Volume I, Issue 2 · September 4, 2004

Mango Volume to Switch mid-Sept from Mexico to Brazil

By September 20, Mexico's mango harvest will end. This market is steady at $3.00 fob Arizona heading in to Labor Day. Final shipments will occur around the last day of summer.

Brazil's early exports have been interrupted by the hurricane season delaying sea vessels. This has caused some quality issues due to time in transit. However, the situation with Brazil should improve by late September. This year, Splendid's imports from Brazil will peak in early October. Most of the volume will be in 9's and 10's. There will be limited volume in 14's and no 7's this year. Splendid has invested in programs for 400,000 cartons from Brazil to ensure steady supply during the early fall season.

Seo Francisco River ValleySplendid's imports are from the São Francisco River Valley of Northeast Brazil. This is the country's largest exporting area for mangos, with 15,000 hectares planted. The valley's Petrolina and Juazeiro areas enjoy an important production window between the mango harvests of Mexico and Ecuador, growing approximately 80% of Brazilian mango exports. The peak variety is Tommy Atkins (over 75%), with Hadens, Keitts, and Brazilian varieties also planted. The valley has efficient agricultural systems, with irrigated crops and advanced production technologies.

A recent study by members of the International Society for Horticultural Science suggest export production costs in the São Francisco River Valley run close to $5/carton, landed in the USA. (J.L.P. Araújo, R.C. Correira, J. Guimaraes, E.P. Araújo). Market prices were already below this level before Labor Day, due to the high volume of shipments arriving together as a result of the vessels delayed by hurricane conditions. Call today for lid prices. 520-398-8112 in Arizona or 650-342-4525 in California.

Texas Citrus Shines as Florida Waits Out a Storm

Strong rains in South Texas have resulted in a very good summer growing season for citrus. Reservoir levels have remained high through the summer, as timely rainfall has resulted in additional inflows and also reduced irrigation demand. Indeed, groves are looking as good as I can recall seeing them in the last 25 years. states Dr. Julian Sauls, a Horticulturist in Weslaco. The citrus production areas of the Lower Rio Grande Valley offer excellent growing conditions to produce sweet, deep red colored grapefruit, as well as sweet and juicy oranges.

Texas Citrus Growing AreasThe present outlook for the Texas citrus industry is extremely bright. Today all Texas Citrus is grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Production in the valley is about 33,000 acres producing about 7% of the nation's grapefruit, according to Texas Sweet, a nonprofit public relations company. The Lower Rio Grande Valley prides itself on the development and distribution of such superior grapefruit as the Rio Star and Ruby-Sweet. The present acreage of citrus is not sufficient to meet the existing demand for premium quality Texas grapefruit and Texas sweet oranges.

The Florida Citrus deal is not certain what to expect with the hurricane headed for the Indian River area. We'll provide a forecast as soon as reliable details become available.

Regardless, Splendid distributes citrus year-round, ensuring the best available product is at your fingertips. Contact J.B. for citrus pricing at 650-342-4525.