12/16/20

Conventional Items
Lettuce
The market continues to be temperate as demand remains moderate with many foodservice operators struggling with CV-19 restrictions and shutdowns. Retail demand has kept the market from bottoming out but overall it remains sluggish. Quality has been mostly very nice pushing yields higher. Prices will likely settle near current levels until cold temperatures impact harvest . Currently only isolated frost delays have been recorded although traditionally the next 2 weeks are the coldest in the desert.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine  Demand for romaine continues to cool with favorable growing conditions in the desert nudging production forward as CV-19 shutdowns continue to hamper the industry . Carton Romaine has bottomed out while ample supply of hearts offer a strong retail value .  Most shippers are interested in moving volume and are negotiable. Quality has been Very nice in most production areas with more widespread epidermal peel becoming visible. Forecast calls for cooler but not critically cold overnight temperatures to continue into next week.
Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston  prices have eased to more sustainable levels with most shippers negotiable although limited supplies of Redleaf have kept prices firm.  Quality remains very nice quality from most production areas.
Celery
Demand for the Christmas pull is in full swing. Demand is expected to be good for the remainder of the week. Next week prices will subside and there will be better availability across the board. The most aggressive pricing is coming out of the Oxnard and Santa Maria growing regions. Quality is good with nice green color and heavy weights out of both growing regions.
Artichokes
Production of the thornless varieties from Northern California continue to sustain mild to moderate frost damage as overnight temperatures drop near freezing. . Availability of  “clean ” artichokes will be extremely limited until we transition to new production areas early next month. Heirloom and Original varieties will return in the Spring.
Broccoli
Market has been strong over the last 2 weeks as supplies were limited due to a big percentage of the Desert growing regions not fully operational and cooler nighttime temperatures. It now seems as though the market has reached its highest price level and we should start to see a decline in price over the next 5 days. There is better volume coming out of the Imperial Valley and Yuma,AZ districts and we are now seeing more product shipping out of Mexico. Thank you for the business on our Shui Ling Crowns out of Mexico shipping out of Pharr,TX. We will be somewhat limited over the next two weeks with good demand and a small planting gap keeping things tighter for us. Please give us as much advance notice as possible so that we can fill your orders accordingly.
Cauliflower
Demand has been very good and the high FOB’s represent this. Talking to a few shippers the consensus is that we will start to see better supplies by the end of the week. With that being said look for prices to start to decline by the first part of next week if not earlier. Quality has been good, white domes, nice green jackets have been consistent characteristics from all shipping points.
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 for strong Christmas demand . Mexico has begun limited production with expected better overall quality by early next month.
Green Onions
Mexico production continues steady as demand improves daily. Pricing has been mostly competitive although we anticipate the seasonal shortage approaching which will reduce supplies and push prices higher starting next week.  Stock up now !
Strawberries
Overall Volume out of California through the holidays barring any sustained inclement weather. Even with warmer temperatures that we are experiencing out of Santa Maria and Oxnard, supplies out of these areas will gradually decline into the month of January. The quality out of California has been fair to good with some reports of scarring due to high winds primarily in the Southern California area. We expect to see an increase of supplies out of Mexico and Florida into and after the holidays. Organic strawberries have finally stabilized and volume should remain steady into the New Year.
Raspberries
Overall supplies will be on a slight natural downtrend over the next few weeks. We will see small increases in supply beginning in January. Peak production is forecasted for the middle of February.
Blueberries
We have peaked on Peruvian production and volume will trend downward into January.  Chile has started with light numbers, but supplies will ramp up quickly. The early reports are showing excellent quality. The mexican and Baja regions will continue with steady to slightly increased volume over the next few weeks.
Blackberries
As we approach the new year, we will be transitioning into the middle part of Mexico where the temperatures have been colder than normal. Initially, supplies will be light until we can experience warmer temperatures in this area. The California regions are forecast for colder temperatures into the new Year.
Stone Fruit
Utility plums are finished for the season. The import season is getting ready to start next week. There have been some recent delays at the port and many vessels will not be unloaded until next week due to labor shortages. Peaches will likely be available in limited supplies next week. Plums are still about a month away from production, and will likely not be available until the end of January. Expect more port delays through the holiday with limited personnel over the holiday and as covid distancing rules take effect.
Grapes
Red and green grapes are still available. Red varieties are more plentiful , with a good amount of storage fruit still available. Green grape supplies are dwindling quickly and storage fruit will likely clean up by the end of next week. Quality is holding up ok on the red varieties, although greens are showing more issues the longer they are held in storage. Imported fruit is arriving on both coasts in light numbers and pricing is elevated. More offshore arrivals are expected over the next two weeks, which will help overlap storage supplies, keeping up with demand through the new year.
Citrus
Oranges – Steady markets this week as navels reach full production out of the central valley. Better color on all fruit has been reported and product is holding up nicely. More deals are expected in the coming days as shippers look to move fruit for post holiday business. Fruit is peaking on 88 and 113 count sizes. Plenty of nice fruit available so run offers by us.
Lemons – Heavy supplies this week out of district 1. Mexico is nearing the end of their season, but will likely have little effect on the markets due to lackluster demand. Sizes are peaking on 95 – 140 count fruit, although shippers are looking to move on all sizes at this point. Quality is very nice, and shippers are looking to move product. Restaurant closures have severely impacted the lemon market, and we expect this to continue well into the new year.
Limes – Good supplies continue this week on limes. Like lemons, the lime market is lackluster due to bar and restaurant closures. Quality has been holding up nicely and color is deep and uniform. Shippers will continue pushing on all sizes through the holidays so run offers by us.
Dry Onions
I’m starting to feel like Yogi Berra… It’s like De Ja Vu all over again. Deals are being made on Jumbo’s with multi-order transactions. Now the second wave of mandatory shutdowns for restaurants has made even the out-door dining non- existent. As the vaccine is distributed, we will see the spikes become less prevalent and openings start to increase. So much for the V recovery…the only V recovery was the stock market. This country is still in trouble, with looming evictions and people going out of business. Light a candle and let’s hope the Calvary is on the way.
Asparagus
Volumes of asparagus continue to enter in high volumes out of Peru. All signs are pointing to strong volume to continue through the Christmas holiday and that asparagus will be promoted heavily throughout the next few weeks. It is also important to note that as we enter January, markets begin to get more difficult due to it being a supply-gap month.
Cantaloupes
The market rose this week due to very light supplies, as Guatemala is still struggling with the legacy of the two recent hurricanes. Quality and yields have been adversely affected and look to remain so until close to if not after the first of the year. Sizing is also shrinking. Honduras should start in a small way next week, but they too are dealing with the hurricane legacy. We expect product, especially larger sizes and better quality to remain quite tight keeping prices high until after the new year.
Honeydews
Off shore quality sizing and volume is also struggling due to the recent weather. However Mexico still has plenty of product and cheap pricing. Demand has been very slow and nothing seems to be in the offing to change that. Prices on off shore fruit declined a bit, and Mexico rose just a tad. We see little change to this dynamic, once again until after the first of the year.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Broccoli   Markets have settled at current levels as demand and supply have balanced.   Christmas and New Years demand should start to ease slightly although we anticipate supplies to be volatile through the Holiday’s due to potential cold weather.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with demand expected to surge as local Homegrown production comes to a close.
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. Northwest production continues to be limited to shortage.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Demand for romaine continues to keep prices elevated . Temperatures will directly impact supplies for the next month as traditionally we are entering the coldest time of the year in the desert.
Green and Red leaf  quality look much improved and should offer a significantly better value as we settle into the desert season .
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Demand continues to be strong throughout the Citrus category due to retail sales. Mexico’s lemon crop will begin to slow while supplies from California /Winter crop will begin to improve. Pricing remains competitive. Many shippers have shifted production exclusively to bags on All Citrus. Lime quality remains inconsistent. The Navel crop profile remains perfect for retail demand . Flavor and sizing profile will improve weekly, Mandarins have begun with excellent flavor and sizing profile providing a great item for retail promotions.
OG Peppers
California / Mexico :  Improved supplies of Green Bells from Mexico as Red and Yellow Bell production has begun to improve as well. Markets should adjust accordingly.

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