Market edged higher on lighter supplies and surging demand although with some resistance. Growers continue to leave over-mature acres behind to ensure best arrivals which has reduced overall supplies. An industry wide reduction in planted acres is expected to manifest by early June. Quality is improving daily although some mildew pressure remains.
Leaf Lettuce
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 while still dealing with mildew pressure. Most shippers continue to keep product fresh to avoid quality issues on arrival. Regional production is set to begin in the Northeast which will likely help keep prices steady.
Celery
Supplies are steady with lighter demand to finish the week. Overall quality from Oxnard is showing good condition and color. There are still some reports of seeder and light color but this is becoming less of an issue as we finish the Oxnard season. The Salinas season is expected to start the first week of June.
Artichokes
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 through the end of the month so take advantage while supplies last.
Cauliflower
Supply seems to be keeping up with demand for this week. We are expecting lighter supplies next week. There is a chance that we could see slightly higher prices next week. My only hesitation is that the weather is going to warm up over the weekend so we could see more volume hit the market. This is a commodity to keep your eyes on.
Broccoli
Steady supplies are available as we finish out the week. Lighter supplies are being forecasted in both the Santa Maria and Salinas growing regions for next week. There is a slight uptick in demand so we could see prices increase by the end of this week or beginning of next week. Overall quality is good. Clean domes, good green color and medium sized beads make for the perfect bunch and crown material.
Brussels Sprouts
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.
Green Onions
Mexico production has improved with supplies expected to be steady through May before budgeted acres are reduced for the Summer. Signs of insect pressure are increasing with recent high temperatures.
Strawberries
Demand is steady in California for the best quality fruit. The Salinas/Watsonville area continues to increase volume, while the Santa Maria area is producing decent numbers. In Oxnard. fruit quality is just fair at best, with quality and market factors influencing the shippers’ decisions to continue their harvest in this district. Santa Maria, California, after thunderstorms on Monday morning, is forecast for mostly sunny skies for the balance of the week, breezy on Wednesday and late Friday. Highs are forecast in the 60s on Wednesday, increasing to the 70s for the balance of the week with lows in the 40s, increasing to the low 50s on Sunday. Salinas/Watsonville, after thunderstorms and showers on Monday, is forecast for partly sunny skies for the balance of the week. Highs are expected in the 60s on Wednesday, increasing to the low 70s for the balance of the week with lows in the 40s, increasing to the low 50s on Sunday. Santa Maria, California, fruit has occasional bruising, water damage, decay, overripe, some dark fruit, soft spots, and scarring from the wind. Average counts are 18 to 20.
Raspberries
Steady production will continue into next week. Currently, Mexico and Baja on both conventional and organic; however, we are on the downward side of the most current production cycle, so production will decrease over the coming weeks before it rebounds into the next cycle in June.
Blueberries
The Blues continue to cross from Mexico, but supply is on the decline. California has good volume in Oxnard, with Reedley ramping up. Georgia expects tight supply over the coming weeks, until the transition into Rabbiteye varieties in June. Expect demand to increase exponentially over the coming weeks, with the loss of fruit in Georgia and North Carolina looking at later starts. This will cause blueberry demand to potentially spike and supplies to drop quickly over the coming two weeks.
Blackberries
Supplies are starting to decline, which should firm up the market. There is talk about a small delay between when Mexico ends and California starts due to how early Mexico started this past fall.
Stone Fruit
California peaches are now available. Most are peaking on larger sizing, with 54/56 being most of the volume. Quality is very strong product is making arrivals. Sugar content is improving as weather warms up. Nectarines are much lighter in volume. Sizing is most on the 54/56 scale and limited to no availability on other sizes. We expect better supply towards the middle of next week post Memorial day.
Grapes
The Coachella and Mexican growing season has been delayed due to high heat in desert areas. Both red and green grape production have been affected .There are still Chilean grapes available on both coasts and markets have strengthened as volume tightens up. We expect better volumes on domestic product towards the end of next week and markets should begin to settle the first week in June. Good quality reported on Coachella product. Quality issues are prevalent on the remaining Chilean product.
Citrus
Oranges – Markets are red hot as a result of government contracts requiring heavy volumes for their food bank programs. There has been more demand for bagged oranges, as more consumers are wanting safer options on the retail end. Valencias are beginning to increase in volume which will help take some of the burden off the light navel supply. Strong markets will continue for at least the next two weeks.
Lemons – Less demand this week and volumes are increasing for the start of the summer season in district 1. We expect markets to continue to be weak as long as shelter in place orders are in effect. Quality is very nice and plenty of promotions are available.
Cantaloupe
Supplies were much lighter this week, especially on larger sizes. Offshore has effectively ended their season. Mexico was winding down and domestics started in the desert areas, but sizes were running quite small, peaking on 15s with some 12s and very few 9s. No jbo 9s and 18s in the field but mostly packed to order only. Demand was robust as we headed into Memorial Day. Quality and condition were good. Prices responded accordingly, shooting higher on 9s, and 12s with 15s discounting and 18s being quite stuck if harvested. Next week, more and more growers will start. Those that have been going for a week or more will pick up sizes. Demand will be slow on smaller sizes but good to start the week on 9s and possibly 12s. As the week goes on, we expect 9s and 12s to start trading lower and 15s to become a hard sell. The following week we should see demand pickup and prices to normalize
Honeydew
Have not gotten going as of yet. Offshore finished, and Mexico started to wind down. Desert for all intents and purposes has not started, but should begin this week with smaller sizes for the first week or ten days stretching into next week and the following week. Scarring is prevalent in the desert deal. We look for reasonable prices on 8s and 6s with 5s in short supply until sometime during the first week in June
Dry Onions
California is in full swing as the country opens up to new channels of distribution. The markets are anywhere from $6.00 to $8.00 depending on quality. Demand is good to fairly good, with reds in the $6.00 range. Texas is starting to wind down and the Northwest is done. Keep your fingers crossed as we get food service going…without that sector continuing to open we will be stutter stepping with either overwhelming demand or peaks and valleys until we get on our feet. Pre-pack and medium onions are all committed as the “Farm to consumer” program takes hold.. It looks like our government has let bids for these services to people who are not even in the produce business…people who don’t even have paca license or bluebook ratings. To this writer, it looks like this could be a real trap for people in our industry, not to mention food safety. A real Cluster F—.
Asparagus
California is finished for the year and the deal has switched to Mexico and Peru. Michigan should start building in volume,finally, with
Indiana and Washington throwing in their two cents. Prices will remain high until a push back happens in the chain stores…people are getting used to paying big money for grass, but as other items start to enter the fray ; ie. tree fruit, cantaloupes and honeydews etc.
Honeydews
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Broccoli Production has peaked while demand remains strong allowing prices to firm. Cauliflower supplies remain steady as well as pricing. Quality remains nice and demand remains strong
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with Local Homegrown production adding to overall supplies
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has been steady and Demand continues to spike as carrots offer a great grab and go option as well as being a staple commodity in the USDA Farm to Family Food Program. 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 Foodservice sizes remains non-existent causing a lot of product to be left behind or dumped .
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Demand for Romaine Hearts remain strong with heavy supplies. Green , Red and Romaine show signs of improving quality as temperatures warm . Quality should see weekly improvements as local Homegrown production is starting in the East.
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Production continues to be strong as well as demand. All retail sizes are in high demand. Many shippers have shifted production towards bags on All Citrus. Limes quality remains inconsistent but all other Citrus quality remains strong. Navels production is winding down as Valencias have begun with a lower sized profile .
OG Avocado
Mexico: Production remains steady with good demand.
California: California harvest continues to be steady as well with good demand and excellent quality with slightly higher oil content.
OG Grapes
California: Coachella Valley will start next week with strong supplies expected to start the season.
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