Walnuts
The much anticipated 2019 California Walnut Objective Measurement Report released last Friday forecasts production of 630K tons, down 6.8% or 46K tons from last year.
According to the report, the average nut set per tree is 983 on a state-wide basis which is down 16% from last year and 23% from the 5 year average of 1,273.
There are an estimated 365,000 bearing walnut acres this year in California, exceeding last year’s record of 350,000. Trees per bearing acre also set a new record of 76.9, up from 75.5 last year. In-shell weight (gm) was estimated at 22.7 this year, up slightly from last year. In-shell width and in-shell cross width were in line with last year. In-shell length (mm) is estimated at 38.8, up from last year’s measurement of 38.1. The kernel grade - percent sound came in at a new record of 98.9.
The 2019 California walnut crop began developing with record amounts of rain and bloomed about 7 to 10 days later than normal. No significant pest or disease problems were reported and crop quality is expected to be good. Harvest will begin this month.
As with almonds, it appears that weather conditions have negatively impacted the development of the walnut crop this year in California. Prices have risen in the last couple of weeks as most sellers were hesitant to offer and buyers were quite eager to put first available shipments on the books. Now, with an Objective Measurement which has the crop down from last year and below previous estimates for the new crop, we anticipate suppliers will be assessing their marketable crop and offering higher prices than in recent weeks as the 2019 California walnut harvest kicks-off.
We expect activity to pick-up significantly for California walnuts this week since most suppliers have been withdrawn from the market in anticipation of the Objective Measurement which has now been released. Earliest available shipments of Jumbo Chandler In-shell to Mersin, Turkey and Jebel Ali, U.A.E. will be especially sought after and we welcome your inquiries.
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).
Pistachios
The 2019 U.S. pistachio crop is near completion and the industry seems to be confident in new crop production of 800 million pounds.
Pistachio trees are alternate bearing, meaning that yields alternate between high and low on an annual basis. Albeit an off-year, the 2019 crop looks to be of good size and quality. New crop in-shell and shelled pistachio pricing is now available.
Current crop shipments of pistachios have been extremely strong even amid higher tariffs from China, a key buyer of pistachios. With record shipments this year, there is a lower carry-in to the new season. Since the new crop is an off-yield year, the total marketable crop from the U.S. will be lower than last year and with very robust demand, we see stable and rising pistachio prices ahead.
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
New crop pricing is available for in-shell and shelled California almonds as well as for manufactured products. Current crop stocks continue to be very limited as the California almond industry faces a very tight transition to new crop.
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.
Pecans
New crop in-shell and shelled pecan pricing is now available with earliest shipments beginning in December and January.
We supply Fancy Junior Mammoth Halves (FJMH), Fancy Mammoth Halves, Fancy Pieces, and other sizes / types for all major U.S. pecan varieties.
Raisins
Bulk California Thompson raisin prices have been stable in recent weeks. There are plenty of California Natural Thompson Seedless (NTS) select raisins available and quality is good. Long-term volume contracts are available. The new crop is developing well and is expected to be normal.
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.
Cranberries
All growing regions are expected to have average sized cranberry crops so we anticipate ample supply in the year ahead. This year there will also be no Marketing Order from the Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC) which is also a positive for supply and availability of sweetened dried cranberries (SDCs). With growing acreage of organic cranberries, particularly in Canada, we anticipate good supply of sliced and whole organic SDCs.
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.