Almonds
With shipments of the 2019 California almond crop well underway we are seeing the highest shipments every achieved for an October in industry history, with a 6.89% gain on last year’s historic October (2018). Further, receipts are beginning to paint a picture of pronounced variations in yields between geographical areas as Blue Diamond’s Bill Morecroft noted about this year’s almond crop recently, “there was more geographical diversity in yields this year than any in recent memory.'' This is similar to reports from the field for California’s walnuts, which also show larger differences in yields between geographic regions than in past years.
The most recent Almond Board of California Position report shows YTD receipts of 1.590 billion pounds, which was up 37 million pounds from last October’s YTD receipts. Demand continues to be strong in all markets with some regions like the Middle East (+114%) and Europe (+14%) increasing noticeably in volume. Trade issues between the US and China continue to be an impediment to shipments to the ASEAN region, but still have not impacted overall demand as reflected in October’s record shipment numbers.
Our most popular almond varieties are Nonpareil, Independence, Butte/Padre, and Carmel types with the most popular grades of Supreme, Extra, Standard 5%, and more.
Walnuts
Sales of California walnuts are ongoing with inshell pricing stabilizing as sellers react to the receipts from the field. Similar to this year’s almond crop, walnut receipts are also showing large variations in yields between geographic regions. Although the Chandler crop is coming in shorter than expected, we have seen good quality kernels cracked out with grades showing high % light and % yield.
We work with the best California walnut packers to supply our customers with Jumbo and Jumbo / Large (J/L) in-shell Chandler, Howard, Hartley, Vina, Tulare, Serr and other varieties. We also provide bleached in-shell walnuts in addition to California shelled product including Chandler and non-Chandler Light Halves & Pieces (LHP) 20%, 40%, 80% and higher based on customer requirements. We also supply Combo Halves and Pieces (CHP) and Light Sorted Pieces (LSP).
Raisins
Demand for California raisins has remained strong from domestic customers while export sales had slowed briefly during the summer months. Sales and shipments to the ASEAN region have increased in recent weeks with pricing for Thompson Selects finally finding its footing in the export markets.
We supply all major bulk California raisins including dried-on-the-vine (DOV) and tray-dried Natural Thompson Seedless Selects, Selma Petes, Flames, Goldens, and other varieties in Jumbo, Select, and Midget sizes and welcome your inquiries. We also supply Selma Pete DOV Double-Run Supreme raisins to Japan and elsewhere which are processed twice to achieve exceptionally low stem and capstem counts. We offer multiple packaging options including custom boxes with client branding, supplier branded boxes, and blank unbranded boxes.
Pistachios
October 2019’s crop receipts were some 729 million pounds, or 330,000 MT. Estimates were for a larger crop than what has been received so far. The full crop size will be known more fully in the coming weeks. We have seen that shipments are down almost 7% versus this same period in 2018. Some sellers are attributing this to a later harvest and small carry in with shipments expected to remain high throughout November and December of 2019.
As we approach the new year in December and enter 2020 in January it is likely that prices will stabilize. Due to last year’s small carry in, it seems this year will be no exception and a smaller than expected total crop will only serve to firm pricing on California’s pistachio crop through Chinese New Year and the first half of 2020.
We supply raw in-shell pistachios and raw pistachio kernels of all sizes, grades and styles. We also supply roasted Extra No. 1 pistachios and welcome your inquiries.
Pecans
Pecan prices remain firm and stable, even as some of the crop recovers from the damage caused by last year’s tropical storm season. With strong demand in most markets, we are seeing sales continue for both in-shell and shelled product at a normal rate. Growers are currently picking up the remaining pecans they have in their orchards, with many beginning to prepare for next year in the coming weeks.
We supply Fancy Junior Mammoth Halves (FJMH), Fancy Mammoth Halves, Fancy Pieces, and other sizes / types for all major U.S. pecan varieties.
Cranberries
Many producers across the United States and Canada are reporting lower than expected crop yields with much of the harvest complete at this stage.The full extent of the shortfall is still not completely known. The size of this crop will determine the future pricing and availability of Sweetened Dried Cranberries with some expecting pricing to rise considerably. This will likely take some time as the new harvest will not be completely frozen and ready for production until early 2020. Expect by mid 2020, when inventory and 2019 crop size are known, supply will decrease while prices rise accordingly.
We recommend our customers looking to book their needs for 2020 earlier rather than later to take advantage of today’s great pricing on prompt and early 2020 SDC shipments.
We supply Conventional and Organic Whole or Sliced Sweetened Dried Cranberries (SDCs) packed in bulk cases as well as Organic Apple Juice Sweetened varieties. We also work with quarter inch diced and other diced cranberry products available as per client requirement. In addition, we supply 50 Brix and 65 Brix cranberry concentrate shipped in bulk 55 gallon drums.