DLJ Produce

Table Grapes

Red Seedless

The red seedless crop has successfully transitioned, with Central CA completing its second week of harvest. Fruit still remains in Mexico and Coachella, with a value on the remaining Mexico crossings… but for quality, retail has firmly moved into Central CA new crop. Quality has been strong on the Flame Seedless here at the start, but the recent heat wave has been cause for concern. Most day temps over 110+ has led to shorter harvest days and some concerns of crop heat damage, especially on later season varieties. Now is the time to move over and begin pushing good quality fruit on ads in August through December.

Green Seedless

Mexico still is holding onto some green seedless, that have helped fill the gap until Central CA starts, but that marketing window has quickly closed. Central CA is firmly underway on Sugraone, Ivory, and Valley Pearl allowing for great quality once leaving Mexico. FOB’s are higher then imports for new crop, but the quality and promotability of fruit is well worth it. Expect increased fields coming online, but shorter half-day harvests, pushing more fruit into the system. Transition is a must to focus on premium quality moving forward.

Black Seedless

Mexico is virtually finished on black seedless, but Arvin area of Central CA has begun to help avoid a gap. Quality is strong and FOB’s are in line with red and black seedless, to allow the smooth transition into Central CA on the top three colors. Summer Royal will make a majority of the CA Harvest. Promote now through late November, as FOB’s will continue to decrease once more volume arrives.

Red Globe

Red Globes will continue out of Mexico, with growers starting to focus on seeded vineyards and push for better harvest as their seedless counterparts finish. Expect 3 – 4 weeks of supply until Central CA starts.

Tree Fruit – Imports

Peach

Sweet Dreams and Summer Flame will make up the majority of the yellow peach crop from Central CA. July Snow will be the focus on white Peach. Overall, demand is still high and supplies relatively tight… but it remains somewhat looser and more available then the extremely short availability on the front end. With more local crop peach coming on in each state, that should also help limit the demand for CA fruit. FOB’s will slowly adjust, but nowhere near historical averages. Continue to carry, but we careful on volume for large ad pulls.

Nectarine

Spring and Grand Brite will make up the yellow nectarine this week in best volume, with other varieties harvesting as well. White nectarine will be one of the many Pearly varieties to make up the volume this week. Volume on harvest has hit its peak but will continue to throw solid numbers. Continue to promote on yellow nectarine, as FOB’s will stay more aggressive than its peach counterparts.

Plums / Pluots

Plum and pluot (plumcot) volume is here. Crimson, Hiromi and Fortune will make up the red plum volume, while Owen T will dominate on the black. There are two many pluot varieties to count of all mixes of colors, but we are also getting close to the king of Pluot varieties, the Dapple Dandy, which is getting close to harvest. Continue to promote all plums and pluots

Import Citrus

Clems

Clem volume will continue and be promotable, but the tidal wave of early varieties from Chile and Peru has passed. The next couple of weeks will likely see continued supplies, but a small gap starting to be felt between a variety of harvests. The impact should be small and retain should remain focused on continuing to carry. Crop volume on the back end of Chile will likely be decreased due to heavy rain and weather, so now if the time to focus on promotions.

Oranges

The import navel market has been extremely demand-exceeds-supply over the last 10 days, especially on the West Coast, mostly due to limited volume at season start as well as vessel delays. Supplies will slowly start increasing, but take a while to fill the pipeline. Expect small gaps in between vessels if there are boat delays. FOB pricing will remain firm for the time being, then slowly decrease moving into mid to late August.

Lemons

Lemons have seen firm demand as well, with CA being mostly out of the way due to quality, FOB pricing has remained solid. Quality is strong from both Chile and Argentina at the season start, with the largest volumes of the season yet to come. This week will be the time to transition into import for quality but expect FOB pricing to remain mostly firm and higher then last season considerably.

DLJ Produce is home to the finest and freshest produce nationwide. Our customers depend on our produce 365 days a year coast to coast. If you want to discuss fruits, vegetables, cold storage, organic produce, or simply want to chat, give us a call today.