DLJ Produce

Table Grapes

Red Seedless

The red seedless crop will continue out of both Coachella and Mexico, but also get right to the starting point of Central CA. Flames will continue in both current regions, as well as some specialty varieties like Sweet Celebration and PassionFire will continue. Some rain in Mexico will make quality the main focus for the rest of the that season. Central CA is almost ready to fire up, with first harvests expected 6/30 – 7/4. Expect that pressure to continue to push all regions to try to move through inventory at a promotable FOB. Continue to push, as growing region transition will be smooth.

Green Seedless

Green seedless will be more limited then red seedless, with Coachella and Mexico both picking Sugraone, as well as some Sweet Globe, but in much lighter volume then anticipated. Mexico appears to be coming up significantly short on the back end of the crop. This short fall will put additional pressure on green seedless pricing, as Central CA is still a little way off and is expected to barely bridge the gap around a 7/11 start. FOB pricing will remain strong to limit case movement to help bridge the gap. Avoid big promotions until Central CA picks up volume by mid-July.

Black Seedless

Black seedless remain very prevalent in Mexico and will continue that way for another 10 – 14 days. FOB pricing has remained promotable and will carry that way. Still good supplies are expected to carry through the remainder of the crop and get up to the start of Central CA. Quality will be the focus between the varieties.

Red Globe

Crossings from Mexico suck. Only limited volume has crossed this season and demand-exceeds supply due to the light crop. This is a combination of acreage being pulled out, as well as heat keeping color and maturity from reaching harvest levels. Expect FOB’s to remain well above both red and green seedless and stay that way for the reminder of the limited Mexico crop. Central CA won’t start until mid-August, so there will likely be a gap.

Tree Fruit – Imports

Peaches

Almost lighter then expected. Supplies are available, on a run of sizes, but lighter crop on the East Coast has kept movement of yellow peach tighter on the West. Good supplies will continue to come out of the field, but there will be pressure to keep FOB’s strong through most of the season and much higher then the typical pricing average. White peach will come out of a 5-day gap start to begin harvest again to try to fill the pipeline. Continue to promote peach, especially through the July 4th holiday.

Nectarines

Good supplies of yellow nectarine and white nectarine will continue to hit this week, as we are in the heart of the battle. But demand is expected to remain strong. Sizing structure has picked up to mostly 56’s and larger, with good supplies of 48’s coming out of the field. Expect good supplies to continue to come out of the field and allow for promotions around the holiday. FOB pricing has remained strong back to the grower higher then historical average, in an effort to create equilibrium with demand.

Apricots

Almost at the end of the line. Roboda and Lorna varieties will finish, as we move in the last volume variety Patterson for the season. After that, only some later season aprium varieties will finish out the season into later July. Expect another 10 – 14 days to promote and then season finish.

Plums / Pluots

Black Amber and Black Scarlett will make up the volume on black plums. Red plums will transition into Flavor Jewel and Crimson Star. Volume is still lighter, as we are just starting to see volume coming into harvest. Sizing has peaked on 50’s, with 40’s in lighter volume. Pluots are just kicking off on getting multiple color varieties going. Overall, crop size was affected by the freeze. Expect FOB’s to remain really high this season compared to historical averages. There will be supplies, but it will be pricey and the crop MAY be light on the back end in September / October.

Import Citrus

Clementines

still very tight on both coasts. Demand greatly exceeds supply, as only small amounts of Peruvian and Uruguayan fruit has arrived so far. Chile has been very light at the start, but that will start increasing as harvest volume increases. The crop is expected to be tight all season, but we will see a better influx of arrivals by mid-July. That will be the best time to promote moving into August, but FOB pricing will stay very high due to lower volume and solid demand. Avoid promoting until import arrivals pick up and better supply both coasts.

Oranges

First orange harvest is still a way off. Chilean and Australian volume to the West Coast is not expect to start until the 2nd week of July. Total Chilean orange volume is down 13%, so expect slightly higher FOB’s there. This crop volume may drop further if there is any significant damage from the most recent freeze. First arrivals will be limited to meet demand, as CA fruit is virtually finished. Harvest has been very light at the start in Chile, but is expected to start increasing over the next 2 – 3 weeks with transit time then over the top to the U.S.

Lemons

The first arrivals of Chilean and Argentinian fruit have begun to arrive into the US, with harvest just picking up steam. This will give the CA crop time to clean up and create a better market for imports. Even with the new countries shipping to the US, the Chilean volume will be down 10% so that may help keep the market more afloat. Finish with CA and expect and July transition into imports. First to second week of July for volume to start building and to allow for consistent volume to transition into imports.

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