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 is inching up as Mexico is moving up the field prices. Mexican harvest this last week was very low and growers are choosing to leave it on the trees in hopes of more money later. Availability for the holiday was good but we expect to see in drop off of the next little while. Going into this week the demand has been fairly stable. MX sizing is increasing, seeing more 48/40/60 in the pack outs. Peruvian fruit should start to be seen in the next 10 days on the market. Calif crop is still looking good but on the light side. Calif should be announcing new total crop estimates in the next week or so and we expect these numbers to be down from earlier estimates. In general the market on domestic product is stronger than Mexican/ imports but Mexico is hoping to change that over the next few weeks with the slow down of harvest.
We are seeing steady arrivals of BLACKBERRIES from Mexico. We adjusted prices this week, and could see another adjustment in the coming week.
There are plenty of BLUEBERRIES on both coasts. More available out of the East. Prices should remain steady.
RASPBERRIES are the only berries that have limited supplies. This limited shortage will keep the market active for a couple of weeks.
Supplies of STRAWBERRIES are plentiful, but supplies of fresh market berries are limited. The Processed demand for frozen and juice is very active this week and next week. The quality and Berry size are exceptional right now.
We are finally seeing consistent supplies out of Mexico and Coachella started in a light way this last week. Look for supplies to remain light for the next 10 days. By mid June we should be into a good numbers on both Red and Green Grapes. Market is strong at this time but will see it come off over the next 3 weeks. Quality is very good.
KIWI is all import (Chile/Italy) 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 winding down quickly in district 1; slow/low volume now out of district 2. We are anticipating supplies to be light for the next two months out of district 2 for summer fruit. Fruit continues to peak 140/165/115 well shaped with a nice yellow color. Market is strong at this time with supplies limited …. look for price increases weekly for the next 6-8 weeks. Not expecting relief until imports start arriving late June early July to help subsidies supplies on both east and west coasts.
The rains in Mexico look to continue off and on again this week. Despite rain each week for the past 3-4 weeks, quality has remained high. Sizing has also improved from what we were seeing out of the last crop, but is still not where it should be. Pricing on the smaller sizes has stabilized, and the large sizes have dropped again. As we near another growing region transition, look for large sized pricing to stabilize for now, and potentially see a bump in pricing by month end when the current growing region winds down, and large fruit gets tighter again. Growers will monitor for stylar and remove all they see prior to shipping.
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading is fairly slow. Prices on Tommy Atkins slightly lower, Altaulfo 20-22s lower, others generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Honeydew market is trying to strengthen as off shore is done and Mexico volume is limited. Fruit quality is good to excellent all sizes in play. Look for the desert to get going this week.
Cantaloupe supplies are steady with good to excellent quality. The Calif desert is going at this time and is picking up in volume weekly. Mexico crossing are winding down their spring season. Market on small fruit is good for movement… but large 9/12s market continues strong and steady…. small fruit is where the deals will be had for the next two weeks or so as fields grown and mature. All sizes are available.
Calif Navels still going with big sizes — 72’s & larger. Calif weather is heating up which is leaving the fruit a little on the soft side and with occasional issues. 88-138 Fruit is very limited with strong markets…. as shippers try to extend this season as long as they can. Valencia are on deck and we have had a fruit picked mostly for export. This last week we did see some fallout on that is moving out to domestic but this fruit is few and far between…. though mostly small 113/138’s. Valencia crop size in general is lighter than last year and fruit size right now is peaking 88’s. This will not be as noticeable in general now but we will see and feel this when fall rolls around and school demand increases.
Small D’Anjou pears are extremely tight. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading early fairly active, late moderate. Prices 7s slightly lower, others generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Murcotts/ Tangerines still hanging in there with good color and sugar for eating pleasure. We are starting to see a wind down and expect to have the crop all but finished shipping the 2nd/ 3rd week of June. Market is steady with good demand. Calif Grapefruit is 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…. with nice deep ruby red color… We will see this go through June when we start transitioning into Summer/Marsh varieties which will have more of a light blush.
Calif Tree Fruit supplies improving with the weather warming up. We have decent supplies of yellow/white Peaches and Nectarines going all peaking 48/50 and smaller at this time…. prices are coming down a bit and looking to move. Also for your eating pleasure are Apriums/Apricots and Pluots all on the smaller side. In general fruit is sizing 60/50/72s. Small 80/88 size are cleaning up as fruit sizes; larger sizes as per normal are on the light side and pricey. Calif central valley Cherries are good with a nice med dark red color and still mostly 11/12 row. Arils (pomegranate seeds) currently packing from Peru/Chile. Imported Bartletts and Forelle Pears will continue for at another few weeks; Calif to start with Sumer sprites in late June early July followed closely by Bartletts. Calif Pear crop looks good in size and expect to have decent supplies of 120/135 for school lunch programs.
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Harvest began the week of May 9, however, unseasonably cold temperatures and rain slowed crop progress and delayed harvest by approximately 10-14 days. Trading is Moderate. Quality is variable.