Industrial food brokers/traders specializing in fruit juices, concentrates, fruit purees and essences,
fresh & frozen fruits, dried fruits & nuts, health food juices & powders.
 
 

Newsletter No. 28 - February 2002

NEWSLETTER NO. 28 - February 2002

            We have completed 20 years in the foodbrokerage business and thank every individual and company that has used our services and given us their support. 

 This is our annual update on the Concord grape industry.  If you do not use Concord, please refer to our Ingredient Listing on page4.  We may be able to be of service on other products.

             The crop reporting service of the USDA has advised that the 2001Concord crop, produced in the U.S., totaled 350,610 tons.  This is 39,000 tons or 11% less than produced in 2000 and13% less than the previous 5 year average. 

           Although there were no serious crop losses to spring or fall freezes, there was awide disparity in growing conditions and crop size between growing areas, as described below.

             Prices paid Concord growers in the Eastern areas averaged $263/ton at16° brix, up 7% from the 2000 crop.  The Washington price averaged $218/ton, down slightly from 2000.        

            The prices for Concord concentrate have fallen since they were announced inDecember and are currently at their lowest level since the 1995 crop.  In most years, prices drop due to large crops and heavy inventory.  This year, the lowering of prices is not due to large Concordcrops but is due to large crops in California where excessive plantings of new vineyards and good sized crops resulted in a severe surplus of grapes and extremely low Red and White grape concentrate prices. South America and Europe are competing by lowering their prices.  In addition, many processors have changed their formulas to reduce the percentage of Concord in their blends and, in some cases, have removedConcord from their formulas.  We understand that substantial acreages of vineyards are being removed or abandoned in California but it will take awhile to reverse the trend.

Did you know?
Al Hall, who is a third generation General Manager of Growers Co-operative Grape Juice Company of Westfield NY, has retired.  During his 49 years of service they developed the expertise to produce the highestquality Concord concentrate available to the industrial market.  He was, in some quarters, known as the "Dean of the Concord industrial market" because he, alone, established the annual prices ofconcentrate.



Comments by growing area:

New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio – Conditions in the spring, indicated an above average crop size potential.  However, the number of berriesper cluster, resulting from an unfavorable blooming period, was the lowest in many years, resulting in many growers having severe crop losses.  The area had below average rainfall resulting in poor berry size. On August 15, when New York processors must name their prices paid to Concord growers, they went up 7% over 2000 because the crop sizeappeared to be quite small due to small clusters and below average berry size.  Prior to harvest, substantial rainfalls increased the berry size to above average andmade up for a portion of the crop reduction. The New York crop was down 5% from last year; Ohio down 27%, Pennsylvania up 14% and the 3 state area was only down 1%.

 There appears to be an abundance of high quality fruiting wood in the vineyards, so the prospects for the 2002 crop are now above average. However,due to a mild winter, there is very little ice in Lake Erie which increases the risk of spring freeze losses.

 Michigan – This area had 7 successive above average Concord crops and last spring appeared to have adequate fruiting wood for another large crop.

 The poorest berry set we have ever heard about in our many years of experience in the Concord industry left most vineyards with an unusually small number of berries per cluster. Some vineyards were not harvested for lack of adequate crop.  The area produced 46,000 tons less or 71% less than in 2000.  Mostof the loss was absorbed by National Grape/Welch growers who have over 97% of the Concord acreage in Michigan under contract.

Current prospects for the 2002 crop are average, to above.

 Washington – Concord growers produced a below average crop in 2000 and the 2001 crop of 167,000 tons was only 5% more, which was close to the past 5 year average. Because of good fall weather and no winter damage, prospects for the 2002 crop are now average to above average.

 Canada – The Concord crop was 4% less than in 2000 and 14% under the last 4 year average.  Grower prices for Concords are now tied toNew York’s price. Prospects for 2002 are about average.

 Brazil – Harvest of their 2002 crop is now underway.  Early reports indicate above average sized Concord and Isabella crops.

Pleaselook over our Ingredient Listing and call us if we may be of service to you, either in helping you sell your products or helping you locate sources and provide quotations for your requirements. WE WILL APPRECIATEYOUR BUSINESS:

 

U.S. Concord Production
% of Total by Area - 2001
2
Both NY-PA-OH & WA produced about the same percent of the total.  Michigan dropped severely due to crop loses.
U.S. Concord Supply
Current Crop & Carryover 1997 - 2001
1
The total supply available from the 2001 crop, including carry over from the previous crop, is below the past 5 year average.
  
U.S. Concord Grape Prices
Cash Buyers - Juice Industry 1997-2001
3
Prices paid growers by independent processors rose 7% in the East and dropped slightly in the West.
 Prices of 68° Brix Concord
Concentrate at Start of Pack 1997-2001
4
Opening prices, December following harvest, are for single truckloads of drums.  Prices have dropped since December due to stiff competition from Red and White grape concentrates.

 

Juices & Concentrates
U.S. Gal. or $
FOB or X-dock
Apple Single Strength .54 -.95 MI/WA/ONT/CA/NY
  70° Domestic 4.50 - 5.50 MI/WA/CA
  70° Imported 3.85 - 4.50 Most Ports
Concord Single Strength 2.00 - 2.60 MI/NY
  68° Domestic 10.55 - 11.00 WA/NY
  68° Imported Call us Most ports
Concord Type
& Blends
68° Domestic 5.20 - 9.40 WA/NJ/NY
  68° Imported Call us Most ports
Red Grape 68° Domestic
(200-1000 Color)
5.00 - 6.90 CA
  68° Imported
(400-1000 Color)
5.75 - 6.85 Most ports
White Grape 68° Domestic 4.50 - 4.75 CA
  68° Imported 3.25 - 4.80 Most Ports
  55-68° Niagara 7.50 - 13.95 WA/NY
  Niagara Single Strength 2.45 - 2.65 MI/NY
Varietal Grape Single Strength & Concentrate Call us NY/MI/CA/WA/ONT
Cranberry and
Other Berry WONF
50-65° Call us NW


We also handle the following fruits and berries as concentrates, purees and frozen. Many are available as single strength juices.

Acerola
Apricot
Banana
Black Currant
Black Raspberry
Blackberry
Blueberry
Boysenberry
Cantaloupe
Cherry
Cranberry
Elderberry
Grapefruit
Guava
Honeydew
Kiwi
Lemon
Lime
Loganberry
Mango
Orange
Papaya
Passionfruit
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
Plum
Prune
Red Currant
Red Raspberry
Strawberry
Tomato
Watermelon


We can supply many of the above products certified organic and also Kosher. If you are looking for products in our line, which are not listed,please call us.


Grape & Fruit Essences

We have several sources of Concord and Niagara essences priced from $8.50 to $24.00 per gallon. We also can source essences of many of the fruits listed above; both standard and high fold.


PLEASE CALL US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR SAMPLES.

Herb or Van Barber

Back to Newsletter Archive