Chile's bucket of cold water and the fruit and vegetable 'shot'

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TOMATOES — F.O.B.S AS OF MAY 14

CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA DISTRICTS — Shipments (433-454-398) — Movement expected to increase. Trading moderate. Prices 5x6s higher, others lower. Extra services included. 25-pound cartons loose mature-greens 85% U.S. 1 or better 5x6s $8.95-9.95, 6x6s $7.95-8.95, 6x7s $7.95-8.95. Quality generally good.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZ. — Crossings (152-146-159, greenhouse 124-123-137, vine-ripes 28-23-22) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Supplies 4x4 to 4x5s light. Trading 4x4 to 4x5s fairly active, others slow. Prices 4x4 to 4x5s higher, others generally unchanged. Field-grown and greenhouse cartons/flats two-layer 4x4s mostly $9-10, 4x5s mostly $7.95-9, 5x5s mostly $4.99-5, 5x6s $4.64-5. Quality variable.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH OTAY MESA, CALIF. — Crossings (8-8-11, greenhouse 7-7-9, vine-ripes 1-1-2) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. Quality generally good. The first f.o.b. report was expected to be issued the week of May 21.

WEST FLORIDA DISTRICT — Shipments (0-0-0) — Light harvest expected to start the week of May 28. Expect first f.o.b. by the first week of June.

U.S. SHIPPING POINTS — Greenhouse (54-56-**) — No prices reported. **unavailable

CANADA SHIPPING POINTS — Greenhouse (149*-150-**) — No prices reported. **unavailable, *revised

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Home > Opinion > Fresh Talk Blog > Chile's bucket of cold water and the fruit and vegetable 'shot'

Fresh Talk Blog

Chile's bucket of cold water and the fruit and vegetable 'shot'

01/23/2012 10:15:47 AM
Tom Karst

The Chilean exchange rate is like a "cold bucket of water" to the country's fruit growers. Not a Gatorade bath after a big win on the gridiron, but a chilling drenching on a cold day.

In a story on the Fedefruta web site, Anthony Walker, president of the Fruit Growers Federation of Chile, said the strong value of the peso compared with the dollar has taken a toll on the industry. In the last quarter, industry revenues have dipped 7% because of the dollar's decline versus the peso.

In late 2008, Chilean growers received more than 660 pesos to the dollar. Now, only about 500 pesos are returned per dollar. That puts more pressure on Chilean exporters to deliver stronger prices in important export markets like the U.S.

Check out this link for a month by month record of Chilean fresh produce shipments to the U.S. for the past five years.

You will see that blueberry exports at least have not suffered, even with the unfavorable exchange rate. USDA statistics show that Chilean fresh blueberry shipments have increased from 12,533 metric tons in 2006 to 43,847 metric tons in January through November 2011.

The USDA FAS issued this recent report noting Chile's export success.

Got that 2:30 feeling? A company called Protica Research has developed a product it claims will pump you full of fruits and vegetables instead of caffeine.

In a story headlined "Five Servings of Fruits and Vegetables in Single Shot," the company claims "Fruitasia" is the first "fruit and vegetable shot." The company claims Fruitasia is three ounces of "all natural" ingredients that will give consumers three full servings of vegetables and two full servings of fruit.

Certainly convenient and quick, but I have to doubt the healh benefit equivalency to fresh produce.

Join the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group. Check out the stats from LinkedIn on the growth of the group. Facebook link here.