The lettuce market is at a crossroad. Shippers continue to be well ahead of budget with a finite amount of acres left, staring at an uncertain transition schedule with the heavy rains affecting plantings in Northern California. Yet many customers haven’t felt the spike in demand that matches prices offered by shippers. In addition quality continues to be marginal and ideal desert weather continues to reluctantly push product forward. As a result the market is likely to remain high but there will likely be buying opportunities scattered among various shippers. Processors have been purchasing acreage leading to the initial surge in pricing.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Heart markets rose sharply as well with a similar scenario to iceberg pricing affecting both supply and demand. Many shippers are stripping down Romaine and producing hearts which continues to keep heart prices lower than carton Romaine. Processors have been purchasing open acreage tightening supplies of the whole category. Near normal temperatures forecast for the rest of the month but possible rain this weekend could contribute to a worsening mildew issue. Green and Red leaf are lighter for some shippers and steady for others mostly being pulled along with Romaine. Overall quality remains variable from shipper to shipper.
Brussel Sprouts
Heavy volume continues from mostly Mexico. Most shippers are offering volume discounts on all sizes with quality mostly very nice but issues with large inventories have hampered some shipments . Rain along the coast and Mexico should help extend the season well into Summer.
Celery
This market remains sluggish this week, although heavy rains are expected thursday, last throughout the weekend. This will delay harvest and begin to create supply gaps as early as this weekend. Yuma and Texas markets will react and strengthen markets through next week as supplies clean up. This season has seen nice quality, but over saturation and mud in the bags could create quality problems down the road.
Broccoli
Prices have declined due to heavier production in the Desert growing regions and Central Mexico. We will be in ample supplies through next week and then we should start to see lighter volume from all growing locations. Deals are still being made on the Central Coast and most product has pin rot. Quality has been excellent out of Central Mexico with nice uniform heads and no hollow core.
Cauliflower
The market has declined from last week but seems to be settling in at current trading levels. Some shippers are out for the remainder of the week so there is not an over supply situation. Quality is all over the board make sure product is inspected before shipping.
Artichokes
Production has started to steady while demand is improving heading into “Spring” promotions . Light frost along the coast and the desert should start to diminish also contributing to improved demand. Peak production will be on medium large sizes with the better value on the medium sizes. Spring production of the Heirloom/ Green Globe variety is underway. A Spring time favorite of the artichoke aficionado .
Asparagus
Warm weather in Mexico has pushed production forward. Demand has been good with Valentine Day ads and should continue to improve as the market adjusts to additional volume. Quality has been mostly very nice which should allow for promotions for the next couple weeks .Many shippers have transitioned into 28lb cartons.
Strawberries
With the expected storm coming at the tail end of this week, things are going to snug up a bit. Oxnard is expecting up to 5 inches of rain on Friday. If that happens it will drastically affect the production in that area. We are in the peak weeks for strawberries in Texas right now. Volume has been going strong for the past week and we should slowly start to see it down trend from here as California gets ready to start up.
Cantaloupes
The winter melon market has be dominated by stubbornly lackluster demand this year. Cold and wintry weather along with flooding and storms have depressed consumption. At the same time, supplies have been adequate to ample all season long. Sizes have skewed toward large which yields more packages per acre. Next week supplies should continue to be ample and run large. Demand may be improving as weather around the country next weeks and in most urban areas look to be unseasonably mild (40s to 60s). It is also the peak of vacation season which helps as well as people tend to go to warmer climates and eat summer treats. We look for the market to improve next week.
Honeydews
Like with cantaloupes, the wintry weather had kept demand dull most of the season. Supplies overall have been lighter than with lopes, but lately supplies have increased, especially with Mexican imports picking up. Demand should improve on honeydews as well with mild weather expected in the Urban areas next week and winter vacation season in full swing. Yet we see no real change in the market next week
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli market continues to be influenced by heavy rain along the coast tightening overall supplies with quality issues arising from the rain soaked areas pushing demand towards the desert although Mexico production has increased of late and has helped ease the market. Cauliflower production has steadied along with the market. Quality is good and the market should remain strong heading into the end of the month.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most of the Herbs and Bunching Greens have seen stable production from the desert although pricing has been impacted by Coastal rains putting pressure on the desert. Quality has been excellent from the desert but heavy aphid pressure and possible return of mildew pressure from this weekends showers will likely start to impact availability in coming weeks.
OG Lettuce & Leaf
Quality has been improving but growers continue to battle mildew and now aphid issues leaving supplies varied. Weekend forecast of Rain showers won’t help quality and may further tighten supplies and likely higher prices.
OG Root Vegetables
Most Root Vegetables are starting to see improvements .Supplies looked to rebound in coming weeks. Carrots production has been slowed by rains in the Central Valley but has improved as some production has shifted to the desert. Potato and Onion demand has also been good withWhite and Yellow Onion supplies from Mexico starting to increase.
OG Citrus
Rain has reduced supplies by preventing steady harvest but the fruit continues to grow and should improve quickly when the weather dries out. Strong demand has pushed up pricing. Rain forecast for the end of this week will once again delay harvest but most shippers have been trying to get ahead by inventorying bins between storms. The Navel crop set is good and supplies should improve with improved weather although sizing profile continues to increase the longer the fruit is on the tree. Look for better deals on larger fruit. The Lemon crop should start to wind down from the desert and transition to the Central Valley and Oxnard where rain continues to affect supplies and keep prices active. Limes have been harder hit with poor quality / color but should start to rebound as the weather improves.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.