Peaches... Outlook

According to the Economic Research Service of the USDA, California's 2007 peach crop is forecast at 1.68 billion pounds, 18% bigger than last year. However the Southeast is not looking the same as the frigid temperatures across the Southeast over the Easter weekend in early April damaged peach crops in South Carolina and Georgia. To View Report the entire report, click the link above...

Caper Outlook Summer 2007

The picking of capers has just started in around the Mediterranean Sea Countries...

Packers appear to be paying already higher then last year for raw material.

The reason for the higher costs are that nonpareilles and surfines supplies are basically exhausted all over the world for many months now.

I am told to expect substantial price increases for both these grades and that other grades also will follow to some extent.

Initially, offers will be very strong and high until it is the quantities that are going to be available to packers becomes more clear.

I will learn more in early July but suggest that if you want to be sure to have supply, pass Blue Planet Foods your quantity estimates that we can work on securing that subject to prices later this summer when we have a better idea of the situation.

Saffron Update or Sorry but No Good News

This report came in after talks with those in the know (an interpretation of the conversation):

The Iranian Tragedy has become a Soap Opera with prices for raw material that have jumped over 1000 euros kilo (one year ago we were looking at less than 500 euros..).

Buyers are reluctantly accepting these dramatic increase (some say about USD 70 per oz. as their real right now cost!!!!) and some of them, such as redistributing importers are having a HARD time to digest.(

It seem that the new season 2007/2008 -according to expert opinions - will not be much better. Cited reasons and logic:

a) no time enough to have plants recoup (new plantations).
b) market very short of supply in the pipeline.
c) Iranian sources tightly committed to sell as expensive as they can. The Government Coop grows in confidence while bankrupting growers and middle men there.
d) new alternative sources (Med countries and other regions) not on line and won't be even if they invest now as it is a long time before being able to react with actual yields to sell...

So dear friends... WATCH OUT FOR STRAW LABELED AS SAFFRON as the prices will continue to climb! Our next shipment is due in shortly and those prices are higher also due to the US $'s weakness...

I am looking for good news.... Anyone have any?

New Products at AJ GOURMET FOODS!

We have just brought in some new flavors of the famous "NOVIA DEL SOL" Stuffed Manzanillas into our Internet Retail Shop (link through the title)...

All are still the highest quality Manzanillas Finas available in the world, which if you have not tried (the Piquillo Stuffed, the Blue Cheese, Parma Cheese or Anchovy Stiffed) you are missing something fantastic!

For the most delicious Martinis, Bloody Mary's and other cocktails we have available:

Novia del Sol Manzanillas Olives stuffed with LEMON;
Novia del Sol Manzanillas Olives stuffed with ORANGES;
Novia del Sol Manzanillas Olives stuffed with TOMATOES;
Novia del Sol Manzanillas Olives stuffed with JALAPENOS;
and Novia del Sol Manzanillas Olives stuffed with HABANERO!!!



Try these and let us know what you think! All are available in Larger Sizes for Food Service Distribution... Just give us a call!

Olives Mid Season Look

I just received the following from an associate in the industry reporting on the current conditions of stocks and the future outlook for Spanish Olives come Fall 2007...

"CON LAS EXISTENCIAS LIBRES QUE TENEMOS MUCHO ME TEMO QUE NOS COSTARA TRABAJO ENLAZAR CON LA NUEVA COSECHA. DISPONIBILIDAD PARA COMPRA EN PLAZA MUY DIFICIL Y COSTE BASTANTE MAS ALTO QUE CAMPAÑA..."

WITH CURRENT OPEN STOCK I AM AFRAID WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME TO ENGAGE SEASONS. TO FIND RAW MATERIAL IN THE MARKET HAS BECOME A VERY DIFFICULT TASK AND PRICES ARE QUITE HIGHER THAT DURING SEASON TIME.

"ACTUALMENTE PERPECTIVAS PAR ANUEVA COSECHA ES BUENA PERO YA SABES QUE AUN ES BASTANTE PRONTO Y ESPECIALMENTE PARA GORDALES QUE ES MAS SENSIBLE QUE MANZANILLAS A LOS BRUSCOS CAMBIOS DEL CLIMA"

AT THIS POINT NEW SEASON LOOKS GOOD BUT AS YOU KNOW ITS TOO EARLY , MAINLY FOR QUEENS THAT AS YOU KNOW IS A VARIETY MUCH MORE SENSIBLE TOWARDS WEATHER CHANGES THAN MANZANILLA

California Farm Bureau Reports

There should be more California-grown plums, peaches and nectarines available this year. The total harvest of the three crops will be up 6%, compared to a year ago, according to the California Tree Fruit Agreement. Farmers have begun harvesting peaches and nectarines, and the plum harvest will start soon, reported California Farm Bureau Federation.

Honey Bees Die Off?

This is just one of many articles that have recently been run about the continuation of the disappearance of HONEY BEES and the potential disaster that this implies for Fruit Crops.

I remember when the African Killer Bees were coming north and this was big news... This is much worse...

Check the link (one of many) or try this link to the Science Daily article from last week: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070426100117.htm