Markets remain active with reduced supplies still being the dynamic propelling prices. In addition uncertainty of quality and supply in transitional growing areas starting next week. Demand has been steady mostly driven by the foodservice sector. Quality remains fairly good especially for late season lettuce although growers are battling issues including mildew, fringe burn as well as insect and disease pressure. Transition over the next month will bring uncertainty of supply and quality. As usual, check with Produce West for updates including production from Las Cruces , New Mexico.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine and Romaine Hearts Romaine supplies continue to be moderate as well as Quality although some yield reducing issues remain including increased fringe Markets remain elevated with tiered pricing available among production areas. Quality issues are mostly being trimmed at field level with slightly more twist and over developed ribs leading to increased discoloration .
Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston Demand on Leaf has started to improve with many east coast customers looking to supplement their current supplies as Homegrown quality begins to suffer from ongoing inclement weather on the East Coast. Expect markets to escalate from current levels.
Celery
There are still a few deals to be had but they are drying up fast. Demand is beginning to pick up and most shippers are eager to increase prices, especially after a year like this where they have sat at the bottom. Advice is to buy now as the only thing this market can do is go up.
Artichokes
Production of Thornless varieties continues with some shippers heavy towards larger sizes and some heavier toward medium sizes . Look for supplies to continue steady as we head into cooler Fall months before frost slows down production
Broccoli
We are starting to see a slight decline in the market, mainly due to more products beginning to cross out of Mexico into Texas. California supplies will remain limited as we finish out our summer season. Irregular supplies are expected out of California through November and then most will make the transition down to the desert growing regions. Mexico production is slowly trending upwards and currently they are $6.00 – $8.00 cheaper than California on the crown cut. Supplies will continue to increase through the month out of Mexico. There is also broccoli coming out of the Southeast from Virginia and Georgia.
Cauliflower
It does not look like we will see any further increase in prices this week. We may even see a slight decline occur as movement has appeared to slow down. Again, supplies will be irregular out of California as the season begins to wind down and it won’t take much to trigger prices upward. Cooler nighttime temperatures will definitely slow growth. Stay on top of this market as it is easy to get caught off guard this time of year.
Brussels Sprouts
Northern California production areas are increasing supplies daily. Quality is showing signs of improving although varying as growers break new fields. Insect damage and loose elongated heads are currently common. October should bring excellent supplies and promotional opportunities barring any unforeseen insect pressure brought on by hot , dry weather.
Green Onions
Mexico production has been slow to fully rebound Supplies are expected to improve as well as quality later this month.
Brussels Sprouts
Northern California production areas are increasing supplies daily. Quality is showing signs of improving although varying as growers break new fields. Insect damage and loose elongated heads are currently common. October should bring excellent supplies and promotional opportunities barring any unforeseen insect pressure brought on by hot , dry weather.
Strawberries
The conventional strawberry market has a three-tiered pricing structure with a range in prices and quality depending on the growing area and whether it is new or old crop. Santa Maria, California is forecast to be sunny but breezy in the afternoon on Wednesday; Thursday and Friday will have plenty of sun and then become mostly sunny for the weekend. Highs are expected in the 60s on Wednesday, increasing to the 70s for the balance of the week, with lows in the 40s. Salinas/Watsonville, California is forecast to be mostly sunny and cool on Wednesday, becoming sunnier and warmer for the balance of the week. Highs are forecast in the 60s on Wednesday, increasing to the 70s on Thursday, and then the 80s on Friday and Saturday, decreasing to the 70s on Sunday with lows in the 40s. Oxnard, California is forecast for sunny skies with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. Oxnard, California new crop fruit has good color and size with occasional misshapen; the old crop fruit has bruising, dark color, soft shoulders and overripe with much smaller fruit.
Blackberries
Mexico is ramping up quickly, with good volume this week out of Texas or California on new crop Mexican blackberries!
Raspberries
Less supply again this week on raspberries as we end the summer crop and move into new crop from Mexico for the 2021-2022 season. Volumes should turn in a few weeks.
Blueberries
Blueberries are expected to start coming in with volume this week, but this is very much dependent on boats being unloaded. The current market is in decline based on this information, but we could see delays in loading/unloading at ports due to struggles to get fruit out of Peru and Argentina due to weather, vessel delays, and import delays due to lower staffing and COVID restrictions.
Stone Fruit
White peach #1’s are finished for the season. There is still good availability on Utility Volume Fill. Good volume on red plums through the end of the year with late season varieties. Fall plums are brixing in the high teens to 20+. These are a great opportunity to get incremental sales through the fall. Order early. Steady volume on black plums this week with good demand.
Grapes
Steady markets this week as shippers anticipate good volumes for at least the next two weeks. Late season varieties are in production and will carry us through the remainder of the year. We will possible see some stronger markets in early November and December as supplies lighten up. Quality on California red and green grapes has been very nice currently, with very few issues to report overall. Run offers by us.
Oranges
California valencia production is starting to wind down for the season. Pricing has been slowly increasing across the board on all sizes, especially on small sized fruit. We don’t expect any relief as the season will soon be coming to a close. Good quality reported and fruit is eating well. Small sizes will continue to be tight for the remainder of the season. More containers are slowly arriving on the west coast. Vessels are experiencing up to 2 week waits in the port to get unloaded. High markets will likely continue until they can get this worked out.
Lemons
Mostly choice fruit coming out of district 2. Not much fancy fruit available. Quality is expected to improve as new production areas start up. Sizes are peaking on 165 count fruit. Some product is coming out of Mexico, but light numbers and limited sizing options. Chilean lemons are slowly arriving on the west coast but port delays remain. Offshore quality has been very strong, although extra wait times has lessoned the quality when fruit finally arrives. Delays will continue until ports can work out labor and freight issues.
Limes
Steady markets this week. Demand remains low industry wide and plenty of fruit available. Sizing is peaking on 175-200 count. Some quality issues include blanching, scarring and light color. Rain continues in production areas so expect quality issues for the coming weeks.
Cantaloupes
Westside is continuing to wind down as more growers finish there acreage. As of this writing there seem to be 2 going and one will end by mid next week and other in about 10 days. Desert deal is picking up but there are few that have a fall deal there so volume is expected to be limited and skewing quite large. Quality is okay but not mid-summer color or brix. Nogales should start in earnest mid-end of next week. Demand is lackluster, as is expected for this time of year. Prices are steady with dessert fruit trading at a couple of dollars higher than the last of the Westside fruit. Next week supplies should be steady to slightly up from this week, but seasonably cool weather in the desert area is keeping volume in check and looks to do so again next week. Sizes on desert fruit should be starting to skew smaller. Nogales, once it starts, is not a major factor as they are not nearly as desirable as domestic lopes. We look for a steady to slightly lower market next week.
Honeydews
Supplies have been on the light side most all year. With the Westside finishing and the desert plantings light, they don’t look to be increasing soon. Nogales has started and is trading a bit lower than domestic. Quality is fair and struggling with brix. Demand is lackluster overall as melons are not seasonal. We look for a steady to possibly slightly lower market.
Dry Onions
Overall dry onions are in a hit and miss situation depending on where you’re loading. Prices are a little cheaper in Washington and supplies, as the final harvesting takes place, are improving on larger size onions. Treasure Valley has seen a little improvement in the overall size of their onions. Reds are still in
a “tight” situations and shippers are holding back from taking a lot of straight load business. As we roll into the full Fall demand for foodservice, increases for Conventions and reopening of restaurants has kept demand steady on a crop that’s lighter than it has been in several years.
Asparagus
Air service from Peru to Florida is almost nonexistent. The ships are running late but Mexico is picking up the slack and are rolling some big numbers into southern California and Texas. As the volume builds, most shippers are trying to catch some Ads to mop up the sudden gush in Asparagus volume. Stay
tuned to see prices in the teens by the weekend and into next week.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Broccoli Production has diminished with reduced yields especially on Broccoli with slightly better availability on Cauliflower . Demand has been good allowing for prices to edge higher. Cooler nights are expected to further slow production as growers continue to battle quality .
OG Celery
Availability continues to be steady with good supplies although pricing has begun to escalate as demand has improved and growers prepare to introduce Holiday pricing.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady as well as demand. Quality remains good from the Northern production areas with an occasional sporadic shortage among growers.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production remains light with damage from previous heat waves impacting suppliers. Expect to see improved supplies as the weather cools heading into the Fall. . Continue to plan ahead to get coverage.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Romaine and Romaine Heart production remain moderate with improved demand . We anticipate inclement weather on the East Coast to eventually push demand West. and accelerate pricing even further.
Green and Red leaf Production has also slowed as growers battle insect pressure. while demand improves as many East coast customers begin to supplement their current local supplies.
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Strong demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity. Mexico lemon crop is peaking on smaller , Choice fruit while awaiting California desert crop to begin. Lime quality remains inconsistent with improving supplies . Tropical Storms in Mexico have impacted supplies. California Valencia production has mostly finished with Navels expected later next month.
OG Melons
California : Cantaloupe , Honeydews, Galias and mini Watermelon production has begun in the Southern California desert as well as Mexico.
OG Grapes
Green & Red : Supplies of Red and Green varieties are sufficient from the Central Valley of California. Prices remain mostly steady with excellent promotional opportunities.
OG Stone Fruit
California : Stone fruit season has mostly finished in the Central Valley as Pomegranate and pear production has begun strong along with Persimmons .
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