The clementine crop out of California looks to be an average-sized crop this year. "There aren't as many shippers of clementines as there are Murcotts and Tangoes. The majority of the volume is probably in the hands of three of the largest shippers," says Al Bates, president of Sun Pacific Shippers, adding that the season goes until about the second or third week of January.
However, the supply of clementines is now starting to increase. "We've been waiting on color, internal Brix, and acid so we're starting to ramp up the volume and the quality of the fruit is good and I think we're pretty close to meeting demand," says Bates. Demand has been good for clementines over the past few weeks.
This looks different than last year at this time which saw a much later start to the season. Last season, there was a late spring bloom which pushed the start back in November. (This year's bloom was more on time and in turn, the start of the season was also on time, if not slightly early.) There were also more imports last year at this time.
Thanksgiving timing an assist
Movement of clementines is also getting a bit of a helping hand from this year's late Thanksgiving timing. "It's great because we have more time to ramp up in November," says Bates. "If you have a late start, you're probably going to miss a lot of demand because the fruit's not available."
As for demand now, it's peaking on clementine supply and that should hold, though Thanksgiving week is expected to be a slower movement week as it is for many commodities. "Then you'll have the three weeks after Thanksgiving prior to Christmas in which you'll have a pretty strong pull," says Bates. Christmas-New Year's demand often varies from year to year. It's also when supply dwindles somewhat given shippers start finishing up their crops and if it's not managed correctly, quality can deteriorate. After that, the season transitions into Tango mandarins and Murcotts.
So where is this leaving pricing? It is lower than where it was last year. "There's more volume than this time last year but overall pricing is okay. It's probably consistent with the average over the past 10 years which has not kept pace with the rising cost of farming inputs, packaging, and labor," says Bates.
Looking ahead, the outlook is optimistic for mandarins in the new year. "The taste is very good this year in the early season. Early season eating quality is not usually the best but this year it has been good," says Bates. "I think that has a lot to do with the repeat business and increase in demand and hopefully that will continue through the rest of the season."
For more information:
Al Bates
Sun Pacific Shippers
Tel: +1 (213) 612-9957
https://sunpacific.com/