The supply of papayas right now is very very limited. "Over the last three or maybe four weeks, we've seen the supply start to shrink and then now they're very tight," says Lance Peterson of Super Starr International, which sources papayas out of Mexico.
Part of the reason why supply is so tight could be the hot, dry weather Mexico has seen this season. "The rains hadn't come in yet and I think the plants didn't set fruit properly. Sometimes they can be deformed and if so, growers go in and "pop" them off so the plant can regenerate but that takes time," Peterson says, adding that there have also been some storms recently with rains and winds affecting parts of Mexico.
Part of the reason why supply is so tight could be the hot, dry weather Mexico has seen this season.
He also notes that it's a problem being seen throughout Mexico rather than being limited to one growing region.
Growing demand for papayas
As for demand, it's usually on the slower side at this time of year. "Though the demand for papaya has been more steady than usual over the last year. There's been some momentum with papaya," Peterson says. For example, papaya demand typically slows down in the summer but that was not the case this year. "Our theory used to be that when stone fruit came out, the interest wasn't there for products like this but I also think the demand for papaya has been steadily growing," he says.
All of this is leaving open market pricing in the mid-$30s. "I think it will remain there through October and maybe even into November," says Peterson.
IFPA Global Show
Papaya will certainly be top of mind for Super Starr International when the company exhibits this month at the Global Produce & Floral Show October 17-19 in Atlanta, Georgia at booth B3348. "We'll be there to touch base with customers and we'll also announce our new label for papayas–Don David," says Peterson, adding that the name comes from the founder of the company, Peterson's dad David Peterson.
For more information:
Lance Peterson
Super Starr International
Tel: +1 (956) 510-8126
[email protected]
www.superstarrinternational.com