Lettuce​​​

​​​Production  continues  to be below average for many shippers and more importantly processors although slowing demand has stalled the  market with signs of scattered weakness.  Quality has improved slightly with wide ranging issues  from  insect , mildew , burn and rib blight  all  present in the Salinas  and  Santa Maria Valley.   As quality improves  along with yields the market will adjust industry wide by the weekend  continuing into next week.

Mix Leaf

Market  continues  to be steady on Romaine and  Romaine Hearts especially .  Even with softer demand  the market continues to hold .  Quality concerns  continue to exist with  Insect , Mildew , Wind and Fringe burn  being present. Greenleaf and redleaf  market should start to weaken first with  improved quality and pressure from emerging Homegrown production areas.

 

Celery

Steady market continuing into next week.  Florida is finishing up, although there is still a high volume of product still in inventories.  Weather back east and mid-west has been cool and rainy, which is not helping movement.  Seeder is no longer an issue and quality is very nice.  We should see market improvement once Florida product cleans up and weather warms up in the mid-west.

 

Broccoli

Steady supplies and production is in multiple areas.  Good quality in all areas, although some hollow core detected in Mexican product due to high heat.  Expect steady supplies through next week.  Warmer weather over the next few weeks should bring on good volume into next month.

 

Cauliflower

Much stronger market this week with limited supply industry wide.  Some quality issues including bruising and brown spotting have been seen on arrival.  We are seeing the result of recent wind and rains on the west coast but weather is improving and should help quality over the next 2 weeks.

 

Artichokes

The  Green Globe  / Heirloom season is  winding down and the production is starting to shift back to the thornless varieties.  Supplies  are currently peaking on  medium sizes although look for all sizes to to firm heading into a slow down in overall production .

Brussel Sprouts

Quality continues to steer the market.  Production from Mexico has been affected by heavy insect pressure while some  domestic product has begun  with improved quality .  Sales have stalled with a combination of high dollars  and poor quality leading to a softer market.

Strawberries

Demand has slowed after the Mothers day Holiday.  The market adjusted quickly as buyers are turning their attention to the Memorial day weekend.  Oxnard has pretty done except for a few suppliers. The Santa Maria and Watsonvile areas are in full swing now and looking to promote for the end of the Month.  Quality out these areas has been excellent and counts are ranging from 14 -18 ct.

Cantaloupes:

Off shore melons continue to ship but are diminishing in supplies as the last shipments will be coming in this weekend. Sizes were a bit more democratic but still skewed heavily towards 9s and Jbo 9s.  Domestic production was still limited to a couple of producers but one more joined the party this week. Sizes were tilted toward 9s but there were 12s and some 15s as well. Domestic quality was excellent. Demand was okay, but good enough to take up the moderate supply. Markets ended up 8.95-10.95 off shore and 10.95-12.95 domestic. Next week as off shores wind down, domestic will pick up as more producers will be starting. Demand should be pretty good between early retail promotions of domestic product and food service demand. We look market to be firm early in the week then perhaps drop $2.00 toward the end of the week or beginning of the next week as volume picks up.  At that point the market should level and be active.

 

Honeydews:

Off shore supplies increased a bit as the last rush of product arrived.  Mexico had steady supplies as well. Domestic started in a small way.  Sizes ran mostly 5-6s with a few 8s and some larger. Demand was moderate due to highish pricing.  Market was 8.95-12.95 including all sizes and all areas. Next week off shore supplies should begin to dry up. Mexico will be adequate and domestic will pick up just a bit.  We look for a steady market next week.

 

Watermelons

Produce West is shipping watermelon from both Texas and Florida. Volume is excellent in Texas and is beginning to increase in Florida. Prices are slowly easing and there is promotional volume and pricing for the Memorial Day Holliday on both seeded and seedless.   Produce West expects to start a block of Organic Watermelon on 6/15, there will be promotional opportunities on these as well. Contact your friendly Produce West rep for details.