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.
Calif harvest is slowing down picking out of the northern groves but will continue with light supplies through Oct. Mexico has been slow to harvest in an effort to push up the markets however this doesn’t appear to be working; in general, the market is steady. Mexico has good volume especially on smaller sizes 60/70/84. Mexico will be in the driver’s seat as far as pricing goes for the next few months. Sizing is peaking 60/70/48. Look for Chile to bring in some fruit this month with the majority of that crop going to Europe; Columbia will likely start arriving here in mid-Oct.
Steady supplies of Blackberries. Watsonville continues to produce, and Oxnard is receiving fruit weekly. Recent warm temperatures in California will keep local supplies available.
Imported BlueBerries are the current major suppliers. Container ships are arriving weekly on both coasts. Last week’s sizing was small, this week’s quality reports are good and bigger sizes. The market should remain steady.
Better supplies of fruit from Mexico will help fill the pipeline. Recent warm temperatures in California will keep local supplies available.
The recent heatwave is being felt in California will keep the harvesting of Salinas/Watsonville fruit. Now fruit from this area will be smaller than normal, but available. Santa Maria/Oxnard fruit will continue to increase in volume as we progress into October. Mexican imports are starting to arrive. The market is good.
Central Calif is still looking at good supplies of Green and Red seedless grapes. We expect to have supplies through Nov (or the first hard rains ) when the crop harvest winds down. The green seedless market is up slightly as we get into later varieties and supplies of them decrease. Though we should have Reds through the end of the year (seeing a slight overlap at the beginning of imports). 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 berry size is starting to wind down. The market is steady.
Calif is shipping locally grown KIWI. This fruit will be hard so plan to condition. All sizes and packs are available. The market is still strong but will start to come down as more fruit is picked and put away for later shipping. There are still some imports out there ready to eat right now but supplies are limited and shelf life is short….. if you haven’t switched now is the time.
Lemons currently available from Calif/ Mexico/ Chile/ Argentina. The market is lower on the imports and inching up on domestic fruit. Calif harvesting now out of Dist 3 (Desert). In general, the fruit is peaking 140/115; seeing much better quality from desert fruit which is lighter yellow in color (some gassing is being done which is minimal).
Movement expected about the same. Supplies 110-150s very light, 230-250s heavy. Trading is fairly slow. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is variable.
The season finished in Texas.
Honeydew supplies are picking up a bit out of the desert and also crossing in from Mexico. Unfortunately, quality remains mixed out of all areas at this time….. causing the market to stay strong. Sizes mostly 5/6’s.
Cantaloupe profile is peaking on Jbo 9/9 with limited 12 and smaller. Harvest is starting to pick back up as more fields break in the desert area… Limited fruit out of the westside. As such the market is stabilizing on larger sizes. Quality has been good to excellent. Mexico started crossing supplies as well.
Valencias are still hanging in there. Shippers have done a good job this year stretching this to the limits. Fruit quality has been just fair with some softness/ and fuzzball on receiving. This fruit is being gassed to bring back the color which is not helping the shelf life. With hard grading, fancy is mostly what is available. Sizes peaking on 56/72. The market is strong. Demand is starting to waver as customers trying to keep supplies to a min so they can jump on the Navel train as soon as it starts. With that being said some growers got out and picked last week…. this fruit is minimal sugar (it will be tart in comparison) and just making color (so will require gas time to bring out the Orange color you all love). Early picks will be looking for at least 5 days gas so Oct 20th could see some trucks loading with new crop….. Market will be strong for the first few weeks.
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 higher.
Tangerines imports are basically done; what remains of imports will show gassing scars/softness and occasional fuzzballs in the box. Domestic growers are looking to start harvesting around the last week of Oct— waiting for color and sugar to improve (recent cool temps in central Calif are helping this). Check back here for updates.
Nectarine & Peach are done with just a few large-sized fruits left. We will continue to have Plums into late Oct. These Plums are in few hands so be sure to call for more information. Pomegranates are going with good sizing and nice color. Fuyu & Hachyia Persimmons started at the end of last week so come and get them.
Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is generally good.