The calibers are telling a different story in each market
Sebastián de la Cuadra analyzes how the dynamics of calibers explain the price gap between the US and Europe.
One of the most interesting conversations at our last strategy meeting began with a question: why was the .48 caliber fetching such a different price than smaller calibers in the United States?
The response opened a broader discussion. Sizes are not just a physical characteristic. They also reflect the stage of harvest, production conditions, availability, and the preferences of each market.
In the United States, a significant presence of small fruit has been observed, especially in sizes 60, 70, and 84. At the same time, larger sizes have had more limited availability and high demand.
At times, the price difference between the 48 and 60 calibers became quite significant. This contrasts with the previous season, when the two remained much closer in price.
One explanation lies in the start of the Mexican harvest. The season begins in lower altitude areas with higher temperatures, where smaller fruit is generally obtained. It then progresses to higher and cooler areas, modifying the distribution of fruit sizes.
However, what is happening in the United States is not being replicated in other markets. In Europe, medium calibers have maintained better levels, both in Rotterdam and Algeciras, and the market has shown greater stability. During August, we want to explain these differences. When we talk about a .48, .60, or .70 caliber, not everyone knows its weight equivalent, the amount of
Fruits by the box or the standards used in the United States and Europe. It's also not always explained why a certain size might be in demand by supermarkets but less appealing to wholesalers or the food service industry.
Therefore, we will create charts and infographics to understand what size each market is looking for and why. Prices show the result. Sizes help us understand the cause.
Sebastian de la Cuadra
