Lettuce​

Iceberg  production and quality continue to be inconsistent among shippers. Sizing and weights vary significantly daily among shippers.  Overall production is slightly heavier with moderate demand. Wide varying weights are indicative of quality issues from mildew , insect pressure and tip burn. A slight spike in temperature is forecast for the end of the week should help maintain or increase  production  and likely put pressure on the market to ease.

 

Mix Leaf

Demand for Romaine  and especially hearts continues to be strong with limited “local” supplies.  Romaine distribution among  California shippers  continues to be uneven resulting in a range of prices. Quality also continues to impact the market especially romaine with heavy insect and mildew pressure . Red and green leaf production has lightened up among some California shippers resulting in slightly higher markets

Celery

Good volume and plenty of deals available on all sizes, particularly on large.  Salinas product has started and supplies are ramping up. Oxnard product is still available and good volume in both growing regions.  Quality has been very nice with very few problems to report.

 

Broccoli

Production continues to be heavy with light demand has bottomed out the market. Surging production of Organic broccoli  and a mix of good and fair quality also has hampered demand.  Most shippers  are projected to have similar production for the next 10 days before any chance of lighter volume.  Shopping quality for good values is a must.

 

Cauliflower

Cauliflower market continues to be resilient. Heavy production has lead to better deals  last week  but demand has been sufficient enough for many shippers to maintain  pricing,   There continues to be spot deals available vacillating between sizes .

 

Brussels Sprout

Production continues mainly from  Mexico with some  light domestic production.  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 picks back up in late Summer. A mix of large and medium sizes are available.  The market varies by shipper depending on the variety and sizing.   Quality has been very nice with  occasional insect pressure.

 

Strawberries

Warmer nights have produced some soft berries that show up as occasional bruising to the customer. Some colder night temps are in the forecast so we expect an improvement in quality for next weeks shipments. A handful of Suppliers are finishing up in Santa Maria and moving solely to Watsonville for the rest of the season. Prices will continue range in the $8 – $10 range next week.

 

Cantaloupes

Extreme heat resulted in smaller size yields in the desert areas and ad commitments made 9s and jumbo 9s very tight. Most are pre-committed at 8.95 with few spot market supplies selling as high as 12.95. At the same time, there has been an abundance of un committed 12s and 15s.  12s traded at mostly 8.95 with some spill over demand from shortage of 9s. 15s were weak at 5.95 some higher.  Bakersfield and Huron started in a small way, and more shippers are starting to scratch in their fields there.  Supplies on larger sizes should pick up next week and the market spot market should match up with committed prices.

 

Honeydews

Mexico is but on the wane. The desert had much less planted this year. Sizes are running small (mostly 6s & 8s). 5 are snug.  Bakersfield has one shipper going.  Huron should be starting up next week but is not ready to really ramp up until the following week. Market ended as follows

5s            9.00 some higher occ lower

6s            7.00-8.00 occ higher and lower

8s            6.00  some lower occ higher

Market should be steady next week and lower the following week.

 

Watermelon

Watermelon are very active and will be through early next week there good supplies in California . Produce West has good supplies from Georgia on both Conventional and Organic Watermelons. Produce West will have both Conventional and Organic seeded and Seedless and Minis through September out of Georgia.

Mangos

Round Mango prices are still steady through this week but expect them to slide next week as the 4^th of July pull ends and volumes increase even more. The are some Ataulfos this week mostly 18s-24s.