Lettuce

Production appears to be improving for most shippers and prices are slowly adjusting . There are still pockets of unbalanced supplies due to the isolated nature of past weather events but overall production is stabilizing. Quality has been sporadic with some pink rib, occasional bottom rot due to recent rains along with varied weights and color. Forecasts call for mostly ideal weather through next week before seasonally cold , frost temperatures settle in Christmas week. Traditionally these Cold temperatures impact supplies significantly. Even with strong demand expect markets to continue to settle as shippers return to full strength.

Mix Leaf

Romaine  production is beginning to surge as early season interruptions to plantings have past. Misreporting on the most current eColi. announcement continues to cause confusion in regards to Romaine hampering what would be strong demand. Together these events have weakened the market, including hearts. Expect some discounts to be offered over the next week as ideal weather is in the forecast through Christmas. Tiered quality with ribby texture and discoloration along with mildew are evident due to recent rains although varying degrees throughout the desert.

Green Leaf is still seeing improved demand , although prices have settled slightly lower.

Red Leaf and Boston  prices have also settled with improving quality. Volatility could return although cold temperatures are not expected until the end of the month.

Brussels Sprouts

Production from Central California continues to produce heavy volume with Mexico ready to begin harvest. The market remains strong with some volume discounts especially on small and jumbos sizes. Quality has been mostly very nice but we anticipate a sharp drop off due to heavy rains the past couple weeks in Northern California.  Expect demand to continue to surge for Christmas Holiday.

Celery

There is some last minute buying currently taking place but it does not look like that will cause any price increases or supply issues as we finish out the week. Supplies of celery remain steady out of Santa Maria, Oxnard and the Desert growing regions with all sizes available. Celery quality is good with occasional light blister & peel on the outer petioles. Let us know your last minute needs, we will get it taken care of!!

Artichokes

Production has been slow to transition to Southern Coastal regions and the southwest desert. Demand has been strong although supplies have been minimal. Expect improved supplies after Christmas.  Seeded or thornless are the predominant varieties available. The superior edible Heirloom variety will return in the Spring.

Cauliflower

The flower market has firmed as shippers run into lighter supplies. It looks as though the market will stabilize at current trading levels and we do not expect much higher prices for this week. Quality looks very good especially out of the Imperial Valley and Yuma, AZ districts. Please get with your Produce West sales representative for best quality and price options.

Broccoli

Prices are trading at floor levels and look like they will sit at these levels for the remainder of the week. Some shippers in the Yuma Valley continue to have issues with pin rot from the rains they received earlier in the month but that issue is beginning to resolve itself. The product in the Imperial Valley was not affected by any weather and quality looks very good. Price buys will continue to be available in all growing regions of California and product of Mexico shipping out of the Texas Valley. Good supplies are forecasted for the next two weeks.

Green Onions

****Early Warning **** Production from Mexico has improved and prices have settled although expect supplies to be impacted as we approach Christmas and New Years when labor becomes scarce significantly impacting supplies and availability .

Onions

Washington-Oregon-Idaho

According to the National Onion Association the 50# bag equivalents has dropped 2 million bags. This is based on all areas as reported with 25% shrink. This number is important because somewhere along the way in the spring we’ll see a spurt in pricing. $10.00 lids are being extended through the 1^st quarter of 2020 and, as always, contracts are locked in until the end of April. The weather at harvest made for a larger shrink than normal for Idaho/ Oregon. It is estimated 1500 acres were not harvested and 5000 acres were frozen with a shrink minimum @30%. Markets are $600 on Jumbo, $5-5.50 on Reds and Whites still in $9.00-10.00 range

Asparagus

Quality in Mexico and Peru is good and will be promotable through Christmas and New Year’s. Cold weather in Mexico could have an impact on production but most every Ad is locked in at the low $20 level.

Strawberries

Demand continues to be strong and supplies light. The forecast is for a slow warming trend through the end of this week in Southern California. Volume will still be light in Santa Maria and Oxnard as many shippers had to work through their fields due to the recent inclement weather. Quality out of California will show white shoulders with some soft bruising and water issues. Mexico should begin to cross more fruit as we move into next week as Mexican growers send their fruit north to capitalize on where the profits are. The quality has been reported as good coming through the Texas area. Florida fruit is beginning to pick up in availability. Although sporadic, we look for those numbers to increase week by week providing some relief to our present shortage.

Raspberries

Production out of Central Mexico and Baja has increased sharply and promotable supplies are expected for the next few weeks. The market remains soft while shippers offer volume deals to help manage the increase in numbers. Quality has been good with the odd quality issues arising mainly due to improper rotation of the growing inventories. Look for this numerical trend to continue through December.

Blueberries

Good supplies are available in all distribution points. We expect shippers to be promoting throughout December. Highly promotable volume is expected through December. Quality has been good on Mexican, Peruvian, and Chilean fruit arriving in the U.S. Look for markets to remain flat for the upcoming weeks ahead.

Blackberries

Volume is increasing out of Central Mexico leaving easier markets in the U.S. as a result. Volume deals are being taken and some product is still showing the occasional red cell defect. Look for the markets to remain flat as we work through this temporary glut of product.

Stone Fruit

We are awaiting the arrival of the first offshore stone fruit. Peaches and necatarines are expected to arrive some time next week. Pricing will start out very high and will settle as more product arrives. Plums will follow 2 weeks later. Some plums are still available domestically but quality is marginal at best.

Grapes

Red grapes – Markets are strengthening daily on the domestic storage crop. Offshore product is arriving, but extremely light volumes and pricing is very expensive. Some reports show a $10-$15 difference between offshore and domestic storage fruit. Storage fruit is showing its age, but there is still high demand for it and pricing is strengthening daily. Storage fruit should be available through the remainder of the month.

Green grapes – Domestic storage volumes have decreased substantially. What little product is available is fair quality at best. Peruvian fruit have been arriving but in very light numbers and pricing is reflecting a $10-15 difference in price between old and new crop. Markets are gaining momentum as storage volume dries up. We expect high pricing through the new year, with no relief until offshore volume increases toward the end of this month.

Citrus

Oranges – Steady demand industry wide this week in central valley California and Nogales Az. Quality has been very nice and product is making good arrivals. 88s and larger make up most of the volume. Run offers by us, particularly on smaller sized Navels.

Lemons – Good supplies this week. The desert region is winding down for the season and the central valley California crop is starting up with a slight overlap of supply. Small sizes are plentiful, and large sizes are lighter in supply. Quality is very nice. We expect consistent supplies and volume through the New Year.

Limes – Supplies are lighter this week, particularly on large sized fruit. Pricing is reacting and stronger markets are coming into play. we expect light volumes through the rest of the month and pricing should continue to rise through the remainder of the month.

Cantaloupes

There is really nothing new to report on cantaloupes. Mexico has finished exporting enough to the U.S. to have any market impact. At the same time, whatever volume that has been taken off the market due to this has been offset by increased volume from the Caribbean basin. Demand remains dull at best. Quality off shore has continued to be quite good. Sizes from there peaking on jbo 9s reg 9 and 12s with few if any 15s and some jbo 6s. Quotes have been steady but discounting continues to be available from most vendors. Next week little looks to change again. Sizing, quality and volume all are looking to continue at around the same levels. Demand will remain dull but could pick up a bit due to the upcoming holidays. On the other hand, we see this change being minimal, as melons are not a seasonal favorite. The week after Xmas we should see increased supplies which could portend lower pricing. But until then we see the market being dull with steady quotes and active discounting.

Honeydews

Honeydews have also changed little. Mexico was still exporting to the U.S, but in less volume. Off shore supplies increased a bit but overall supplies remained pretty steady. Offshore quality was good and sized peaking on jbo 5 and 5 then 6s,with virtually no 8s and some jbo 4s. Mexico continued peaking on 5s and 6s with variable quality. Prices again changed little as seasonal demand remained somewhat depressed balancing the light supplies. Next week Mexico should finish is exports. Offshore supplies should increase a tad, but not so much as to greatly affect pricing. There should be a considerable pickup in available offshore supplies the week after Xmas. We look for a steady quotes market with perhaps a bit more discounting until then. The last week of 2019 we should see a downward trend in pricing.

Honeydews

Organic Items

OG Broccoli & Cauliflower

Cauliflower Production is still transitioning with some overlapping areas. This has settled  the market . Production areas should stabilize next week which will impact supplies and push prices higher again . Quality has held steady and should improve as we get into cooler weather .

Broccoli    Supplies surged and the market has softened as some shippers have overlapping production areas. Expect prices to surge again with the change in weather. Quality remains variable due to recent rains with Some pin rot reported from all production areas.

OG Herbs & Bunch Greens

Most Herbs and Bunching Green production has settled in the Southern deserts and Mexico.  Supplies should be plentiful but expect volatility as we approach the Christmas , New Year Holiday season when labor becomes scarce leading to supply shortages especially if traditional cold weather returns .

OG Root Vegetables

Carrot Production has been steady with improving supplies . Demand has been very strong. Cooler, Rainy weather will likely impact supplies in coming weeks. Continue to plan ahead to get full coverage. Bunch Carrot Quality has improved but recent heavy rains may impact Tops once again.

Potato Production has been affected by sudden change in seasons as growers scrambled to get their final acres harvested and stored . Expect some effects to long term pricing and availability.

Onion demand remains steady heading into the Holidays. Supplies appear to be adequate and  Quality is currently very nice although as we transition earlier than anticipated to storage shipments expect quality to fall off at some point.

OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce

Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Production has been steady and quality has seen issued with increased mildew pressure from recent rains .  Demand has stalled slightly but will improve by the end of the week.

OG Citrus

Lemons: The market remains steady with good demand for domestic product as production increases although recent rains have delayed harvest . Quality from Arizona deserts remain smaller profile but higher fancy grade.

Oranges Navels production has improved along with sizing and sugar levels. Recent rains have also delayed harvest but should help expedite better volume.  The crop is expected to be slightly less than the previous year but flavor and sizing profiles are expected to be excellent with promotional opportunities available for Christmas. We expect strong supplies of mandarins and Caras in coming weeks as well.

Limes:  Much needed rains along Eastern Mexico have improved quality. Sizing and volume are expected to improve as well  The market has eased and should stabilize at current levels .

Grapefruit:  Supplies have transitioned to Texas for the Winter

Lemons: The market remains steady with good demand for domestic product as production increases although recent rains have delayed harvest . Quality from Arizona deserts remain smaller profile but higher fancy grade.

Oranges Navel production has improved along with sizing and sugar levels. Recent rains have also delayed harvest but should help expedite better volume.  The crop is expected to be slightly less than the previous year but flavor and sizing profiles are expected to be excellent with promotional opportunities available for Christmas. We expect strong supplies of mandarins and Caras in coming weeks as well.

Limes:  Much needed rains along Eastern Mexico have improved quality. Sizing and volume are expected to improve as well  The market has eased and should stabilize at current levels .

Grapefruit:  Supplies have transitioned to Texas for the Winter

OG Grapes

California: Central Valley of California harvest have finished with some storage fruit available.  Offshore fruit is available on either coast.

OG Avocados

Mexico: Steady supplies continue with shifting trend towards smaller fruit due in part to some rain affecting quality. Improved supplies a