To start the week, continued overlapping supplies from Huron and Salinas contributed to the overall sluggish market. Additionally rapid decline in Quality from Huron impacted repeat sales. Some shippers are in a good position with one production area and ahead of harvest but many continue to be behind schedule due to labor shortages or lack of demand. Quality from younger fields has been nice but some older fields have shown many issues on arrival ranging from rib rust , cracked ribs, discoloration and decay. Supplies are expected to be moderate with mostly cool weather forecast through early next week.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine and Romaine Hearts Romaine supplies remain heavy with moderate Demand on cartons but Slightly better on Hearts. Diminished labor force continues to hamper Romaine Heart production at times leaving plenty of carton supplies available. Quality remains mostly nice from all areas
Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston Demand on Leaf has followed Romaine. Quality remains nice from Northern production areas.
Celery
Come and get it! We have not seen prices move in the last month. Majority of production is out of Santa Maria and Oxnard. Overall quality is good, there is some seeder starting to show up in Oxnard, but shippers are walking past most of that product.
Artichokes
Thornless varieties from Central Coast production areas are peaking on large sizes with prices higher on smaller and especially Heirloom and Original varieties. Markets should continue steady through April when sizing should even out. Take advantage of these superior edible varieties .
Broccoli
No change in prices expected for the remainder of this week even though the cauliflower market has taken off. Shippers are looking to move on all cuts and especially crown cuts. Product is available for loading in Santa Maria and Salinas.
Cauliflower
As it is known to do the market has taken off, climbing almost ten dollars over the last 5 days. There are a few shippers that are in a planting gap from the heavy rains over most of California 3 months ago. Couple that with the cooler than normal temperatures we have had this spring and the crop is not growing as fast as normal. The shippers that are currently gapping will have better availability by the end of the week or first part of next week. Market will remain tight for the remainder of this week.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Mexico has peaked while demand surged for Spring promotions . Quality has been mostly very nice from Mexico with minor insect pressure while limited domestic production has shown improvement
Green Onions
Mexico production has resumed full capacity with most product loading Now from the Central Coast. We continue to see arrival issues due to Warming temperatures in Mexico.
Strawberries
The California regions will have limited volume through the Mother’s Day pull due to cool weather and the chance of rain over the weekend. The Salinas and Watsonville growing area has begun with limited volume. The Santa Maria continues to move along with steady but limited volume. California fruit has occasional white shoulders and under-color, misshapen, seedy tips and dry or discolored calyx. Average counts are 14 to 16, occasionally higher and lower. Oxnard, California fruit has occasional white shoulders, misshapen, seedy tips, and wind discoloration. Average counts are 20 to 22, occasionally higher and lower.
Raspberries
Volume will not peak until the 3rd week in May when new growing regions begin. In the short term, demand will continue to exceed supply.
Blackberries
Central Mexico Regions continue to be the main producer, but Product will remain snug until California ramps up in June-July.
Blueberries
The recent estimate out of Florida calls for a 40% crop loss from the bad weather they received a few weeks ago. Georgia is about 2-3 weeks from full production. We will see the trifecta of limited availability, high market pricing, and rain on quality. Mexican blueberry prices will remain a demand-exceeds-supply situation.
Stone Fruit
Import white peach and white nectarines are finished for the season. Import yellow peach and yellow nectarines are available in limited supply. Imported plums will be available for a few more weeks.
California yellow peach and yellow nectarines will likely start this weekend, followed by apricots next week. Sizing will be small to start and mostly tray pack. Domestic plums will start towards the end of May. Early quality reports on California stone fruit are very positive.
Grapes
The last of the imported grapes are arriving this week. Green seedless grape supplies continue to be in extremely tight, as we are still seeing the effects from rain damage from earlier in the year. There are two tiered markets as a result of mixed quality on both red and green grapes. The Mexican season will start later than normal this year and we expect transition gaps between the offshore and Mexican growing season. There will be light supplies and tight markets on both read and green grapes as we head into May.
Citrus
Oranges – Steady demand continues this week. Sharper pricing on all sizes this week as supplies tighten, especially on small sized fruit. Sizing is currently peaking on 56 and 72 count. Expect markets to continue rising as demand increases. Quality has been very nice with very few issues to report.
Lemons – Stronger markets this week. Export numbers have increased, as well as demand from service industry, so we will likely see strong markets into the near future. Large sized lemons will be less available in the coming weeks and we will see higher pricing on 95 and larger fruit at a result. Quality has been strong with very few issues to report.
Limes – Steady demand continues this week on limes. Larger sizes have been limited and sizing is peaking on 200-230 count sizes. With rain in the forecast for growing areas in the coming week, we will likely see some supply gaps over the next 10 days. quality issues such as scarring and blanching are still being regularly reported.
Cantaloupes
Cantaloupes look like they are poised to become quite tight and higher priced. The Honduras and Guatemala are both winding down earlier than expected with the former also experiencing some rain. Also demand for their melons has increased as the Spanish crop is late this year and buyers from Europe are turning to the Caribbean for supplies. Mexico new crop is also a bit late with only a few crossing into the domestic market currently. Demand is increasing a bit with the seasonal changes spring brings and the continuing gradual opening the economy as vaccinations become more common and people are allowed to resume activity. Domestic melons are being pushed to a later and later start time with the earliest any product is expected is May 10t and now volume until a week or two later. Cantaloupes should be higher next week, perhaps much higher.
Honeydews
Dews are already active, higher and tight. The impending supply gap for cantaloupes has already hit on honeydews. Offshore supplies have been reduced to a trickle and the deals there are winding down earlier than expected. Mexico new crop, however, has started and should pick up volume next week. Prices have already gone up and should maintain for next week.
Dry Onions
There are few onion shippers started in the Imperial Valley of California. Quotes are anywhere from $7-8 depending on who you’re talking to. Reds are few and whites are coming from Mexico…loading in Texas and in Yuma. Next week we’ll see the market start to stabilize with more shippers joining the fray. As farmers markets and food service slowing come back the demand will increase; we’ll see if there’s a chance for a profitable spring California deal.
Asparagus
Obregon, Constitutional are shipping now with the bulk being in Obregon at
this point. Look for the market to switch to 11/1’s and somewhat higher prices.
California is shipping with product being quoted in the low $40’s on 28/1’s.
There should be some ad demand coming for the Mothers Day pull, but so far
there’s not too much interest.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Broccoli Production has mostly shifted North with cooler temperatures keeping supplies moderated matching demand on Broccoli while Cauliflower supplies have sputtered pushing prices higher. Quality has been good to start the Central coast season . Cool Mild weather should provide perfect conditions for quality .
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with steady demand. Quality remains good from the Northern production areas.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has been steady and demand continues to be strong. Most growers have been reaching for supplies . Continue to plan ahead even further to get full coverage.
Potato and Onions Markets continue to be strong as well as demand for retail packs. New crop Production has begun from Southern California production areas with elevated prices to start .
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, iceberg & romaine Currently prices on Romaine and Hearts remain a value with mostly ideal weather to start the season . Much cooler weather is forecast through the week with possible Rain early next week which could tighten supplies temporarily .
Green and red leaf supplies remain affordable as well. Overall quality has been good during the transition North.
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Good demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity. California Winter lemon crop continues steady with slightly lighter volumes and escalating prices. Lime quality has shown improvements but remains inconsistent. The Navel crop profile remains perfect for retail demand as we are in Peak production. Domestic Valencia’s will begin limited production over the next couple weeks with continued production from Mexico. All seasonal Varieties will continue to remain a terrific value for another week with excellent flavor and sizing profile on Mandarin’s, Cara’s, Satsumas, Minneolas , Nuggets, Pixie, Tango’s and Bloods. Grapefruit supplies have steadied with improved sizing.
OG Peppers
California / Mexico : Green Bell Pepper transition to California remains delayed due to relatively cool Spring temperatures . Colored Bells have begun the same scenario as the Mexico season winds down.
OG Grapes
Green & Red : Supplies currently remain mostly from storage Imports through early May with varied Quality. We expect Domestic season to start slightly late but supplies are expected to improve quickly with excellent quality forecasted to promote all Summer.
OG Brussels Sprout
Mexico : Increasing insect pressure in Mexico has slowed production Prices remain stable but supplies limited
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