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Market Insider September 25, 2020

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Apples

Apples
steady

We are still inching to the end of the 2019-2020 crop of reds & Fuji, with new crop Gala, Honeycrisp, early Fuji, & golds are now available. New crop true Fujis to start very soon. Storage supplies are still good for some varieties. USDA orders have kept the market strong. The retail movement continues to be steady, in the wake of COVID-19. Quality as been good, overall.


Avocado

Avocado
steady

Calif harvest is on the downslope with harvest now out of the northern groves which will continue with light supplies into Oct. Mexico has been slow to harvest in an effort to push up the markets however this doesn’t appear to be working too well as the market, in general, is steady with a little strength showing on smaller fruit. Mexico has good volume which should continue through Oct. Mexico will be in the driver’s seat as far as pricing goes for the next few months. Sizing is peaking 60/48/40. Look for Chile to bring in some fruit this month with the majority of that corp going to Europe; Columbia will likely start arriving here in mid-Oct.


berries

Blackberries

Blackberries

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Blackberries

Again poor weather on the East Coast and the North West have hindered the supply chain of BlackBerries. We will continue to be in limited supplies next week.

Blueberries

Blueberries

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Blueberries

We are looking at the end of the season with BlueBerry harvest out of Oregon and British Columbia. Supplies will be limited until imports from South America increase. Peak import supplies will be in October and November.

Raspberries

Raspberries

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Raspberries

Limiting supplies persist with Raspberries. Shorter daylight hours and cooler nights have slowed down local production. Look for supplies to continue to be limited next week.

Strawberries

Strawberries

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Strawberries

We continued to see limited supplies of California Strawberries this week. We are still seeing effects of the heat 2 weeks ago, plus the end of the season in Watsonville and Salinas is approaching. Supplies will continue to increase in Santa Maria and Oxnard, but volumes will not come till after the first of the month.


Grapes

Grapes
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Central Calif continues harvesting multiple varieties of green/red/black seedless grapes. Availability is excellent and will have good supplies into early Nov when the crop starts winding down. Early estimates are that green seedless with start to tighten up in late Oct but red seedless should see us through the end of the year. Black Sdls and Globes are in light supplies. The quality and condition of all grapes is very good to excellent. There is a little bit of a split market based on berry size with some great deals to be had on small berry/bunch size; these will clean up over the next 3-4 weeks. The market is steady.


Kiwis

Kiwis
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Chilean Kiwi is winding down and a few Calif shippers have started to harvest (this fruit will be hard so plan to condition). All sizes and packs are available. The market is up at this time and will stay that way for the next 3-4 weeks as Chilean cleans up and Calif fills the supply line.


Lemons

Lemons
steady

The lemon market is flattening out a bit. Supplies are currently available domestically from Calif as well as imports from Mexico/Chile/Argentina. If you are looking for a deal on fruit this is the place to look. Calif fruit harvesting out of Dist 2 (Ventura area) and as it is “domestic” it is getting a bit more money. In general, the fruit is peaking 140/115; quality fair to good with the occasional scaring/blemish/discoloration. District 3 (desert) has started to size pick; this fruit is lighter in color, firm, and hard.


Limes

Limes
steady

Movement expected about the same. Supplies 110-150s very light, 230- 250s heavy. Trading is fairly slow; prices 175s much lower, 200s lower, others slightly lower.


Mangos

Mangos
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Movement expected to decrease sharply as most shippers are finished for the season. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged. Cartons 1 layer Keitt 6-10s supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. Quality is variable. Lighter crossings expected to continue through October 3.


Mixed Melons

Mixed Melons
steady

Honeydew supplies decreased last week as shippers are transitioning into different fields. The quality has remained good to excellent. The market is finally seeing some increase due to a lack of supplies. Sizes mostly 5/6’s.

Cantaloupe profile is peaking on 9/12 with just fair supplies. Harvest is slow as shippers transition into new fields. As such the market is up and expected to stay this way for at least the next 2 weeks. Quality has been good to excellent. Desert melons are still scheduled to start early in Oct with Mexico just after that.

 


Oranges

Oranges
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Valencias are blowing out of the sheds fast. The great demand for Vales this year will create a gap before the new crop Navels. A number of Independents are finished for the season; just waiting for Navels. Fruit quality has been just fair with some softness/and fuzzball on receiving. Shippers are having to gas this fruit to bring back the color which is not helping the shelf life. The grading has been hard so mostly fancy grade to be had. Sizes peaking on 56/72 with small fruit just not there and what is going faster than they can pack. The market is strong and will continue increasing as we wait for Calif Navels; current estimated start date of the 3rd week of Oct.


Pears

Pears
steady

New crop Bartletts & D’Anjou are here, along with red pears. There are a few Bosc, but they’ll be in better supply as the month continues. Pricing has been very strong for the beginning. California Bartletts are still going & are getting the majority of the movement right now. Quality is good.


Pineapples

Pineapples
steady

Movement expected about the same. Trading 5-7s moderate, 8s very slow. Prices 8s generally unchanged, 7s lower, others slightly lower. Quality is variable.


Specialty Citrus

Specialty Citrus
steady

Tangerine imports are still available in light supplies. This fruit has moved out well with fairly good quality…. we have seen occasional gassing scars and fuzz balls in the box. Fruit for the most part is being repacked here back into bulk or bags depending on the need. Look for Domestic specialties to start harvesting in October…. check back here for updates.


Stone Fruit

Stone Fruit
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Nectarine & Peach are winding up and will be completed domestically over the next weeks for all intent and purposes. The market has strengthened due to this and sizing is limited. That being said we still have early fall Plum varieties which should continue into mid to late Oct. These Plums are in few hands so be sure to call for more information.


Watermelon

Watermelon
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Movement expected to increase seasonally. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. Quality is generally good. The first F.O.B. report is expected to be issued the week of October 4.