DLJ Produce

Table Grapes

Red Seedless

Scarlet Royal and Sweet Celebration inventory remains, while growers transition into the heavier volumes of Jack Salute and Allison. Scarlotta will also round out the mix. Harvest volume will continue for the next 3 – 4 weeks, but then tail off quickly as growers stop field harvest and transition into storage totes. Damage due to rain and heat will likely shorten up the back end of the crop on late-season volume. Promote now, but expect to be firm in November as volume winds down.

Green Seedless

Pristine, Autumn King and Autumn Crisp varieties will continue to be the focus of the late-season crop. The volume will continue on the green as they hit peak harvest before growers start packing a significant number of totes for late November / early December shipping. Like reds, it is taking a fair amount of fieldwork to put a good pack. Expect greens to stretch into mid-December before the need for imports on the West Coast hits. Continue to promote green as the dominate volume.

Black Seedless

Autumn Royals will continue to harvest for the next 2 – 3 weeks, with supplies expected to stretch into late November / early December. Quality is good and volume is similar to previous seasons. Continue to carry for the color break and additional sales, then wind down moving into late November.

Red Globe

Red Globe will continue on strong as the peak harvest volume has hit and growers continue to ship both domestically and for export. FOB pricing has leveled out to allow for good movement through the supply chain. CA fruit will stretch into early December, but Peruvian supplies will be on top of it and already arriving on the East Coast.

Tree Fruit – Imports

Cherries

The import cherry season from Chile and Argentina is right around the corner. First arrivals are expected by 2nd week of November on early air flights. But air volume will not build up until right before Thanksgiving. Based on increased freight costs, the pricing structure can only get so aggressive even with a bigger crop for the U.S. market. Expect promotable FOB pricing by late December once the first container vessels arrive.

Import Citrus

Clementines

Light supplies of Chilean Murcott still remain in the states with moderate enough volume to continue to fill the pipeline until CA starts. Expect limited amounts to trying to fill the demand gap. FOBs will remain high and continue to firm. California will start with some limited supplies of early variety this week, but true clementine varieties are not expected until early November.

Oranges

The last of the imported navel crop has arrived in the US, with some limited supplies of Chilean and South African fruit available to finish out the season. Expect demand to be high and supplies to remain limited up to the finish this week. CA has started harvest on fresh navels, but size will peak in the 88s and smaller with 4 days of gas to color. CA volume will pick up steadily as weather cools and gas volume drops moving into mid-November.

Lemons

Imports are virtually done on both coasts. California is still in some supply from D3, before waiting for the D1 transition in November. Stay close on lemons, as the shortage from South America due to the freeze will definitely be felt until D1 brings on the firepower. Once CA D1 starts, the promotable volume will resume but likely peak on smaller-sized fruit like the 140s and 165’s.

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.