Lettuce 

Production has fully transitioned  to the desert Southwest.  Most growers struggled early with quality due to a warm Fall season pushing crops as much as two weeks ahead of schedule. Seeder , Ribby poor texture have been common leading to inconsistent quality.  Cooler , seasonal light frost conditions have set in and have slowed growth and quality has been improving daily.  The market is poised to react at first sign of improved demand.

 

Mix Leaf

Romaine and Romaine Hearts have been plentiful  with scheduled harvest dates nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.  Seeder and heavy Rib issues  still exist but will diminish as the weather  returns to seasonally cooler temperatures.  The market range has widened with  some shippers still offering deals but will likely strengthen for all by the weekend with  Greenleaf and Redleaf  following closely behind.

 

Brussels Sprouts

Heavy production continues  from Salinas with Mexico starting to increase. Quality has been mostly good  but abundant inventories have diminished some shipments.  Heavy promotions for the Holiday season will improve movement and freshness of arrivals.

 

Celery

This market continues to be steady. Demand has not increased from last week. There are currently good supplies industry wide and quality is nice.  There have been reports of supplies tightening up as early as next week. Christmas demand is expected to increase and should create stronger markets towards the middle of this month.  Currently there is better volume on larger sizes, with some shippers quoting a 2 – 3 dollar spread between large and small sized celery.

 

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.  The Imperial and Yuma growing regions are just beginning their winter harvest and we should see ample supplies out of there over the next couple of weeks.

 

Cauliflower

Demand exceeds driving FOB prices over $20.00.  That type of pricing should slow down purchases going into next week.  Supplies will be limited for the remainder of this week so pre book if you are going to need.

 

Artichokes

Production has slowed from  Salinas  as the delayed  transition to the southcoast and desert will happen late December.   Most shippers  will transfer supplies to their main production areas to fill mixer orders through the Holidays. Limited amounts  of  Heirloom or  Green Globes are available from  Northern California.

Strawberries

Cold weather and sporadic rains have slowed production in Oxnard.  Although demand is not at its peak, volume remains light and quality is suffering after recent rains.  Although weather related issues are typical for this time of year, heavy early season rains have weakened overall quality.  Demand will continue to be strong through the next two weeks, and then is expected to ease up slightly.  Rains are expected this weekend, but mostly northern storms and not expected to hit Oxnard growing regions.

 

Watermelons

As expected with the supply dwindling and with the switch in growing regions there is an up tick in the prices from Mexico. Florida is all but finished with their late growing season leaving the bulk of the supply to come from Mexico until off shore starts. Nogales has gone up on their FOB’s this week and McAllen will rise as well. This price increase will be steady an continue to climb on through Christmas and the New Year and into February.

 

Cantaloupes

Off shores are the main source of cantaloupes as all domestic production is officially over.  Nogales is still going and cutting deals below quotes as buyers generally shy away from Mexican cantaloupes. Off shore supplies are adequate but demand is very slow due to post Thanksgiving leftover inventory in warehouses and the traditionally slow demand between holidays and  prior to sunbelt vacation season. We look for these trends to continue next week with a dull market, reasonable pricing and some deals being cut below quoted levels.

 

Honeydews

All said above applies to honeydews as well, except Mex dews re more accepted domestically than their cantaloupes. Off shores have started and they are funning large 4/5s and jbo 5s with very few 6s. Caribbean supplies should increase next week and sizes should have a more normal skewing toward 5/6s.  Demand should be lackluster at best due to same circumstances as above.

Market should be steady to lower next week