Lettuce 

The market continues to hold steady with improving quality. Production is reported to be on budget but lackluster Demand seems to be the overriding  factor holding the market down with most shippers  poised to raise prices at the first hint of interest.  Quality has been improving daily although crack ribs , seeder and tip burn are still  evident.  Mild weather through Christmas  should keep production steady  with strong cooling trend forecast for after Christmas into the New Year.

 

Mix Leaf

Production has shifted fully to the desert.  Demand has improved on Romaine Hearts with Romaine , Greenleaf and Redleaf lagging behind. Many shippers are reporting slightly lighter volume with improving quality and  expecting improved demand  for the Holidays. A more realistic scenario has the markets steady through Christmas with a chance to spike if forecast cold weather materializes for the end of the month.

 

Brussels Sprouts

Continued heavy production from  Northern California and Mexico is keeping up with heavy Holiday demand.  Quality had been mostly very good with some issues arising from aged inventory. Heavy rains later this week in Northern California could impact harvest in the mist of the Christmas pull.

 

Celery

Stronger markets on all sizes this week.  Christmas demand has ramped up, lightening supply, with production mostly isolated to Oxnard and Santa Maria areas.  Demand has increased on larger sizes as the majority of production has yielded small sized celery, a result of cold weather we have experienced these past few weeks.  Approaching rainstorms are expected to slow production even further, and this market should continue to trend upwards through the New Year.

 

Broccoli

Demand and prices have remained unchanged this week.  Supplies are in line with demand keeping any price fluctuation in check.  The Santa Maria Valley along with Mexico crossing in Texas continue to be the best options for loading best availability and pricing.  Supplies out of the Imperial and Yuma growing regions have increased and quality has been nice.

 

Cauliflower

Demand is beginning to wane as prices north of $23.00 have slowed down the buying.  Look for prices to decline going into next week as the Holiday pull ends and better availability out of all growing regions.  Quality is fair as expected for this time of year. Winter flower has some fuzziness and light yellow cast domes.

 

Artichokes

Light supplies from Northern and Central California has firmed the market.  Delayed transition to the desert has also lessened available supplies until after New Years . Minimal amounts of the Green Globe or Heirloom variety are being offered at a premium from Castroville.

Strawberries

Lighter demand this week. Markets have eased up which is typical for this time of year.  Florida production is increasing and central Mexico berries are starting to trickle in.  Quality has improved in most growing areas.  Recent rains in California and Florida may affect quality for the short term, although there currently is plenty of volume and harvesters are able pick through damaged product and leave more in the field.

Watermelons

The upward price trend is continuing as supplies decrease to the lower levels of winter. Some offshore melons have arrived on the East Coast affecting the market there, But over all the Nogales and McAllen watermelon markets are active with demand slowly beginning to exceed the supply.     Produce West can load out of either McAllen or Nogales to cover your winter watermelon needs.

 

Cantaloupes

Mexico has all but wrapped up and supplies are now mostly from the Caribbean basin.  Sizes from there continue to be running large with the bulk of the volume peaking on 9s and jbo 9s.   Supplies of those sizes are ample and look to remain so next week.  Demand has been flat as winter weather and holidays have depressed demand melons overall.  We look for the market to remain steady at moderate prices with deals below quotes being made when necessary.

 

Honeydews

Mexico has all but wrapped up this week until after the first of the year. Offshore supplies continue to be ample and running a size range of 4s thru 6s, peaking on 5s and jbo 5s. Like cantaloupes demand has been flat in the face of winter cold and the unseasonable nature of melons. We look for a dull and steady market next week with some dealing off quoted prices.