The supply of papayas from Mexico has tightened slightly. "It tightened up recently because there was a storm that hit southern Mexico," says Lance Peterson of Super Starr International. "The production has stalled temporarily in southern Mexico, and that region supplies a lot of fruit to Mexico City."
Given the size of Mexico City, when papayas are needed, pricing is good for it, so the national market on Mexican papaya is above average for this time of the year. "So that is pulling a bit of the supply available that is exported," Peterson says.
That said, there is still a steady supply of fruit, and while the quality at this time of the year normally can be not as good, what is being exported is generally of good quality.
© Super Starr International
Looking ahead on supply
Whether the supply situation improves depends on how the supply situation in southern Mexico develops. "We don't know yet if it is just a bit of flooding or if they were taken out completely," says Peterson.
As for demand, it's been good, especially in comparison to markets for other produce items. "Though I don't know if it's necessarily because there's not as much fruit available," he says, adding that recently, the loads coming in were on par for this time of year. "Demand is steady. When school starts, usually about a week before and a week after, it's not as good. However, then after that it starts to pick up because the demand for fruit and vegetables generally goes up then."
All of this is leaving pricing good and between $25-$27. "I think this price will stay as Mexico City starts to get more fruit again from southern Mexico, which leaves more fruit available for export. Then, with school starting, demand should come up again, so it should stay fairly steady," says Peterson. "I don't see any drastic changes."
For more information:
Lance Peterson
Super Starr International
Tel: +1 (956) 510-8126
[email protected]
www.superstarrinternational.com
