Tropical items shipping from Florida, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ecuador and other regions shipping into the U.S., are on their winter peak of supply. They will also be staying with promotional volume through early 2024.
Papayas: Peter Leifermann with Brooks Tropicals LLC says Caribbean Red Papayas from Guatemala have returned in good form with new fields in production. Meanwhile, Brazilian Solo Papaya is in the middle of the hot and wet summer months of production.
Caribbean Red Papayas from Guatemala have returned in good form with new fields in production.
Carambola: “Florida carambola and passion fruit are both peaking now through January. We’re very pleased with how our Carambola groves have rebounded from Hurricane Ian last fall,” says Leifermann. “This time last year we struggled to get our first harvest after the storm.”
Avocado: SlimCado tropical avocado from the Dominican Republic has supply that will remain strong into March. “The two dominant avocado varieties from the Dominican Republic will both be in production in January as the Semil gives way to the Carla,” Leifermann says. “Then we’ll end the season off of the island with the color-changing Beneke.” Also from the Dominican, the the supply of Groovy Coconuts will stay strong into March.
Dragon fruit: Ecuadorian dragon fruit is also peaking.
As for the timing of the seasons, they’re all relatively on time. “This is an untypical thing to say lately regarding the weather. It remains to be seen how early the Florida tropical avocado crop will start--May/June,” adds Leifermann.
Left: SlimCado tropical avocado; right: passion fruit
Weather has been a challenge this year for tropicals in that extreme heat has been an issue in every region in the Western Hemisphere. “The Dominican Republic is coming out of drought conditions, but the winter months are not particularly wet there,” says Leifermann.
As for demand, Leifermann says holiday tropical demand is good, although in-store real estate is occasionally lost to other traditional seasonal items.
Meanwhile, pricing is relatively flat compared to a year ago although some strengthening is to be expected as New Year’s demand picks up. That’s welcome news given the state of costs. “Production and input costs have not materially reduced since the pandemic, so everyone in the fresh produce business needs to face that reality with open eyes and determination,” he says.
For more information:
Peter Leifermann
Brooks Tropicals, LLC.
Tel: 877-775-3752
[email protected]
www.brookstropicals.com