L​ettuce

Market  has leveled off after steep post Holiday dropoff in demand.  Production  areas have concentrated to the desert areas.  Quality has  improved but there are continued  issues with tip burn, high core, mildew  and mishapen heads leaving a wide range of quality.  Ideal  growing weather has allowed production to run a week or more ahead of schedule. Look for the market to  strengthen as the weather cools  and Christmas demand increases.

 

Brussels Sprout

Brussels Sprout quality continues to improve increasing yields. A slight slow down in demand will ease pricing temporarily but with dramatically improved demand  for the Holiday seasonal promotions for the next couple months the market with again strengthen  as most retailers will promo sprouts through the Holidays.

 

Mix Leaf

Romaine and Romaine Heart market has  eased with increased production coming from Yuma and Coachella.  High core and seeder continue to dominate quality issues resulting from warm weather growing conditions.  Greenleaf and Red leaf markets continue to be  steady with  some quality issues  but overall good  quality.

 

Broccoli

The market is trending higher on crown cuts.  Crown material tends to be lighter this time of year due to slow growing plants which produce larger stalks and heads making for more bunch and less crown packs.  Supplies are becoming limited out of Salinas and Santa Maria as shippers move into their winter plantings which historically is less acreage.  Couple this with cooler night time temperatures and we find ourselves with lighter volume from the Coastal growing regions. Production out of the Desert areas is still  limited and there will not be any increase in volume for at least another week.  Imports out of Mexico have slowed due to cooler temperatures in Central Mexico’s growing areas.

 

Cauliflower

Prices will remain high for the remainder of this week and into the front part of next week.  We are still experiencing a supply gap due to the Coastal Regions harvesting their fall plantings earlier than normal and winter plantings in the Desert Regions are still behind schedule by one week.  Harvest volumes should start to increase out of the Desert by the end of next week and then we should start to see some price relief.

 

Celery

Santa Maria and Oxnard are the main growing regions.  The market continues to strengthen this week due to lack of supply. Water regulations in Oxnard have resulted in fewer acres being planted, which has created a supply gap for the month of December. Recent heavy rains have hindered harvests because of muddy fields.  These two factors will keep this market strong at least for the next couple of weeks. High freight rates have raised retails significantly. Although freight rates are beginning to decline slightly, expect retail pricing to remain on the high side. Quality has been fine overall, very few problems to speak of.

 

Artichokes

Thorn-less, seeded artichokes continue to be the predominate variety available.  Most shippers have been peaking on large sizes with light volume matching light demand on medium and small sizes.    Demand will ramp up through the Holiday season.

 

Strawberries

The market continues to be in a demand exceeds supply situation due to inclement weather in all the major growing areas. Santa Maria, Oxnard, Baja and Central Mexico are all experiencing rain this week and this is expected to continue through Friday. Many suppliers will continue with heavy prorates ranging from 80% to 100%.  The Oxnard area received up to 2 inches of rain on Tuesday. Some quality concerns during this time will be soft and sunken areas. Some complaints about white tips and shoulders have been noted as well. Organic strawberries will become more available by midweek next week, barring any weather setbacks.  Look for limited production begging out of Florida this week. Early reports reveal that there is less fruit planted out of this area than in previous years.

 

Blackberries

Higher elevation areas have produced the better fruit out of Central Mexico. Lower lying areas have produced inconsistent fruit pertaining to both sizing and quality.

 

Raspberries

Availability has been good, but look for a little less fruit come to the U.S. due to some rain issues with the fruit not grown under hoops and a good local market with Mexico. Oxnard and Santa Maria complete the other growing areas. Conventional volume remains light. Mexico, Argentina, and Chile will be the main growing areas in December.

 

Blueberries

Regions in Argentina are declining in production numbers as inclement weather will no doubt shorten their season. Quality issues in the fruit were reported to be mold and shrivel. Further complicating matters, the Chilean export inspectors are currently on strike which will affect the beginning of their season. The blues from Chile are expected to be of excellent quality. Mexican volumes have lightened up due to recent rains and some pest issues.

 

Melons

The cantaloupe market is red hot this week.  Cantaloupe, Dews and Watermelons are coming from Mexico in very limited numbers.  Offshore product is starting to arrive, but weather has put a severe smack down on supply coming out.  Quality is hit and miss for the most part.

 

Watermelons

We are seeing a reduced supply of Seedless Watermelon coming from Mexico, due to rain in the growing region.  The market is very active due to a lack of supply on the West.  Offshore product is on the water and should arrive on the East coast in two weeks.

 

Grapes

The grape market is very active this week.  We are seeing good numbers of red seedless available and the market is steady.  Light color fruit is around and being discounted for those interested. Green seedless grapes are very active and supply is starting to finish up for the season. Blacks and globes are winding down and varying in quality and cost.

 

Citrus

Navels – There are good supplies of fruit coming in, peaking on 88’s, 113’s, 138’s.  Quality has been the best we’ve seen in years.  High sugar and good color!!!!

Lemons – We are seeing good supplies of new crop lemons. District III and Mexican supplies are in better volume.  Sizing is increasing and small sizes are getting a little scarce, district III is packing out 70% fancy and 20% choice. Grapefruit – The market is active and supplies are increasing, but slowly.  Quality has been great.

Dry Vegetables

Green bells are coming in with good supply from Nogales and Baja.  The market has settled and seems stable this week.

Red and Gold peppers are still available out of most regions.  Central CA is finishing up soon and the market is expected to stay strong.

Cucumbers seem to be coming consistently from Mexico.  The market is steady and so is supply.

Zucchini, and yellow squash is available from Mexico in Nogales with lighter supplies, but good quality.  We should see steady supplies via Baja and Central Mexico but the market is active and prices are up.

 

Tree Fruit

Pomegranates are now being harvested is full force.  Good supplies on all sizes in #1 and #2 grade fruit.  Market is strong as demand outpaced supply.  Asian Pears are available with good supply.  Both varieties Shinseki (Brown) and Hosui (Yellow).

Persimmons are fresh and being harvested in the central valley now.  Fuyu and Hachiya are both available for your holiday baking and snaking needs.