flora Loca crop is expected to start at the end of the month. Peruvian fruit has started bringing in 13 to 17MM lbs a week for the next 4 weeks. Calif crop is still looking good but on the light side. In general, the market on domestic product is stronger but Mexico imports are hoping to change that over the next few weeks with the slow down of harvest. In general; the demand is down slightly.
There are adequate supplies of BLACKBERRIES. The market should not change next week.
There are plenty of BLUEBERRIES available in California. Rains and heat may hurt production out East, but with transportation costs, people will buy local.
After the 4th Holiday, demand for RASPBERRIES diminishes. But poor weather out of Mexico have hindered supplies and created a shortage this week and into next. The market jumped and will be up for a short time.
Optimum growing conditions in California. Overall STRAWBERRY crop looks to be in peak mode now through the next few weeks. Local farms throughout the country will help to supply the local needs for a few weeks. Promotable volume and promotable prices.
Grapes; Mexico is all but finished; Coachella is finishing up. San Joaquin is up harvesting red, green and black seedless yet be aware due to excessive heat you may see some quality issues.
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 steady and shouldn’t see much change until mid August. Chilean fruit is hard and will take some time to ripen up.
Lemons remain tight. Imports are on the horizon from Chile and Argentina, expected to be arriving in the next few weeks. District 2 is main harvesting and loading point, look for the market to continue to show increase on a weekly basis.
Limes are in good supply on all sizes currently. Pricing appears to have finally stabilized on the small sizes, and we feel they are stabilizing on the larger sizes as well now. With the current pricing, growers are trying to push pricing back up, but with current supplies the thought is that we should see some stability for the next 2-3 weeks. Currently weather is not a major issue outside of the occasional rain. With that said, we are starting to approach hurricane season, so we will be continually monitoring any potential threats that pop up. Thankfully we will have lead time with any of those potential issues.
Movement expected about the same. Altaulfo supplies very light and in few hands. Crossings include a light volume of Haden variety. Trading on Altaulfo moderate, others fairly slow. Prices on Altaulfo higher, others slightly lower. Quality is variable.
Honeydews: CA and AZ desert growers are finished. Bakersfield has started yet supplies are short due to planted acreage down overall in California. Size out of Bakersfield are large; 5’s, 6’s, Jumbo 5’s.
Cantaloupe: Improving supplies with the Westside in fully. Smaller sizes 15/18 are limited. Larger sizes; 9’s, 12’s, Jumbo 9’s are the majority.
Mixed Melons around the corner, Crenshaw’s, Casabas, Juan Canary, Santa Claus, etc.
Navels all but done an extremely tight on 88’s and smaller. Valencia’s going well peaking on a 72/56. The crop is short expected continued weekly increase especially on sizes 88’s and smaller.
Small D’anjou pears are extremely tight. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good. Hearing new crop NW Bartletts begin the 2nd week of August.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is early moderate, late fairly slow. Prices are lower. Quality is variable.
Calif Grapefruit looking nice; picking in the desert as well as the Bakersfield area with light supplies. Star Ruby’s are winding down while we transition to the Summer/Marsh varieties. Fruit is peaking smaller sizes 40/48/56’s and demand is good. Off shore Mandarins/Tangerines are around the corner.
Peaches sixing 54/56 some VF and mostly trays, larger fruit is available, for both yellow and white. Yellow nectarines production is steady with good demand and similar size profile to peaches. White flesh slightly limited. Black and Red plums all sizes available, good color and sizing come and get them. Specialties: Pluto’s, Velvet apricots and flat peaches, all are current packing, call for availability and sizing,
Movement expected to decrease as harvest in the Lower Rio Grande Valley finishes for the season and central Texas harvest is delayed by about 10 days due to rain in scattered areas. Trading early moderate, late fairly active. Quality is generally good.