Hot temperatures inland and warm along the coast continues to influence supplies. With a difference of over 30 degrees production AND quality has varied among shippers. Overall moderate demand has kept pricing somewhat depressed but if the heat continues as forecast enough acres will be lost and the market will likely firm. Most shippers are quoting higher levels anticipating shortages but continue offering “deals” as needed. Quality continues to vary with Very Good to fair quality throughout the valley. Wind and now HOT inland temperatures are weakening texture while some mildew exists along coastal ranches.
Mix Leaf
Romaine market remains steady although demand has improved slightly while demand for Hearts continues to be strong with limited homegrown pressure. Quality has been very good with mildew and fringe burn showing more frequently. Green and Red leaf are also showing variable quality around the valley with some shippers already in their reduced summer acreage. Local Homegrown production areas are starting to improve and will continue to put pressure on California market to remain steady.
Brussels Sprouts
Production continues mostly from Mexico which continues to battle insect pressure although quality continues to improve. The market is starting to soften as most customers are requesting domestic product. Supplies are improving as domestic production has begun from Central Coast with mixed sizing and quality .
Celery
Salinas and Santa Maria areas are nearing full production as the Oxnard season comes to a close. We still expect product to be available in all 3 areas for the next 2 -3 weeks, although the majority of production will mainly be coming out of the Salinas Valley. Pricing had bottomed out last week but has since rebounded as Oxnard numbers decrease. Expect a slightly better market to maintain through next week and then taper off after the holiday pull. Quality is good overall with very few problems to report.
Oranges
Central Valley Valencias are nearing the end of the season. The last harvests will finish in early July. With harvests 20% lower than last year, we expect to finish up sooner than than previous years. Navels will start in August, which will leave a planting gap for the latter part of July. Expect strong markets through July and spiking in early August. With these strong markets we will see more South American product which could lessen demand on the East coast, although we expect markets to remain strong through the summer.
Broccoli
Supplies look to be cleaning up fast at the current markets and prices are starting to trend up as we finish out the week. The same inconsistent harvest yields is the culprit behind these up and down markets. Demand for crown cuts are definitely getting better as we finish out the week.
Cauliflower
Heavier yields are expected for the remainder of this week and going into next week. Look for shippers to be making deals in order to get inventory cleaned up going into the weekend. Overall quality has been fair. Color is cream to white and there is some spotting showing up out of both Salinas and Santa Maria.
Artichokes
Seeded varieties are starting to increase with larger sizing profiles expected although demand has diminished entering the Summer season.
Berries
Our inconsistent weather continues to effect quality primarily on Strawberries and Raspberries. We had 2 shots of rain in early June followed by a few days of higher temperatures, then heavy winds which then gave way to several days of 90 degree temps. The berries need colder conditions of low 50’s or less at night and we have been averaging in the high 50’s to low 60’s. We need the colder temps to help the plants recover from the high day time temps.
Strawberries
The Expectations of more fruit this week and next, won’t transpire due to the growing regions varying temperature and conditions. Walking thru various fields, there is a high number of berries that are not coloring up and light bruising is evident in many fields. Expect fruit size to drop over the coming weeks and Watsonville looks to have slightly better sizes than that of Salinas and Santa Maria. There are good bookings for the July 4th Holiday pull with many shippers sold out and not entertaining any new business for that time period.
Blueberries
Weather has been hot in the central valley this week and is expected to be in the 90’s next week.Quality has been good with an occasional report of soft or shriveling berry in a pack. New Jersey has start production this week with peek production out of this area forecast for the end of the month. We are only a few weeks away from harvesting out of the Pacific North West area.
Raspberries
Light supplies are forecast for the remainder of this week and next as volume has been lost due to high wind and warmer temps. Production out of Mexico has lightened thus increasing pressure on the California market.
Blackberries
Supplies out of California seemed to survive the ever changing weather we have been experiencing and we should see an increase of supplies over the next couple of weeks. The warmer temps forecast for California will lead to some excellent promotional pricing and opportunities. The supplies out of Georgia and North Carolina were expected to be on the rise this week but have been limited due to rain. Once the warmer weather returns, volumes are expected to increase quickly.
Cantaloupes
The heat this week in the CA and AZ deserts has greatly curtailed the harvest of melons as crews could not work beyond 9:00 AM without serious risk of heat stroke. Some growers were finishing as well. Rains the Southeast virtually halted production of Athena melons. Thus we went from an ample to abundant supply of fruit to a severe shortage. Demand was robust as promotions had been set prior to the heat wave and prices going into it were reasonable. Thus we find ourselves in a demand far exceeding supply situation and prices soared accordingly. Sizes peaked on 9s then job 9s with some 12s, but again there was nothing for sale on the open market. Next week, even if the heat abates, product should be short and expensive as the supply pipeline is emptying our and needs to be refilled. San Joaquin Valley will be starting shortly after July 4th, but planting gaps from winter and spring rains will make supplies from there inconsistent as they did vegetables early in the coastal regions. Market should stay strong and tight at least thru the middle of next week and probably beyond.
Honeydews
Honeydews and even watermelon harvest was affected by the heat as well. There was not much supply this year due to lighter plantings already and the weather has exacerbated the shortage greatly. Like lopes, honeydew demand greatly exceeded very light supplies and prices soared accordingly. Bakersfield is starting Friday but there in but one small grower in that region. Huron and the San Joaquin will follow but not until the last week of June or first week in July. Markets should stay short and strong until then.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli and Cauliflower production continues to be steady as the market has settled at sustainable levels.
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 redleaf as well as Romaine from Central Valley and Salinas. Markets have fully retreated to lower levels and are now offering value as they compete with homegrown.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrots production continues to be strong although Wind and heat are starting to hamper harvest and quality . 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 but light production with mostly larger profiles continue on Lemons with good demand keeping prices elevated especially on smaller sizes. Valencia production has started to ramp up with improving availability. Peruvian Limes are in full swing with excellent quality.
OG Melons
Central Valley Watermelons are underway after a delayed start . Demand is very good heading into the 4th of July Holiday. Cantaloupes and Honeydews production has taken a hit with soaring temperatures in the desert and Westside production not expected for another couple weeks. Most growers are 10+ days behind schedule but forecast call for hot temperatures inland which should get plants moving. There is a chance temperatures exceed healthy growing conditions and actually damage crops by mid next week . We’ll keep you updated on changing market conditions.
OG Berries
Production from Salinas and Watsonville continue but sizing and quality have been hampered by high wind and temperatures. The market has started to firm and will continue to do so through the 4th of July holiday. Quality has been varied with most shippers now quoting bruising on ALL deliveries and many shippers showing varied color among packs due to inconsistent labor supply .
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