As the domestic kiwifruit season gets underway in California, a flood of Chilean fruit has depressed prices. While prices are down across the country, the effects of an abundance of fruit are more pronounced on the East Coast.
“The market is pretty depressed on the East Coast,” said Chris Kragie of Western Fresh Marketing. “There's a flood of fruit from Chile and Italian imports started this week, so pricing is very low when compared to previous years.” On October 1, prices for a 10-kilogram container of size 23 Haywards from Chile were between $11.00 and $12.00 at the Philadelphia port of entry. Kragie said he's seen prices for a container of Italian fruit in the $12.00 to $14.00 range. A large crop in Chile is one of the main reasons why there is so much fruit available.
“The world market is depressed with movement and prices, so shippers thought the best choice was to come to the United States with their fruit,” said Kragie. “The West Coast is a little better because a lot of the Chilean fruit was sent east.” On October 1, prices for a 10-kilogram container of size 23 Haywards from Chile were between $14.00 and $16.00 at the Los Angeles port of entry.
For more information:
Chris Kragie
Western Fresh Marketing
+1 559 662 0301