The most recent Rabobank North America Agribusiness Review reports that prices for strawberry shipping points was around USD 10 flat for organic fruit that is lower by 40% in the case of products coming originated from California in the middle of August. Deliveries over the last 4 weeks have increased 10% year-over-year. In the US, availability of strawberry in the US will be in the normal seasonal decrease over the next couple of months. Following a steady supply during the US during the growing season, blueberries are expected to transition into the import season.Lemon shipping-point prices of 140s began the 2024/25 season of marketing with a price of around USD 35 for a carton which is down 2% year over year as well as exceeding the 5-year average mid-August by 3.3 percentage points.
California price for avocados at the shipping point for 48-pound containers were more than 75 USD per box, with a price that was similar to one year ago, however more than 39% higher than the average of five years at the middle of August 2024. Avocado deliveries originated from California have increased over 20% YoY over the past two months. Meanwhile, the arrival of avocados from Mexico decreased by 20% YoY over this same period. Conditions of drought in 2023 as well as during the first quarter of 2024 affected the development of fruit in Mexico.
The prices of fresh apples remain at prices that are lower than last year’s prices for the majority of varieties following the huge crop that was expected in 2023. The varieties with the most dramatic declining YOY in the recent shipping-point costs are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Red Delicious. The WSTFA predicts that 2024’s crop around 124m boxes. This is a return to historic normal production levels, following a lower harvest (104m boxes) in 2022, which was hampered by wet and cold weather as well as a significant recovery by 2023 (136m boxes).
Vegetables
Consumer price index for fresh produce reported declines in YOY. In June, fresh food sales hit 7.6bn dollars, which is up 2.1 percentage YOY. In contrast, fresh vegetable sales made up $3.4bn over the course of. The sales of vegetables are up by YOY, both in terms of quantity and in value. Produce that had an increase in volume YOY sold during summer comprised of lettuce, tomatoes, salad kits, potatoes cucumbers, peppers, onions as well as carrots and broccoli as per IFPA.
PotatoesUS potatoes production in 2024 are predicted to fall by 3.3% YoY and reach 427 million Cwt, according to NAPMN. The growing season has generally been favorable throughout the US regions. The yields will likely to exceed earlier forecasts for the season, however they are lower year-over-year. The area to harvest is expected to exceed 937,200 acres. This is less than 2% lower than the previous year.
Brassica and leafy greens: At about USD 10, and 12 respectively, romaine 24s as well as hearts (12×3) decreased 5 and 18% YoY, in mid-August. With a price of around 13 USD, the cost for 24s wrapped in icebergs decreased by 39% regard to what was sold prior to the year, and by the middle of August 2024. Around USD 20 for a 20 pound container the price for broccoli crowns increased by 23% year-over-year in mid-August. price for short-trim crowns was around USD 22, which was up 22% YoY.