Nectarines

Commodity Overview

While nectarines are not the most popular stone fruit, they are an important piece of the stone fruit category. Make nectarines a regular part of stone fruit displays to boost sales of the whole category.

PLUs

4035 small
4036 large
4377 tree-ripened, small
4378 tree-ripened, large
4188 white-flesh, small
3035 white-flesh, large
3369 red-flesh

Varieties

Yellow-Flesh Nectarines

White-Flesh Nectarines

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Nectarines offer up a host of health-related benefits. They are a good source of vitamin C, which helps to boost the immune system and can help fight cancer. Nutrients in nectarines can help prevent macular degeneration. Nectarines contain beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for keeping skin and hair healthy. The potassium in nectarines can help regulate blood pressure.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following nutrient content descriptors for nectarines: low-fat, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and a good source of vitamin C.

Sales Strategies

Nectarines are more than just a snack, so cross-merchandise them with a variety of items, including tea, lemonade, bagged salads, fruit salad ingredients and other summer fruit.
Nectarines are available year-round, but in promotable quantities from spring through early fall. Promote them during peak season to make the most of their season.
Fall: Include nectarines in back-to-school promotions, especially if kids head back to school in August in your region. They are a portable, sweet, nutritious addition to the lunch box that makes both kids and parents happy.
Spring: Nectarines are sparse and expensive during the winter months, so start promoting them heavily when promotable quantities appear in late April or early May. Promote them as a healthy addition to salads and as a sweet snack.
Summer: Summertime is when nectarines hit their stride. They are an easy snack to take on those fun summer outings and vacations. Include them in grilling promotions for those looking for a sweet, tasty, unusual side dish. Market nectarines as a great addition to summertime fruit skewers.
Offer peaches and nectarines for the same price to move both fruit at the same time.

Dynamic Displays

Offer consumers a choice by displaying both white-flesh and orange-flesh nectarines. Each has a distinctive taste that will increase nectarines’ appeal. Be sure to clearly label each variety.
Display nectarines with peaches, plums and apricots to create a large, eye-catching display. Be sure to clearly label nectarines and peaches as their outward appearance is similar.
Nectarines are fragile, so treat them with care. Avoid stacking nectarines, and do not dump them on the display.
Post signs telling consumers how to ripen the fruit at home and to avoid putting unripe fruit in the refrigerator.

Food Service

Add nectarines to baked goods for a unique flavor that will intrigue your customers.
Include nectarines in salads and on salad bars.
Nectarines pair well with meat, poultry and fish. Add them to side dishes like fruit salad.
Sliced nectarines are a sweet topping for waffles or pancakes. Use them to fill crepes.
Add nectarines to iced tea to create a summertime flavor.

In the Backroom

Shipping
5-lb. cartons, loose 25-lb. cartons or 1⁄2-bushel cartons, loose 22-lb. cartons/lugs, 2-layer tray pack 18-lb. cartons/lugs, 2-layer tray-pack (Chile) 9-lb. cartons, 1 layer RPC 6416 Consumer packs Small-sized nectarines packed in bags, commonly 2 lbs. net weight, offer a good opportunity to display two sizes in-store. Principal sizes range from the larger 50 size to the smaller 84 size.

Grades
U.S. Fancy U.S. Extra No. 1 U.S. No. 1 U.S. No. 2

Handling
Temperature: 31 to 32 F, -0.6 to 0 C Relative humidity: 90-95% Mist: no Typical shelf life: 14 to 21 Holding nectarines at room temperature for two to three days will usually be enough to complete the ripening process. Ripening at 65 F (18 C), is optimum, but a range of 51 to 77 F (10.6 to 25 C) is safe. Nectarines are susceptible to dehydration and should always be stored and displayed away from drafts. Russeting or staining of the skin may affect appearance but not detract from internal quality.