Small-sized fruit is limited availability. Mostly due to USDA bag orders. We are still inching to the end of the 2019-2020 crop of reds. new crop Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, & golds are now available. USDA orders 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 despite Mexico’s volume crossing being down slightly. Mexico represents the majority of the fruit on the market with very light volume coming from Calif and Chile. Mexico has good volume especially on smaller sizes 70/84. Sizing is peaking 60/70/48. Look for Columbian fruit to start hitting the markets soon. In some areas, there are deals to be had on fruit that has been sitting for a while. It is that time of year again where we are starting to see some Lenticil issues out of Mexico (this is cosmetic only and in no way affects fruit quality but will put more into the #2 category) and is a result of summer rains on the fruit.
Better supplies arriving from Mexico and a slight increase in volume coming out of Oxnard will keep this market steady and we should not see a price increase next week.
Imported supplies of BlueBerries from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Chile will keep us in supplies for the coming weeks.
Good supplies of Raspberries loading out of Oxnard and McAllen. Strong volumes should be seen all the month of November.
Still in transition mode. Ideal weather in Salinas/Watsonville has kept shippers still harvesting Strawberries. But, cooler temps and possible rain will finish after this weekend. Supplies coming out of Santa Maria and Oxnard will continue, but cooler temperatures will slow production.
Central Calif still looking at good supplies of Green and Red seedless grapes. We expect to have supplies through Nov and most of the fruit is already picked just waiting for your trucks to show up and give them a good home. There is still some harvesting going on on late-season varieties. The green seedless market is up as supplies decrease. We should have Reds through the end of the year (even see slight overlap as imports start). Black Sdls and Globes are in light supplies. The quality and condition of all grapes are very good to excellent. The split in the market due to the berry size is starting to wind down. The market is steady.
Calif is shipping locally grown KIWI. The fruit is hard so plan to condition. All sizes and packs are available. The market is starting to come down slightly as more fruit is picked and put away later for shipping.
The lemon market is looking to change soon. Imports are cleaning up fast and Calif out of the desert is on the smaller side. The market has been fairly steady on fruit but large sizes are getting snug hence the market is going to be moving up. Look for central Calif to start harvest the early part of December; until then expect supplies to stay light. In general, the fruit is peaking 140/115; quality is looking very nice firm fruit/lighter yellow in color (some gassing is being done which is minimal). We have started Meyers out of the desert and like traditional lemons should start early December out of central Calif.
Quality: Good performance will be 68 to 70%. The current regions of limes: Gulf of Mexico: Due to Hurricane ETA and Cold Front 11 the weather forecast heavy rains during the week with high presence of blanching, scaring, medium skin break down. The intensity of the green color will decrease. Decay will be affecting the big sizes. In the Pacific Region: (Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán) Low good yield due to high presence of light color, skin break down, oil spots and smooth skin, short shelf life reported.
The season finished in Texas.
Honeydew supplies are looking good harvesting desert as well as crossing from Mexico. Quality has improved. Sizes mostly 6/8’s. Expect to see offshore supplies start to arrive shortly after Thanksgiving.
Cantaloupe profile is peaking on 9/12 with good volume. Harvest is going well in the desert with Mexico also crossing supplies. As such the market has been fairly stable the last 10 days and expected to remain this way through the month. Quality has been good to excellent.
Navels are going; peaking right now 113/88/72’s … fruit is taking about 3-4 days to gas up for color. Demand is strong and supplies are very limited on 72 and larger, especially on choice. Packouts are picking up and for the most part, have been very clean; heavy to fancy. Central Calif is experiencing some nice cool nights (in the 40’s) which has helped bring out the natural color. Temperatures in Kern/ Tulare/ Fresno counties this weekend are expected to dip into the high 30’s with daytime temps in mid 50’s which will definitely help (this of course is figuring the weather person is correct). As the temperatures cool down natural color will improve and gassing times will decrease. The market is adjusting down as supplies pick up but remain strongest on large fruit.
New crop Bosc, Bartletts & D’Anjou are here, along with red pears. Pricing has been very strong for the beginning. Quality is good.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are slightly lower. Quality is variable.
Mandarin/ Clementines are starting in a light way to now harvest in Calif (cool nights have helped bring on color). Sizing on these is expected to peak 32/36/28 this year with very light supplies of small fruit. We are also currently picking Pumellos … sizing 10/12/8’s with a green exterior color. Check back here for more specialty updates.
Wonderful Pomegranates are going with good sizing and nice color. Hachyia (think cookies) and Fuyu Persimmons are also going so come and get them. Plums are all but done for Calif season…. check back here in December for information on Chilean fruit.
Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading is moderate. Quality is variable.