Supplies appear to be sufficient for current demand even as critically cold temperatures slowed production. A return to mild temperatures are forecast through next week, other than possible rain on Monday, which should allow growers increased harvest hours . Shippers tried to raise prices but they remain varied , reflecting only modest demand. Increased epidermal blister and peel will begin to appear on arrivals this week while also leading to varied color, weights and solidity.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine Cold temperatures temporarily slowed production but the more significant impact has been the increase of epidermal blister and peel . Although quality has been mostly mice , expect to see increased discoloration due to epidermal blister on arrivals . Prices remain mostly steady as demand continues to be modest.
Romaine Hearts Production is expected to remain steady as growers trade late starts for increased labor required to trim any quality issues brought on by excess epidermal burn. Strong demand with wide ranging prices are expected to continue.
Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston supplies are expected to resume with steady pricing and modest demand. Also expect an increase in epidermal blister and peel through the end of the month.
Celery
Good availability out of Santa Maria and Oxnard and the Desert growing regions. Shippers are motivated to get product moving especially 30 and 36 count sizes. Run your offers by us!
Broccoli
The cooler temperatures from last week are now showing some affects on harvest this week. Harvest yields were pretty normal last week and shippers were able to harvest estimated volumes. They are now starting to see a decrease in estimated harvest numbers as the crop is not ready for harvest due to the cooler temps from last week. Expect the market to remain fairly active going into next week
Cauliflower
Market remains fairly active and will finish out the week in this manner. There seems to be the haves and have nots in the shipping industry. There is a fairly wide range in pricing but it seems as if this will narrow down over the next few days. A majority of shippers are saying they will be light or out of cauliflower for the rest of this week as well as the early part of next.
Artichokes
Winter production of the thornless variety has begun to improve just in time to get hit by frost . Most all production areas including Oxnard , Coachella and Mexico were hit by freezing overnight temperatures. . While still yielding Extra Large sizes , Medium sizes have become available with prices easing. Some growers have started to offer discounted quotes on frost kissed varieties.
Brussels Sprouts
Domestic production from Northern California is expected to wind down as Winter storms in Northern California are forecast for this weekend which will immediately impact quality. Overlapping production from Mexico has saturated the market with good quality from both areas. Expect quality to swing towards the new, Mexican crop by next week.
Green Onions
Cold overnight temperatures in production areas of Northern Mexico have given way to more mild temperatures which will begin to improve production and lower prices are expected to follow. Now that temperatures have moderated, production should begin to improve although growers will be dealing with residual quality issues through the end of the month.
Strawberries
Light supplies out of California will continue into next week due to limited harvesting and other regions moving orders from the East to cover needed supplies. Fruit sizing out of California has been small with some reports of occasional pin rot and mold being reported. There should be better availability later next week. Stem strawberries are expected to be limited out of Oxnard for Valentine’s day. Central Mexico is currently experiencing lighter supplies, but we are expecting an upward trend for the next several weeks. Quality has been fair, with occasional mold and bruising stemming from previous wet weather. Florida is producing lighter, but steady production. Better numbers are expected by the middle of February. There is some rain in the forecast next week.
Raspberries
Slightly better supplies starting next week. Overall quality of raspberries has been much better than blackberries, due to the lack of rain in the Raspberry growing areas. Peak volumes are not expected until mid February.
Blackberries
Overall production is flat. After incurring weeks of rain, Central Mexico looks to be finally on the mend and by this weekend, we should start to see a larger increase in supply on all berries from Mexico. Quality is improving very quickly and it’s looking like good supplies moving forward.
Blueberries
The import market has gotten tighter as vessels are slow to arrive to the East Coast from Chile. Fruit from Chile started hitting Philadelphia ports last week and shippers are seeing delays in drayage, keeping the market two-tiered, those with fruit and those waiting for fruit. This is being reflected in how much fruit importers brought in and which vessel they were on. Another problem factor will be quality. A lot of red berries and soft fruit are being found through quality control, stemming from all the poor weather in Chile over the past month. The fruit is struggling to arrive in good condition after being on the water for 3 weeks due to weather delays caused by the heavy rains from this El Nino season. We should expect a general increase in production and increase in supply as we move forward.
Stone Fruit
The onset of the offshore fruit season is gradual, with modest quantities of peaches and nectarines gradually making their way to both coasts. The next vessel is expected to arrive in the week of 1/15. Production has been hampered by rain and cooler temperatures in the production areas. Stone Fruit is beginning to reach the west and east coasts with a limited supply.
Grapes
Red and Green grape availability will likely be limited for the coming 2 weeks. The domestic grape season has concluded, and all production is focused on South American growing regions. Shipments have been delayed due to recent weather patterns . Black Seedless grapes are currently available, and a few Red Globes are also in stock. Quality and condition reports are good remains strong on offshore fruit. Quantities are anticipated to improve toward the end of the month as more shipments arrive.
Oranges
Markets have strengthened this week due to production slowdowns from rain and colder weather. Positive quality reports note good color and sugar levels. Main sizes are 72s, 56s, and 88s, with limited availability of smaller fruits. Anticipated conditions indicate continued strength. Abundance in sizes 72 and larger contrasts with higher demand for sizes 88 and smaller, projecting increased firmness in the smaller fruit category.
Lemons
Fruit quality is excellent, and the market is maintaining stability. Consistent numbers are observed this week, particularly in District 1, with fruit counts peaking in the 115, 140, and 95 count ranges. While a slight green tint persists, there’s visible improvement in color, and further enhancement is anticipated in the upcoming weeks.
Avocados
Picking has been heavy in recent weeks, with current trading experiencing a slight downturn. Across much of the country, where sub-zero temperatures prevail this week, sales have been less than stellar. There is good availability on all sizes as packers have started building inventories in anticipation of the Playoffs and The Super Bowl. Some are questioning whether it’s too much, too soon, but only time will reveal the answer. Reports indicate that some suppliers are scaling back on harvest this week, although the temptation to maximize fruit inventory remains high, driven by the desire to have the most fruit to sell when demand eventually increases (because it will). Sources suggest that we should anticipate shortages in 60ct and 70ct fruit. Following the Super Bowl, California is expected to ramp up production, reaching a peak in May/June.”
Limes
Lime production continues to be constrained for several reasons. Persistent rains in growing regions and growers opting to leave fruit on the trees longer to bolster the market are contributing factors. However, prolonging the time fruit hangs on trees may negatively impact its quality. Currently, the sizing profile leans towards medium and large fruit. As we enter February, anticipate a shift towards smaller sizing with improved quality. However, overall volumes are not expected to see improvement until the end of Q1. Analyzing a three-year trend reveals a sharp drop in FOBs around weeks 14-15, consistent with reports from growers. Despite strong demand, adverse weather conditions across the country have had an impact this week.
Dry Onions
Cold conditions for packing and moving onions around have curtailed some production. Most shippers are able to stay up with demand, but some are falling behind. Raising the market to stave off demand has not materialized and the prices are getting nosed up, little by little. Transportation is holding up and rail rate are very reasonable.
Asparagus
Cooler temps have not helped the growth of asparagus…however, we are starting to see lower prices being given out to the chains for building their ads for the February pull…some in the mid $30’s and high $20’s for the first week of February. This might be a little premature low pricing for that period and this writer cautions his buyers not to go too heavy…this weather is still too fluky to call right now.
Cantaloupes
Production in Guatemala and Honduras has been ample with best quality from the latter. Sizes have been running large peaking on jbo 9s with ample 9s and jbo 6s, some 12s and nothing smaller. There was some import processing issues at POEs with the holiday Monday. Demand has been hampered by the exceptionally wintery weather across the nation. Prices have been steady but with some dealing particularly on jbo 9s and larger. Next week little looks to be changing in the supply picture and the siege of winter weather is predicted to moderate. Markets should be steady and possibly a bit higher on regular 9 count and smaller.
Honeydew
Most supplies are from offshore (Guatemala and Honduras) with some from Mexico. Quality is okay, but a but inconsistent. Sizes are skewing larger with mostly 5 count and some jbo 5s count with some 6s. Supplies are ample but not overwhelming. As with lopes, demand has been slowed by the spate of cold and wintry weather. Next week supplies should be steady to slightly increased and sizes should continue to run large. Demand could improve a bit with more moderate weather. Market should be steady with some dealing on larger sizes and possibly a bit higher prices on smaller sizes.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli and Cauliflower supplies have slowed as overnight temperatures have receded. As the overnight temperatures moderate expected supplies to slowly improve by the end of the month.
OG Celery
Production remains mostly in Oxnard although the Desert and Mexico have increased production leading to improved supplies and easing pricing. Quality remains mostly good
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Multiple production areas continue to offer sufficient options and strong supplies with mostly excellent quality.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Production slowed as overnight temperatures delayed harvest. A return of mild temperatures will allow growers more harvest time but will be offset by dealing with residual epidermal blister from freezing temperatures. Fortunately quality had been strong but discoloration from blistering will begin to impact arrivals.
Green and Red leaf Supplies remain mostly steady with good demand. Epidermal blister cycle has begun and will likely impact supplies through the end of the month.
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Strong demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity.
Grapefruit production is currently strong with mostly Fancy, Large size fruit available
Lemon Mexico supplies continue to peak on smaller Choice fruit while California production has improved with increasing Fancy fruit and size in the desert. Prices have begun to stabilize with overall crop acres lower for the season.
Lime quality and supplies remain inconsistent with varied prices.
The Navel crop has begun to peak with much improved supplies brix, quality as prices ease to promotable levels mostly on large sizes.
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