DLJ Produce

Table Grapes

Red Seedless

The Chilean import crop will see its close this week, with the West Coast virtually finished on the East Coast with only a small amount of deliverable reds. Plenty of supply of sub-standard fruit will continue to pollute the secondary market. The first new crop Flames of the season have started in a small way in both Coachella and Mexico, but not in enough volume to get the crop officially fired up. Numbers will slowly increase this week from both regions, but promotable volume won’t kick in until the week of May 31^st. Expect FOBs to remain strong and high on the front end, but adjust rapidly in June to allow for volume movement through the system in a short harvest window. Time to make the switch, as soon as supplies are available.

Green Seedless

Mexico has started to step to the plate on green seedless. Last week saw limited supplies of Perlette, Prime and Early Sweet harvested and crossing the boarder. The truck volume will start harvesting this week and allow for promotions to start in early June. Expect FOB’s to start the week high, then slowly adjust going towards June 1^st. Light supplies will fill the empty pipeline over the next 7 days, then the crop is off to the races for June promotions. Coachella is typically always behind, with their first Sugraone not expected to go until May 31^st.

Black Seedless

The Chilean black grape crop is done for the season on quality. Mexico has begun picking the first of their Summer Royal variety, with true volume starting the week of May 31^st. Pricing and supplies will stay firm for a few more days, then expect the volume to allow for good promotions in June along with green and red. Coachella has begun harvest as well, with considerably less crop volume then Mexico on total plantings.

Red Globe

Done on Chilean imports. Mexico will not start harvest until late June. Expect a big gap in supplies.

Tree Fruit Central CA

Peaches/ Nectarines/ Apricots

Finally some better harvesting will begin in Central CA this week. Availability has been light at the start due to some stop / starts between Arvin, Kettlemen and Central CA. Yellow peach has started to hit its licks with Krista variety, along with Snow Lady white peach. Yellow nectarine has remained demand-exceeds supply last week, but will pick up in availability this week as more growers start Zee Fire. Polar Ice white nectarine has started but is light as well. Good supplies of apricots between Diamond and Lorna variety, time to promote. Plums and pluots are another 7 days out from their true harvest start.

Cherries

Excessive demand has created a very tight market on CA cherries. Multiple nationwide ads have wiped out the industry and put almost every grower on injured reserve. Export demand is hot for 10 ½ row and larger and that has wiped out that category. Domestic demand for 11 row and 11 ½ row has kept inventories clean and short. Trucks are waiting days trying to get loaded. Demand is unheard of for this time of the season and may sustain all the way through. Also, field labor will be a plague of harvest volume all season. The only light at the end of the tunnel is the Bings should bring on good volume by the end of the week, but size is small and will peak on 11 and 11 ½ row.

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