Lettuce​​​

Moderate supplies  and continued  hesitant demand has kept downward pressure on FOBs. Quality has been  improving but still varies widely with irregular sizing,  insect pressure and  tipburn still  prevalent.  Supplies and quality could be affected with high temperatures in select hotter locations in the Salinas and  Santa Maria  Valleys this  week.
Mix Leaf

Hotter Temperatures in the  Valley have increased supplies while  demand  has  been easing slightly on Romaine.  Continued  increase in  local production areas will keep  downward pressure on the market.  Limited  local Homegrown  Romaine heart production will allow the market to stay strong  as  long as  California growers don’t convert excess romaine into hearts.   Green and  Redleaf   market continue to be sluggish

 

Celery

Oxnard production will be mostly finished by the end of this month and most of the production will be out of Salinas Valley growing areas.  Michigan production will be starting in mid July.  There is good volume this week and markets are sluggish.  Expect good volume through next week; we should see slightly better markets in the first half of July.  Good quality industry wide, although Salinas quality has been stronger.

 

Green Onions 
The market remains depressed due to high volume crossings from Mexico  the past couple weeks. However, the severe heat (120 degrees) the past few days should lower the volume of crossings from Mexico. Also, due to the depressed market the last 6 weeks, some growers are curtailing harvest on iced green onions which could lead to a slight short term improvement in the market.

 

Broccoli

Good availability for the remainder of the week and going into next week.  There is better volume on crown cuts as opposed to bunch and shippers are looking to make deals.  Run your offers by us whether loading in Santa Maria or Salinas.

 

Cauliflower

Ample supplies for the remainder of the week and quality has been very nice.  Large white domes with nice green jackets.  The market has seemed to settle at current trading levels but there is the spot deal here and there.  Please run any offers you may have by us.

 

Artichokes

Supplies  of Thornless / Seeded have increased allowing the market to  ease on all sizes.   Promotional  pricing is available on the largest sizes.  Quality is very nice.

Brussel Sprouts

Production is winding down from Mexico   with improving supplies  from  Central  California .  The market will remain flat until  Mexico finishes at the end of the month. Some  shippers are pushing discounts  for volume. Quality has improved but the new crop from California continues to be preferred .

Strawberries

A mixed range in berry pricing will continue into next week as quality continues to vary out of Watsonville and Salinas.  Some bruising has been reported by end users.  The forecast for next week is calling for normal temperatures as we wind up the 4th of July pull.

Cantaloupes:

Demand picked up last weekend for the July 4th.  Supplies swooned a bit toward the end of last week, but the  extreme heat that has afflicted the deserts since then has increased supplies once gain.  Quality looks a bit ragged, but it is better than to be expected in the face of record breaking temperatures.  Prices rose between Friday & Monday but leveled by mid week.  The desert deal will begin its end game over the course of the next week to ten days.  The Westside will have a few a few growers harvesting this weekend, with many more phasing in by the first week in July.  Sized have peaked on 9s then jbo 9s then 12s.  Demand should slow as retailer’s pull will abate as we inch closer to the holiday.  We look for the market to remain steady with some dealing on 9s, then prices should drop by mid to end of next week.

Honeydews:

Mexico is finishing up. but the deserts are still going, but like cantaloupes should phase out over the next week. Dews will be starting with the same schedule as outlined schedule above, with a few starting a day or two earlier than lopes.  Demand has remained tepid all spring and does not look to change until late summer when honeydews gain retailers promotional favor.  Sizes are peaking overwhelming on 5s, followed by 6s then 8s.  We look for a dull and steady market through mid to end of next week, with weaker prices starting the first week in July

 

Watermelon

Florida is winding down and melons are transitioning into Georgia and South Carolina.  South Texas is done as well and we are moving North and then to West Texas  and then to New Mexico. Demand is good coming into the 4^th of July and 60s seem to be very snug. Produce West will offer Watermelon year round for the upcoming  season from Western , Central and Eastern shipping points . Please contact your salesperson for info.