Market Minute: Heat up winter sales with summer fruit from South America

February is the perfect time to promote all the summer fruit from South America. There is a great variety of items to set up nice attractive displays in and around the produce department and store locations. The product supplies and quality is excellent overall. Here are items every retailer can choose when putting together your merchandising layout plan:

Grapes have already been shipping out of Peru with Chile beginning its crop. Demand is fairly light and the market is about steady. Both red and green seedless quality is excellent and sizing looks good on large and jumbo.

Cherries will still be available for promotion up to the middle of February so you can work in one more sale while product is available. Demand is moderate on a steady market. The quality and size have been some of the best in years with each year's product improving. Prices were also reasonable.

Peaches, Nectarines and Plums are perfect to promote. Demand is moderate on a steady market. Sizing and quality are excellent.

Blueberries and Blackberries are good to promote. Peru is reaching its peak blueberry supply. Quality and size have been excellent.

Cantaloupes and Honeydews are still shipping out of Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. Watermelons from Mexico are in better supply. Sizes are mostly running large and extra large.   

Suppliers are ready and waiting for retailers to plan and  promote summer fruit items. Contact them early enough and get there before your competition.

Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775/843-2394 or by e-mail at [email protected].