MARKET UPDATE AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 3, 2021
Good afternoon,
ASPARAGUS volume is dropping as fields transition in Peru and Mexico. A strong market is expected through at least early October. Growers plan their harvests to peak during November and December to have ample volume for the holiday pull. This trend creates a slight shortage in overall volume for the late Summer and early Fall.
MANGO supplies are shifting over into Brazilian new crop. Brazilian MANGOES are a deeper reddish color, providing a great look for retail shelfs. Flavor should be an improvement with the Palmer and Tommy Atkins varieties available out of Brazil.
SMALL ORANGES remain tight! New crop VALENCIA production is leaning towards 88 and larger thanks to a hot growing season. Compounding the issue, small sized fruit is in high demand as schools are starting up all over the country. SUNKIST is holding orders to 10-week averages on everything smaller than an 88ct.
PLANTAIN supplies are running short due to challenging growing conditions. The fruit is requiring more time to mature, leaving supplies well short of current demand.
Hurricane GRACE passed over the Yucatan last week and made its way into some significant growing areas in Mexico. While the damage to crops was not as bad as expected, there was still significant flooding of TOMATO, LIME, and PEPPER fields. We may see the ripple effects of this storm for the next few weeks.
We are in the late stages of the STRAWBERRY crop up in Northern California. We are seeing shortages of EXPORT FRUIT, as well some bruising and tenderness in texture. Supplies further South, in Santa Maria, are ready for early harvests but due to higher temperatures, the northern crop remains the better option for now. Keep your strawberry orders and inventories light for the next few weeks!
CHERRIES are finished for the season. There may be some fruit still kicking around but like we have said in weeks past, you don't want to be the first in or the last out when it comes to CHERRIES.
More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill