Lettuce​​​

​​​Unseasonably hot weather in the West  continues especially in the desert. Supplies of iceberg have been slow to match the weather and good demand forced shippers to push the market higher which  inevitably will choke off demand.  Currently moderate look for better size, weights  and overall volume to increase through the weekend.  Quality has improved slightly but concerns continue to include a wide variation of  blister , peel  and discoloration.

 

Mix Leaf

Romaine  and Romaine  Heart production continues to surge as they are not reliant on  “heading” to produce a head.  Hot weather may  affect quality with sun burn and dehydration added to ongoing issues of blister, peel and associated discoloration.   The warm weather will eventually help grow through the blister issue within the next couple weeks.   Greenleaf and red leaf  supplies continue to be sufficient with  a wide range in quality.

 

Celery

Warm weather has improved availability in desert regions. Oxnard and Santa Maria continue to produce, as well as Florida.  Demand has come off over the past few days resulting in softer markets.  There has been better volume on large sized product and good quality industry wide, although quality is better out west.  Expect more of the same scenario for next week as warm weather continues in the main growing areas.

 

Broccoli

Supplies are very good in Santa Maria, Yuma and Mexico and will continue to be for the next few weeks.   The quality coming out of all districts is good.  Some shippers in Salinas have started harvesting as well and are looking to make some hot deals as well.

 

Cauliflower

Ample supplies are available for loading out of all growing districts.  Quality is good with nice white domes.  Shippers will be looking to make deals going into next week.

 

Artichokes

Production has finally started to surge on the Thornless / seeded varieties with  mostly large sizes but also some medium sizes .  Most discounted  offerings  continue to show frost damage but many areas have shown improvement over the past week. With  an early Easter impacting demand a strong market is expected for the month of March .  The preferred  Green Globe / Heirloom variety won’t peak until after Easter .

 

Brussel Sprouts

Overall supplies continue to increase mainly from Mexico. Quality has also improved and the market  has adjusted.  Supplies should continue to increase through the month as most shippers  are looking to  promote.

 

Strawberries-

Better supplies available this week industry wide with Valentine’s Day over.  Warmer weather in California has helped bring on more new crop fruit out of Santa Maria. Early reports are showing strong structure and product will travel.  Mexican production is coming on strong and pricing is cheap out of Mcallen, although much of the quality is being compromised due to hotter weather in central Mexico.  Florida production is improving, which should ease demand on west coast product, resulting in completive pricing for the coming week.

Watermelon

The watermelon volume out of Mexico is good and the quality is excellent. Expect there to be a gap in mid-March as we switch regions. Right now though we have good supplies  of carton 4s and 5s.  Produce West is currently planting for conventional spring seedless in both Texas  and  Florida . We are also planting organic in Florida for spring. Call for promotional pricing for Memorial and 4th of July.

 

Mangos

Currently Produce West is shipping  Ataulfos from Mexico  out of McAllen. Sizing is peaking in 16s/18s but we have from 12s down to 24s available. We will have our first Mexican Tommy Atkins in McAllen 2/20/2016 . There looks to be good promotional volume in April on both Tommy Atkins and Ataulfos. Call for  pricing.