The overall market continues to be strong. There are various deals on long C.A. items, with a few shippers. Retail movement continues to be steady. Quality continues to be good, overall. New crop Gala, Golds, & Honeycrisp have started.
Mexican field prices continue to increase up and pushing up all sizes, Smaller sizes have come off slightly 48’s and larger are still high, supplies are limited, the tropical storms. Hurricane through Mexico has not helped with picking. We expect this for at least another month. Note MX freezes last Sept are being felt now and will continue to be felt over the next 2 months. Peruvian fruit is available mostly out of the east but Calif is receiving some as well. Calif crop is winding down as past its peak. In general; the demand is picking up, crossing and imports are not keeping pace, market is on fire. CA expected to finish at the end of September. Mexico is accounting for about 61% of US supplies while Peru is 24% and domestic is 15%.
Like the strawberries; blackberries will be limited for next week.
With major wet weather in the East, everyone is looking out West for supplies of blueberries. This market should advance next week.
Like all the berries, raspberries will not be spared. Limited supplies coupled with the Holiday will keep this market active and expensive.
As we go into the Holiday week, and knowing we are past the peak of production in Salinas/Watsonville, we are currently in a demands exceeds; supplies will be limited and expensive.
Central Calif Grapes are in full swing harvesting all colors. Green and Red with very good supplies, Black good supply. Will continue through the month of December when imports start; quality and condition are excellent.
KIWI is all Chilean at this time. Sizes are good and all packs styles are available and will be packed fresh for orders. Market is starting to inch up due to school demand. Chilean fruit is hard and will take sometime to ripen up. Looking for the market to push up due to school starting and the demand increasing. New crop California should start in in 6 to 8 weeks.
Lemons remain tight. Imports are available on both coasts from Argentina and Chile. Despite this; the market continues strong. Quality is very good on imports. Domestically, fruit is all harvesting district 2 (Ventura/Oxnard) but supplies are light and will remain until its season end. District 3 (the desert) looking to scratch in 4 to 6 weeks. Domestic is demand exceeds with grading heavy to choice/standard due to scarring.
Fortunately Hurricane Ida went up towards Louisiana instead of Mexico. Fruit being imported continues to have quality issues on the inbounds, and current utilization rates across the board has only been about 70% last week and this week. We are seeing oil spotting and stylar on the inbounds due to all the moisture over the last several weeks, but are sorting out all that we can prior to shipping. With the lack of sunshine the last couple weeks, we are also noticing a little more blanching on the inbounds. That is also being sorted out, but the overall color of fruit being shipped will be a little lighter and won’t all be the really dark green. Size wise we are seeing the crop currently peak on 230cts and smaller, with the 110 and 150 counts being extremely tight. We should see the fruit begin to size up more over the next couple weeks if we can get some sunshine, and less rain.
Movement expected to decrease slightly. Crossings include a light volume of Haden variety. Trading is active. Prices are higher. Kent supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. Quality is variable.
Cantaloupe size profile continues Large 9/12’s and almost no small fruit. Calif West side is going but with fair supplies which has increased the market slightly. Quality is excellent with high sugar content. Look for smaller sizes to increase in the next 10 days.
Honeydews harvesting West side. Sizing is big mostly 5/6’s; no little ones really around. Look for this season’s crop to stay light with California acreage being down. Quality is very nice at this time…. good clean fruit with high sugar…. Eats great. Look for smaller sizes to increase in the next 10 days.
Mixed Melons should be in good supply through end of the month, field are starting to be limited. Crenshaw’s, Casabas, Juan Canary, Santa Claus, etc.
Valencia’s going well; peaking on a 88/72. Market is firming up; many are looking to schools opening now and in the next week. Quality is good. We will see re greening on the fruit for the balance of season. Note this regreening doesn’t effect the quality of the fruit. 113/138 will be at higher prices. We will see some puff and crease and an occasional fuzz ball.
Pricing is strong to begin the season. Quality is good. New crop Bartlett’s & Starkrimson red pears have started. Bosc to begin in the next couple of weeks.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices on 5-6s slightly lower, 7-8s lower. Quality is variable.
Calif Grapefruit looking nice picking in Bakersfield area. We are now into the Summer/Marsh varieties. Fruit is peaking smaller sizes 40/48 and demand is good. Off shore Import Mandarins/Tangerines are here and eating well/good quality size and color…. call your Amerifresh rep for more info.
Peach size is mostly 54/56 & larger available with some 60’s available they are winding down with about another 2 weeks ago until season end. Yellow Nectarine production is steady with good demand; finish up at the end of September. Red and black plums are available in all sizes with good supplies should seem some plum varieties through October. Pluots 6 weeks left. Flat Peaches are winding up. Good sizing and availability on yellow and white nectarines and should continue for 3 to 4 weeks. Black plums are in light supply and good on reds. Peaking 50/55 size and larger.
Movement expected about the same. Trading is slow. Prices are generally unchanged. Quality is generally good.