Production from Salinas and Santa Maria continues to be steady for the industry but varies widely among shippers with a few below budgeted volume and some with heavy volume. Overall quality is good but also varied among shippers.Tip burn, insect and mildew has been present in the Valley. The weather is slowly returning to normal with cooler coastal temperatures and warm inland valleys. This pattern can contribute to the inconsistent supplies among shippers with varying land bases.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Heart markets remain steady with mixed demand. Production will continue to vary as some shippers are still experiencing sporadic harvest schedules interrupted by Spring rains. This may result in markets firming next week. Quality has been very good with mildew and fringe burn showing on occasion. Green and Red leaf are also showing variable quality around the valley. Local Homegrown production areas are starting to improve and will continue to put pressure on California market to remain steady.
Brussels Sprouts
Production continues from Mexico and Central California with declining quality due to heavy insect pressure leading to a decrease in supplies. The market remains strong for good quality. Supplies are expected to continue to lighten through June.
Celery
This market is red hot and continues to gain momentum. Planting gaps have caused a demand exceeds supply scenario over the past few weeks. This trend is expected to last for another two weeks until Salinas production begins. Early reports show no significant celery volume coming out of the Salinas Valley until the middle of June and we expect strong markets until then. Seeder remains to be an issue in Oxnard.
We will have celery available out of Mexico at the end of this week shipping out of Pharr, Tx….Sizing will be mostly 24 and 30’s with a few 18’s and 36’s. Check with your sales representative for pricing.
Oranges
With navels finishing up, Valencia volume is much lighter than it had been this time last year. Growers are stating that they have not seen this light of numbers in many years and volumes are expected to be down at least 25% by July. This should make for a strong Valencia market over the coming summer months particularly on smaller sizes. Quality has been nice.
Broccoli
Market may have found a comfortable trading level. Demand still remains stronger for the bunch product and prices are reflective of this. Bunch product is trading $2.00 – $4.00 higher than crowns. The Mexico volume has definitely declined sending East coast customers out West to procure product. Look for the current pricing to settle and remain unchanged into next week.
Cauliflower
The roller coaster ride continues. Towards the end of last week prices dropped into the single digits and then rebounded quickly this week and are now trading in the low teens. It feels like demand and supply are about equal right now and we should not see much more of an increase in price. Again this up and down pricing is still reflective of planting gaps that occurred during the winter rains.
Artichokes
Production for the Heirloom/ Green Globe variety is winding down and the seeded varieties are starting to increase with larger sizing profiles expected.
Asparagus
Domestic supplies from the Central Coast are decreasing but the North West and Baja production are beginning to increase along with increased offshore supplies from Peru allowing the market to ease.
Strawberries
Watsonville and Salinas are expected to have some mild weather this week with temperatures ranging in the high 60s low 70s. Strawberry quality is looking good for the most part, with most fruit at 12-14 count. The main defect we are preventing is green fruit, but mild temperatures this week should improve this issue. Volume is predicted to jump each week, with our peak hitting in June.
Raspberries and Blackberries
Raspberries are looking great with fields full of flowers, with steady volume the next few weeks. Blackberry volume is increasing weekly with more good fruit on the way.Last week Santa Maria was relatively chilly with temperatures ranging in the upper 50s – low 60s with winds up to 40 mph. A warming trend began to emerge later into the week, with weekend highs hitting the upper 70s lower 80s. This week, we can expect weather to fluctuate into the high 60s lower 70s with the potential of more wind. San Andreas and Monterey are looking firm with good color at 18-24 count, with minimal bruising due to the high winds. Organic San Andreas are at their peak, and couldn’t be any better. Fronteras are slightly smaller at 22-26 count, and are a little soft. However, with a 2-3 cycle this variety should stay decent in quality. Volume is expected to slowly decline the next few weeks, and labor is getting tight, with some consistent no-shows on Monday’s and Saturday’s.
Blueberries
Weather this week in the central valley is going to be mild and temperate, with blueberries in this region expecting to hit their peaks during the next 10-12 days. Georgia may see chances of rain and thunderstorms early in the week, with warm sunny weather to follow. Some northern varieties at the end of next week will be begin to pop up and there will be a steady supply for 2 weeks to 3 weeks.
Cantaloupes
The transition from off shore to domestic has completed with the Caribbean no longer shipping. however the backlog of their product has been clogging the supply chain all week. In addition, Athena melons have begun shipping from Florida. Production kicked into full gear this week in Yuma and the Imperial Valley. Sizes were peaking on 9s and Jbo 9s. Demand for domestic melons was sluggish due to the backlog of Caribbean fruit. Thus the market drifted downward all week. Next week the supply chain should be rid or nearly rid of the off shore fruit. Athena melons will continue to ship and Blythe and Phoenix areas will kick in. Thus, supplies will remain ample. Demand should pick up once buyers get used to higher freight rates associated with western product. We look for a steady to lower market early next week with improved demand and a leveling of prices by mid to end of the week.
Honeydews
All the factors affected demand for cantaloupes were in place for honeydew melons. However instead of Florida, Mexican product was shipping good volume. Sizes peaked on 5s and 6s. The market drifted downward to affordable levels by mid week. Next week Blythe and Phoenix will enter the picture, Mexico will continue to produce and domestic product will be ample. We look for a dull and slightly lower to steady market next week.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli and Cauliflower production has finally started in improve which will help with demand as retailers can start offer promotions.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most of the Herbs and Bunching Greens continue with improving supplies. Quality continues to be very nice with occasional intermittent shortages. Expect Local Homegrown supplies to start increasing which will lessen the dependence on West Coast supplies.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Supplies have improved on Green and Red leaf but Romaine continues to see sporadic supplies from Central Valley and Salinas. Markets are slowly retreating to a more sustainable level with homegrown offerings expected to increase in coming weeks.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrots production will be strong for the next few weeks . Potato and Onion demand has also been good with White, Yellow and Red Onion supplies improving from Southern and Central California with good quality.
OG Citrus
Steady production with mostly larger profiles continue on Lemons with good demand for export keeping pressure on the market to remain active. Valencia production has started to ramp up with improving availability. Peruvian Limes are in full swing with excellent quality.
OG Melons
Watermelons, Cantaloupes, and Honeydews are starting to wind down from Mexico and domestic production is right around the corner. We will keep you updated as promotional pricing becomes available.
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