The rainy season in Guatemala lasted longer than usual this season, and that led to production issues for the country's papaya growers. But now that rains have abated, there's more fruit entering the United States from Central America.
“The extended rainy season in Central America made meeting quality standards more challenging,” said Marc Holbik of Ecoripe Tropicals. “But now with the dry season, we should expect great product.” He's seen more papaya being grown and exported from the northern part of Guatemala this season, and that increased volume has caused a dip in prices. On December 9, prices for a carton of 30-35 pounds of Tainung 8s from Guatemala and Brazil were between $15.00 and $17.00 at South Florida ports of entry. But Holbik added that the market usually keeps prices above the high teens.
“Pricing below $18.00 per carton tends to lower incentives to export,” he explained, “and, thus, lower volumes get prices back in the $18.00 to $20.00 range.”
For more information:
Marc Holbik
Ecoripe Tropicals
+1 305 889 1734