Conventional Items

Lettuce

Ideal weather in the desert continues to push production with mostly exceptional quality.  Improving weather around the country is expected to boost demand and likely elevate industry depressed prices. Currently most growers are harvesting partial days to avoid already stressed cooler capacities. If demand continues to be less than stellar the markets will hover at current levels  Quality has been mostly nice although with varying weights , color and solidity leading to some arrival issues with discoloration.

Leaf Lettuce

Romaine and Romaine Hearts- Romaine supplies continue to be strong with mild demand. Warming weather will continue to push production leading to varied quality as most Hearts continue to be heavy and Pale in color with a tendency to show discoloration as growers strip down any residual Epidermal peel . Limited labor will contain oversupply as many growers will be forced to walk past overmature acres. The market will remain depressed through the month awaiting weather patterns to change and promotions spur demand .

Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston  Demand on Leaf has been sluggish as well. . Overall supplies are sufficient at current demand. Quality remains nice from most production areas although some epidermal peel remains visible .

Celery

Nothing too exciting to talk about when it comes to this commodity. The market has not really done anything up or down over the last two weeks and it looks as though nothing is going to change for the remainder of this week. There is availability out of Santa Maria, Oxnard and Yuma. The most aggressive pricing is coming out of Oxnard. Overall quality is good, nice green color and weights averaging around 55 lbs.

Artichokes

Production of the thornless varieties from most production areas have begun to peak with most showing only mild frost damage. Improved weather should push production and will continue to improve quality .  Heirloom and Original varieties will begin to ramp up in March.  Take advantage of these superior edible varieties although at Premium pricing. but Well worth.

Broccoli

With lower price over the last few weeks many shippers in the Mexican growing regions have curtailed their harvest or have found it more profitable to stay in the domestic market than export to the U.S. Couple that with the bad weather and high truck rates that we experienced last week out of Texas and we now have lighter supplies for this week on Mexican product loading in the Texas Valley. Because of this buyers are now looking out West to cover their needs and although the market in California and Arizona has been at the bottom we are starting to see some movement. Look for prices in all loading locations to move a tick or two higher as we finish out the week.

Cauliflower

Starting to see better demand from customers out East. Possibly due to the fact that restaurants, etc are starting to open up. Whatever the case there has been more interest here the last few days and we are definitely going to see prices increase. Quality has been very nice, good white color and nice full head size.

Brussels Sprouts

Increased production from Mexico to go along with continued supplies from California leading to heavy supply and depressed prices . Quality remains varied in Both regions but Mexico has seen improvements Markets are expected to peak with additional Easter demand.

Green Onions

Mexico production has started to show signs of improvement and prices have begun to ease.  Expect a slight surge in demand for Easter but pricing should remain steady.

Strawberries

Florida has flooded the market with cheaper fruit, but the forecast is for very warm temperatures in this region for the weekend. Expect a few quality issues to arise in the near future. California continues to be on the light side, but demand is off slightly. We will see an ease on pricing into the weekend. Central Mexico was hit with some cold temperatures last week and growers had to cull some fruit due to freeze damage.

Raspberries

Demand exceeds supply. Mexico continues to be impacted by the freeze damage in January, followed by cold temps this past week. Supplies are expected to remain low until new districts come on in March. Another freeze happened over the weekend so the issues with raspberries will continue well into March.

Blackberries

Demand exceeds supply. The freeze in Mexico a few weeks ago is driving up the market on blackberries as less production is coming on. New districts will start producing mid-March.

Blueberries

Supply exceeds demand. Late vessels are lining up with on-time vessels to the U.S., so we are seeing a late- season glut of imported blueberries hit both coasts. Along with Central Mexico starting to pick up production as well, the blueberry market has done an about-face for at least another two weeks, and then supplies will drop off very quickly.

Stone Fruit

Chilean Stone fruit is arriving weekly. White peaches, white nectarine, red & black plums, yellow peaches, & yellow nectarines have been unloaded and are now available from multiple shippers. Mostly tray pack fruit is available. Multiple vessels are scheduled to arrive over the coming weekend and we will likely see more volume fill stone fruit, and a better array of sizing hit the open market.

Grapes

The grape market has firmed up significantly over the past two weeks. Supplies are limited industry wide, and will continue to be light for the near future. Vessel delays and poor weather have both contributed to the current demand exceeds supply scenario. Much of the product arriving is being stored to keep up with high demand that is expected in March. The market is now in the 30’s and advancing. Green seedless varieties were especially hit hard by the heavy rains in South America, and supplies will be virtually nonexistent for the remainder of February and well into March. This situation will definitely put more pressure on red grapes, resulting in even higher markets from this point on .

Citrus

Oranges – Steady demand this week on navels. Markets are softer this week as more product enters the pipeline. Sizing is peaking on 72 and 88 count fruit. Small sizes are in less supply, with a 1-2 dollar spread between large and small sizes. Light supplies of small sized navels are expected for the coming weeks. Quality has been very nice with good color and high brix. Fancy grade is currently about 80% of pack outs from district 1.

Lemons – Softer markets this week as more supplies are available this week. Good supplies are coming out of district 1, keeping up with demand at this point. Lighter volume expected in early March, which will likely result in stronger markets as more restaurants attempt to reopen. Deals are being made on small sized fruit. Quality has been very nice with very few problems to report.

Limes – Good demand continues this week on limes and sizing is peaking on 175 and 200 count fruit. More rain is in the forecast for growing areas over the coming week, which will likely keep supplies tight and we could also see some quality issues as a result.

Cantaloupes

Waiting is the watchword for cantaloupes right now. Waiting for more volume of larger sizes and more consistent quality from Honduras and Guatemala. But the long-lasting legacy of the hurricane that struck the Caribbean at the very beginning of the deal and left disease and devastated soil behind continues to limit both. Yet demand, like with all produce right now, seems to be nearly comatose, especially as large swaths of the country recovers from the devastating recent winter storms. Thus jbo and regular 9s count is mostly absorbed by contracts, with 12s and 15s continuing needing to be discounted to sell. Little looks to change next week. There might be some increase in supplies as we get further from the storm and head into newer plantings, but is starting to look as if there will be less than normal supplies continuing for a while. Domestic fruit is still about 6-10 weeks off. Demand also is looking as if it will stay lackluster at best as winter and COVID continue. West coast POE’s are selling for less than FLA POEs which will keep the distribution of arrivals focused there. All and all we look for little change next week with discounting on smaller sizes on slower days

Honeydews

Honeydews have changed. Mexico supplies have seasonally diminished and being kept mostly in country rather that exporting into U.S. At the same time, offshore supplies have diminished a bit as well and there is still a lot of fair quality being heavily discounted. Sizes are peaking on 5 and 6s and some jbo 5s with few 8s. Prices have gone up on the best fruit. We look for steady to slightly higher prices next week.

Organic Items

OG Broccoli & Cauliflower

Cauliflower and Broccoli   Mostly ideal weather conditions in the desert has pushed production forward as we approach the transition back to Northern California production areas over the next month.  . Demand has been moderate and prices steady. We expect pricing to escalate as we see improving demand although additional supplies from Northern California will lead to tiered pricing.

OG Herbs & Bunch Greens

Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with improving demand with Cold weather hampering Southeast production areas

OG Root Vegetables

Carrot Production has been steady and demand continues to spike. 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.

OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce

Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Supplies are starting to catch up with Demand for romaine and prices are easing lower.  Romaine Hearts are offering a Seasonal best value.  Green and Redleaf  supplies remain affordable as well . Epidermal peel remains visible but decreasing. daily and overall quality has been nice.  A return to ideal weather should help push supplies and improve quality .

OG Citrus

Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit  Demand continues 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 as well as Specialty varieties Cara’s , Satsumas, Minneolas , Tango’s and Bloods.

OG Peppers

California / Mexico :  Improved supplies of all Colored Bells as the weather has improved .in the West

OG Asparagus

Mexico :  Surging supplies on the Mexican crop is leading to good values on Asparagus . Take advantage while supplies last.

OG Brussels Sprout

Mexico :  New Crop from Mexico has started with good  Supplies and quality to match. Expect availability through early Spring. before insect pressure increases.