Freshspective

Yuma is pretty much wrapped up for the season and the focus is now on the Central Valley of California. Sizing is heavier to jumbo 9 count, followed by 9 count and few 12 count. Lighter supply earlier this week on 9 and 12 counts but will increase back half of the week and the following week. On the East Coast, Athena cantaloupes are going lightly in North Carolina and now Indiana, but supply remains tight. 

Oranges:

• California Navels: The season has now ended, with remaining fruit extremely limited and primarily in terminal markets. Focus has shifted fully to Valencias and imports.
• California Valencias: The Valencia season is ramping up, with steady supply on smaller sizes (88s and smaller), while large fruit (56s and larger) remains tight. Re-greening continues to be present due to high temperatures, but this does not affect internal quality. Brix levels remain strong, ranging from 12 to 14.
• Import Navels: First Chilean and South African navels have started to arrive in limited volumes. Early South African fruit is trending small to medium in size, with Chilean fruit leaning more to medium to large sizing. Quality is solid with sugar levels in the 11–13 brix range. Supplies are expected to build through July, but it is expected to be an active market this summer.
• Import Caras: First arrivals from South Africa and Chile are available. Similar to navels, Chilean fruit is trending medium to large, while South African fruit is trending small to medium. Overall volume from Chile is anticipated to be plentiful this summer with good quality.

Lemons:

• California: District 2 is now the primary production area but there are fewer growers with availability. Supplies are limited on fancy grade and larger sizes (95s and larger), and the overall market is firming. Choice grade and smaller sizes are more readily available, but the overall market is tight.
• Imports: Argentinian fruit continues to arrive, with Chilean volume now beginning to pick up. Sizing skews larger (95/115 counts), with good early quality out of Argentina. Smaller sizing is available from Chile. Expect growing availability over the next few weeks as the import season ramps up but beware of more demand coming with California tightening up. 

Grapefruit:

• California: Central Valley Star Ruby season continues with good availability but some reports of weakened quality, depending on the grower. Supplies are expected to remain steady through most of July. 
• Imports:  Chile and South Africa are available with lighter volume, but better availability expected by mid-month.

Mandarins:

• Imports: Seeing good supplies on fruit from Peru, Chile, Uruguay, and now South Africa. Lighter availability on South African product, with more volume toward mid-month. Product is good as we see more favorable varietals come into the market.

This week, we’ll see overlapping grape supplies from both Mexico and California. Most California shippers have started harvesting good volumes of Flames, and while green grapes are also being picked, their volume will remain limited for another 5 to 7 days. Meanwhile, Mexico continues to offer strong supplies of green grapes with very competitive pricing on both red and green. 

Good availability on honeydews out of the Central Valley of California and sizing is trending toward larger jumbo 5 count and 5 count, followed by 6 and 8 counts. There is also steady supply on all sizes out of Mexico crossing into Nogales.

Region: Veracruz, Mexico

Weather Update: 
The forecast for next week suggests rain for several days. A high percentage of humidity with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 71°F to a maximum of up to 76°F.

Market Intel: 
The demand for limes has been steady. 

Sizing Profile:
Peak sizes 175/200/230. Size distribution: 110-2%, 150-11%, 175-33%, 200-32%, 230-16%, and 250-6%

Quality:  
As we enter July, an improvement in temperatures and increased humidity are expected across the ranches. The June rains have helped keep the fruit well-hydrated and consistent. Due to these rains, we anticipate both delayed June harvests and the regular July crop, resulting in a strong fruit volume to fulfill all established programs.
 
Looking Ahead:
For the late-July harvest, a significant amount of medium-sized fruit is already visible on the trees. This fruit is expected to be harvested with good quality, supported by the moisture retained in the foliage and soil due to recent rainfall. Although a gradual decline in available volumes is anticipated, we expect to have sufficient fruit to fulfill all commitments and established programs.
 
For the month of August, we forecast a reduced volume, as this crop bloomed in May during a period of severe drought. However, thanks to the strength of our grower network, we are confident in maintaining a solid supply and securing a steady flow of medium-sized fruit to meet the needs of our key programs.

SUPPLY MEETING DEMAND FOR PAPAYA IN THE USA MARKET.

Supply conditions remain stable but with a bit less supply this week versus last week. True impact of Hurricane Erick is still uncertain as many fields in Southern Mexico were toppled with no quick recoup in sight. Stable conditions for papaya production will remain for at least the next two weeks. Contracts are being serviced with some extra fruit available to offer. Prices are stable in the U.S. market and should remain as is for the near future.
Inventories are showing SOME availability to offer. 
Majority of sizes are between 6–12s with GOOD surplus fruit.
Quality is reported as good with fruit showing less speckling and mostly green.
Color 25%- 50% / 12-14 brix at point of shipping. The ideal temperature for Imperial papaya is 48 degrees to avoid quality issues upon receiving.
Crop outlook:  Forecast has conditions for good supply for the next two weeks.
Market Intel:  Enough supply to service demand.
  

The Northwest pear crop this season is very small, down between 30-50%, depending on the variety. We are currently shipping Anjou and red pears out of Washington. We expect the market to remain tight and the pricing to remain on the higher side for the foreseeable future. The import season is now beginning to wind down, but we still have some arrivals of imported Bartletts, Bosc, and Anjou available on the East Coast. Overall, we have pears to sell, but pricing will remain higher than normal until the new crop starts in the fall out of Oregon and Washington. The next new crop starting up that will provide some relief will be the California Bartlett crop. This crop is projected to be better than normal and is projected to start shipping around July 12th this season. There will be promotional opportunities on California Bartletts this season.

Santa Maria is finishing their spring crop and sending most fruit to the processors and freezers. They will begin their fall crop in late July/August. The Salinas/Watsonville growing areas in California are currently in production, but availability will be limited.  Fruit is average size with fairly good quality, although there have been some heat-related issues. 

Weather Outlook:

• Santa Maria, California - The week of July 7th is forecast to be mostly sunny.  Highs will be in the low 70s and lows in the 50s.   The week of July 14th is forecast Monday through Wednesday to be sunny, Thursday and Friday party sunny, and mostly sunny for the weekend.  Highs on Monday and Tuesday in the 70s and lows in the 50s.
• Salinas/Watsonville, California - The week of July 7th is forecast to be partly sunny.  Highs Wednesday and Thursday in the 70s, decreasing to the upper 60s for the balance of the week and lows in the 50s.   The week of July 14th is forecast for clouds giving way to sun.  Highs in the 60s to low 70s and lows in the 50s.
  
  

The week of July 7th is forecast to be partly sunny.  Highs Wednesday and Thursday in the 70s, decreasing to the upper 60s for the balance of the week and lows in the 50s.   The week of July 14th is forecast for clouds giving way to sun.  Highs in the 60s to low 70s and lows in the 50s.