Raisins
Prices for bulk Natural Thompson Seedless raisins have stabilized. Based on the slow and steady pace of sales, the California raisin industry will have a larger carry-in to the next crop which will play a role in summer spot orders and new crop pricing.
The new 2019 California raisin crop is developing well so far. There may be some issues due to the recent rainy weather in the Central Valley though the full impact on the raisin crop remains to be seen. Growers without aggressive fungicide programs may be more impacted than growers who are actively investing on this front. Timing-wise, the new California raisin crop may progressing more slowly than normal. The weather in September will be particularly important for the new 2019 raisin crop. In 2017 / 2018, unexpected thunderstorms while the raisins were drying caused major damage to the crop. All hopes are for favorable weather without any damaging precipitation as the California raisin growing season progresses.
We supply all major bulk California, Chilean, and South African 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
Pistachio shipments this year have set new records. Shipments of open in-shell from September 2018 to April 2019 totaled 338 MM lbs, up 26% from the prior year period. Strong shipments of a crop with record production at high prices further compel new plantings of pistachios in California.
Pistachio production continues to break records with 3 of the last 5 crops coming in at new highs. Pistachio trees are alternate bearing, meaning production tends to alternate between high and low yields from year to year. The 2015 pistachio crop of 270 MM lbs in 2015 was low both due to the “off” year and due to the drought in California. The 4-year period from the fall of 2011 to the fall of 2015 was the driest since record keeping began in 1895.
The 2018 crop was especially strong, coming in at a new record of 987 MM lbs according to data from the Administrative Committee for Pistachios. California has had no issues shipping yet another record crop and has benefited this year from Iran having a weak crop and trade issues due to U.S. sanctions.
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.
Almonds
Due to strong shipments this year, the transition to new crop is tight. Customers are eager for the new crop but most suppliers are off the market until the July Estimate is released though new crop non-pareil in-shell (NPIS) offers are available now.
The 2018 California Almond Nursery Sales Report published on Friday showed there were at least 10.1 million almond trees sold by California nurseries since June 1, 2017.
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
Demand for Chandler walnuts is still strong but supplies are very difficult to come by, especially for light and extra light material. There is better availability in combo at the moment. There is availability remaining of non-chandler LHP, LMP, and LSP. New crop needs are currently being discussed and new crop forward contracts are available for some products. The new California walnut crop is developing similar to last year. There are reports of a good amount of clusters and no significant drops to date.
We work with 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).
Cranberries
For bulk sweetened dried cranberries (SDCs), prices are relatively stable. Availability of conventional whole sweetened dried cranberries continues to be tight but there is good availability of organic whole SDCs. Sales to China, a major buyer of SDCs, is slower due to the tariffs. After the meeting of the Cranberry Marketing Committee in August, there will likely be more information to determine the state of the market for SDCs and to form a clearer view of the months ahead.
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.