Lettuce

Moderate weather on the West Coast has helped quality and in turn yields have begun to improve as demand was stifled by last week’s sharp rise in pricing. Markets look to be correcting rapidly even though supplies are not overwhelming. Look for the market to steady by mid next week. Quality has improved but wide ranging size, shape and color along with mildew and insect pressure are still prevalent.

 

Mix Leaf

Romaine and Romaine Heart quality along with production has finally improved sufficiently to meet demand allowing the market to adjust. A few quality concerns remain with mildew and insect pressure but overall quality is improving daily. Look for the market to  steady next week as most growers reduce their acreage to

meet curtailed demand due to Homegrown, local production. Greenleaf and Red leaf continue to get pulled or pushed along for the ride.

 

Celery

Steady markets continue industry wide. We expect this to continue through next week as Michigan product is still producing good volume.  Good supplies out of Salinas and Santa Maria growing areas and quality is still very nice.

 

Green Onions

The market improved only slightly with decreases in production. Quality will continue to be fair as most growers have battled hot weather in Mexico the past couple weeks. Barring a significant increase in demand the market is likely only to improve marginally as supplies continue to trend downward, moderate temperatures forecast should help quality rebound in coming weeks

 

 

Broccoli

Broccoli out of Maine will start soon couple that with good supplies of all cuts  out of both Santa Maria and Salinas over the next 10 days will make for plenty of product. Quality has been very nice with tight domes and good

green color. Please run any Ad or daily order opportunities by us.

 

Cauliflower

Weather on the Central Coast of California has made for ideal growing conditions over the last week.  Good supplies of cauliflower are expected going into next week. Quality has been outstanding and even though there is product available from Canada for the East Coast markets, those buyers are still purchasing California product due to superior quality.

 

Artichokes

 

Steady production with light demand continues for most shippers. Quality is good but a lack of summer promotions has kept demand limited with most retailers concentrating on the summer fruits. As all sizes are plentiful consider pushing Artichokes as a mid-Summer grilling alternative.

 

Brussel Sprouts

 

Central California continues to be the main production area with good quality and yields. The market has eased off its’ seasonal high and should remain steady through the early summer.

 

Strawberries

 

There are still decent supplies around, with very few shippers prorating. Strawberry supplies have been a lot stronger towards the beginning of the week with the weekend being a little hard to find. Prices are starting to firm up this week and will continue into next week. Right now there is a lot smaller fruit and production is starting to slowly go down and expect to pick back up at the end of the month. Warmer weather is expected at the end of next week which should help relieve some of the demand.

 

Watermelon

We will have watermelon available from both Texas and Northern Georgia next week. Prices are softer after the

4th of July pull. We have good volume on all sizes and have carton mini 6s available as well. Produce West has

seedless 24/365. Contact your sales person to set up a program.

 

Cantaloupes

The desert has finished up for all intents and purposes, and the Westside is in full production mode.  The weekend and early week had a cool snap and yields were down.  At the same time there were some ad promotions set.  The market thus climbed early in the week, then calmed toward the weekend when deals were being made again below quotes prices. Sizes were split between regular 9s and 12s with Jbo 9s tight and 15s in light supplies. Next week we should see good production of 9s and 12s and new supplies of jbo 9s. Demand should be adequate and the market steady to slightly lower.

 

Honeydews:

The desert is essentially done and the Westside is in production, however there are not an overabundance of honeydews planted.  Sacramento area is about two weeks off.  Supplies where moderate.  Demand was moderate. Market was steady. Sizes peaked on 5s then 6s.  We look for little change next week with perhaps dealing below quotes more prevalent than this week.