Lettuce​

Iceberg production and quality continue to be inconsistent among shippers. Mild, cool weather has slowed growth but also increased mildew pressure.  Production is steady with no current pressure to push harvest. Most shippers are back on budgeted schedule. Quality issues from mildew, insect pressure and tip burn are still  common but overall quality is improving. A return of warmer weather will contribute to increased volume.

 

Mix Leaf

Cool overcast weather along the Central Coast of California continues to keep supplies of Leaf short as well as increase mildew pressure.  Overall quality is good but far from fancy as is normal this time of year. Markets are currently steady but poised to weaken pending a return of normal, warmer conditions.  Demand continues to not overwhelm. ​​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.   East Coast production from New Jersey is starting to ramp up as well slightly weakening demand for California product .

 

Celery

A wide range in pricing with most product coming out of the Oxnard / Santa Maria areas. Also available in Salinas, however much more expensive due to freight costs as product is transferred from the south. Will not be harvesting in Salinas until mid to late June.  Quality is very nice, good structure and color.  Fewer small sized celery available and pricing shows a $1 – $3 spread between sizes.

 

Broccoli

Supplies are loosening up as demand has seemed to have slowed down over the last few days. Bunch sizing is ranging from 2 to 3 per on 14s depending on location and shipper. Stalk size is averaging 50 cent diameters. Many samples continue to show up very branchy and knuckly, making bunched product harder to come by. As far as defects are concerned, cat eye, yellow bead and purple cast are being reported depending on shipper and field location

 

Cauliflower

Cauliflower supplies have increased and demand has slowed allowing for market deflation. Prices will continue to decline going into next week. Defects include rough curd, some hollow core, irregular sizing and yellow cast. Color this past week ranges from cream to white depending on shipper and location. Weights are ranging from 25 to 28 lbs on 12’s.

 

Brussels Sprout

Production continues mainly from  Mexico although some domestic production has started earlier than  projected  Lighter demand caused by overall  fair quality continues with  various sizing and  insect pressure affecting production.
Artichokes

Globe varieties have begun to increase production as the Heirloom season winds down. Large sizes are predominant but medium sizes are also available.  The market is adjusting as more shippers start their summer crop.  Quality has been very nice with occasional insect pressure.

 

Strawberries

This market had slowed significantly after Memorial Day pull, and the market bottomed out earlier this week.  Supplies have once again tightened up as more product went to freezer and less volume is being harvested into the weekend. Expect a stronger market through the weekend and continuing into next week. Quality has been very nice, with good color and strong structure industry wide.  Cooler days in recent weeks have helped quality, although warmer weather is forecasted for the coming days.

 

Grapes

Plenty of product available at bargain prices.  Mexican Perlettes and Flames are still going strong and shippers are looking to deal.  Sizing is on the larger side, very few small grapes available.  California fruit volume is increasing daily and pricing is now fairly comparable to Mexican fruit. There are more hot deals on Mexican product, although there is a wider range in quality. California quality is very nice.

Citrus

Lemons are demand exceeds supply on all sizes. Pricing is reflecting the shortage, and most sizes are non-existent, particularly on large sizes. Beware of hot deals in this environment, as this indicates quality issues and unwanted problems.  Limes are in good supply and shippers are looking to move product.  There will possibly be a supply gap on smaller fruit in the next few days, followed by lighter supplies on all sizes starting later next week. This could turn the market around from the tailspin it has been in the past few weeks. Valencia orange supply is improving daily and markets have leveled out. There have been labor issues as stone fruit season picks up in central California.  This could result in larger sized product over the next few weeks. Quality is very nice overall.