Lettuce

Production from Central California is wrapping up this week and has begun in full out of the desert which has caused overlapping supplies.  Combined with off sized, poor quality and foul weather in the East the lettuce market has weakened substantially.  Once Huron cleans up and quality improves with better demand look for the market to settle.  Quality issues include pale, ribby lettuce showing significant high core and tip burn.

 

Brussels Sprout

Brussels Sprout quality continues to improve increasing yields and softening market especially on off sizes   . Improved demand  for the Holiday seasonal promotions for the next couple months has strengthened the market as most retailers will promo sprouts through the end of the year.

 

Mix Leaf

Romaine and Romaine Heart production still continues from all districts but Santa Maria, Coachella and Yuma will be the primary loading locations going forward.  A few shippers still have limited supplies but with weakness in Iceberg lettuce and strengthening of overall supplies   the market has leveled off.    Quality is still not optimal but has improved  from the desert.  Greenleaf and Red leaf supplies have been less affected by the transition although there are still  production gaps  with a fair amount of shippers  keeping pricing stable.

 

Broccoli

Market will remain at current trading levels for the remainder of the week.  Looks for prices to decline slightly as we finish up the holiday demand early next week.  Product is available out of Salinas, Huron, Santa Maria, Imperial Valley, Yuma, AZ and Texas.  Overall quality has been good from all areas.

 

Cauliflower

Demand exceeds market will continue into next week.  The current supply gap that we are experiencing will extend into the middle of next week and then we should start to see some relief in prices.  Quality in Salinas and Santa Maria has been fare, we are seeing some creaminess and spotting on curds.  Better quality is expected out of the Desert regions next week.

 

Celery

A stronger market heading into thanksgiving week. Supplies have cleaned up and smaller sizes are less available.  Supply is light, and the market will continue to be strong through this weekend.  Some suppliers are forecasting light harvests through the end of the year which could keep this mark in the double digits through the New Year.  Quality has been ok , no significant issues to deal with other than the occasional pith and seeder.

 

Artichokes

Thorn-less, seeded artichokes continue to be the predominate variety available.  Most shippers have been peaking on large sizes with light volume matching light demand on medium and small sizes.    Demand will ramp up through the Holiday season.

 

Strawberries

The Strawberry market regions continue to be effected by weather conditions.  Suppliers continue to experience 90% to 100% prorates as fruit is very slow to size up and turn color.  The plants that were stripped due to the rains a few weeks ago have not responded due to colder temperatures in that area. Normally, growers can harvest a field approximately every 3 days, but right now, every 4 or 5 days is typical.  Central Mexico would normally be a larger factor by now, but recent rains in that area has limited crossings domestically. The fruit in the Oxnard area is smaller in size with many most fields showing white tips and shoulders.  The market will continue to be weather driven for the next week.

 

Weather forecasts for current growing areas for the weekend

Santa Maria –10% to 20% chance of rain

Oxnard –0% chance of rain

Central Mexico –30% chance of rain.

Baja –  20% chance of rain

Melons

The cantaloupe market is weak due to a lack of demand.  Cantaloupe, Dews and Watermelons are coming from Mexico with decent supplies.  Offshore product is starting to arrive on the East coast and will begin hitting the West next week.  Quality has been decent.

 

Watermelons

We are seeing a reduced supply of Seedless Watermelon coming from Mexico, due to rain in the growing region.  The market is very active due to a lack of supply on the West.  Offshore product is on the water and should arrive on the East coast in two weeks.

 

Grapes

The grape market is active this week.  We are seeing good numbers of red seedless available and the market is steady.  Light color fruit is around and being discounted for those interested.

Green seedless grapes are very active and supply is starting to finish up for the season.

Blacks and globes are winding down and varying in quality and cost.

 

Citrus

Navels – There are good supplies of fruit coming in, peaking on 88’s, 113’s, 138’s.  Quality has been the best we’ve seen in years.  High sugar and good color!!!!

Lemons – We are seeing good supplies of new crop lemons. District III and Mexican supplies are in better volume.  Mostly 165-200-235 here, district III is packing out 70% fancy and 20% choice.  The market has adjusted downward for the small fruit. Grapefruit – The market is active and supplies are increasing, but slowly.  Quality has been great.

Dry Vegetables

Green bells are active this week, with sporadic volume available from most regions.  The CA desert is starting up with light supplies and will need pre-books to play ball.

Red and Gold peppers are still available out of most regions.  Central CA is finishing up soon and the market is expected to stay strong.

Cucumbers seem to be coming consistently from Mexico.  The market is steady and so is supply.

Zucchini, and yellow squash is available from Mexico in Nogales with lighter supplies, but good quality.  We should see steady supplies via Baja and Central Mexico

 

 

 

 

Tree Fruit

Pomegranates are now being harvested is full force.  Good supplies on all sizes in #1 and #2 grade fruit.  Market is strong as demand outpaced supply.  Asian Pears are available with good supply.  Both varieties Shinseki (Brown) and Hosui (Yellow).

Persimmons are fresh and being harvested in the central valley now.  Fuyu and Hachiya are both available for your holiday baking and snaking needs.