Imported rambutan is starting to hit its stride in quality. "While the rambutan season started back in May, this is when it really kicks into gear with good quality and color," says Kyle DeCoste of Vivid Produce, a wholesaler based in Calgary, Canada, adding that supply looks similar to that of 2024. "Mexican rambutan is picking up in volume, and we'll go pretty consistently until mid-September."
Vivid Produce brings in rambutan via its packing house in Chiapas, Mexico, though Guatemala also has production. While production has increased on rambutan in both countries, it has increased much more so in Guatemala
Meanwhile, demand for the product is really strong in Canada as well as the U.S. "We've been shipping it for almost five years, and demand goes up every season," says DeCoste, adding that demand is also increasing for the product in its home growing country of Mexico.
© Vivid Produce
Protecting humidity for rambutan
While some shippers move rambutan in 15 lb. boxes, Vivid Produce does too, though it bags the product in Chiapas in four bags inside those 15 lb. boxes. "It's better for retailers, especially in Canada. A lot of stores, including the Asian markets, like it pre-bagged because they can just put it on the shelf," DeCoste says. "We bag in a controlled atmosphere bag that retains humidity the best it can. Rambutan is meant to be kept humid, so we limit handling and repacking to keep the shelf life at its optimal level."
As for pricing, it's fairly similar to last year. While lower supply keeps pricing stronger at the start of the season–right now it's around $20-$22 CDN/15 lb. box–greater supply might soften that pricing in August slightly. "That's the peak of production for both Guatemala and Mexico. August is the best time for promotional pricing," says DeCoste, adding that September pricing strengthens again.
For more information:
Kyle DeCoste
Vivid Produce
Tel: +1 (403) 680-5316
[email protected]
https://vividproduce.com/
