Hardies Fruit & Vegetable Co. Always Trusted...Always Fresh!

Market Watch
Commodity, Quality & Market
V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e X I I A p r i l 1 3 t h , 2 0 1 2

Apples - Excellent, Steady Asparagus - Good, Steady AvocadoMX - Exclnt, Higher Bell Peppers - Good, Steady Strawberries - Good, Higher Raspberries - Good, Steady Blackberries - Good, Higher Blueberries - Good, Steady Broccoli - Good, Steady Carrots - Good, Steady Cauliflower - Fair, Steady Celery - Good, Steady Lemons - Good, Higher Oranges - Good, Higher Cucumbers - Good, Steady Eggplant - Good, Steady Red Grapes - Fair, Steady Green Onions - Fair, Steady Leaf Lettuce - Fair, Steady Head Lettuce - Fair, Steady Cantaloupe - Exclnt, Steady Honeydew - Exclnt., Steady Onions - Excellent, Steady Pears - Excellent, Steady Potatoes - Good, Steady Squash - Good, Steady Tomatoes - Good, Steady Watermelon - Good, Steady

Grape Supplies Run Short

As we finish the import grape season, we are predicting a supply gap on both red and green grapes as we transition between Chile and Mexico. Chilean grape exports to the U.S. are estimated to be 10% lower than the previous year due to tough weather conditions and stronger foreign markets. Crimson Red Grapes, will be ending the season with a 7.6% year-on-year decrease to 10.5 million cases. Thompson Green Grape shipments are projected to fall short of 10 million boxes, a 9.2% decrease of the past three year average of 13.4 million. Normally, importers will receive several shipments of red grapes after April 10th. As of now less than a million boxes are on the water, which is the equivalent of 1 weeks usage. Until Mexico begins harvesting in mid-May, we expect supplies to be extremely limited. Green grape quality has been fair, and as of late has been declining with the remaining product from storage. There is a two tier market on green grapes with poor quality in the upper $20s and better quality in the $40s. Unfortunately, the higher priced fruit is now being rejected as the fruit is not holding. Which means green grapes are becoming very hard to come by.

Stone Fruits Estimate An Early Start

Estimates are projecting an early stone fruit harvest to begin around the last week of April or early May. Early season commodities will include: white peaches, apricots, yellow peaches, and yellow nectarines. During the first few weeks in May keep in mind that commodities will be limited. However, supplies of commodities should ramp up by mid-May.

Contact Us:
1005 N. Cockrell Hill Road Dallas, TX 75211 (214) 426-5666

orders@hardies.com

Help Hardies Go Green, send us your email to have our newsletters delivered electronically instead of printed