United States Fruit Market Trend Report

WASHINGTON - Feb 24/04 - SNS -- The latest weekly fruit market trend report was released by the USDA today.

AND 21, 2004 IN THAT ORDER IN THOUSAND HUNDRED WEIGHT (100,000 LBS) UNITS.  
EXPECTED MOVEMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 6, 2004.  PRICES
ARE FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2004 COMPARED WITH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2004.
UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED SALES ARE F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT BASIS (INCLUDING 
DELIVERED SALES F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT BASIS) OR PORT OF ENTRY AND EXTRA 
SERVICES ARE INCLUDED.  PRICES REPRESENT OPEN (SPOT) MARKET SALES BY FIRST
HANDLERS ON PRODUCT OF GENERALLY GOOD QUALITY AND CONDITION UNLESS OTHERWISE
STATED AND MAY INCLUDE PROMOTIONAL ALLOWANCES OR OTHER INCENTIVES.  NO 
CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO AFTER-SALE ADJUSTMENTS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.
BROKERAGE FEES PAID BY SHIPPER ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE REPORTED.





CITRUS FRUITS
---GRAPEFRUIT
   LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS---Shipments 118-106-91----Movement expected to 
remain about the same.  Trading early moderate, late fairly active.  Prices 27s 
slightly higher, others generally unchanged.  7/10 bushel cartons Texas Fancy 
Marked Rio Star 27s mostly 11.25, 32s mostly 9.75-10.50, 36s 7.25-7.75,
40s 6.75-7.25, 48s 6.00-6.25, 56s mostly 5.00.  Quality generally good.  
---LEMONS
   SOUTH AND CENTRAL DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA---Shipments moderate--- 
Movement expected to decrease slightly. Trading moderate. Prices slightly 
higher. Cartons Shippers First Grade 75s 14.00-15.00, 95s 14.00-15.00, 
115s 12.00-15.00, 140s 15.00-16.00, 165s 13.00-15.00, 200s 15.00 and 235s 13.00.
Cartons Shippers Choice 75s 8.00-9.50, 95s 9.00, 115s 9.00-9.50, 
140s 11.50-12.00, 165s 13.00-14.50, 200s 13.50-14.50 and 235s 8.50-10.00.
Quality good.  Recent rainfall has curtailed harvesting.     
---LIMES
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS---Crossings 120-82-95---Movement expected to 
increase.  Trading early 110s active, others very active; late 110s and 250s 
fairly active, others active.  Prices much higher.  40 pound cartons Seedless 
type 110s 18.00, 150s mostly 20.00, 175s mostly 24.00, 200s-230s 24.00-26.00, 
250s mostly 24.00.  Quality variable.
---ORANGES
   SOUTH AND CENTRAL DISTRICT CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA---Shipments moderate---  
Movement expected to decrease slightly.  Trading active on export for Shippers
First grade fruit, moderate for Shippers Choice grade fruit in the domestic 
market.  Prices generally unchanged. Cartons Navel Shippers First Grade 
40s 9.00-10.00, 48s 9.00, 56s 9.00-10.00, 72s 9.00-9.50, 88s 9.00-9.50, 
113s 8.00-8.50 and 138s 7.00-8.00. Cartons Navel Shippers Choice 48s 7.00-7.50,
56s 7.00-7.50, 72s 7.00-7.50, 88s 7.00-7.50, 113s 7.00-7.50 and 138s 6.00-7.50.
Quality generally good.  Recent rainfall has curtailed harvesting.  
   LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS---Shipments 45-45-38---Movement of early 
varieties expected to continue seasonal decrease with shipments expected to be 
finished by the middle of March.  Supplies in too few hands to establish a 
market. Valencia oranges in some areas will be ready for harvest by around 
February 26 with shipments to follow during the first week of March.  

BERRIES 
---BLUEBERRIES
   CHILE---Imports 31-27-28---Imports via air and boat.  Movement expected to 
remain about the same.  Port of Entry: Miami International Airport.  Trading 
fairly slow.  Prices lower.  Flats 12 1/2 pint cups with lids medium 
13.00-15.00.  Quality good.
---RASPBERRIES
   CHILE---Imports 2-2-2---Imports via air.  Movement expected to remain about 
the same.  Port of Entry: Miami International Airport.  Trading moderate.  
Prices unchanged.  Flats 12 1/2 pint baskets with lids Red 14.00-16.00. 
Quality good.
---STRAWBERRIES
   ALL CALIFORNIA DISTRICTS---Shipments 72-81-99---
   SOUTH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 72-81-96---Movement expected to 
decrease slightly.  Trading very active.  Prices higher.  Flats 12 1-pint 
baskets medium-large mostly 16.90-18.90.  Flats 8 1-pound containers with lids 
medium-large 14.90-16.90.  Includes palletizing and cooling.  Wide range in 
quality.  Rain was received over the weekend of February 21.  Additional 
rainfall is expected throughout the following week.  Harvesting has been 
curtailed by the recent rainfall.  
   SANTA MARIA DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 0-0-3---Movement expected to 
increase.  Several shippers have began harvesting very light supplies 
in the district, however, supplies are insufficient to establish a market.  
Rain in the district has curtailed production.  Additional rainfall is 
expected during the week of February 22.  Currently, no fob being issued. 
   CENTRAL FLORIDA---Shipments 38-44-47---Movement expected to increase. 
Trading moderate. Prices higher.  Including palletizing and cooling.  Flats 
12 1-pint baskets medium-large mostly 14.90-16.90, flats 8 1-pound containers
with lids medium-large mostly 14.90-16.90.  Quality good.
---MISCELLANEOUS BERRIES
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS---Shipments 2-4-4---
Movement expected to remain about the same.  Trading early very active, late 
fairly active.  Prices lower.  Flats 12 5.6 ounce cups with lids Blackberries 
mostly 14.00-16.00.  Includes palletizing and cooling.  Wide range in quality.  
Prices include some 1/2 dry pint containers.  Temperatures in the district are 
warming up, and supply is expected to increase.   
      
MELONS
---CANTALOUPES
    CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 136-194-161---Imports mostly from Honduras, 
Costa Rica, Guatemala. Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading 
very active. Prices slightly higher.  1/2 cartons 9s mostly 14.00-15.00, 
12s mostly 15.00, 15s mostly 15.00, 18s mostly 15.00. Quality good.
---HONEYDEWS
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 66-48-67---Imports from Honduras, Costa Rica, 
Panama. Movement expected to decrease. Trading very active. Prices higher. 
2/3 cartons 5-8s mostly 12.00. Quality good. 
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZONA---Crossings 9-6-13---
Movement expected to increase slightly as harvesting in new growing areas 
begins.  Trading active.  Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. 
Quality generally good.  
---WATERMELONS
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS---Crossings 57-45-41---Movement expected 
to remain about the same. Shipments expected to be fairly light due to heavy 
gradeout, attributed to poor growing conditions and scattered rains. Trading 
active.  Prices much higher. Cartons per pound Red Flesh Seeded Type 3s & 4s 
.38-.40, Red Flesh Seedless Type 4s .44-.48, 5s .43-.46.  Quality variable. 
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZONA---Crossings 25-12-9---
Movement expected about the same.   Trading very active.  Supplies insufficient 
to establish a market.  Quality generally good.  

NON-CITRUS FRUITS
---APPLES
   YAKIMA VALLEY AND WENATCHEE DISTRICT WASHINGTON---Shipments 812-1066-798
(includes export 204-268-178)---Movement expected to decrease slightly. Trading 
active. Prices Red Delicious 72-80s slightly higher, others 
generally unchanged. Carton traypack Washington Extra Fancy, Regular 
storage Fuji (last report) 64-80s mostly 22.00, 88s 20.00-22.00, 
100s 16.00-18.00, 113s 14.00-16.00. Carton traypack Washington Extra Fancy, 
Controlled atmosphere storage Red Delicious 72s 16.00-18.00, 80s mostly 
16.00-17.00, 88s mostly 16.00, 100s 16.00, 113-125s 14.00-15.00; Golden 
Delicious 72s mostly 22.00, 80s 21.00-22.00, 88s mostly 20.00, 100s 
16.00-18.00, 113s 15.00-17.00, 125s 14.00-16.00; Granny Smith (Includes 
Blush) 72-88s 20.00-22.00, 100-125s 20.00; Gala 72-80s 26.00-28.00, 
88s 24.00-26.00, 100s 18.00-20.00, 113s 16.00, 125s 15.00-16.00; Fuji 
(first report) 64-80s mostly 22.00, 88s 20.00-22.00, 100s 17.00-18.00, 
113s 15.00-16.00; Braeburn 72s 18.00-20.00, 80s 20.00-22.00, 88s 18.00-20.00, 
100s 18.00, 113s 16.00-18.00, 125s 16.00. Exports to: Belgium, Canada, China, 
Costa Rica, Egypt, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, 
Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Russia, 
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, United 
Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. 
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 69-77-71---Movement expected about the same. Trading 
moderate.  Prices Gala filmbags slightly higher, others unchanged.  Controlled 
atmosphere storage U.S. Extra Fancy.  Carton tray pack Red Delicious 100s 
12.00-14.00; Empire, Law Rome and Ida Red 100s 14.00-16.00; Gala 88 and 100s 
mostly 19.00-20.00; Jonathan 100s 17.00-19.00.  Carton cell pack McIntosh 
96s mostly 18.00-20.00.  Carton 12 3-pound film bags U.S. Extra Fancy 2 1/2 inch
minimum and up Red Delicious mostly 11.00-12.00; Gala mostly 16.00; Fuji 
mostly 13.00, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Jonagold, Jonathan & Idared mostly 
12.00; Braeburn mostly 12.00-13.00;  Empire and Law Rome 10.00-11.00.  
   NEW YORK---Shipments 75-74-71*---Movement is expected to remain about the 
same. Trading Empire and Rome fairly slow, others moderate.  Prices unchanged. 
Controlled atmosphere storage U.S. Extra Fancy.  Carton tray pack Red Delicious
88s 15.00-16.00, 100s 14.00-16.00; Cortland 72s mostly 16.00, 88s mostly 
16.00-17.00; Empire 80s 16.00-18.00, 100s 16.00-18.00.  Carton cell pack 
McIntosh 80s 18.00-20.00, 96s & 100s mostly 17.00-18.00. Carton 12 3-pound film 
bags U.S. Extra Fancy 2 1/2 inch minimum and up Red Delicious mostly 12.00, 
Golden Delicious mostly 12.00-13.00, Rome mostly 11.00, Cortland 12.00-13.00, 
McIntosh mostly 12.00.    *Includes 47 units from the Hudson Valley and 24 units 
from Western and Central New York. 
   NEW ENGLAND---Shipments 10-11-10---Movement expected to remain about the same.
Trading moderate. Prices unchanged. Boston wholesale terminal market prices 
cartons McIntosh 12-3 pound film bags U.S. No. 1 2 3/8 inch minimum controlled 
atmosphere storage 11.00. Color generally good.   
   CHILE--—Imports 0-0-5—--Imports via air.  Movement expected to increase.  
Sufficient volume is expected by around March 10 to establish an F.O.B. report
---AVOCADOES
   SOUTH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 49-64-N/A---Movement expected to 
remain about the same.  Trading very active.  Prices higher.  Cartons 
2 layer Hass 32s mostly 41.25, 36s mostly 41.25, 40s mostly 41.25, 48s mostly
41.25, 60s 35.25-36.25, 70s 30.25-31.25; cartons loose 70s 30.25-31.25 
and 84s 20.25-21.25.  Extra services included.  Supplies are light due to 
recent rainfall.  Additional rainfall is expected during the week of 
February 22.   
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS---Crossings 31-35-26---Movement expected 
to remain about the same.  Trading moderate.  Prices 60s generally unchanged, 
others higher.  Cartons 2 layer Hass 36s mostly 24.25, 40s mostly 24.25, 
48s mostly 24.25, 60s 22.25-23.25.  Quality variable.  
---GRAPES, TABLE
   CHILE---Imports 554-534-588---Imports via boat.  Movement expected to remain
about the same.  Port of Entry: Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading moderate.  
Prices Red Globe lower, others unchanged.  18 pound containers bagged.  Thompson
Seedless extra large 14.00-16.00, large 12.00-14.00, medium 10.00-12.00, small 
8.00-10.00; Flame Seedless extra large 14.00-16.00, large 12.00-14.00, medium 
10.00-12.00, small 10.00;  White Seedless Type extra large 14.00-16.00, large 
12.00-14.00, medium 10.00-12.00, small 8.00-10.00; Black Seedless extra
large 14.00-16.00, large 12.00-14.00, medium 10.00-12.00; Red Globe extra large 
12.00-14.00, large 10.00-12.00, medium 8.00-10.00, small 8.00-9.00.  Quality
good.  Port of Entry: Philadelphia, PA,\ Camden, NJ \ Wilmington, DE.  Trading 
moderate.  Prices Thompson Seedless and Red Globe lower, others unchanged.  
18 pound containers bagged Thompson Seedless extra large 12.00-14.00, large 
10.00-12.00, medium 9.00-10.00, small 8.00-9.00; Flame Seedless extra large 
14.00-15.00, large 12.00-13.00, medium 9.00-11.00, small 9.00-10.00; White 
Seedless type extra large 12.00-14.00, large 10.00-12.00, medium 9.00-10.00,
small 8.00-9.00; Black Seedless extra large 14.00, large 12.00, medium 10.00; 
Red Globe extra large 10.00-12.00, large 10.00-11.00, medium 8.00-10.00.  
Quality good.
---MANGOES
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 26-10-11---Imports from Peru. Movement 
expected to decrease as the season finishes. Trading fairly active. Prices 
higher. One layer cartons Kent 7s mostly 4.00, 8s mostly 4.25, 9s mostly 4.50, 
10-12s 5.00-5.50.  Quality good.
   MEXICO CROSSING THROUGH TEXAS---Crossings 0-5-6---Movement expected to 
increase seasonally.  Trading early 12-20s active, others fairly slow; late 
fairly slow.   Prices slightly lower. Carton 1 layer Ataulfo 12s mostly 9.00, 
14s 7.00-9.00 16s mostly 7.00-8.00 18s mostly 6.50 20s 5.00-6.00 22s 4.00-5.00 
24s 4.00-5.00.  Supplies are marketed by a limited number of shippers. Sizes 
running are mostly 20-24s. Quality generally good.  
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZONA---Crossings 0-0-3---Movement 
expected to remain light until mid March.  Trading moderate.  Currently crossing 
mostly Ataulfo variety.  The Haden variety is expected to note crossings by 
around March 8.  Supplies insufficient to establish a market.  Quality 
generally good.  FIRST REPORT.
---NECTARINES
   CHILE---Imports 105-72-44---Imports via air and boat.  Movement expected to 
remain about the same.  Port of Entry: Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading 
fairly slow.  Prices lower.  Mostly Summertime and Red Diamond. Cartons/lugs 
2 layer tray pack 40s 9.00-10.00, 44s 9.00-10.00, 48s 8.00-10.00, 50s 8.00-9.00.
Quality good. Port of Entry: Philadelphia, PA,\ Camden, NJ\ Wilmington, DE.  
Trading fairly slow.  Prices unchanged.  Mostly Summertime and Red Diamond.  
Cartons/lugs 2 layer tray pack 30s 6.00-8.00, 40s 6.00-8.00, 48s 6.00-7.00, 
50s 5.00-7.00, 60s 4.00-6.00; 10 kilogram containers loose 50 size 8.00-9.00, 
60 size 6.00-8.00.  Quality good.
---PAPAYAS
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS---Crossings 14-16-18---Movement expected 
to remain about the same.  Trading early fairly active, late fairly slow.  
Prices lower.  35-40 pound cartons Maradol 12.00-15.00.  Quality generally good.
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 4-3-3---Imports from Brazil. Movement expected 
to remain about the same. Trading moderate. Prices generally unchanged. 
3.5-4 kilogram containers Golden variety 8-9s mostly 7.50, 10-12s mostly 
7.00-7.50.  Quality good. 
---PEACHES
   CHILE---Imports 86-56-35---Imports via air and boat. Movement expected to 
remain about the same.  Port of Entry: Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading 
fairly slow.  Prices 30-40s lower, others unchanged.  Mostly Elegant Lady and 
Rich Lady.  Cartons and lugs 2 layer tray pack 30s 5.00-7.00, 40s 5.00-7.00, 
44s 5.00-7.00, 48s 5.00-6.00, 50s 5.00-6.00; 10 kilogram container loose 
60 size 7.00-9.00.  Many all sizes and varieties consigned.  Quality good.
Port of Entry: Philadelphia, PA,\ Camden, NJ\ Wilmington, DE.  Trading fairly 
slow. Prices unchanged.  Mostly Elegant Lady and Rich Lady.  Cartons and lugs 
2 layer tray pack 30s 5.00-6.00, 40s 5.00-6.00, 48s 5.00-6.00, 50s 5.00, 
60s 5.00.  Many all sizes and varieties consigned.  Quality good.
---PEARS
   YAKIMA VALLEY & WENATCHEE DISTRICT WASHINGTON---Shipments 156-84-122 
(includes export 60-26-43)---Movement expected about the same. Trading D'Anjou 
moderate, Bosc slow. Prices generally unchanged. Standard carton wrapped 
US ONE Controlled Atmosphere Storage D'Anjou 70-100s mostly 14.00, 
110s 12.00-14.00, 120-135s 12.00-13.00. Bosc (Standard Russet) 
70-90s 14.00-16.00,  100s 12.00-14.00, 110s 10.00-12.00, 120s 10.00-11.00, 
135s 8.00-10.00. Exports to: Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Korea, Hong Kong, 
Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Panama, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad-Tobago 
and United Arab Emirates.
   ARGENTINA---Imports 0-0-116---Imports via boat.  Movement expected to remain
about the same.  Port of Entry: Philadelphia, PA,\ Camden, NJ\ Wilmington, DE.
Trading active.  18 kilogram cartons loose Williams Bartlett 70 size 
22.00-24.00, 80 size 22.00-24.00, 90 size 20.00-22.00, 100 size 18.00-20.00, 
110 size 16.00-18.00, 120 size 14.00-16.00.  Quality good.  FIRST REPORT.
   CHILE---Imports 28-24-15---Imports via boat.  Movement expected to remain 
about the same.  Port of Entry: Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading moderate.
Prices 80 size lower, others unchanged.  18 kilogram containers Summer Bartlett
80 size 23.00-24.00, 90 size 22.00-24.00, 100 size 20.00-22.00, 110 size 18.00,
120 size 16.00.  Quality good.  Port of Entry: Philadelphia, PA,\ Camden, NJ\ 
Wilmington, DE.  Trading moderate.  Prices lower.  18 kilogram containers Summer 
Bartlett 70 size 16.00-18.00, 80 size 16.00-18.00, 90 size 16.00-18.00, 
100 size 14.00-16.00, 110 size 12.00-14.00, 120 size 12.00-14.00, 135 size 
12.00-14.00.  Quality good.
---PINEAPPLES
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 34-38-33---Imports mostly from Costa Rica, 
Ecuador. Movement expected to remain about the same.  Trading active. Prices 
generally unchanged. 1 layer carton Golden Ripe Variety 5-6s mostly 14.00-15.00,
7s mostly 12.00-13.00, 8s mostly 11.00-12.00, 9s 10.00.  Quality good
---PLUMS AND PRUNES
   CHILE---Imports 72-88-96---Imports via air and boat.  Movement expected to 
remain about the same. Port of Entry: Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading fairly
slow.  Prices Fortune 40-50s lower, others lower.  Cartons/lugs 2 layer tray pack
Blackamber 40s 10.00-12.00, 48s 8.00-10.00, 50s 8.00-10.00, 60s 6.00-7.00; 
Fortune 40s 8.00-10.00, 50s 8.00-9.00, 60s 6.00-8.00; Friar 40s 10.00-12.00, 
48s 8.00-10.00, 50s 8.00-10.00, 60s 6.00-8.00; Larry Anne 40s 9.00-10.00, 
48s 8.00-10.00, 50s 8.00-9.00.  Quality good.  Port of Entry: Philadelphia, PA,\
Camden, NJ\ Wilmington, DE. Trading fairly slow.  Prices lower.   Cartons 2 layer
tray pack Friar 30s 12.00-13.00, 40s 12.00-13.00, 48s 10.00-12.00, 
50s 8.00-10.00, 60s 6.00-8.00; Larry Anne 40s 8.00-10.00, 48s 8.00-10.00, 
50s 7.00-9.00, 60s 6.00-7.00; 10 kilogram containers loose Blackamber 60 size 
8.00-10.00, 70 size 6.00-8.00; Friar 60 size 8.00-10.00, 70 size 6.00-8.00.   
Quality good. 

---

STAT News Service

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here