A surge in temperatures had little effect on most markets, including iceberg. Demand remains steady but mild. Growers continue to trim any damage from heat related events the past couple weeks which has resulted in a range of color and texture but overall good quality.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine and Romaine Hearts Romaine supplies continue to be moderate which matches demand as East Coast local production continues to supplement industry supplies. Diminished labor force has sporadically hampered Romaine Heart production with variable pricing from day to day. Quality issues are mostly being trimmed at field level.
Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston Demand on Leaf settled back as eastern Homegrown supplies have improved . Expect markets to remain at deflated current levels through the end of the month.
Celery
Pricing has seemed to stabilize at current trading levels in both Santa Maria and Salinas. Both areas are trading at pretty close to the same pricing. Most shippers are heavy to size 24 and that is the size they are willing to make some deals on. Run your offers by us.
Artichokes
Heirloom and Original varieties from Central Coast production areas have finished for the season with the predominantly larger sized Thornless varieties available at value pricing.
Broccoli
Steady availability out of both Santa Maria and Salinas. Harvest of short cut crowns still remains on the lighter side in Santa Maria. There is some talk about lighter volume next week on crowns. Shippers are saying that they are going to run into quality issues with branchier products, knuckle domes and some pin rot issues. This could lead to lower volume on #1 label crowns and we could see more #2 label products. Stay tuned
Cauliflower
Steady supplies for the remainder of the week. There are a few shippers looking to make deals out of both Santa Maria and Salinas but a majority of the shippers look to be trading well at current levels and moving through inventory.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Mexico is nearing the end as supplies from Northern California production areas improve . Supplies are expected to remain near current levels through July with demand steady at current pricing.
Green Onions
Mexico production remains steady although reduced Summer plantings are expected to lighten supplies moving forward. Quality has shown improvement over the past couple weeks
Strawberries
California’s harvest is past its peak in Salinas, Watsonville and Santa Maria. Pricing may be higher in some markets. Quality is good, with smaller berry size. Retail promotions will continue to keep the market snug into next week.
Blackberries
Mexico and California continue to have light harvests. Pricing is higher and quality is fair.
Raspberries
Mexico and California continue to have light harvests. Pricing is higher and quality is fair.
Blueberries
Heat in the Pacific northwest has lightened supplies out of that region, however all other domestic growing areas are in good supply. Pricing is steady and quality is good.
Stone Fruit
Steady supplies of apricots available this week. Quality has been solid. Lighter volumes of yellow peaches, but production has been steady overall. Yellow Nectarines are in steady supply, and demand is consistent with last week. Red Plums will be light for the next couple of days until the new varieties start later next week. Should have good volume by the end of the week. Black Plum production should be steady through the week. Good quality industry wide.
Grapes
Mexican grapes will likely be finished this week. San Joaquin Valley is up and running and there will be plenty of grapes through December. Quality on the red and green grapes harvested so far has been excellent. High temperatures this past week could slow harvest and quality could suffer as heat exposure continues.
Citrus
Oranges – Summer valencias and navels are available in the California central valley. Large sizes are the most readily available and small sizes continue to be difficult to acquire. Valencias are on the larger side, mostly peaking on the 88 and larger sizes. Markets have firmed up as summer demand strengthens. Quality remains very good.
Lemons – Lemons are in a demand exceeds situation. The lemon crop had some damage to it this winter from heavy winds that badly scarred up the fruit. As a result, there is very little fancy grade available. All fancy and choice sizes are going to continue to be tight. Lemons are coming out of District 2, but the crop is mainly choice fruit. Offshore volumes will will likely improve over the next few weeks. Expect the market on lemons continue to finally start to level out as more and more Chilean lemons arrive.
Limes – Moderate demand this week on limes. Sizes have been peaking on 175 and 200 count fruit. There is still some rain the forecast in Mexico growing areas. Some quality issues have been reported, including stylar end breakdown and scarring. Supplies will likely keep up with demand for the near future, which will keep markets from spiking dramatically.
Cantaloupes
The volume finally came into full production on the Westide. The desert is finally finishing up completely. Sizes have continued to skew large peaking on jbo 9 and 9 count with ample 12s and few other sizes. Quality is good. Athena melons have continued production moving up the Southeast from Fla to Arkansas and Georgia with lightish volume. Demand was lackluster this week as retailers continued to work off their holiday inventories. Next week it looks as if volume will continue to be ample to abundant but perhaps a bit less due to desert areas finishing. Demand should improve as there seems to be some retail ads set and due to ship then. So after a few days of waning prices should level off at current quotes with some perhaps trading higher next week.
Honeydews
Like cantaloupes the volume finally started in earnest on the Westside. Also like lopes the desert areas are finishing up. Sizes continued to peak on 5 count with adequate supplies of jbo 5s and 6s. Trading was lackluster due to holiday legacy inventories and traditionally slow trading after the holiday. Demand is due to pick up a bit as we head into next week. Quality is good. We look for a steady to slightly lower market next week.
Mix Melons
The desert areas continued shipping with limited volume and varietal selection. Westside has started. Demand has been lackluster and prices lowered a notch this week. As with other melons we expect the market to change little but continue to discount. Buyers need to check suppliers daily for price an variety availability.
Dry Onions
The Onion business is becoming the “Haves” and the “Have nots”. If you have a truck you can sell a load…and there seems to be enough truck to drive the hand harvested California market to higher prices. The truck market is outrageous un less you’re a trucker and are putting money away for a rainy
day. Reds are tight and seem to be in more demand than in recent years. New Mexico is hit and miss with arrivals and can’t seem to get away from bad weather. California is getting into more solid varieties and will start to make good arrivals in most cases. Those that machine harvest is still hit and miss, while folks that hand harvest will continue to have better arrival’s Trucks are still the problem. If this were a normal truck supply this onion market, in California, would be $10 to $12 range…not this year; The freight rates are at least $3 to $4 higher and are not likely to change in the short term,
Asparagus
The “Grass” market is adjusting after the 4 th of July business and the market got too high during that period…now it’s adjusting to half of the price it was 2 weeks abo. This is the coldest time of year in Peru and the production will be somewhat curtailed, but with demand as low as it is right now , there will
be some equilibrium in the Peru market.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Broccoli Supplies remain moderate matching demand on Broccoli and Cauliflower . Quality remains good for now but growers are still assessing heat related damage on younger plants. Additionally insect pressure has begun to escalate.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with steady demand. Quality remains good from the Northern production areas with an occasional sporadic shortage among growers.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has been steady and demand continues to be strong. Most growers have been reaching for supplies . Continue to plan ahead to get full coverage. Damaged tops are expected from the heat.
Potato and Onions . New crop Production has begun from Southern California production areas as prices have moderated.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Currently prices on Romaine and Hearts remain a value for now but excessive heat will likely affect quality. Green and Red leaf supplies remain affordable as well for now.
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Strong demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity. California lemon crop is tight with limited domestic production especially on Fancy grade. Mexico is expected to resume later this month. Lime quality has shown improvement but remains inconsistent as well as supplies, Valencia production has begun with mostly light volume to start the California season . Grapefruit supplies remain steady along with demand.
OG Melons
California : Temperatures spiked again with Cantaloupe , Honeydews, Galias and mini Watermelon production peaking. So far quality remains nice as growers assess younger plantings. Steady Demand at current pricing levels. Supplies are likely to remain moderate for a couple weeks . Drought conditions throughout the state, especially the Central Valley, will impact supplies as we get deeper into the Summer months especially if temperatures continue to surge over 100 .
OG Grapes
Green & Red : Supplies of BOTH Red and Green varieties have improved as the market Transitions to the Central Valley of California. Prices have adjusted and are likely to settle at current levels given the water and labor situation throughout the state.
OG Stone Fruit
California : Stone fruit season continues for a few more weeks with good supplies and excellent flavor from the Central Valley . Apricot , Nectarines, Peaches and Plums are all available.
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