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 relatively stable but we are seeing field prices starting to move up slightly…. in general the demand has be relatively flat. Mexico is starting to see slightly better volume on the 48’s with fruit peaking 60/48/70. Mexico appears to be slowing harvest which with the onset of Peru arriving the end of the month is not very surprising. Biggest push remains on small “cheaper” fruit which is coming down in volume…..this will add to the market increase expected over the next 2-3 weeks. 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.
Better volumes are arriving from Mexico daily. Pricing should remain steady next week.
The wave of volume has hit the East Coast. Inventories are increasing daily. Interest for West coast fruit has dropped, so look for adjusting pricing next week.
Raspberries continue to be the tightest of all the types of berries. While supplies will continue to increase daily, we do not think this market will adjust much next week.
Year to date, this is the biggest volume for this week. Look for the same for the next couple of weeks as volumes will continue to increase. Overall quality, size and flavor are excellent.
Off shore Red seedless Grapes are still hanging in there with the market very strong. We are seeing some Green Grapes scratch and cross out of Mexico and supplies are on a day by day basis. We should start to see fruit in general improving supplies the end of next week. Coachella should get going with some supplies in about 3 weeks on both Red and Green.
KIWI is all import (Italy/ Greece/ Chile) at this time. Sizes are good and all pack styles are available and will be packed fresh for orders. The market is fairly strong but should start to come off as more Chilean fruit arrives to the US. Quality from Greece and Italy is good with occasional give (ready to eat relatively quickly)… Chilean fruit on the other hand is rock hard and will take some time to ripen up.
Lemons winding down in district 1 and slowly 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 and clean. In general, the fruit is well shaped with a nice yellow color. Look for this to shift into more choice around late May once District 2 is the predominate harvest area of fruit. Market is getting very strong on all grades of lemons.
Mexico has received rain the last couple weeks, with some heavy rain last week, and some more in the forecast this week. The positive side of this is that the lime crop is finally getting the rain it has needed to start sizing up some more. The downside is that rain also leads to potential stylar issues. Fruit has been good quality, with good color as well. Growers and packing sheds will continue to grade out fruit and remove any stylar seen during packing, but it can still show up during transit as well. We have started seeing more 200cts show up on the crossings into the US, and are expecting a few more 175ct and larger over the course of the next few weeks. Look for pricing to continue ease off over the next couple weeks as fruit sizes up.
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading is fairly slow. Prices on Tommy Atkins are slightly lower, Ataulfos are generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
Honeydew market relatively flat with Mexico the predominate supplier at this time. Fruit quality is good to excellent all sizes in play. Look for domestic fruit to start out of the desert in 7-10 days.
Cantaloupe supplies are steady at this time predominately from Mexico. Market on small fruit is good for movement… but large 9/12s market continues to strengthen. All sizes are available. Domestic/desert program is going with very light numbers but will start to pick up volume by late May. Quality is currently good to excellent.
Calif Navels still going but 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 increasing markets…. as shippers try to extend this season as long as they can. You can expect to see the overall quality down slightly from here out especially in choice grade….. the shelf life is going to be shorter; so please be aware. Shippers are trying to be proactive and grade out as much as they can. Valencias are on deck but harvest has been very light and mostly for export. Domestic looking at late June, early July. Valencia crop in general is looking a little lighter than last year with this being said the fruit will be a bit larger…. This will not be as noticeable in general, now but we will see and feel this when fall rolls around and school demand increases. Florida’s season has completed.
Small pears are extremely tight. Pricing continues to be very strong. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is fairly active. Prices on 8s generally unchanged, others slightly higher. Quality is variable.
Murcotts/Tangerines still in good supplies and we should see this continue into early June when the season comes to an end. The sizing is peaking 32/36/28; market is steady with good demand– this may be a good alternative for the small citrus not currently available in Oranges. 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 is looking good we have decent supplies of yellow Peaches and Nectarines as well as Apricots. In general; fruit is sizing 64/72/56’s with larger sizes still on the light side yet improving and pricing is still high but expected to move down to moveable levels in a few weeks. Apriums got going last week as well. Plums on the horizon between June 4th and the 12th. Cherries are looking good; nice size and color (knock on wood, there are reports of rain chances of rain in the forecast). Mostly looking at 11/12 row but starting see better supplies of 10row. Arils (pomegranate seeds) currently packing from Peru/Chile. Imported Bartletts and Forelle Pears will continue for at another month; Look for Calif to start with Summersprites in late June early July followed closely by Bartletts.
Harvest is expected to remain light, when additional growers expect to get underway. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. Quality is generally good. The first F.O.B. report is expected to be issued by May 21.