Cooler wet weather has finally arrived on the West Coast.The first significant rain of the season started to fall last week in the desert and now a Northern, much cooler system is hitting the Coast and is expected to arrive in the desert by the end of the week. In the meantime Cold Blustery conditions reside in the desert are keeping supplies moderated matching demand. Traditionally these types of storms coincide with sharply rising commodity prices but currently availability is very good with most items although continued cold temperatures will add volatility in coming days. Quality continues to be mostly nice with some discoloration due to the increased moisture on the epidermal peel.

Romaine and Romaine Hearts  Romaine supplies continue to be strong with moderate demand. Rain this week will slow the pace of the labor intensive Heart production but currently supplies are ample although varied among growers. If cold, wet conditions persist expect to see prices climb once again. Rib discoloration is more prevalent with the combination of rain and epidermal peel but overall quality, although fluctuates, remains very good.

Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston  Demand  on Green leaf 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.

Prices have gradually come down over the last 10 days. Depending on how much rain the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions get over the next couple of days will dictate if prices will continue to come off or stabilize at current levels. I believe we will see prices sit where they currently are for the rest of the week. Quality is nice, good green color and weights are averaging around 55 lbs for most packs.

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

Demand remains steady on all packs but especially on crowns. The market is at rock bottom and everyone is looking to move product. There is availability out of the Yuma regions as well as Texas with products from Mexico. We have good availability of our Shui Ling crowns shipping out of Pharr,TX, run your offers by us.

Prices will continue at current levels for the remainder of this week. We will see limited to no volume harvested for the remainder of the week in Santa Maria due to rain, but there is still plenty of product available out of the Desert growing regions. We do not expect any major increases as overall business is slow.

Increasing production from Mexico to go along with continued supplies from California. Recent Storms will slow and likely finish the Northern California season but sufficient supplies remain leading to sharply lower prices . Quality remains varied in both regions but Mexico should start to see improvements moving forward.

Mexico production continues to be limited due to seasonal labor shortage. Additional cooler, wet weather will keep supplies in check before we see production increases early next month.

Rains and cooler weather in several growing regions has caused a shortage in volume. Look for this trend to remain this way through the Valentines day pull. Florida is expecting warm weather which will favor fruit maturation which could help to offset some of the shortfalls in California.

Cooler weather has caused shorter supplies to be available and look for the market to remain slightly higher for the next 2 weeks.

Cooler weather has caused shorter supplies to be available look for the market to remain slightly higher for the next 2 weeks

Blues being imported in from both Mexico and Peru are still being plagued with continued delays the market will remain firm through the Valentines day pull.

Offshore product continues to slowly trickle in to both coasts. Tray pack and volume fill white peaches, white nectarines and pluots are available this week out of the California central valley in limited sizing and volumes. Sizing is mostly large currently, and we should see a better range of sizing by next week as we await the arrival of more vessels. More black and red plums are expected to be arriving by middle of next week. Early quality reports are positive.

Imported grapes continue to arrive on both coasts. Port delays continue to plague the west coast, delaying product. Ships are forced to wait for over a week before they are finally unloaded. Markets continue to be strong on reds and greens and demand has seen an improvement pattern over the past two weeks. Quality is holding up nicely despite delays at port, red and green varieties have been strong. We will continue to better volumes on the east coast until the west coast port delays are finally settled.

Oranges – Better overall demand this week. Sharp pricing increases on all sizes as more rain hits California. Small sizes are significantly tight and sizing is peaking on 72 and 88 count fruit. USDA food boxes have resumed, creating more demand for choice fruit. Quality is still very nice with very few issues to report. I high ratio of the product is fancy grade. Tight supplies should continue through next week.

Lemons – Markets are strengthening this week. With Mexico finished, California is the main production area. Heavy rains in California this week will further delay production and tighten supplies. Quality has been excellent out of district 1 California. We expect this market to continue strengthening as the country slowly recovers from lockdowns.

Limes – Good growing weather in Mexico is resulting in better volumes than last week. Sizes are peaking on 175 and 200 count fruit. Shippers are looking to move fruit this week as they anticipate better numbers for next week. Some quality issues include soft skin and pale coloring.

Looks like about two more weeks of this historical and epic supply gap caused by the hurricanes at the start of the season across Central America. After replanting the lost crop Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica should all be phasing back in with new fields by the second week in February unless another unforeseen weather event occurs. Until then supplies will continue to be quite light and fair quality. There is a run of sizes from Jbo 9s to 15s. Demand is still quite slow and dominated by contract sales at below market quotes. Fair quality product is being heavily discounted in spite of overall supplies being quite short. As stated little looks to be in the offing to change this configuration. If looking to promote, it looks as if late February or March will be a good time as volume and quality should both be back to workable by then.

Like offshore cantaloupes, honeydews from that area are also suffering from light yields and a lot of fair quality. However Mexican product has been available in better numbers and quality with much lower pricing. This dynamic appears to be continuing for the next couple of weeks until offshore production and quality picks up. Fair quality offshore has been deeply discounted. Mexico rose in price for a bit but has retreated to lower prices and over all supply as demand continues to be hampered by unseasonability tropical winter breaks and other COVID related afflictions. We see this dynamic continuing to for two to three more weeks.

Great action on the medium,small and jumbo market as the “food box” market takes hold. Output on the yellows is sizing up so smaller sizes are harder and harder to come by. This actually applies to the white and red onions as well. California is back to outdoor eating again and this could be a shot in the arm for food service. But there is a lot of rain here and the parklets are not all covered, but I have a feeling that there will be soon.

First sign of 28/1’s will start on Monday, with most shippers trending in that direction. There are now 32 different shippers of Asparagus going now or very soon. Some of these shippers have not been in the market and will be trying to buy their way in by giving some ridiculous pricing to get started with new customers. I think grass will probably be consigned in the not too distance future…stay tuned.

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 .

Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with improving demand

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.

Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Demand for romaine continues to keep prices elevated while  Green and Redleaf  supplies remain slightly better, offering a decent value. Epidermal peel has been more prevalent but overall quality has been nice.  Cooler, rainy weather will add volatility to markets .

Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Rain throughout the state will impact production with  Demand continuing to be strong throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong 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

California / Mexico :  Improved supplies of all Colored Bells has begun but cooler weather pattern will likely limit production in coming days