Market continues to be relatively steady with continued oscillating demand. More growers have learned it’s best to leave over-mature acres behind to ensure best arrivals which in turn helps keep pricing firm. An industry-wide reduction in planted acres is expected to manifest by early June. Quality is improving daily although some mildew pressure remains. Production from Las Cruces NM is wrapping up this week well ahead schedule. We will return in the Fall. Thanks for all your support.

Romaine   Many shippers continue to harvest to order which might affect daily availability but overall supplies have been sufficient even with some acres being left behind. Quality has improved daily with some mildew , fringe burn and seeder still visible. Romaine Hearts continue to offer a good value.

Green leaf , Red leaf and Boston  have improved supplies although most growers are still battling mildew pressure while many shippers are harvesting to order to keep products fresh as possible. Red leaf acres appear to already been adjusted as supplies remain limited although matching limited demand. Regional production is set to begin in the Northeast which will likely help keep prices steady

Prices have come down slightly since the beginning of the week. There is good availability on most sizes, especially 24 and 30’s. The more aggressive pricing is available in Oxnard and Santa Maria, CA. Overall quality has been good, nice green color and little to no seeder.

Strong Production continues as well as demand especially for the Heirloom variety. Prices have remained competitive and offer good value. The superior edible Heirloom variety is currently available from multiple growers for a few more weeks so take advantage while supplies last .

Supply seems to be keeping up with demand. The market has remained somewhat steady over the last 5 days. Prices range mostly from $7.00 – $9.00 with wing sizes slightly reduced. Growing conditions have been perfect and the quality is very nice.

Good availability on both bunch and crown cuts from both the West Coast and off the East Coast currently shipping out of Georgia. Overall quality is good. Clean domes, good green color and medium sized beads make for the perfect bunch and crown material. Run your orders by us!

Mexico production has slowed with spiking temperatures leading to diminished quality due to insect pressure and seeders .  Domestic supplies from Southern Coastal California are limited with some seeder and off size issues as well . Expect lighter supplies moving forward until new crop production starts in Northern California coastal region later this month.

Mexico production has improved with supplies expected to be steady through May before budgeted acres are reduced for the Summer. Quality has improved but may be affected with hotter recent temperatures.

There is steady demand in California for the best quality fruit. The Salinas/Watsonville area continues to increase their volumes, while the Santa Maria area is producing good numbers and quality. We are expecting volumes to slightly increase over the next three weeks as we will have warmer weather next week. Oxnard is wrapping up their season.

Slow volume out of Oxnard and Baja. Central Mexico volume continues to decrease. California regions will begin to increase.

California will be working every other day as the deal winds down and Mexico and Peru build in volume. Michigan is still missing in the cold snap from last week. There are still crossings coming in from Obregon crossing in Holtville, CA. San Miguel de Allende has started and are crossing in Texas with a trickle of supply. The prices are still outrageous in the $36.90 range in CA and Mexican with occasional deals being made on odd sizes. Still hard to get Air service on Peruvian grass…most coming in by ship.

California regions are underway. Central Mexico will start to decrease in the coming weeks with only high elevation areas increasing.

California peaches are available but in limited volume and elevated pricing. Quality is strong, although there have been some reports of low brix levels. Nectarines are extremely tight due to high demand on the retail level. Quality has been strong, but like peaches, lacking in sugar. Hotter weather in the coming days will improve sugar levels and overall taste. Red and black plums are still very light supply with no significant volumes until the end of this month.

Mexico and Coachella growing areas have started and the remaining import inventories are being sold at a discount. Plenty of deals available on Chilean red grapes being offered on both coasts. Quality is starting to decline on import fruit, especially on green grapes, and shippers are trying to move as quickly as possible. Mexico and Coachella grapes are increasing in volume . Early quality reports are very positive on new crop, and pricing will be elevated until production increases.

Oranges – Stronger markets this week as navel supplies clean up . Recently implemented government food bank programs are creating a demand exceeds supply scenario on all oranges. Valencias are slowly starting but still need a few weeks to reach full production. We expect markets to continue to strengthen as government programs continue and restaurants begin to open in the coming weeks.

Lemons – District 1 is the main production area currently . Demand has leveled off and shippers are looking to move supplies; especially on 115 and 140s. Bagged lemons are in higher demand, however as a result of government food bank demand.

Limes – Good volumes coming out of Mexico this week. Demand is still very low as most bars and restaurants remain closed. Quality is excellent and shippers are looking to move volume on all sizes.

The times are finally changing in the cantaloupe market. Offshore are winding down to a close and peaking on jumbo and regular 9s with very few smaller sizes. Domestic deal is off to a slow start with mostly undersized fruit. Mexico going and running mostly small fruit as well with a wide ranged in quality. Meanwhile demand has improved a bit. Yes there is still the pandemic, but the warmer weather and lighter supplies made the market stronger, especially on good quality larger sizes. Next week the offshore will effectively be over. Mexico will still be shipping but with moderate supplies. Domestic fruit should increase in volume over the course of the week but sill skew heavily to 12s and smaller until the following week. Demand should continue to me moderate with some improvement due to warming weather and some retail promotional activity. We look for a higher market on jbo 9s and 9s early in the week with a discounting abounding on 15s and some discounting on 12s.

Like cantaloupes, Honeydews traded higher this week. Supplies were much lighter, as the offshore deal effectively ended. Mexico supplies were steady but moderate and peaking on 6s and 8s, with a lot of fair product.  Domestic have not started yet but are expected to begin by the end of this week or early next week, and volume not kicking in until the following week.  Sizes are looking like they will be quite small with a slow start as is the case with cantaloupes. We look for a firm to higher market on jbo 5 and 5. Steady but firm on 6s with discounting on smaller sizes.

Texas has product but is starting to come to the end. California is going strong with Jumbo yellows in the $7 to $8 range…however the prices last week were $5-$6 range with a good pull and good arrivals, even by rail. The receivers that handle food service are starting to buy for various Federal programs, so there is a little more demand. The $7 level is meeting some resistance from the big volume buyers as the final loads from Northwest show up. To summarize…we still have onions coming from too many areas so it’s hard to put an exact barometer on the market. The Pandemic is still in charge.

California will be working every other day as the deal winds down and Mexico and Peru build in volume. Michigan is still missing in the cold snap from last week. There are still crossings coming in from Obregon crossing in Holtville, CA. San Miguel de Allende has started and are crossing in Texas with a trickle of supply. The prices are still outrageous in the $36.90 range in CA and Mexican with occasional deals being made on odd sizes. Still hard to get Air service on Peruvian grass…most coming in by ship.

Cauliflower and Broccoli    Production has surged as pricing has eased on Broccoli offering excellent value. Cauliflower supplies have also begun to improve as prices ease as well. Quality remains nice and demand remains strong

Demand continues to intermittently surge along with supplies.  Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady. Local Homegrown production will impact sales by late May.

Carrot Production has been steady and Demand continues to spike as Retailers are stocking shelves with hearty , sustainable, grab and go commodities. Continue to plan even further ahead to get partial coverage.

Potato and Onions  Demand continues to be steady for new crop production on the West Coast. Retail packs have been in high demand but should ease as customers binge bought while demand for the Larger Food service sizes remains non-existent causing a lot of product to be left behind or dumped .

Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Demand for Romaine Hearts remain steady offering a solid retail value while Green , Red and Romaine show signs of improving quality as temperatures warm although likely leading to increased aphid pressure. Quality should see weekly improvements as local Homegrown production is set to begin in coming weeks.

Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Production continues to be strong as well as demand. Sizing profile on most citrus continues to run towards larger sizes while demand for medium sized fruit surge due to retail sales spike. Navels production is winding down as Valencias should be ready to step in.

Mexico:  Production remains steady with good demand.

California: California harvest continues to be steady as well with good demand and excellent quality.

California:   We expect to see domestic supplies start from the Coachella Valley before the end of the month with strong supplies expected .