3/24/22

Conventional Items
Lettuce
Transition to Northern California production areas is underway for some Lettuce shippers while all continue to harvest in Yuma as well . This overlap will boost supplies to exceed demand and allow prices to tumble . Until supplies settle later next week markets are expected to be volatile. Most shippers appear willing to work with customers to keep product flowing for now. The desert continues to vary while Huron, while not perfect ,  appears to have started with improved Quality.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine and Romaine Hearts  Demand for Romaine softened while Romaine Heart demand continues to be strong although pricing has eased on both.. Transition to Central California production areas is starting this week with some anticipated overlap which will lead to heavily tiered pricing based on location and quality. Romaine Hearts will also begin to transition but due to labor shortages supplies, although improved, will be limited. Epidermal Blister and discoloration will continue to be an issue in all areas although we will see less issues in the newer districts.
Red leaf, Greenleaf and Boston  Demand on Leaf has also stalled with pricing easing as growers transition production areas. Expect overlapping supplies with tiered pricing.
Celery
Overall demand has waned and prices are trending downwards. The Yuma region will finish up within the next 10 days and then we will be shipping out of only Oxnard and Santa Maria until Salinas starts up in June. Quality is very nice out of all shipping districts. Good green color and weights in the mid 50 lb. range.
Artichokes
Thornless production continues from the South Coast and the Desert with most Artichokes being discounted due to frost damage including the Original and Heirloom varieties produced in the Salinas / Castroville area. Currently priced to move, take advantage of these superior edible chokes while in season. Quality should improve weekly and pricing will follow
Broccoli
We are heading into lighter supplies as the Desert growing regions and Central Mexico begin to wind down their seasons. Expect to see an increase in pricing going into next week.
Cauliflower
Currently supplies are meeting demand but it sounds like we could see lighter harvest numbers going into next week. Expectations are for a slight increase in pricing as we finish out the week.
Brussels Sprouts
Mexico production continues to be strong and with improving growing conditions we anticipate supplies to continue to be heavy. Prices remain mostly steady with volume deals available. Strong Ad for Easter business will eventually lead to firmer pricing .
Green Onions
Mexico supplies have returned to full production as prices stabilize. Quality has been varied as they continue to experience shifts in temperature causing some increased insect pressure and additional quality issues .
Strawberries
Expect an increase in Demand as we move into Spring. The Baja region has good numbers and California production in Oxnard and Santa Maria should continue to increase. Salinas/Watsonville is starting to harvest limited numbers. Santa Maria, California is forecast for sunny skies, becoming cloudier during the week, mostly cloudy on Saturday, and then cloudy skies on Sunday with a possible shower. Highs are expected in the 70s, decreasing to the 60s for the weekend with lows in the 40s. Oxnard, California is forecast to be mostly sunny and warm, Saturday mostly cloudy, and Sunday cloudy. Highs are expected in the 70s on Wednesday, decreasing to the 60s for the balance of the week, and lows in the upper 40s to the 50s. California fruit is generally good quality and may be subject to occasional bruising, misshapen, white shoulder, wind damage, and bronzing.
Blackberries
Production increases are slowing down as heavy rain hit Michoacan over the past week. The heavy peak in March is expected to be smaller, and supplies are starting to tighten up this week. Pricing is adjusting to more historical norms.
Raspberries
Steady increase in numbers into the peak which is the first of May. Demand is expected to remain good as we roll into Spring
Blueberries
Chile continues to move mass volume to both coasts. Market continues to be low cost as demand has been far below normal. Chile should be done within a few weeks, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. Cold weather has also impacted demand, particularly in the North/Northeast which was hit by snow. Florida is starting to pick with more volume expected over the coming weeks, peaking early April. Georgia was hit by a heavy frost over the weekend–anything without frost protection is gone. Early estimates put that around 20-30% of the crop as a conservative estimate. Given the split acreage between Southern and Central Georgia, expectations are still a good, albeit late, crop in Georgia.
Stone Fruit
Chilean red and black plums are now available on the west coast and more sizing options are available. White Peaches are mostly finished for the import season. White nectarines are still available in limited volumes for a few more days. Quality has been solid on plums. Yellow peaches and nectarines are available on both coasts in limited volumes and quality has been good overall.
Grapes
Plenty of red green and black grapes available with multiple varieties to choose from. South American production is heavy and markets have settled downward as a result. High volumes will likely continue for the coming month as more product arrives daily. Shippers are looking to move inventories as quickly as possible and making deals on all types. Expect similar conditions for the coming month as more product is shipped to the US as a safer alternative to the unrest in eastern Europe. Quality has been excellent, although continue to watch out for old fruit.
Oranges
Production is peaking this week on California Navels. Sizing is mostly 72 to 88 count fruit. Quality has been excellent overall with good color and condition. Sugar levels are high and the fruit is eating extremely well. Good volumes expected for the next two weeks, followed by a gradual decrease in supplies in April as the season finishes.
Lemons
Steady markets this week. Crop continues to be mostly fancy fruit. Overall quality remains outstanding with very few issues reported. Peak sizing is on 140 and 165 count fruit, although there has been adequate balance between the sizes. We are currently in a demand exceeds supply scenario so run all offers by us.
Limes
Rain in the forecast this week will continue to slow production. Pricing is highly elevated, although there is a chance it has peaked and will begin to trend downward next week. Sizing is peaking on 200 and 230 count fruit. Quality defects remain.
Dry Onions
The market on Texas and Mexican onions is adjusting to the volume that is appearing in the southwest. If trucking holds out we’ll see the TexMex new onion market take over as supplies dwindle in the Northwest. Most shippers in the Texas market are in the low $20’s on Jumbo Yellows and Whites. Reds are
closer to the mid $20’s, but at lease t there is volume available, unlike the Northwest folks.
Asparagus
This is the weirdest grass market this writer has ever seen.” Where’s the Demand”? foodservice is getting on 2its feet and the convention scene has taken off, which means restaurant and hotels have bodies in them. Supply is immense and demand isn’t. We need the big boys in the chain business to
come to the rescue for this commodity and as of yet they are a no show.
Cantaloupes
…and the beat goes with little variation. Prices just don’t seem to change much as the lion’s share of offshore production is contracted leaving a just a sliver of product for spot markets. According during winter and early spring and subsequent weather, demand remains lackluster due to little being promoted by retail sector. Processing and food service as improved a bit but not enough to make a difference. So the only meaningful variations are in quality and size configuration. Distribution is about to be more even between ports of entry as Los Angeles is continuing to improve its supply and infrastructure. That being said, sizes last week here cluster toward jbo 9s and larger. That looks as if it is becoming democratic now peaking on regular 9s and jbo 9s with adequate 12s. Quartey is okay. Next week looks to be more of the same with little price changes.
Honeydews
The same song this week for honeydews. Mexico is winding down a bit with decent quality peaking on 5s and 6s. Off shore peaking on jbo and regular 5s but with adequate supplies of 6s and a few 8s. Quality has more variance than cantaloupes but less than recently. Demand remains centered on contracts at steady prices, but more is coming from Europe than has been the case. Yet one wonders if that can continue with new variant covid cases on the rise and war time political turmoil. Once again this adds up to lite change next week.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Broccoli   Transition has led to overlapping production although neither area has excessive volume. Prices are easing slightly although improved demand may help keep pricing steady.  Supplies will continue to be spread throughout the state for a couple weeks and result in tiered pricing depending on location.
OG Celery
Demand and Pricing continue steady with production in the desert and Mexico finishing up. With Oxnard the main production area ,  look for prices to continue steady
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Production remains mostly steady with improved availability. Supplies are expected to transition to Northern California but will be scattered through the end of the month.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production remains unstable especially Cellos with production areas transitioning . Continue to plan ahead to get full coverage.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Romaine and Romaine Heart production remains limited with the desert finishing early due to heavy insect pressure. Limited production is expected to resume next week in Northern California as growers will try to reach for any sort of production.  Green and Redleaf  Production has been limited with increasing insect pressure forcing an abrupt end to the desert season. It appears limited supplies will become available early next week in Northern production areas. Initial pricing will be elevated but should stabilize as supplies become available .
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit  Strong demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity. The Lemon crop is improving with mostly Fancy grades and steady pricing with additional volume expected from Mexico. Favorable deals remain on larger sizes. Lime quality and supplies remain inconsistent.  Navel production remains steady although The crop remains lighter than normal with good  quality overall and heavier towards larger sizes.  Mandarins remain moderately supplied as many growers transition into new varieties. Higher pricing is expected all season. Grapefruit supplies should be improving from Mexico and the Central Valley with good sizing
Cara Cara and Blood Orange   organic season is coming to an abrupt close.

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