Freshspective

California cantaloupes are about done for the season with some limited volume available. The focus now is on Yuma production and growers are seeing a good distribution of sizing. Yields are down slightly after the rains earlier in the growing season due to Hurricane Prescilla. Yuma production will continue into mid-November, and we will begin to see offshore production the beginning of November arriving to the East Coast. 

Oranges

• California Navels: Crop volume is projected to be down 10% from last season but an increase in carton production is expected due to larger average fruit size. Harvesting has begun in a small way with better availability by late November. Much of this fruit will be harvested green and subjected to longer gassing hours to bring out the orange color. Gassing hours typically shorten as the season progresses through November. Fruit will color up naturally with warm temperatures during the daytime coupled with cooler nights. Initial harvests should peak on 72/88/113 counts before seeing more 56 count. Later season sizing is expected to peak on 56/48 counts. Fruit is expected to be clean and favoring more fancy than choice grade.
• Import Navels: Import supplies from Chile, South Africa, and Uruguay are tightening as the season comes to an end. Primarily large fruit (40/48/56 counts) remaining. Most importers will prioritize covering program commitments through October with the season finishing up early November. Sugar content remains consistent at 12–14 brix. 
• Import Valencias: Midknight valencias are available out of South Africa. Overall availability should improve into late October when more Chilean fruit enters the market. Quality is reported good with great juice content. Smaller sizes remain limited due to higher demand. 
• Import Caras: Volume remains available on larger fruit from Chile. Supplies are expected to be available into early November pending demand and programs.
• Florida Juice Oranges: Hamlins are available with crops peaking on smaller sizes (138/125/100 counts). Larger sizes are expected to remain more limited. Supplies are projected through most of January with a smooth transition to Valencias.
• Florida Navels: Quality is expected to be strong but overall crop volume is projected to be down. Harvesting should begin in late October with peak sizing on 64/80/56 counts.
• Texas Navels: Navels out of Texas are peaking on 72/88/113 counts.  Good quality reported. 

Lemons

• California: District 2 has finished, with harvesting picking up in Districts 1 and 3. Quality is reported to be great as the crop yields predominately fancy grade, with few choice grade. Availability is starting to improve with more District 1 yields strengthening in volume. District 3 fruit is peaking on 140/165/115 counts while District 1 is peaking on 140/115/165 counts.
• Mexico: The crop is winding down but continues to show mostly choice-grade fruit, with lighter volume on fancy-grade fruit. Fruit has sized up some with better availability on 95/115 counts. Overall, not enough supply to meet demand.
• Florida: Lemons out of Florida are reported to have strong quality this year with bright yellow color and good internal condition. Rains over the past weeks have limited harvesting and allowed fruit to size up, with sizing is peaking on 95/115 counts. The season should run through November, pending demand movement.

Grapefruit

• Imports: Grapefruit from South Africa and Peru is still available with good volume. Larger sizes (32–40 counts) are more prevalent, with limited availability on smaller fruit (45–55 counts). Fruit is reported to be with solid internal quality. Steady import supplies are expected through late October and into November.
• Florida: Season has started with great quality reported with excellent internals. Some growers were affected by hurricanes last season so yield expectations vary; overall, volume should be similar to last season. Sizing should also be similar to last year, peaking on 40/48/56 counts, leaving larger fruit more limited.
• Texas: Season has started with great quality reported and a similar sizing to Florida, peaking on 40/48 counts. Availability is limited but expected to ramp up in November with colder weather helping fruit maturity.
• California:  Rios to start in November but more growers will ramp up grapefruit availability in late February when harvesting increases with preferred varietals.

Mandarins

• Imports: Good availability but starting to see more demand as we enter the end of the Southern Hemisphere import season. Murcotts from Chile continue with steady supplies through October and will start to wind down early November. Chilean product is yielding more small fruit, peaking on 32/36 counts. Moroccan early-season varietals are expected to arrive late November/early December, with Murcotts and Nadorcotts to become available early next year
  
  
  
  

Green grape prices are climbing due to high demand and reduced yields from rain, with Autumn King and Autumn Crisp varieties leading strong but tight markets. Buyers are advised to pay fair market prices to secure quality fruit and consistent supply, as some growers begin bundling green and red grape orders. In contrast, red grapes have steady supply, softer demand, and minimal price increases, making them a good option for promotions despite potential quality splits from recent rains.

Green grape prices are climbing due to high demand and reduced yields from rain, with Autumn King and Autumn Crisp varieties leading strong but tight markets. Buyers are advised to pay fair market prices to secure quality fruit and consistent supply, as some growers begin bundling green and red grape orders. In contrast, red grapes have steady supply, softer demand, and minimal price increases, making them a good option for promotions despite potential quality splits from recent rains.

Region: Veracruz, Mexico

Weather Update:

The forecast for the upcoming week indicates a 20-50% chance of rain, with temperatures expected to range between 58°F and 90°F. Daily conditions are likely to vary, with some light rain and fluctuations in warmth throughout the week.

Market Intel:

The demand for limes has been steady.

Sizing Profile:

Peak sizes 200/175/230. Size distribution: 110-4%, 150-12%, 175-25%, 200-30%, 230-20%, and 250-9%.

Quality:  

We will be crossing the last week of October with a good volume of fruit. Limes are arriving with good quality; the fruit looks green and firm. The sizes are mainly 175, 200, and 230.

Looking Ahead:

By mid-November, we expect a steady supply of fruit. The harvest in November will ensure we have enough to meet the demands of all our programs. By the end of November, we may see a reduced volume of small- to medium-sized fruit. Some limes would appear lighter compared to earlier in the month. Due to recent rains, the fruit is increasing in both size and maturity.

SUPPLY MEETING DEMAND FOR PAPAYA IN THE U.S.A. MARKET.
Supply conditions are stable with enough supply to service demand. Slightly less volume arriving this week with growers stating recent storms affecting the west coast of Mexico have had an impact on overall yields and quality. Strong internal market is still keeping the overall availability of fruit being exported just right to service the USA out of Mexico. Supply for at least the next two weeks for papaya production is expected to be stable but dependent on weather conditions. Prices are stable in the U.S. market and should remain stable through October. 
Inventories showing some availability to offer. 
Majority of sizes between 6–12s with some surplus fruit.
Quality is reported as good with some shorter shell life and some stem issues due to extra humidity at the fields.
Color 25%- 50% / 12-14 brix at point of shipping. Ideal temperature for Imperial papaya is 48 degrees to avoid quality issues upon receiving.
Crop outlook:  Forecast has conditions as with steady supply for the next two weeks.
Market Intel:  Just enough supply to service demand.

We are now shipping pears from Oregon and Washington State where we are shipping new crop on Bartletts, red pears, Bosc, and Anjou pears. Overall, we are looking at a large crop of pears out of the Northwest this season. The harvest has a way to go and will continue into November this year; but if everything goes as planned, we are expecting a large crop of all the major pear varieties with great promotional opportunities. 

Strawberries are in very limited supply due to lower production in Santa Maria and Oxnard which is not enough to cover the demand.  Central Mexico is only crossing limited amounts.  The fruit is showing signs of bruising, decay, and potential mold on arrival.  The fruit size is also trending smaller. Prebooks are encouraged.

Weather Outlook

• Santa Maria, California - The week of 10/27 is forecast on Wednesday and Thursday to be sunny, with the balance of the week mostly sunny.  Highs on Wednesday in the low 80s, decreasing to the 70s for the balance of the week, and lows in the low 50s.    The week of 11/3 is forecast to be partly sunny on Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday sunny, and Sunday partly sunny.  Highs in the 70s, and lows in the upper 40s to the 50s.
• Oxnard, California -The week of 10/27 is forecast on Wednesday and Thursday to be sunny, mostly sunny Friday and Saturday, and sunny on Sunday.  Highs in the 80s on Wednesday, decreasing to the 70s on Thursday and Friday, and then decreasing to the 60s for the weekend, and lows in the 50s. The week of 11/3 is forecast to be partly sunny on Monday, sunny on Tuesday, and mostly sunny for the balance of the week. Highs on Monday and Tuesday in the 60s, increasing to the low 70s Wednesday through Saturday, and Sunday in the low 80s, and lows in the 50s.
  
  
   

Supplies are a little tight on watermelons.  Florida has a small fall crop, and Northern Mexico is going with limited supplies.  Lower yields out of Northern Mexico with the rain the past months.  We will have supplies from Northern Mexico into November.