For weeks now there's been talk about slower commodity sales on a number of items. While Dennis Sever of Exotic Growers, Inc. notes that it's happening on many products aside from the exotics and tropicals he carries, though right now he's particularly feeling it on dragon fruit. "The volume is coming in but in general, there's no business at all," he says. "It's just very very quiet out there. Everyone is in the same boat complaining about sales being down."
© Exotic Growers Inc.
It's a reminder of another time where produce sales were notably slow. "The only other time I can remember business being this slow was back when 9/11 took place. Then, everything just stopped–this eerily resembles it for me," he says, adding that while there are orders happening, it's not to the level it used to be. Normally September is a slow demand month for produce though sales generally start to pick up in early October.
Affecting local and imported product
Right now, the local dragon fruit season is winding down in Florida with a few weeks left on supply. Meanwhile the company is bringing in supply from Ecuador. "It's the imports where it's bothering us–there's no demand for it," Sever says
© Exotic Growers Inc.
What about with the holidays ahead? Sever is waiting to find out if demand for fresh produce items, including dragon fruit, will strengthen though recent holidays such as Diwali and the Moon Festival saw slower movement on produce items.
"We're all taking a loss–growers mostly, who have to lower their prices to move their fruit. Normally boxes of dragon fruit would sell for $25-$30/box. Two weeks ago they were asking $25/box but pricing went down to $18-$20. This week, a lot of people still have containers and are backed up with product and some were selling for $10/box. At that price, it's a loss–nobody makes money," he says, adding that retailers, wholesalers and foodservice customers are also noting that business is slow and has been for a few weeks now.
For more information:
Dennis Sever
Exotic Growers, Inc.
Tel: +1 (305) 393-1556
[email protected]
