United States Fruit Market Trend Report

WASHINGTON - Mar 2/04 - SNS -- The latest weekly fruit market trend report was released by the USDA today.

21, AND 28, 2004 IN THAT ORDER IN THOUSAND HUNDRED WEIGHT (100,000 LBS)
UNITS.  EXPECTED MOVEMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 29 - MARCH 13, 2004.
PRICES ARE FOR MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2004 COMPARED WITH MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23,
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 106-91-117----Movement
expected to remain about the same. Trading active. Prices 27s, 32s, and
56s slightly higher, others generally unchanged. 7/10 bushel cartons
Texas Fancy Marked Rio Star 27s mostly 11.25-12.25, 32s mostly 10.50-11.25,
36s 7.25-7.75, 40s 6.75-7.25, 48s 6.00-6.25, 56s 5.00-5.50.
Quality generally good.
---LEMONS
   SOUTH AND CENTRAL DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA---Shipments moderate---
Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading moderate. Prices
Shippers First Grade 165s, Shippers Choice 140-200s slightly higher, others
generally unchanged. Cartons Shippers First Grade 75s 13.00-15.00,
95s 14.00-15.00, 115s 12.00-15.00, 140s 15.00-16.00, 165s 14.00-15.50,
200s 14.00-15.00 and 235s 13.00. Cartons Shippers Choice 75s 8.00-9.50,
95s 9.00, 115s 9.00-9.50, 140s 12.00-13.00, 165s 13.50-14.50,
200s 13.50-14.75 and 235s 9.00-10.00. Recent rainfall has limited harvesting.
Quality good.
---LIMES
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS---Crossings 82-95-114---Movement expected
about the same. Trading 110s moderate, others active. Prices generally
unchanged. 40 pound cartons Seedless type 110s mostly 16.00-17.00,
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 remain about the same. Trading fairly active. Prices
slightly higher. Cartons Navel Shippers First Grade 40s 9.00-10.00,
48s 9.00-10.00, 56s 9.00-10.00, 72s 9.00-10.00, 88s 8.50-9.50,
113s 8.00-9.00 and 138s 7.00-8.00. Cartons Navel Shippers Choice
48s 7.00-8.00, 56s 7.00-8.00, 72s 7.00-8.00, 88s 7.00-8.00, 113s 7.00-7.50
and 138s 6.50-7.00. Recent rain has limited harvesting. Quality
generally good.
   LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS---Shipments 45-38-37---Movement of
Early Varieties expected to continue seasonal decrease with shipments
expected to be finished by the middle of March. Movement of Valencia
expected to increase seasonally. Trading fairly active with supplies in few
hands. Prices 7/10 bushel cartons U.S. Combination Valencia 64-72s 8.50,
88s 8.00-8.50, 113s 8.00, 138s 7.50. Prices from trade sources. No F.O.B.
report is being currently issued. Quality generally good.  Most available
supplies are 88s and 113s.

BERRIES
---BLUEBERRIES
   CHILE---Imports 27-28-18---Imports via air and boat.  Movement expected
to decrease slightly.  Port of Entry: Miami International Airport.  Trading
fairly slow.  Prices unchanged.  Flats 12 1/2 pint cups with lids medium
13.00-15.00.  Quality good.
---RASPBERRIES
   CHILE---Imports 2-2-3---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 81-99-49---
   SOUTH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 81-96-49---Movement expected to
increase.  Trading early very active, late fairly active.  Prices lower.
Flats 12 1-pint baskets medium-large mostly 14.90-15.90.  Flats 8 1 pound
containers with lids medium-large mostly 14.90.  Includes palletizing and
cooling.  Wide range in quality.  Rain was received in the district which
curtailed movement the week of February 22.  During the week of February 29,
light rain showers are expected early during the period, however, warmer
temperatures and sunny skies are predicted for the latter part of the week.
Production should increase substantially over the next seven to ten days.
   SANTA MARIA DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 0-3-0---Movement expected to
increase.  Substantial rainfall in the district during the week of February 22
abruptly halted production.  Most shippers either stripped fields or sent
berries to processors for juice.  Most shippers have indicated that they will
resume harvest until the week of March 7 or until mid-March.
Currently, no fob being issued.
   CENTRAL FLORIDA---Shipments 44-47-69---Movement expected to increase.
Trading moderate. Prices lower.  Including palletizing and cooling.  Flats
12 1-pint baskets medium-large mostly 12.90, flats 8 1-pound containers with
lids medium-large mostly 12.90.  Quality good.
---MISCELLANEOUS BERRIES
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS---Shipments 4-4-2---
Movement expected to remain about the same.  Trading early active, late fairly
active.  Prices lower.  Flats 12 5.6 ounce cups with lids Blackberries
12.00-14.00.  Includes palletizing and cooling.  Wide range in quality.
Prices include some 1/2 dry pint containers.  Supply remains light due to
cool temperatures.

MELONS
---CANTALOUPES
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 194-161-109---Imports mostly from Honduras,
Costa Rica, Guatemala. Movement expected to increase. Trading very active.
Prices generally unchanged.  1/2 cartons 9-12s 14.00-16.50, 15-18s 14.00-15.75.
Quality good.
---HONEYDEWS
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 48-67-68---Imports from Honduras, Costa Rica,
Panama. Movement expected to increase. Trading very active. Prices slightly
higher. 2/3 cartons 5-6s 13.00-14.75, 8s 12.00-14.50, 9s 10.00-12.75. Quality
good.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZONA---Crossings 6-13-20---
Movement expected to increase slightly as harvesting in new growing areas
gets underway.  Trading active early but closed moderate.  Supplies in too
few hands to establish a market. Quality generally good.
---WATERMELONS
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS---Crossings 45-41-95---Movement
expected to remain about the same. Shipments expected to be fairly light
due to poor quality, attributed to poor growing conditions and scattered
rains. Trading very active. Prices Red Flesh Seedless Type higher,
others generally unchanged. Cartons per pound Red Flesh Seeded Type
3s .38-.40, 4s mostly .36-.38, Red Flesh Seedless Type 4s mostly .48-.50,
5s .46-.48. Quality variable.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZONA---Crossings 12-9-14---
Movement expected to increase.   Trading very active.  Prices higher.  Cartons
cents per pound Red Flesh Seeded Type  3s and 4s mostly .40, Red Flesh
Seedless Type 4s and 5s .50-.55.  Quality generally good.

NON-CITRUS FRUITS
---APPLES
   YAKIMA VALLEY AND WENATCHEE DISTRICT WASHINGTON---Shipments 1066-798-947
(includes export 268-178-236)---Movement expected to decrease slightly.
Trading fairly active. Prices Golden Delicious 72s and 100-125s slightly
higher, others generally unchanged. 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 22.00-24.00, 80s 21.00-22.00, 88s mostly 20.00,
100s 18.00, 113s 16.00-17.00, 125s 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 16.00-18.00, 125s 16.00. Fuji
64-72s mostly 24.00-25.00, 80s mostly 23.00-24.00, 88s mostly 22.00,
100s mostly 18.00, 113s 17.00-18.00. 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, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India,
Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands,
Panama, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,
United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 77-72*-74---Movement expected about the same.
Trading moderate.  Prices generally 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.  *Revised
   NEW YORK---Shipments 74-71-70*---Movement expected to increase slightly.
Trading Empire 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 42 units from the Hudson Valley and
28 units from Western and Central New York.
   APPALACHIAN DISTRICT (MD-PA-VA-WV)---Shipments 17-13-15(Export 2-1-1)---
Movement expected about the same. Trading fairly slow. Prices unchanged.
Controlled Atmosphere Storage U.S. Extra Fancy.  Cartons traypack Red
Delicious 80-88s mostly 14.00-15.00, 100s mostly 14.00, 113s mostly 13.50-14.00
Export 113s-125s 12.00; Golden Delicious 80-100s mostly 15.00; Fuji 80-88s
mostly 18.00-19.00, 100s mostly 18.00; Red Rome 80-88s mostly 14.00-15.00,
100s mostly 14.00.  Cartons 12 3-pound film bags U.S. Extra Fancy 2 1/2 inch up
Red Delicious 12.00, Golden Delicious mostly 13.00, McIntosh 10.00, Red Rome
mostly 10.00. Light export to Honduras.
   NEW ENGLAND---Shipments 11-10-13---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 0-5-15—--Imports via air.  Movement expected to increase.
Expect sufficient volume by March 5 to establish an F.O.B. report.
---AVOCADOES
   SOUTH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 64-72-*---Movement expected to
increase.  Trading early very active, late fairly active.  Prices 84s
unchanged, others higher.  Hass cartons 2 layer 32s mostly 42.25,
36s mostly 42.25, 40s mostly 42.25, 48s mostly 40.25-42.25, 60s mostly 36.25,
70s 31.25-32.25; cartons loose 70s 31.25-32.25 and 84s 20.25-21.25.  Extra
services included.  *unavailable.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS---Crossings 35-26-28---Movement expected to
remain about the same.  Trading moderate.  Prices generally unchanged.  Cartons
2 layer Hass 36s mostly 24.25, 40s mostly 24.25, 48s mostly 24.25-26.25,
60s 22.25.  Quality variable.
---GRAPES, TABLE
   CHILE---Imports 534-588-464---Imports via boat.  Movement expected to increase
by more than 50 percent.  Port of Entry: Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading
moderate.  Prices generally 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,
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 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;
Ruby Seedless extra large 14.00, large 12.00, medium 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; Crimson Seedless extra
large 16.00, large 14.00, medium 12.00.  Quality good.
---MANGOES
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 10-11-9---Imports from Peru. Movement expected
to decrease. Trading fairly active. Prices higher. One layer cartons Kent
7s 4.25-5.00, 8s mostly 4.50-5.00, 9s mostly 4.75-5.00, 10-12s 5.00-5.50.
Quality good.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS---Crossings 5-6-9---Movement expected
to remain about the same with an increase of Hayden and Tommy Atkins expected.
Trading fairly slow. Supplies handled by a limited number of shippers.  Carton
1 layer Ataulfo supplies insufficient to quote. Quality variable.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZONA---Crossings 0-3-4---Movement
expected to increase slightly .  Trading moderate.  Supplies insufficient to
establish a market.  Currently crossings of mostly the Ataulfo variety.  The
Haden variety is expected to note movement by March 6.    Quality generally good.
---NECTARINES
   CHILE---Imports 72-44-59---Imports via air and boat.  Movement expected to
increase by over 50 percent.  Port of Entry: Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading
fairly slow.  Prices unchanged.  Mostly Summertime and Red Diamond varieties.
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 varieties.  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 16-18-16---Movement expected
to remain about the same. Trading moderate. Prices generally unchanged.
35-40 pound cartons Maradol 12.00-15.00. Quality variable.
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 3-3-3---Imports from Brazil. Movement expected to
remain about the same. Trading moderate. Prices generally unchanged.
3.5-4 kilogram containers Golden variety 8-12s 7.00-8.00.  Quality good.
---PEACHES
   CHILE---Imports 56-35-27---Imports via air and boat. Movement expected to
increase by more than 4 times the volume of last weeks.  Port of Entry:
Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading moderate.  Prices higher.  Mostly Elegant
Lady and Rich Lady varieties.  Cartons and lugs 2 layer tray pack 30s 6.00-8.00,
40s 6.00-8.00, 44s 6.00-8.00, 48s 6.00-8.00, 50s 6.00-7.00; 10 kilogram
containers 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 moderate.  Prices higher.  Mostly Elegant Lady and Rich Lady varieties.
Cartons and lugs 2 layer tray pack 30s 6.00-8.00, 40s 6.00-8.00, 48s 6.00-8.00,
50s 6.00-7.00, 60s 6.00-7.00.  Many all sizes and varieties consigned.
Quality good.
---PEARS
   YAKIMA VALLEY & WENATCHEE DISTRICT WASHINGTON---Shipments 84-122-179 (includes
export 26-43-54)---Movement expected about the same. Trading D’Anjou moderate,
Bosc slow. Prices Bosc lower, D’Anjou 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,
100s 12.00, 110-120s 10.00, 135s 8.00-10.00. Exports to: Canada, Guatemala,
Hong Kong, Israel, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Russia, and Taiwan.
   ARGENTINA—--Imports 0-116-89---Imports via boat.  Movement expected to remain
about the same.  Port of Entry: Philadelphia, PA,\ Camden, NJ\ Wilmington, DE.
Trading moderate.  Prices 90-120s lower, others unchanged.  18 kilogram containers
wrapped Williams Bartlett 70s 22.00-24.00, 80s 22.00-24.00, 90s 19.00-21.00,
100s 16.00-18.00, 110s 16.00, 120s 14.00.  Quality good.
   CHILE---Imports 24-15-13---Imports via boat.  Movement expected to increase
more than double the volume of the prior week.  Port of Entry: Los Angeles\
Long Beach, CA.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices lower.  18 kilogram containers
wrapped Summer Bartlett 80s 22.00-24.00, 90s 20.00-22.00, 100s 18.00-20.00,
110s 16.00-18.00, 120s 14.00-16.00.  Quality good.  Port of Entry: Philadelphia,
PA,\ Camden, NJ\Wilmington, DE.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices unchanged.
18 kilogram containers wrapped Summer Bartlett 70s 16.00-18.00, 80s 16.00-18.00,
90s 16.00-18.00, 100s 14.00-16.00, 110s 12.00-14.00, 120s 12.00-14.00,
135s 12.00-14.00.  Quality good.
---PINEAPPLES
   CARIBBEAN IMPORTS---Imports 38-33-24---Imports mostly from Costa Rica,
Ecuador. Movement expected to increase.  Trading active. Prices generally
unchanged. 1 layer carton Golden Ripe Variety 5-6s mostly 15.00, 7s mostly
13.00-14.00, 8s mostly 12.00, 9s 10.00-11.00. Quality good.
---PLUMS AND PRUNES
   CHILE---Imports 88-96-68---Imports via air and boat.  Movement expected to
increase to nearly double the volume of the prior week.  Port of Entry:
Los Angeles\Long Beach, CA.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices unchanged.
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;
10 kilogram containers loose Angeleno 60 size 7.00-8.00, 70 size 6.00-7.00;
Larry Anne 60 size 7.00-8.00, 70 size 6.00-7.00.  Quality good.  Port of Entry:
Philadelphia, PA,\ Camden, NJ\ Wilmington, DE. Trading fairly slow.  Prices
unchanged.   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.

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STAT News Service

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