An abundance of supplies and a strong market demand for California stone fruits is threatening export markets. “The market is overall causing the export market more challenging since the cost is such a high price in the US that it is difficult it is difficult to get to international markets, they cannot afford the costs,” says Ken Barbic Sr. of The Fresh Connection. “People put up advertisements and, once they’ve taken charge of them when they find something available for export, they’ll take the item to that market. The situation is however evolving. The situation is improving when we reach early July, but this isn’t going to be an ordinary season for our family.”

In general, the late spring is usually attributed to a couple of issues that caused the limited supply. For example, weather during bloom was frigid, making pollination challenging and was further exacerbated by the heavy rain which the state experienced earlier in the year.

This is how they’re in.

Apricots They are probably the least difficult type of stone fruit due to that the frost during the bloom caused the flower to die. “Overall they’re the most compact in quantity of stone fruits that is available,” Barbic Sr. Barbic Sr.

Nectarines and Peaches: These started out quite scarce, but have now shifted into more availability. “They’re in the middle but people are saying that about 20-30 percent lower than the normal,” says Barbic Sr. Demand for nectarines as well as peaches remains high despite the increased prices that retail stores are seeing this year. Also, the reduction in weather of the peach crop across the U.S. may well put California in a shortage supply scenario for the duration of the 2023 year.

Prunes: The reports aren’t consistent report on plums. Some plum acreages were plagued by problems with the bloom, but others are enjoying a productive crop that has a large amount of fruits. “Also due to the earlier season, growers did not reduce their crop as well and there are fewer fruits that they would normally,” says Barbic Sr. But that they have got an increased crop that they did last year, but the price of plums at the moment are extremely costly.

In terms of export markets are concerned, Japan is a fast-growing market for plums and nectarines. “They are actually sending an inspector to us as well as our staff members who perform the phytosanitary examination. They’re becoming more familiar with the varieties of our plums and are able to tell what they prefer, so they have the potential to grow,” he says. In addition, when it comes to exports, although Taiwan is a mature and cost-sensitive market China is another one that’s not being exported to at present because that it is home to local plums. Also, the price is rendering it difficult to ship to China.

In the future, even if prices change in the near future, Barbic Sr. believes the impact will be minor to the downside, which is what exporters are hoping for. However, on July 12, Section 32 food purchases will be released by the USDA for programs that support food banks as well as other programs. “That’s when they’ll give the tenders for nectarines as well as plums. This will have an impact on production on both export and domestic markets as the bid is excellent. When that bid is awarded the bids, we’ll see a lot more fruit going to this,” he adds.

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Ken Barbic Sr.

The Fresh Connection

Tel: +1 (925) 299-9939

ken@thefreshconnection.com

http://www.thefreshconnection.com/