DLJ Produce

Table Grapes

Red Seedless

Red seedless volume will continue on strong out of both Mexico and Coachella, as we hit the peak of the flame seedless crop. Mexico will move into Caborca harvest, which will also increase volume. At the same time, the first Sweet Celebration and Passion Fire will start harvest. FOB’s will remain aggressive, but cheaper fruit will be that way for a reason due to either quality or small size. Expect good supplies of red seedless to continue through June. Continue to promote and plan for a smooth transition from Mexico / Coachella into Central Ca in early July.

Green Seedless

Green seedless will plug along as well. The last of the Early Sweet and Prime will harvest out of Mexico, transitioning into Sugraone and Sweet Globe in both growing regions. Cheaper green grapes will slow down, as quality and size will increase over the variety increase. FOB pricing will remain steady and allow for promotional volume out of Mexico. Coachella will be slightly lighter than Mexico due to decreasing acreage. Expect promotable supplies to continue and harvest to remain strong, pushing through June. 1^st – 2^nd week of July will be the cut off point and the transition into Central CA.

Black Seedless

Black seedless supplies have been light in both growing regions, with Mexico struggling for size. Growers are hoping this will correct itself as the volume on Summer Royal and Unknown variety increase. FOB pricing will remain in line with the red and green seedless, but don’t anticipate any miracles on berry size through the entire season.

Red Globe

Chile is done, especially on quality. Mexico is close, but still at least 2 – 3 weeks from starting. Expect a continued gap until the end of June to start mixing in.

Tree Fruit – Imports

Peaches

Peach volume is off to the races, both whites and yellows. Steady supplies are expected through the rest of the season and current harvest has moved into a 56 ct peak or larger, with the decline of smaller value fruit on the horizon. Now is the time to start running stone fruit promotions to maximize summer sale potentials. With harvest volume considered, FOB pricing will still remain much higher then previous averages as growing costs have greatly increased.

Nectarines

Zee Fire yellow nectarine have finished and we are moving into the peak of the Bright varieties while moving into June. White nectarine volume will come on, as well, and start to pick up the slack seen there on early season harvests. Size structure is seeing less 64 ct peak and more 56’s and larger starting to come off the pack line. Quality has been rangy at the start, mainly due to hail damage dealt in March and April. Expect FOB’s to continue to trend higher then peaches for the entire season.

Apricots

Apricot availability has finally leveled out slightly, based on the demand-exceeds situation of two weeks ago. Even with some availability in the system, the crop only has a small amount of runway left. Only another 2 – 3 weeks remain before the main apricot volume of the season is finished. Patterson variety, the last major variety and peak volume of the season is almost ready for harvest, pending continued warming trends.

Plums / Pluots

Crimson Heart and Black Splendor variety continue to pack in a minimal way, peaking on 50’s and smaller. Volume is still on the horizon by mid-June, so expect supplies to be here shortly. This will bring the very high FOB pricing down. Pluots have started in a very light way, but will truly kick off by the end of this week. Mid-June / July / August / September are typically your biggest volume months for plum harvest, so we have a little time before we are really off to the races. FOB’s will remain very high at the start due to limited harvest, but expected to drop leading into mid-June. Expect a lighter crop due to hail damage on some varieties.

Cherries

Done, time to transition into Washington.

Import Citrus

Clementines

Limited currently. Peru and Chilean harvest are underway, but very limited to no arrival on both coasts so far. Moroccan is still available in a light way, with Uruguay arriving soon as well. Overall, crop volume is expected to be down between an average of all countries of origin combined. Chile just experienced a significant crop that will limit easy peeler volume this season, with total crop loss still being assessed. Expect to see the first Chilean and Peruvian volume to start hitting by the 3^rd week of June, but no true volume to bring availability into the pipeline until mid-July.

Oranges

First, the orange harvest is still a way off. Chilean and Australian volume to the West Coast is not expect to start until July. CA harvest will need to stretch another 1 to 1 ½ months to help bridge the gap. Total orange volume is down 13%, so expect slightly higher FOB’s there.

Lemons

CA is still going strong, so the first lemon arrivals from Chile, Argentina and Uruguay are not expected to start hitting in volume until July. 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.

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.