As we hit the middle of August, the California stone fruit season is well matured and enjoying a strong and steady market, according to suppliers. Good volumes of yellow peaches are helping the market, and the varieties are said to be exhibiting good eating quality. Pricing is steady on yellow peaches and is expected to hold there for the next few weeks.
"California yellow peaches are plentiful with good volumes of premium 48 series with fairly aggressive pricing set for promotional activity," observed Ira Greenstein of Direct Source Marketing. "Growers and shippers are packing varieties like Summer Gold and August Flame, which eat very well, and we should see solid consumer support through the month of August. FOB’s currently range from $14.95-$16.95."
Nectarines and white flesh currently in limited supply
While yellow peaches are enjoying good volumes, supplies of yellow nectarines and white flesh stone fruit are said to be more limited at the moment. According to Greenstein, this is expected to change shortly however, as more volume starts entering the market towards the end of this week. On the price front, nectarines are attracting slightly higher prices than their yellow peach counterparts.
"Yellow nectarines and white flesh are more limited as the industry is gapping for about a week as growers wait to transition to other varieties," he said. "By the end of the week we should see better supplies available with promotional volumes heading into Labor Day. FOB pricing on both yellow nectarines and white flesh currently ranges from $16.95-$18.95 depending on size and condition."
Less red plums this season
For plums, suppliers say the market is seeing good, consistent volumes of black plums. What is lacking are red varieties, although the reason for this has not been stated. Expect prices for plums to maintain a higher level than for peaches and nectarines.
"Good volumes of Owen T black plums are being packed every week, although this season we’ve seen a lack of red varieties available in the market," Greenstein noted. "Pricing on black plums currently ranges from $18.95-$22.95 with the mostly market at $20.95."
For more information:
Ira Greenstein
Direct Source Marketing
Ph: +1 (914) 241-4434
ira@directsourcemktg.com
www.directsourcemktg.com