Los Angeles fires and frigid temperatures impact strawberry movement

The supply of strawberries out of California is good right now. “There is a light harvest in Oxnard and there’s good supply from Baja,” says Steve Johnston of G.W. Palmer & Co. Inc., adding that strawberries are also coming from central Mexico and Florida is also picking up in volume.

While recent events in California such as the Los Angeles fires haven’t seemed to affect strawberry growing, another related condition is. “California has been bone dry. We haven’t had any rain since about November 10th,” says Johnston, adding that January is typically the wettest month of the winter season and for the remainder of the month, no rain is expected. “We haven’t had a drop and the Santa Maria and Oxnard crop is lagging right now. We’ve had cold mornings but nice afternoons. If we have a good rain, for these regions, it would really warm up the ground and get the plants going.”

Slower than usual demand
That said, while the supply of strawberries isn’t a problem right now, the demand for them is. “The country is an icebox except for southern California and southern Florida. It’s influencing business,” says Johnston, adding that those fires have also impacted demand given cold temperatures often keep consumers more at home than out shopping. “There is just a lot of disruption affecting demand.”

While pricing in Florida is stable (where this week’s colder temperatures are slowing down production), they’re softer on product from central Mexico. This week they’re starting between $12-$14 though that price may not be able to hold given the continued cold temperatures.

Looking ahead, demand for strawberries is expected to strengthen again once the frigid temperatures have passed for the plentiful supply ahead. “Then Valentine’s Day, a popular strawberry holiday, is coming up and that generally has good promotions which will help demand,” Johnston says, adding that pricing is expected to be similar to last year.

For more information:
Steve Johnston
G.W. Palmer & Co., Inc.
Tel: +1 (831) 753-6578
sjohnston@gwpalmer.net
http://www.gwpalmer.net/

 

Difficult campaign for Egyptian fresh strawberries

The season for fresh strawberries from Egypt began with high prices, estimated at double those of the previous season. However, just one to two weeks into the season, prices have plummeted.

At the start of the season, growers were justifying price rises with a general increase in production costs. One grower said, “What marks the 2024/2025 season is the exaggerated increase in production costs, with several aggravating factors such as climate change, exchange rates, new European regulations on phytopharmaceutical products, reduction in acreage for fresh strawberries, etc…”

Amr Kadah, Export Manager at Fruit. Farm points out that “prices have fallen very quickly, two weeks into the season, due to abundant volumes in the face of insufficient demand for fresh strawberries. Prices have fallen by almost 70% compared with the start of the season. The damage is severe for growers, who suffered significant cost increases this season”.

According to Kadah, this situation has prompted many growers to turn away from the fresh produce sector and turn to freezing. He adds: “Freezing started as early as November 30, which is very odd. Usually, we don’t start freezing until January or February, after the end of the fresh strawberry campaign.”

On the other hand, the supply of frozen strawberries in Egypt is steadily increasing. According to Kadah, the area under strawberry cultivation has reached 55 thousand feddan this season (23100 ha), making Egypt the world’s leading exporter of frozen strawberries with 300 thousand tons by 2024. He continued, “Forecasts for exports in 2025 are up to 350 thousand tonnes, dominated by the Festival, Fortuna, Florida and Sweet Sensation varieties.”

“Despite stable volumes, growers are facing serious challenges such as climate change and rising production costs. We hope to see a pick-up in demand and a regularity in exports to avoid acute price fluctuations,” Kadah concludes.

For more information:
Amr Kadah
Fruit.Farm
Tel: +20 100 928 8377
Email: amr.kadah@mail.ru
www.linkedin.com/in/amr-kadah
www.facebook.com/fruitfarm.egypt

 

https://www.expreso.com.mx/noticias/sonora/produccion-de-esparrago-en-sonora-60-del-total-mexicano/222790

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United States holiday produce update:

Asparagus prices rise to $35.75-$38.75 as imports increase for the holiday pull

This report provides a trend analysis of the volume and prices of Seasonal Perishable commodities. Volume represents the current week, and prices represent open (spot) market sales by first handlers on products of generally good quality and condition unless otherwise stated and may include promotional allowances or other incentives. The charts provide a graphic representation of the volume and prices of the major commodities this week based on seasonal volume.

Click to enlarge

Asparagus
Movement of Peru imports through South Florida ports of entry is expected to increase this week in preparation for the holiday pull, then decrease next week due to holiday harvest schedules. Trading is fairly active. Prices are slightly higher. 11-pound cartons of bunched green jumbo are mostly 35.75-38.75, extra-large are mostly 34.7534.95, large are mostly 30.95-32.75, standard are mostly 28.75-30.00, small are 26.00. White large re 38.75-41.00. Supplies jumbo and extra-large are very light, others are light due to vessel delays. Shippers expect heavy loading through December 20.

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Quality is generally good. Movement from Mexico crossings through Arizona, California, and Texas is expected to decrease seasonally. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged. 11-pound cartons/crates of bunched large are 34.75-36.75, standard are mostly 32.75. Extra services are included. Prices represent few spot market sales.

Click to enlarge

Avocado
Movement from Mexico crossings through Texas is expected to decrease due to holiday harvest schedules. Trading early was moderate, late was fairly active. Prices of conventional 36s and organic 60-70s are generally unchanged, while others are lower. Cartons of 2-layer Hass 32s are mostly 76.25-78.25, 36s are mostly 72.25-74.25, 40s are mostly 66.2568.25, 48s are mostly 49.25-51.25, 60s are mostly 38.25-40.25, 70s are mostly 21.25-23.25, and 84s are mostly 17.2519.25; organic 48s are mostly 65.25-67.25, 60s are mostly 42.25-45.25, and 70s are mostly 36.25-38.25. Extra services are included. Cucumber movement from Mexico crossings through Nogales, Arizona is expected about the same.

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Supplies of large are light. Trading is slow. Prices of medium and large are much lower, small and 36s are slightly lower. 1 1/9-bushel cartons medium are mostly 6.95-8.95, fair quality are mostly 5.95-6.95, ordinary quality are mostly 3.95- 5.95; small are mostly 5.95-6.95, large are mostly 6.95-8.95. Cartons 24s are mostly 3.95-4.95 and 36s are mostly 5.95-6.95. Movement from Mexico’s crossings through Texas is expected to increase. Trading of large is moderate, while others are slow. Prices of large are higher, medium are slightly lower. 1 1/9-bushel cartons medium are mostly 10.95-11.95, fair quality is mostly 7.95-8.95, ordinary quality is mostly 6.95; large are mostly 14.95-16.95.

To view the full report, click here.

For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: press@usda.gov
www.usda.gov

 

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