Newsletter No. 31 - April 2005

NEWSLETTER NO. 31

April 2005

            In keeping with our 21 year tradition, here is a brief update on the Concord crop and market. 

            The 2004 US Concord crop was reduced from average due to severe winter bud kill in Washington, spring frost elsewhere and totaled 349,720 tons. This is 61,000 tons less than 2003, was the shortest crop since 1998 and was 14% less than the 10 year average.  See chart 1.

            Above average carry over inventory going into the ’04 harvest reduced prices paid Concord growers for their grapes in the East (NY-PA-OH-MI) and in Washington prices dropped to the lowest point in the past 10 years.  See chart 2.

            Concord concentrate opened at low prices in both the East and West but increased after January.  We expect the demand for Concord vs. generic Red Grape will continue to strengthen the market.  Inventories going into the ’05 crop should be below average.  See Chart 3.

            No serious winter injury has occurred in any of the Concord production areas.  Prospects, at this writing, are for an above average crop in 2005.  A lot of things can reduce crop prospects between now and harvest including spring frost, poor pollination and unfavorable weather.

            The charts on page 2 tell their own stories.

            The ’05 Concord & Isabella Brazilian crops are estimated to be 20-30% below average, due to drought.         

PRIMARY PRODUCT CATEGORIES

                        Please note our comments on pages 3 & 4, as we review industrial products we are able to source.  Please call us for quotations and samples.

The ’04 crop was the 2nd smallest in the last 10 years.

Prices paid growers rose slightly but were well below the ten year average in the East and fell to the lowest in 10 years in Washington.

Prices are for 1 truckload of drums about December 1, following harvest.  They reflect supply & demand.  Opening prices were the lowest since 1995, reflecting the low prices paid Concord growers.  Prices are increasing due to the improved competitive position vs. generic Red grape concentrates from California, South America and Europe.

PRIMARY PRODUCT CATAGORIES

DID YOU KNOW?  We are exclusive sales agents for Leap of Faith Farms and are importing organic Noni and Borojo products from Panama. 

NONI is known worldwide for its “amazing health benefits”.  Check the Noni website, www.INCC.org, for more information and testimonials.

BOROJO is a high energy juice and known for its “aphrodisiac properties”. 

Both are organic and shipped as juices, purees, concentrates and as powders for reconstitution and encapsulation.

Also available from Panama – most are organic – are Blackberry, Mango, Orange, Pineapple, Passionfruit, Guanabana (Sour Sop), Papaya, Tropical Limon and blends in the form of juices, purees, concentrates and powders. 

Please call us for more information, samples and pricing.

Organic Noni & Borojo juices are also being offered to WINERIES as an opportunity to produce and market HEALTH FOOD and SPECIALTY WINES.

GRAPE JUICES & CONCENTRATES 

·        White concentrates as Standard, Deionized, Organic, Kosher, OU & OUP Kosher 
·        Red as 200-1000 color, Kosher,  OU & OUP Kosher
·        High intensity 8000 color, Red & Purple
·        Wine varietals – juices & concentrates of most varieties
·        Concord as Standard, Organic, Kosher & OU Kosher, Eastern & Western
·        Concord Type (blended with Isabella) from South America
·        Niagara and Catawba

… SPECIAL BUY; 68˚ CONCORD CONCENTRATE, WA & JAS ORGANIC & OU KOSHER

APPLE JUICES & CONCENTRATES

·        Single strength juice filtered & cider type
·        Conventional & organic, deionized, Kosher & OU Kosher
·        Concentrates in a range of acid & color levels

FRUIT ESSENCES (AROMAS)

·        We offer a large variety of fruit and berry essences, standard and high fold

CONCORD GRAPE - 150 fold – Standard, Organic, Kosher & OU Kosher now available in NY & WA warehouses

FROZEN FRUITS & BERRIES

·        Most varieties in many forms; block frozen, IQF
·        Drums, bins, pails or cartons
·        Grade A, B and juice stock

CRANBERRY JUICES & CONCENTRATES

·        Single strength juice, 50˚ brix Red & White concentrates, OU Kosher, Organic
·        65˚ Cranberry type

PRUNE JUICES & CONCENTRATES

     Conventional, Organic and Kosher
·        NFC (not from concentrate) single strength juice – an excellent marketing opportunity exists to offer this product in the refrigerated juice section of the supermarkets
·        70˚ brix concentrate

FRESHLY HARVESTED GRAPES AND FRUITS

We can help you source most varietals of grapes, fruits or berries, just harvested or from temporary storage.

CRUSHED CITRUS PUREES

The whole fruit, including peels – from Florida – Orange, Lemon & Lime

ALL OTHER PRODUCTS

Please check our website, www.herb-barber-sons.com, to examine our INGREDIENT LISTING.  We handle the full line of fruits (freshly harvested or frozen) fruit juices and concentrates, purees, essences, powders, dried fruits, nuts and honey from worldwide sources.

It will be our pleasure to help you locate and purchase your ingredients.  We are also open to help you find markets for industrially packed fruit ingredients you wish to sell.

Herb / Van / Sue