As production areas narrow , supplies have become concentrated with many growers battling quality issues typical of a wet Spring. Forecast call for dry, mild conditions for the next 10 day ( before possible showers next weekend) which should help dry out the crop and improve yields and quality. In the meantime supplies are varied, overall reduced and shippers are pushing prices sharply higher. Demand remains modest at retail and wholesale level but processors have been buying acres to supplement their light yields. Additional production areas including Las Cruces, NM will begin production later next week to provide Quality and Convenient options as homegrown season is right around the corner.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine Supplies had been improving from Northern California production areas although quality issues from soil borne disease have increased with the recent rains impacting quality. Dry forecast for the next 10 days should eventually improve quality and supply. Prices have stalled at elevated , current levels and could spike if the quality doesn’t improve soon.
Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston Markets have eased to more sustainable levels as production improves. Although not as severe as Romaine , recent quality issues from previous rain and hail should show improvements later next week.
Celery
Prices have firmed as the Desert growing regions are now finished and we come to rely on Oxnard and Santa Maria for the next 6 weeks. This is the time of year that we start to get into seeder issues with the Oxnard product which will affect yields. Stay on top of your needs as we head into May. Salinas will start the first week of June.
Broccoli
Good supplies are forecasted out of Santa Maria and Salinas over the next two weeks. We will start to see more crown quality products available as well. Georgia and Florida also are currently in peak production thus putting even more downward pressure on the California market. Now is the time to start thinking about promotions. Get with your Produce West representative for promotional opportunities starting next week!
Cauliflower
Now that we are transitioned back to Salinas and Santa Maria growers are finding some soil borne disease issues due to the heavy rains over the winter that are affecting yields. This looks to be short lived and they hope to be out of this issue within the next week or so. Until then expect markets to remain high and supplies on the shorter side. These issues are not affecting quality, just yields.
Artichokes
Spring production of the Thornless variety artichokes remains strong with improving quality although The Heirloom / Original variety continues to dominate supplies for the next few weeks with an array of sizes available. Demand remains strong especially for the Original/ Heirloom/ Green Globe variety.
Brussels Sprouts
Strong supplies with improved demand has firmed pricing although promotions will continue to be available through the month of April.
Green Onions
Production has begun to improve although pricing has stalled at current elevated levels as some growers are still dealing with fields impacted by previous storms during planting but quality has improved and we expect supplies to as well to finish off April.
Strawberries
The weather has been quite varied across Watsonville, Salinas, Oxnard, and Santa Maria areas. In Watsonville and Salinas, a hail event significantly impacted production, while Oxnard has been dealing with consistent rain affecting fruit quality and timing. Santa Maria has enjoyed mostly warm and sunny weather, with the anticipated rain clearing up quickly. Fruit quality challenges like misshapen fruit, burnt calyx, spongy tips, water damage, and pinrot are common across these regions. Despite these issues, expectations are to see quality slowly improve even with the recent high cull rates.
Raspberries
The weather has been consistently hot and sunny across all regions, occasionally accompanied by strong winds. Temperatures are hovering in the mid-90s during the day and dropping to the low 60s at night. The forecast for next week suggests a continuation of these hot conditions. The fruit looks promising with a vibrant red color, though there are some lighter shades due to early picking ahead of the heat. Most fruits are of medium size, averaging counts between 40-48 per pack. Despite efforts, there are occasional instances of overripe or crumbled fruit making their way into the packs,
Blackberries
Central Mexico will continue to be the main producing area into early May. Quality is good, with sizing between the medium to large range, nice sheen, mostly black and with good firmness. Conventional counts are 22-35 and organic counts are 32-45. Due to high temps in the regions, there will be some regression and some softer fruit as the days get hotter. The Santa Maria and Oxnard areas are expected to ramp up their production in early May and expect to be in peak production around the end of June.
Blueberries
Several areas are contributing to the over all volume. In Oxnard, the recent colder weather has led to slow ripening and reduced volume production. However, the quality remains consistently good, with most defects sorted out related to color. Peak volume has passed, and a decline in volume is expected as June progresses. Out of the Central Valley, Organic blueberry volumes are starting to pick up, with an expected acceleration in the next few weeks. Despite a slow start due to colder weather, warmer conditions this week are anticipated to boost production. Although there are instances of soft fruit and red backs, Overall, quality is favorable with good size and flavor. The peak for organic volume has been pushed back by a week or two into mid-May, while conventional harvest will commence by the end of April. The Southeast has experienced average temperatures with days in the low 80s and nights in the high 60s. Thunderstorms are expected this weekend. As spring progresses, temperatures are rising, leading to a quick increase in volume, reaching its peak by the end of April. Berries are medium to large in size with excellent quality and flavor. Some packs may have attached stems, blush, and scarring, but overall, quality and production look promising, especially in Georgia, where better volume is expected next week.
Stone Fruit
As imported peach and nectarine season wraps up, imported red and black plums take center stage. California cherries kick off in late April with limited volume, followed by apricots. May sees the arrival of California white and yellow peaches, followed by nectarines. The season peaks with California plums at the end of May.
Grapes
Grape volumes remain below average, leading to a demand exceeding supply scenario on both coasts. This trend is expected to persist throughout the remainder of the season. However, there’s hope on the horizon as we anticipate Mexican Greens to be available by the week of May 13th, followed by Reds the week of the 22nd, providing some relief to the market.
Oranges
The valencia crop is ramping up, and navel supplies are lighter this week. Supplies of 72 count and larger oranges are plentiful, while demand for 88 count and smaller oranges surpasses availability, causing the smaller fruit to firm up. Despite this, fruit quality remains excellent overall, with small fruit particularly tight, indicating a promising season ahead.
Lemons
Ample supplies of Fancy and Choice grades in sizes 115 and larger, while smaller fruit sizes, ranging from 140 to 200, are somewhat limited. Despite this, the overall fruit quality remains very good, contributing to a steady market environment. With a consistent supply of larger sizes and positive quality reports, the market maintains its stability, offering favorable conditions for buyers.
Avocados
Markets have found some stability amidst recent turbulence. However, challenges remain with oversupply in many size categories. Heightened harvest activity raises concerns about market stability and the possibility of oversupply. While uncertainties persist, shippers will be adjusting pricing over the coming weeks to keep product moving. Availability varies across sizes, with some sizes more accessible than others.
Dry Onions
Mexico has fewer loads to sell and there should have been a pop in the price as Texas numbers rise, but because of the Northwest cleaning up most buyers are letting their inventories run down. There is a chance that we’ll have California onions in the next week or so and behind that New Mexico. The bottom hasn’t fallen out completely and the numbers for Jumbo Yellow is still in the teens. Georgia starts with their product this week and that will ad another layer of supply. What a cluster —-.
Asparagus
We’ll probably see a lot of fields pulled this year in Mexico after this disaster of the “supply exceed demand”. T’would be interesting to see the margins the chains were getting on asparagus this year.
Cantaloupes
Offshore supplies next week could be a bit lighter as the biggest importer is finishing their harvest early this year, but overall should remain adequate. Quality is generally good to very good with sizes peaking on jbo and reg 9 count. Mexico is due to start with some but as is well established by now they are generally not well accepted everywhere. Contract demand seems steady, spot market demand is tepid at best. Looks like price will not change much the rest of this week and next.
Honeydew
Offshore supplies have continued to be moderate with good quality and peaking on 5 and 6s count. Demand has been surprisingly good for the past few weeks keeping available offshore supplies snug to tight and prices firm. Mexico has started with decent quality and volume with sizes also peaking in 5 and 6 count. Pricing in Mexico is much less than offshore and discounting. Demand for offshores therefore has abated but with light supplies prices have held. Next week supplies are not expected to change offshore but could increase in Mexico. We look for steady prices off shore the rest of this week with Mexico continuing to discount. Next week we could see lower pricing all around.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli and Cauliflower supplies have mostly transitioned to Northern California with improving quality. Prices are currently elevated but could begin to level off with improved production.
OG Celery
Production has begun to ease as Mexico and the Desert finish up leaving Oxnard as the sole production area for the next month, likely leading to stronger markets moving forward until Salinas Valley begins harvest in early June.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Multiple production areas continue to offer sufficient options and good supplies but mixed quality.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Production in Northern California has been slow to transition with intermittent rain/hail affecting quality and availability Growers now have been dealing with soil borne disease and bottom rot from wet fields. Dry forecast for the next week should begin to improve overall quality and eventually availability.
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Strong demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity. Rain in most production areas delayed harvest resulting in much larger fruit sizes and reduced quality.
Grapefruit production is currently strong with some Fancy , Large size fruit available
Lemon California production remains good although sizing will continue to be imbalanced to larger sizes and choice fruit due to quality issues from the wet Spring. Prices have firmed, especially smaller fruit , with overall crop acres lower for the season.
Lime quality and supplies remain inconsistent with varied prices.
The Navel crop has abruptly finished with Valencia’s still a few weeks away from any volume. Quality remains mostly with Choice , Larger sized fruit with quality issues as a result of the rain and hail.
OG Stone Fruit
Apricots , are forecast to start up by the end of the month followed by Peaches , Nectarines and Plums Growers report no major issues with last weekend weather but continue to monitor weather reports which forecast dry conditions through next week with a chance off showers late next weekend. So far the bloom has been reported to be strong. Stay tuned for updates .
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