APPLES – Apple shipments out of the Northwest are back to normal. The West Coast is primarily pulling domestic fruit, while the East Coast is using almost 100% imports. Fruit sizing is peaking on 80 counts and larger for almost every variety. South American and Argentinean imports are arriving. Good supplies of a combination of import and domestic fruit will be available until Washington’s new crop starts later this year. Import sizes are small, peaking on 135’s and 150’s.
AVOCADOS – The volume and availability of California grown avocados is increasing. The fruit quality is excellent. Harvesting crews are limited because of a shortage in pickers so bin counts are up although they could be higher. Mexico is crossing an estimated 9 million pounds this week. Most of the Mexican fruit is staying in the southwest and southeast regions. The Mexican fruit quality is good.
BERRIES – Heavy supplies have decrease because of the cooler weather during the last few days and ad commitments. The market has increased because of strong holiday demands. Watch for prices to decrease by the end of the week. Counts in Santa Maria, California are in the 18 to 20 range and in Watsonville, California they are 14 to 16 count range.
Raspberry production has decreased because of cooler weather. Supplies will be limited during the next two weeks .
Blackberries are in peak supply. There are great promotional opportunities and they are priced right. Production continues to come out of Mexico as well as Watsonville, California. Good supplies of blueberries continue to come out of California and currently there are great opportunities for promotions. Great promotional opportunities are available on all berries during the next two weeks. Multiple pack styles are available for strawberries and bush berries.
CALIFORNIA CITRUS – California regular season Navel production is complete and we are into late season varieties. The market has peaked as imported Navels have started to arrive on the East Coast. Smaller sizes are still limited. There are still some deals available on large fancy Navels. California Navels will be available into July.
California Valencia orange production is in full swing; there are deals available on all sizes and grades. The first Peruvian Navels have arrived on the East Coast with FOB prices in the mid twenty dollar range. The first Chilean and South African Navels are expected to arrive by the end of this week on the East Coast; pricing is expected to be a few dollars higher then the Peruvian fruit. Imported Clementines from Peru and Chile are available on the East Coast. Most of the specialty citrus out of California has finished for the season, with a few Pixie tangerines still available. California Rio Red and Star Ruby Grapefruit are currently in production out of the Southern California desert.
District 1 (Central California Valley) lemon production is decreasing. Production out of District 2 (Coastal) is going strong and product will continue to be available through early September. Size is peaking on 165’s to 140’s, heaviest to choice grade. Prices across the market have increased because of the decrease in fruit availability out of District 1. The Chilean lemon season is here; some shippers had light supplies available on both coasts as early as this week, with more volume available Monday. Californian lemons will continue to be expensive and tight until Chilean lemons are available. Mexican lemons will be available around August and September.
CANTALOUPE – Cantaloupes continue to be harvested out of the Imperial Valley, California. A few shippers have started harvesting out of Yuma and Phoenix, Arizona and there is also product available in Blythe, California. Bakersfield, California start date has been postponed to the end of the week or the first beginning of next week. Overall supplies are very good and the market has become soft with the increase in supply and lighter demands during the holiday pull. There are primarily 12’s available with good amounts of 9’s as well. Overall quality is good with good sugar. Supplies are expected to be good through the weekend then decrease when the desert wraps up and Bakersfield, California begins.
GRAPES – Mexican and California grapes are available for shipping out of Nogales, Arizona and Coachella, California. The seasons total volume level has reached last year’s quantity levels. There are deals available on all varieties, sizes, and packs. Flame red seedless, Sugraone green seedless, Summer Royal black seedless, and Red Globes are available in Nogales, Arizona. Flames, Superiors, and Black Beauty’s are available out of Coachella, California. Overall quality, size, and color are good on all varieties. Our Welch’s red and green seedless grapes are available from both growing regions; quality, color, and size are excellent. Red, green, black, bi-color and tri-color clamshells packs are available. The start date has been pushed back to mid July due to the cooler temperatures in Central California.
HONEYDEWS - Decent supplies of honeydews are available for loading in the desert. Arizona and California grown honeydews are coming from the Imperial Valley California; Blythe, California; and Phoenix, Arizona. The market is expected to remain affordable due to the availability of better supplies. New crop honeydews are expected to be available out of Bakersfield, California this weekend.
LIMES - Limes are being brought in from Eastern Mexico. The fruit is exhibiting good quality and good color. The weather has been clear although anticipate some rain from a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico. The crop is currently peaking on 200’s and 230’s.
MANGOS - Mango production is currently coming from the Southwest region of Mexico. The weather has been clear and dry with similar weather expected through the weekend. The following varieties are available: Tommy Atkins, Haden, Kent, and Ataulfo mangos. The volume is predominately Tommy Atkins and peaking on 10 and 12 count sizes, although the Kent variety should begin getting heavier next week. Quality is excellent and showing consistency. The blush on the Tommy Atkins variety has been very good while the Kent variety possesses very little blush.
STONEFRUIT - The California stone fruit season is in full swing. Yellow and white peaches, nectarines, and pluots are all readily available. The peaches are peaking on tray pack 48 and 56, with decent availability on larger fruit. Hot deals are available on all sizes of peaches. Nectarine sizing has improved, 50 series is the readily available size. Some nectarines are showing speckling or “sugar spots,” because of the early season rains. Red and black plums are also available with sizing in the 20’s; peaking on the 40, 50, and 60 counts. The warm weather has significantly improved volume availability and sizing. Temperatures were in the high in the valley, summer has officially arrived. The varieties with sweeter flavor are available, which should increase demand. The overall crop size for peaches, plums, and nectarines will be about 45 to 47 million cartons, which is the same as last year.
