DLJ Produce

Table Grapes

Red Seedless

The red seedless market will continue to come up short at the finish line. The USDA marketing order has already taken place and due to growing conditions, post-marketing orders of red seedless are non-existent this year. Not enough red seedless are on hand on either coast to get to the start of the Mexico crop during the 3rd week of May. Due to this, demand will increase with supplies extremely limited. FOB pricing has already started to push towards record levels here at the end. Expect a shortage and gap before Mexico builds up harvest volume. Avoid promoting red seedless from now until early June.

Green Seedless

The last of the imported green crop arrived right before the USDA marketing order. The late-season crop will remain extremely light and likely not enough to get up to Mexico started. The remaining supplies are Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp. With a mid-May Mexico start, there is no way Chilean fruit stretches long enough due to demand. Even with an extremely high FOB expected in late April, it will only slightly slow movement and not enough to put a dent in supply. There will be a gap between the end of Chile and the start of Mexico.

Black Seedless

Black seedless will continue for the length of April, then finish up before Mexico gains momentum on its first harvests. Maloney and Autumn Royal will be the finishing varieties for the season. Expect black seedless supplies to carry up to the finish of the red and green seedless crop, with this being the most promotable based on lower FOB’s. Mexico will be late on their start.

Red Globe

Peru is done for the season, with a shortage of red globe availability hitting very quickly. With poor growing conditions and the digging out of unprofitable acreage, the red globe crop from Chile is going to be extremely light. Expect a short demand-exceeds crop at the finish from Chile. FOB pricing has already firmed on the East and will follow on the West. Expect a sizeable gap from Chile finish to Mexico starting in June.

Tree Fruit – Imports

Cherries

California is late. Plenty of chill hours, but wet and cold weather during bloom significantly slowed down maturity towards harvest. Harvest won’t kick off until the last days of April from Arvin, with first volume not until mid to late May. Bloom looks to be sporadic for some varieties. Total crop volume is still pending due to the wacky growing conditions. Expect a late start but promotable volume once going. California’s late start may give it a very short window to push volume before Washington volume comes on board.

Peach

Due to cold weather and rains in February and March, California’s start is significantly delayed. We would be typically close to starting this week, but even micro-climates look to be 10 – 14 days late. Expect yellow peach and white peach to not start in earnest harvest until at least the last days of April from Arvin and Kettlemen City. Central CA won’t bring volume until mid-May or later. Hold promotions until June when volume and size both pick up.

Nectarine

Same thing as a yellow peach. Late start from CA. Zee Fire from Arvin in late May and leading to better harvest volume in mid-May from Central CA. Light promotions in mid-May but hold volume movement on both yellow and white nectarine until at least June.

Plums

Plums from Chile will continue for just a few more weeks. Blake Kat and Angelino on the black plums, Happy Giant and Flavor Fall on the red. Pricing will likely firm in mid-April once new arrivals finish for the season. Continue to promote on plum as the peach and nectarine crop finish. CA plums won’t be ready to kick off until mid-to-late May.

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