Freshspective

Continued exceptional quality on the cantaloupes coming out of the Central Valley of California with high yields and brix. Volume is starting to decline as we get toward the back half of the season. Harvest will continue out of California until early October. 

Oranges

• California Valencias: Back-to-school demand remains strong, particularly on smaller fruit (88/113/138 counts), with availability tightening further. Larger sizes (56/72 counts) are slightly more available but remain limited overall. Internal quality is solid, with brix levels holding between 12–14. Re-greening continues to be present due to high temperatures but does not impact eating quality.
• Import Navels: Supplies from Chile and South Africa are available, with overall more large fruit (40/48/56 counts) in the market. Small fruit (105/113/138 counts) remains limited due to increasing market demand. Sugar content remains consistent at 11–13 brix. The recent tariff increases on South African fruit are starting to impact pricing and import pace; watch for reduced this month.
• Import Caras: Volume remains available from Chile and South Africa, with Chilean fruit favoring larger sizing and strong internal quality. As with navels, South African Caras are smaller and could be impacted by shifting global demand due to market conditions and logistics. Chilean supplies are expected to remain steady through September.

Lemons

• California: District 2 continues to harvest, but supplies remain tight overall. Fancy grade and larger sizes (95s and larger) are especially short in supply. Choice and smaller fruit (140 count and smaller) are more available but are experiencing active demand. Expect firm pricing to continue.
• Offshore Imports: Argentina has finished their last shipment of fruit, and the season is likely to conclude earlier than normal (early September). Quality remains good with larger sizing (95/115 counts). Chilean lemons are available but skew small (165/200 counts). Many Chilean growers continue diverting fruit to other global markets offering higher returns. Overall, expect tight markets through early fall.
• Mexico: The crop is producing primarily choice-grade fruit, with fancy-grade volume very light. Sizing from 75–165 counts is especially limited. Imports are helping to supplement demand, but shortages on mid- and larger-sized fruit persist.

Grapefruit

• California: Marsh Ruby grapefruit is now the primarily varietals available out of California with lighter volume and less vibrant internal color. Markets are expected to remain snug.
• Imports: Grapefruit from South Africa and Peru is arriving in moderate volume. Larger sizes (32–40 counts) are more prevalent, with limited availability on smaller fruit (45–55 counts). Fruit is reported to have solid internal quality. Steady imports are expected through early October.

Mandarins

• Imports: Strong import volume continues from Peru, Chile, South Africa, and Uruguay, with good availability across multiple varieties focused on Tangos, and Murcotts. Quality is excellent, with good sugar and vibrant appearance. Expect continued strong supply into October, though some slight tapering may occur as Peru winds down.
  

Many shippers are still working through inventories of lower-quality lots that need to be moved through the system. The industry is relying on a post-Labor Day surge in demand to give the market some momentum. Sporadic rainstorms passed through parts of the Valley last week, with some areas receiving only light drizzle and others experiencing more significant rainfall. While no widespread damage has been reported so far, it will take time to fully assess the impact on product quality and condition.

Continued exceptional quality on honeydews coming out of the Central Valley of California with high yields and brix. Volume is starting to decline as we get toward the back half of the season. Harvest will continue out of California until early October. 

Region: Veracruz, Mexico

Weather Update:

The upcoming week’s weather suggests days of light rain. Anticipate high humidity, with temperatures fluctuating between 72°F and 93°F.

Market Intel:

The demand for limes has been steady.

Sizing Profile:

Peak sizes 200/175/230. Size distribution: 110-4%, 150-16%, 175-25%, 200-27%, 230-18%, and 250-10%.

Quality:  

We will begin September with fruit with excellent quality and a good volume of sizes 230/200/175s. The fruit feels well-hydrated and with very good consistency, which leads us to forecast a strong harvest for this week and the following weeks of September, with no supply issues expected.

Looking Ahead:

An increase in volume is forecast for mid-September, and the outlook is for a good harvest, which we continue to expect will be greater than that obtained in August. Light and constant rains will definitely work in our favor, allowing us to harvest fruit with good color, high quality, and strong vibrancy.
 
For October, fruit with good development in both quality and size can already be observed. A harvest similar to that expected in September is forecast, both in volume and quality, and we will continue to monitor its development over the coming weeks.

SUPPLY JUST MEETING DEMAND FOR PAPAYA IN THE U.S.A. MARKET.
Supply conditions are tighter with less supply to service demand. Growers expect even less supply in the upcoming weeks due to a combination of unfavorable weather, strong internal market, and much lower yields which keep the overall availability of fruit being exported lower to the USA out of MEXICO. Tight supply will remain for at least the next two weeks for papaya production. Contracts are being serviced with very little extra fruit available to offer. Prices are higher in the U.S. market and should increase as we go into September. 
Inventories are showing LITTLE availability to offer. 
Majority of sizes are between 6–12s with LESS surplus fruit.
Quality is reported as good with some shorter shell life and some stem issues due to extra humidity at the fields.
Color 25%- 50% / 12-14 brix at point of shipping. Ideal temperature for Imperial papaya is 48 degrees to avoid quality issues upon receiving.
Crop outlook:  Forecast has conditions as less supply for the next two weeks.
Market Intel:  Just enough supply to service demand.

We are currently shipping new crop California Bartletts out of the Lodi region this week. The California crop is an above-average crop this year, so we will have lots of fruit to sell. The crop has a good mix of all sizes but appears to be peaking at 100-count size fruit. California is also shipping new-crop red pears as well as light volumes of Bosc pears.  New-crop Washington Bartletts are projected to start up this week and their crop looks to be a very big crop as well. Plan for Bartlett pears to be in good supply and very promotable for the next several months. New crop Washington Bosc pears are projected to start shipping around September 8th and new crop Anjou should be ready to ship in light volumes around September 21st. Overall, we are looking at a large crop of high-quality pears this season!!

Please be advised of warmer weather in all strawberry growing areas this past weekend and Labor Day holiday.  Santa Maria is finishing their spring crop, and the fall crop season is starting.  We should see good volume in this area by mid-September. The Salinas/Watsonville growing areas will continue to be harvested, but the fruit is past its peak production period. The Salinas/Watsonville growing area has had some very warm days and nights which will cause the fruit to have smaller sizing, occasional bruising, and tend to be overripe and soft. 

Weather outlook:

• Santa Maria, California - The week of September 1 is forecast on Wednesday and Thursday for clouds giving way to sun, and then mostly sunny for the balance of the week.  Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.  The week of September 8 is forecast to be mostly sunny.  Highs in the low 70s, and lows in the 50s. 
• Salinas/Watsonville, California - The week of September 1 is forecast for low clouds giving way to sun.  Highs in the 70s, and lows in the 50s.   The week of September 8 is forecast on Monday and Tuesday to have intervals of clouds and sun, Wednesday a stray morning shower with variable cloudiness, and then partly sunny for the balance of the week. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the 50s.
  
   

Supplies and demand are starting to wind down on watermelons.  We are shipping Out East out of Delaware and Indiana.  Out West, we are shipping out of Stockton and Wapato, Washington.  We also have some supplies in Texas.  We will start Mexican melons in October.