Supplies of guava are steady right now and look to stay that way in the coming months. However, with demand for the fruit picking up next month for the upcoming holiday season, that means availability will be tight.
“In one of the main growing areas for guava, the Calvillo (Aguascalientes) area, it had 25 percent of the normal rain levels,” says Alberto Diaz of Spring Valley Fruits. Guava can be scheduled for harvests meaning seven months ahead of when the fruit is needed, growers prune the trees. “This year, many growers were not able to prune between April and June because they didn’t have any water to irrigate after pruning.”
The volume on guava is expected to be lower this year.
The volumes are expected to be lower than last year, which was already a lower production year for guava. “Demand, which I think will be strong this year, always picks up in November and December because closer to Christmas is when the Mexican population uses guava to make a holiday or Christmas punch. Also, many other seasonal fruits are not on the shelves anymore so we have more space to work with guava,” he says.
New guava consumers
In addition, guava is a fruit that’s being consumed by a wider population base. “In the past few years, it’s been carried by new retailers who in the past have had restrictions on irradiated items. Now more customers are becoming aware of the flavors and benefits guava offers,” adds Diaz.
That said, demand for guava can often stay firm until April. As for pricing, it’s anticipated to be stronger than last year due to the higher demand and tighter supply.
Guava will be of course the topic Spring Valley will be discussing at its booth, #3452, at the upcoming Global Produce & Floral Show October 19-21 in Anaheim, California. Last year at the show, the shipper introduced its eco-friendly clamshells to house the guava which are made of bamboo pulp rather than the traditional plastic, and that are also biodegradable and compostable. “For the show this year, we have many of our current customers on the West Coast and we have a warehouse in Los Angeles so it’s a good area for us,” Diaz says.
He also adds that it’s about to finish constructing a new state-of-the-art packinghouse in Aguascalientes beside its current packing house. Spring Valley will install 16 new TOMRA lanes, in addition to the 10 lanes it currently has, and it will integrate them all to have 26 lanes working in coordination, an investment that will also help improve quality.
For more information:
Alberto Diaz
Spring Valley Fruits
Tel: +1 (956) 618-2239
[email protected]
www.premiumguava.com