Lettuce​

Mild weather the past week has slowed production which had been 1-2 weeks ahead of schedule.  Light to moderate supplies put pressure on the market to gain momentum heading into this week.  Continued quality issues from mildew, insect pressure and tip burn have also reduced fields resulting in further strengthening. Better supplies should be available as the weather improves next week along with production starting in Southwest and New Mexico this week.

 

Mix Leaf

Continues to be very short supplied. Romaine volume has been better but with very uneven distribution among shippers. Wide ranging quality continues to affect the market. Insect pressure and mildew have been the main issues. The market will continue to see an imbalance for another couple weeks with Romaine market likely to strengthen as leaf should level off.

Celery

Stronger market overall. Florida is gapping and putting pressure on the west. Cooler weather has slowed production and created gaps in supply. Not much difference in pricing between sizes and most product is coming out of Santa Maria and Oxnard. Salinas pricing is understandably pricier due to transfer costs. Good quality in all areas.
Broccoli

Pricing is steady with light supplies. Bunched continues to be limited and overall quality is improving; however we should see better supplies going into next week.  Better availability on crowns, although there seems to be decent supplies of bunch as well.  Look for the market to come off a little. Central Mexico broccoli supplies are steady but volume will begin to wind down starting next week. Most growers will finish their season by the third week of May. Pricing is improving slightly as we finish the season

 

Cauliflower

Supplies in Salinas and Santa Maria will remain very light for the week.  We do not expect much change in this market next week. Quality is good overall.

 

Brussels Sprout

Light Production continues mainly from Mexico. The market continues to be active mostly from light supplies.  Overall quality continues to be fair with various sizing and insect pressure affecting production.  New Crop production from Santa Cruz and Salinas is expected next month.
Artichokes

Heirloom / Green Globes have peaked for the spring season and light production of the seeded Globe varieties have strengthened the overall market which will remain strong till mid-May when the seeded Globe varieties will begin to produce mostly large sizes.

​

 

 

 

Strawberries

Strawberries continue to be in a demand exceeds situation for the Mother’s day pull.  Supplier shortages and prorates will continue into mid-week next week. Warmer weather has been forecast for the end of this week followed by cooler temps for the front part of next week. The Memorial Day pull is right around the corner!

 

Grapes

Coachella and Mexico should start in light numbers next week.  Early reports show strong appearance, but light numbers for the first few weeks. This will create a much stronger market on greens, as receivers are wary of storage fruit. The good product that is available is very expensive with as much as $8-10 spreads between quality ranges.  Red Grapes continue to have good appearance and are holding up nicely. Coachella has started small numbers with very nice quality reports.

Citrus

Orange market continues to rise as navels finish and Valencia’s play catch up. Small sized fruit volume is becoming very tight.  Most of the volume is peaking at the 72 count fruit and going up from there. Quality is very nice, very few problems to speak of. Lime volume is up over 500 loads per week for the second week in a row.  Sizes are peaking on 200s, 230s, and 250s. 110,150s, 175s are in shorter supply. Prices continue to slip on all sizes as we approach the Cinco de Mayo holiday. Look for prices to keep falling after Cinco de Mayo with deals on small sizes.

 

Mangos

Mango rounds are beginning  to trend into the 9,10 count sizing down from  7,8 count look for continued deals on large fruit this week with deals to be had after the Cinco de Mayo holiday on the mid and small size fruit. Ataulfos are still in short supply with demand exceeding volume on 12s, 14s. Look for the volume to pick up toward the Cinco de Mayo holiday.