The Up and Down Side of Fruit Prices

The Up and Down Side of Fruit Prices. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

It is a constant struggle between ag producers, retailers and consumers. Like any business person the grower needs to make enough to cover his costs and make enough profit to live on will the retailer seeks to make a profit but at a point that the consumer will feel that it is a fair deal and not an exorbitant price. This year’s fruit prices seem to be holding but according to Kevin Moffitt, Executive Director of Pear Bureau Northwest that does not necessarily mean profits and good prices for growers and consumers.

MOFFITT: Although you know the retailers don’t always match their retail pricing with what they’re paying at the FOB side and that can be very frustrating because a lot of time shippers will need to come off their price a buck or two and expect that the retailer is going to come off 10 or 15% off their retail and they don’t always do that.

Bottom line is as a consumer whether or not you feel motivated to purchase fruit at the cost the retailer is asking. If you are looking for some good fruit though, Moffitt says this year’s crop is excellent.

MOFFITT: It’s looking real good; it’s just a beautiful crop. I’ve see a lot of pears already this year at the trade show, at other shippers booths, at the retail level and the finish is just gorgeous, there’s very little russet on the fruit. I’ve also heard that the sugars are up and there’s less starch reserves already in the fruit so it’s going to be tasty as well. For the consumer it could shape up to be an excellent season.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.