Less local production in eastern portions of the United States has meant less competition for cantaloupes coming out of California. The result has been decent prices for California fruit, but prices could decrease next month.“Usually, there's competition from local production in the Carolinas, Michigan, Ohio and some in Texas, but the poor weather across the country is probably helping our market over here,” said Ryan Van Groningen of Van Groningen and Sons. “For us out west, demand has been good enough, and that probably has to do with areas that grow Athena melons being hurt by bad weather.” California production, which is currently on the west side of the Central San Joaquin Valley, has been on par with what was expected at the start of the season. With just the right amount of supplies to cover demand, prices have been good.
“Pricing is stable,” said Van Groningen. “Sometimes we see around $7.00 per carton around this time of year, and prices are about a dollar above that.” On July 22, prices for a carton of size 9 cantaloupes out of the San Joaquin Valley were between $7.50 and $9.95. But those prices could come down in the coming weeks.
“August is when you have all the growing areas producing and, with kids going back to school, people stop eating outside as much, so demand goes down,” said Van Groningen. “That's why it's typically August when prices go back down to the $6.00 to $7.00 range.”
For more information:
Ryan Van Groningen
Van Groningen and Sons
+1 209 982 5248