Plenty of chill hours this winter contributed to heavy fruit set for California's peach crop this year. Though thinned to usual counts, the heavy set made for smaller sizing this year. Sizes have run about a full size smaller than usual, though sizing is improving. Competition from Georgia and New Jersey peaches is waning, which could lead to improved prices.“The market was flooded with smaller sizes earlier in the season, whereas larger fruit is what people were asking for,” said Dillon Luallen with Sierra Sun Fruit Marketing. “It was rough going initially with smaller fruit and demand being down.”
On July 22, prices for a two-layer carton of yellow flesh and white flesh peaches from the San Joaquin Valley were between $18.95 and $20.95 for sizes 40 to 42, and prices for 48 to 50 were between $16.95 and $18.95. California shippers could see a bump in those prices in the coming weeks as competition from other states winds down.
“The peach deal should improve as we get into August and September,” said Luallen, while adding that a better market is far from a sure thing. “There's local production in places like Idaho, Colorado and Illinois, so the market will depend on how big those local deals are.”
For more information:
Dillon Luallen
Sierra Sun Fruit Marketing
+1 559 787 3685