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. Peruvian fruit has started. 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 going into July 4th.
Rains in the Southeast part of the country will force more interest out West next week. This will keep pricing steady.
With plenty of supplies of BLUEBERRIES on the East coast, demand for California fruit have slowed. A good promotion item for 4th. of July, Blueberries will be a wanted commodity next week.
Rains in Mexico have cut back supplies of RASPBERRIES. California supplies continue to be limited this week and next week. High demand for the 4th of July promotions will keep Raspberries limited and high priced.
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 are harvesting Monday through Friday with Nogales winding up and all but done… and Coachella over the next 2 weeks. July 4th promotional prices are set. With that being said the market is moving up due to lower quality due to excessive heat. Red and Green Grapes with crop estimates expected to drop over the next 10 days due to extreme temperature damaging the fruit on the vines. This will probably put a slight gap between here and the Bakersfield and Arvin harvest start. Berry and bunch size are just fair at the moment. Next week will be a slightly different situation on Red, Green & Black Seedless.
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 are all out of district 2; volume and quality are both down in that area this year; Demand exceeds supplies. We are anticipating supplies to be light for the next two months domestically. Fruit continues to peak 140/165/115; well shaped with a nice yellow color. Fruit is grading out at this time heavy to choice/standard with very limited fancy due to excess scarring from heavy winter winds. Market continues strong with demand exceeds on smaller sizes so be prepared to make adjustments. Prices are advancing weekly. No relief is expecting until imports start arriving early July which could help to subsidize supplies on both the east and west coasts.
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. Trading is fairly slow. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Honeydews can’t catch a break and are sill showing light supplies domestically though this was expected to turn around; intense heat is just bringing on more fruit and small sizes are not what retailers really want to see. Quality on dews is mixed and we expect to see some loose centers for then next few weeks.
Cantaloupe market is strong due to light yields and lack of labor. Finally sizes are getting larger. Quality is very good to excellent. We are anticipating Westside Calif to start in early July.
Calif summer Navels winding down finally with just fair quality at best– age with puff crease and of course occasional fuzz balls on arrival. Heavy to 72 and larger. Valencia are shipping domestically with the fruit on the trees on the large side currently packing 88/72/113. Market has firmed up on all oranges and is expected to keep moving up. Valencia crop size in general is lighter in volume than last year with the peak since currently on 88’s this doesn’t bode well for fall school demand.
Small D’Anjou pears are extremely tight. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices on 5-7s lower, 8s slightly lower. Quality is variable.
Calif Grapefruit looking nice; picking in the desert as well as the Bakersfield area with light supplies. Fruit is peaking smaller sizes 40/48/56’s and demand is good. We are now starting to transition into Summer/Marsh varieties which will have more of a light blush. Off shore Mandarins/Tangerines are around the corner.
Calif is experiencing like all the south an intense Hot wave. This is pushing maturity of fruit on the trees and LIMITING harvest time. This will also cause some issues on the fruit with getting it cooled down fast enough to avoid later damage. White and Yellow Peach size is increasing mostly 64 & larger available with some 72s. Sizes 36s-50s packed in 2L TP, 56s and smaller in VF or bags. Yellow nectarine production is steady with sizes mostly 40s & smaller. Plums Red & Black production is better but plums remain very tight. Look for the market on all calif tree fruit to be marked to move up for next 7-10 days then we could see a gap around the second week of July while fruit catches up. Arils (pomegranate seeds) currently packing from Peru/Chile. Imported Bartletts and Forelle Pears are cleaning up; Calif is starting with Summer sprites this month with Bartletts in early to mid July. Calif Pear crop looks good in size and expect to have decent supplies of 120/135 for school lunch programs.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is variable.