Conventional Items

Lettuce

Steady production is being interrupted by the first Rain storm of the season. Although demand remains moderate, a slow down in production will allow growers to clean up inventory and firm pricing. Additional rain is expected early next week along with much cooler, Winter-like temperatures , than the Chamber of Commerce weather most of California and Arizona has experienced the past week. With the change in weather expect lighter volume and rising prices for the balance of the month on most Veg items. Quality continues to be mostly nice with discolored epidermal peel and fringe burn more prevalent.

Leaf Lettuce

Romaine and Romaine Hearts  Romaine supplies continue to be strong with moderate demand for cartons but robust for Hearts. Developing systems will cool the desert region to much more seasonal weather with overnight temperatures falling back to near freezing next week. Expect production to slow and prices to firm.  Epidermal blister and peel has begun to be more prevalent with a widening range in quality.

Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston  Demand  on Greenleaf and Boston have been moderate  while Red leaf, due to decreased acres, has been strong. . Shippers’ will continue with limited supplies of Red leaf which will keep prices elevated. Additionally wet and colder weather will impact supplies and expect pricing to escalate.  Quality remains nice from most production areas although some epidermal peel has been visible .

Celery

The market is in a declining stage. Prices are coming off daily $1.00 – $2.00. It looks like we will remain in this pattern for the rest of this week. Obviously buy with protection! Quality is nice, good green color and weights are averaging around 55 lbs for most packs. Deals can be found on size 30 and 36’s.

Artichokes

Production of the thornless varieties from most production areas continue to sustain mild to moderate frost damage. Recent warmer weather will once again give way to frost conditions keeping supplies limited, especially  “clean ” artichokes.  Heirloom and Original varieties will return in the Spring.

Broccoli

Demand remains steady on all packs but especially on crowns. The market has settled at current trading levels and will remain unchanged for this week. There is availability out of Santa Maria, the Yuma regions as well as Texas with products from Mexico. There is also some light production coming out of Florida. Our Shui Ling production was limited this week but we should get back to normal production next week.

Cauliflower

Prices will continue at current levels for the remainder of this week. Some shippers have moved their prices up slightly in reaction to rain in the Desert growing regions. We do not expect any major increases as overall business is slow. Santa Maria is currently offering out the cheapest deals and quality in this region has been nice.

Brussels Sprouts

Coastal California supplies continue to be strong with a mix of quality and sizing. Pricing remains elevated in the desert due to mostly transferred product from Northern California production areas. Mexico has begun limited production with expected better overall quality in coming weeks

Green Onions

Mexico production continues to be limited due to seasonal labor shortage. Additional Cooler , Wet weather will keep supplies in check before we see any significant increase in production. We still anticipate a return to normal supplies once the weather improves.

Strawberries

Volume has leveled off this week but forecasted rains will tighten up the market next week out of California. There is a better than 50% chance of rain in the forecast Sunday Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Temperatures in central Mexico remain cold and numbers remain about 85% of normal. The Baja fruit has been good with excellent size. If we move into some more favorable weather conditions, expect better volumes out of Mexico. Florida continues to produce low numbers as well due to cold temperatures. Quality has been decent with god berry size out of Florida.

Raspberries

Expect raspberries to be extremely tight over the next few weeks as the crop is finally reacting to the same cold weather affecting the strawberries out of Baja and Central Mexico. Expect this market to remain strong with limited availability in the coming weeks.

Blackberries

Similar to the raspberries this item is showing the effects of colder weather and will be in lighter supplies through the next few weeks. Look for the market to firm up with varying quantities of fruit available.

Blueberries

Exports from Chile are in full production but the delay in off loading of ships on the West Coast continues.however off loading of containers, some reports are in excess of 10 days on average. Mexico is still crossing lower numbers of superior fruit but transfer delays to the West Coast are still causing loading delays and shortages.

Stone Fruit

More offshore product is being unloaded and is hitting the open market. Volume fill and tray pack white peaches and white nectarines are currently available. Black plums and mottled pluots are also now available in limited sizing and volumes. Yellow peaches and nectarines are available in mostly tray packs in mostly 56 count and larger sizing. We expect availability to improve as we head toward the end of the month.

Grapes

Imported supplies are improving this week. Product is now arriving daily on both coasts from Chile and Peru. East coast ports are receiving better numbers as the west coast continues to struggle with port delays. Supplies should slowly build and more product will go into storage. Quality has been very nice on imported fruit. Red varieties include Flames, Crimson and Allison. Green varieties consist of Thompson, Sugarones and sweet globe. Steady pricing into next week and markets should begin to settle as more product continues to arrive on both coasts.

Citrus

Oranges – Strong demand this week on navels. Pricing is going up, particularly on 113 and smaller sizes. Small sizes will continue to be limited in the coming weeks. Better volumes on 88 and larger sizes. Quality has been very nice, with most of the product arriving as fancy. Choice fruit is lighter in volume, and some fancy fruit is being packed into choice boxes. We expect this market to further strengthen, especially on small fruit.

Lemons – Markets are strengthening and supplies are lighter this week. Mexico has mostly finished and the focus is now on California product. Most of the product is coming out of district 1, as district 3 will be finishing within the next 3 weeks. Quality has been good overall. We expect this market to continue strengthening as domestic supplies tighten up.

Limes – Good weather in growing regions is helping inventories. Sizes are peaking on 175 and 200 count sizes. Demand is slowly improving as some restaurants have re-opened in limited capacities. Quality has been ok overall , although there have been some reports of lighter color and soft skin. We expect better supplies on large sizes. Steady markets likely into next week.

Cantaloupes

Little has changed the narrative for cantaloupes. Arrivals remain extremely light as the legacy of the hurricanes that struck the Central American growing regions continue to afflict production and quality. Most arrivals are to Florida POEs as it is closest to point of shipment and shorter shipping times mitigate product breakdown. This leaves the West Coast POE extremely short on supplies and in a demand exceeds supply position. This is looking as if it will confuse for another week or two at least. Prices are expected to be elevated and supplies short until sometime in February.

Honeydews

The honeydew story, unlike cantaloupes is changing a bit. Offshore supplies and quality continues to be struggling, once again as a legacy to the devastating hurricanes that afflicted Central America at the very start of the season. Mexico had been a viable and vibrant supply source early but supplies there diminished a bit during the last couple of week due to a cold snap. Offshore supplies are still light and of spotty quality. New Mexican districts are kicking in. Supplies are about to increase there again with better quality. We look for a moderately lower market next week.

Dry Onions

Farms to Families will certainly help with demand and it’s too bad that the Jumbo onions are being left behind. Almost all of these boxes are requesting 16/3lb onions using a medium or a small jumbo. Anything helps, but we need the restaurants and foodservice to return.

Asparagus

Here comes Caborca! There is more and more production coming our way and will soon be priced for Ad features. There will be enough product to be able to cover demand by next week and prices will drop daily…stay tuned. 28/1’s are on the way.

Organic Items

OG Broccoli & Cauliflower

Cauliflower and Broccoli   Mostly ideal weather conditions pushed production forward in the desert. A return to cooler more seasonal Winter weather will likely impact production and prices will once again be on the move. Take advantage while deals last . Quality remains at Seasonal peak .

OG Herbs & Bunch Greens

Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with improving demand

OG Root Vegetables

Carrot Production has been steady and demand continues to spike led by the Farm to Family Program. Most growers have been reaching for supplies . Continue to plan ahead even further to get partial coverage.

Potato and Onions  Markets continue to be strong as well as demand for retail packs. Production continues to be limited to shortage.

OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce

Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Demand for romaine continues to keep prices elevated while  Green and Red leaf  supplies remain slightly better, offering a decent value. Epidermal peel has been more prevalent but overall quality has been nice.  Cooler, rainy weather will limit supplies and push pricing higher.

OG Citrus

Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Demand continues to be strong throughout the Citrus category due to retail sales. California Winter lemon crop continues steady with slightly elevated pricing. Many shippers have shifted production exclusively to bags on All Citrus. Lime quality remains inconsistently fair. The Navel crop profile remains perfect for retail demand as we are in Peak production.  Mandarins continue to offer a terrific value with excellent flavor and sizing profile providing a great item for retail promotions. Specialty varieties have begun with Cara’s , Satsumas, Minneolas and later this month Tango’s and Bloods

OG Peppers

California / Mexico :  Continued limited supplies of Colored Bells but good supplies of Green Bells although a return to cooler weather pattern will likely limit production.