US(CA): Weather a boon for upcoming kiwifruit crop

A good amount of chill hours this winter and much-needed rain are promising signs for next season's kiwifruit crop in California. For the current season, prices are stable, and they should increase in the coming months as California's season winds down and Italian imports slow.

“Over 850 chill hours are helping with the 2016 crop,” said David Silva with Dayka Hackett. “Obviously, El Nino weather conditions are also helpful. Ample moisture will, hopefully, bring good sizes, good quality and good volumes for the 2016 season.”

The current market is steady and demand moderate. On January 15, prices for a nine-kilogram container of Hayward 27s from California were between $16.00 and $17.50. For Italian imports, prices for a container of Hayward 27s were between $12.00 and $14.00 at Philadelphia and New York City ports of entry.

“Supplies are plentiful, and I think pricing on Italian fruit is a little aggressive,” said Silva. “There are lower prices on the East Coast to move product.”

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David Silva