Freshspective

Cantaloupe production out the central valley of California is at its peak and showing some of the highest brix and best quality this year. There is good supply, and this is a great time to promote. All sizing available with heavier production towards Jumbo 9ct and 9ct. 

Oranges

• California Valencias: Demand on smaller fruit, 88/113/138ct, has started to pick up due back-to-school pulls. These sizes are becoming more limited. Overall quality is good and Brix levels remain strong, ranging from 12 to 14.
• Import Navels: Chilean and South African are available with supply meeting demand. Early South African fruit is trending small to medium in size, with Chilean fruit leaning more medium to large sizing. Quality is solid with sugar levels in the 11–13 Brix range. Supplies may become more limited in the next 3-4 weeks as imposed tariff increases on South African exports take effect this week.
• Import Caras: South Africa and Chilean Caras are available with good quality. 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.

Lemons

• California: Supplies are limited to fancy grade and larger sizes (95s and larger), and the overall market is very tight. Choice grade and smaller sizes are more readily available.
• Offshore Imports: Argentinian fruit should continue to arrive through early September, ending the season earlier than usual. Sizing skews larger (95/115 counts), with good quality out of Argentina. Chilean product is also available, heavier to a smaller size profile, 165/200ct. Many growers are moving their fruit to more attractive global markets over the US to capitalize on their returns. Expect to continue to see limited availability and active markets throughout the end of the summer and into the fall months.
• Mexico: Overall crop is yielding more choice than fancy grade fruit. Supplies on 75-165ct are very limited.

Grapefruit

• California: Central Valley Star Ruby season expected to phase out by mid August with growers transitioning to the Marsh Ruby varietal. 
• Imports:  Chile and South Africa are available with more limited availability on smaller sizes, 45-55ct. Fruit is reported to be clean with good quality.

Mandarins

• Imports: Seeing good supplies on fruit from Peru, Chile, Uruguay and South Africa. Clementines, Clemenvillas are available along with Tangos and Murcotts. Product is good, with plentiful supply. 
  

Coolers are nearing full capacity as crews have been working six to seven 8-hour days. Growing conditions have been excellent, with warm days and cool nights enhancing red seedless coloration and boosting sugar levels in green varieties. These factors are pushing growers to harvest quickly or risk losing fruit. While some varieties store better on the vine than in coolers, this strategy will only delay the inevitable for a few weeks.

Strong honeydew production out of the central valley of California with a good mix of all sizes available and exceptional quality with high brix. Favorable growing temperatures over the past 3 months with no major heat waves is yielding a great crop this season. 

Region: Veracruz, Mexico

Weather Update:

The weather forecast for this week indicates that light rain will persist for the next couple of days. Expect high humidity, with temperatures ranging between 71°F and 94°F

Market Intel:

The demand for limes has been steady. The market for mid-size limes is between $18-$20.

Sizing Profile:

Peak sizes 175/200/230

Size distribution: 110-3%, 150-15%, 175-30%, 200-27%, 230-18%, 250-7%

Quality:  

The first dew days of August had light rain. This allows the quality, hydration and conservation of the fruit to be maintained and we achieve progress in the processes despite volume going down. We estimate that this same trend will continue over the next few weeks, however we have identified some good areas.

Looking Ahead:

As we enter August, a reduction in harvest volume is anticipated; however, we expect improved fruit yield, supported by exceptional quality thanks to the moisture retained in the foliage and soil following recent rainfall. Additionally, with residual volumes from the July crop still being harvested, we are confident in our ability to meet all established commitments with consistency and excellence.

Although the drought affected the bloom back in May, recent rains are helping the early development of the new crop. This could result in smaller and medium-sized fruit, of very good quality. Thanks to the support of our growing network, we remain confident in our ability to fulfill orders in a stable and timely manner.

SUPPLY JUST MEETING DEMAND FOR PAPAYA IN THE U.S.A. MARKET.
Supply conditions remain stable with just enough supply to service demand. Growers expect less supply in the upcoming weeks due to a combination of weather damage, strong internal market and much lower yields which keeps the overall availability of fruit being exported lower to the USA out of MEXICO. Tight supply will remain for at least the next two weeks for papaya production. Contracts are being serviced with very little extra fruit available to offer. Prices are higher in the US market and should increase as we go into August. 

Inventories showing LITTLE availability to offer. 
Majority of sizes between 6s – 12s with LESS Surplus FRUIT
Quality is reported as Good with some shorter shell life and some stem issues due to extra humidity at the fields.
Color 25%- 50% / 12-14 brix at point of shipping, Ideal temp for Imperial Papaya is 48 degrees to avoid quality issues upon receiving.
Crop outlook:  Forecast has conditions as with less supply for the next two weeks.
Market Intel:  Just Enough supply to service demand with prices trending at or above $28.00+ FOB in TX.

We are now shipping a new crop California green Bartletts out of the Lodi region this week. The California crop will be an above-average crop this year, so we will have lots of fruit to sell. The crop has a good mix of all sizes but appears to be peaking at 100-count size fruit. California is also shipping new crop red Bartletts as well as light volumes of Bosc pears. Anjou pears are still available in light quantities out of both Washington and on imports loading on the East Coast. New Washington Bartletts are projected to start up sometime in the next couple of weeks, and their crop looks to be a very big crop as well. Plan for Bartlett pears to be in good supply and very promoted for the next several months. New crop Washington Bosc and Anjou are projected to start harvesting sometime in September. 

Santa Maria is finishing their spring crop and sending most fruit to the processors and freezers. The fall crop is just getting started and should see better volume in mid-August. The Salinas/Watsonville growing areas in California are currently in production, but the fruit is past its peak production period.  Fruit is small to average size with fairly good quality, although there have been some quality issues, including bruising and overripe.

Weather outlook:

• Santa Maria, CA - the week of 8/4 is forecast to be mostly sunny.    Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.  The week of 8/11 is forecast to be mostly sunny.  Highs in the 70s, and lows in the 50s. 
• Salinas/Watsonville, CA - the week of 8/4 is forecast for low clouds giving way to sun.  Highs in the 70s, and lows in the 50s.   The week of 8/11 is forecast to be mostly sunny.  Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.

We have good supplies for seedless watermelons.  Out east we are shipping out of NC, IN and DE.  We have good supplies of all sizes. Out west we are shipping out of CA and WA.  August will be a great time to promote watermelons.