Lower volumes from Chile have resulted in strong prices for imported stone fruit in the United States. Quantities of fruit are not expected to significantly improve this season and prices are expected to remain strong for the remainder of the import season.
Fruit from Chile, where a significant portion of imported stone fruit in the United States comes from, is low this season, according to Chris Martin of VIP Marketing Inc.
“We had more volume last year,” he says, “and this year it's on the lighter side.”
He explains that many growers in Chile turned away from stone fruit, resulting in less fruit for the US and above-average prices.
Prices were reported at $16-$24 per case for plums, $16-$22 per case for nectarines and $18-$24 per case for peaches.