Agronometrics Blog

Posts

The USITC concludes that Mexico is competitive in the production and export of raspberries without subsidies

Overview of Mexican raspberries in the U.S. market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on July 20, 2021 The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has completed an investigation commissioned by the White House Trade Representation (USTR) to determine whether raspberry imports to the United States represent a serious threat or danger to the US raspberry industry, concluding that Mexico is competitive in the production and export of raspberries without currently allocating subsidies for it. The USITC noted in its report that most of Mexico's government support previously offered to producers is no longer available due to policy changes under the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. There is also no support from the Mexican government for the fruit processing sector. These policies differ from the ones that were implemented in the early 2000s, when the Mexican federal government supported the fres

Berry People’s Peruvian blueberries provide consistent volumes and quality through upcoming late summer and fall-winter seasons

Overview of the later summer to winter blueberry supply, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in ThePacker.com on July 20, 2021 Once the North American blueberry season wanes, Peru’s long growing season, steady climate and greenhouse-like growing conditions will provide retailers and consumers with a trustworthy and constant volume of high-quality blueberries. “We continue to have new acreage in play, and the crop-set looks heavier, and earlier, than last year,” said Michael Osumi, Berry People’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are expecting to begin shipping in August, a couple of weeks early, with peak arrivals planned for October through mid-December.” Volumes (in Kg) of blueberries from Peru in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Berry People now has a robust, year-round supply of conventional and organic blueberries as a result of its increasing commercial p

Supplies of imported asparagus are mediocre at best

Overview of asparagus in the U.S. market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on July 20, 2021 Supplies of asparagus are fair right now Currently, asparagus is coming from the Guanajuato region in Central Mexico. “That region has been dealing with quite a bit of wet weather. It always deals with a lot of moisture and this is one of those really high years for it. They’ve had a difficult time getting into a really consistent rhythm with volume. It’s been mediocre at best,” says James Paul of Greg Paul Produce Sales Inc. in Stockton, CA. While Paul works with Greg Paul Produce Sales on California production of asparagus and potatoes, he also works with Los Angeles, CA-based Giumarra Co. on imported asparagus supplies. Domestic production of asparagus wrapped up approximately 1.5 months ago. “Peruvian imports are picking up and filling the gap of some of that fair supply situation. I don’t know if their volume is tremendous but they ar

Agronometrics in Charts: Cherry prices and volumes in the U.S. market

For the majority of this year, average cherry prices were much lower than those recorded in 2020. While last year's prices were high compared to a typical year (and those in 2021 were similar to a normal year), it is worth trying to determine the possible reasons that created this price difference. As you can see in the graph below, average prices in 2021 were higher than those of 2020 between weeks 19 and 22, but from week 23 the roles were reversed and prices in 2021 began to be lower than those of 2020. It can also be seen that the average prices of cherries in week 28 of 2021 were around US$4.43 per kilogram, a 32 percent decrease year-on-year. Cherries that are currently arriving are from Washington. Cherry Prices (USD/KG) by History Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Regarding cherry volumes in the North American market, between weeks 18 and 25, the fruit supplies of this year were higher ye

Peru forecasts blueberry exports to grow by a quarter

Overview of Peruvian blueberry exports, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshFruitPortal.com on July 15, 2021 Peru is expecting to see a 25 percent increase in blueberry volume exported year-on-year, industry association ProArandanos told FreshFruitPortal. The Association of Producers and Exporters of Peru (ProArandanos) is estimating fresh blueberry exports to be around 200,000 metric tons (MT) this season. Destination markets are expected to be at 49 percent to the U.S., 32 percent to Europe, 17 percent to China and 2 percent to other markets. Volumes (in Kg) of blueberries from Peru in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) "By destination, a 22 percent increase is estimated in shipments to the U.S., a 20 percent rise to Europe, 111 percent rise to China and 12 percent to other markets," President of ProArandanos, Daniel Bustamante said.

Avocado supplies down with Mexican crop transition

Overview of the avocado supply by Denise Junqueiro of Mission Produce, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on July 15, 2021 Supplies of avocados are down somewhat even with fruit being sourced from multiple regions currently. Volumes (in Kg) of avocados in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) “As Mexico transitions into the Flor Loca crop, and the California season nears its end, the U.S. industry supply is down,” says Hector Soltero, senior director of sales planning for Mission Produce based in Oxnard, CA. Main o rigins (Volumes in Kg) of avocado in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Domestically, California’s avocado industry has harvested the majority of its anticipated 250 million lb. crop. Sizing of the fruit is skewing towards sizes 60 and 48

Strong economy leads to early strong demand for California grapes

Overview of the california table grapes season by Jim Beagle of Grapery, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on July 13, 2021 The California grape crop is starting slightly early in 2021. “It’s about half a week to a week normal. It’s not a huge swing for us,” says Jim Beagle of Grapery based in Shafter, CA. “It’s maybe the absence of really cool weather in the spring. Sometimes in late April or May we’ll get a cold snap and we didn’t this year.” The crop itself is a large crop and Beagle says it’s high-quality and harvest has begun out of San Joaquin Valley, CA. “I think the industry is going to be about the same as last year but on a per acre basis, the yield looks to be as good as last year or possibly better,” says Beagle, adding that Grapery continues to add to its high-flavor varieties such as Cotton Candy and Gum Drops. Volumes (in Kg) of table grapes from California in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometri

New estimate pegs Peruvian avocado exports up 20% in 2021

Overview of Peruvian avocado exports, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshFruitPortal.com on July 09, 2021 Peruvian avocado exports for the 2021 season are estimated to increase 20 percent by volume to 490,000MT year-on-year, according to a new report. In the first half of 2021, avocado exports totaled over 317,300MT, reflecting an increase of 21 percent versus the 261,900MT last year, according to Agraria. The president of the consulting firm Inform@cción, Fernando Cillóniz Benavides, estimated that by the end of 2021, Peruvian avocado shipments would be close to US$1 billion. This would mean a growth of 30 percent compared to the almost $756 million reached last year. The president of ProHass, Juan Carlos Paredes Rosales, said this significant growth was due to new plantations entering the production phase and to the higher yields of the young trees. Paredes said that Europe would continue to be the main destination and that they estima

Growers walking away from blocks of cherries following heat wave

Overview of the cherry season by Dan Davis of Starr Ranch Growers, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on July 08, 2021 The unprecedented heat wave that’s seen triple digit, sustained temperatures continues to take its toll on growing on North America’s West Coast. Fruit unmarketable “On cherries, it has had some pretty large impacts,” says Dan Davis with Starr Ranch Growers based in Wenatchee, WA. “We’re having to walk away from several blocks of cherries where the maturity isn’t right. It’s hurt fruit size and making many blocks unmarketable.” Volumes (in Kg) of cherries from Washington in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) While the heat is affecting the cherries, the market situations for the popular stone fruit have compounded the situation. “We inherited a market where we were overlapping with California and getting a lot of downwar