Lettuce​

Demand remains light. Supplies continue from Santa Maria and Salinas although Santa Maria production has been lighter with slightly better quality. Sizing and weights vary significantly daily among shippers.   Wide varying weights are indicative of quality issues from mildew, insect pressure, rib blight and tipburn. Warmer than normal overnight temperatures continue to weaken texture and overall quality.  Markets should remain flat until lighter summer plantings take effect next month.

 

Mix Leaf

Demand for leaf continues to be light. ​Romaine and even Romaine​Heart markets have flattened out with increased production​ and local market competition​.Overall quality is good but insect and mildew pressure continue to affect all leaf  and warm overnight temperatures have put further pressure on quality.

 

Celery

After a stronger market last week we have seen pricing once again level off as volume increases industry wide.  Michigan product is in full swing and warm weather out west has sped growth and increased yields.  Quality is very nice with good color and structure.   Freight, which is a big factor in celery pricing has remained high but should start to level off in the coming weeks.  This will most likely keep the market at bay until back to school and Labor Day pull.

 

Broccoli

Supplies remain steady out of the west. There has been better demand over the past few days.  Quality out of Mexico has been marginal, with issues such as yellowing and hollow core. The dirt cheap deals from last week have all but cleaned up and shippers have tightened up pricing.  Quality has been better out west, although not spectacular.  With better demand we should see fresher product as shippers clean up inventories.

 

Cauliflower

A stronger market than last week.  Demand is not high enough to warrant significant market increases over the next week.  Volumes have been on the lighter side over the past 5 days and have strengthened the market somewhat, although demand is not expected to exceed supply and nice weather should continue to bring on steady product.

 

Artichokes

Globe varieties have begun to increase production as the Heirloom season picks back up in the fall​.  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.

Brussel Sprouts

Production has started locally in Salinas. Mexico has begun to slow and will likely end soon due to lighter demand caused by overall fair quality.  Drought conditions have hurt overall quality and increased insect pressure.  Improved quality from California should help demand and may strengthen market.

 

Strawberries

The warmer nights continue, so expect to see some bruising and softer fruit into the front part of next week.  There has been a large amount of fruit being diverted to the freezer and that should continue into this weekend. The extra supplies of fruit should clean this weekend and we should be looking at range of $9.00 $10.00 next week.

 

Melons

It has been a stop start deal so far on supplies of Westside melons with gaps striking between fields due to inconsistent temperatures and planting pauses caused by water uncertainty.  Sizes started small but have now shifted to mostly 9s on cantaloupes and 5s on honeydews. Demand has generally been dull, but cantaloupe ads this week along with the spot gaps in production has kept markets firm. Prices are as follows

Mangos

Expect volume to increase for the next 10-14 days until early August, and then taper off as the season winds down. There are Kents and Keitts available from Northern Sinaloa. Produce West will have Mangos available year round.

 

Watermelon

Georgia has had a bout with hot weather and rain weakening the quality of the fruit and shortening supply. Maryland and North Carolina have not started and are about 10 days out. All of this together has spiked the market. Prices and volume is day to day.  Next week most growers are expecting to be into more consistent supplies with the planting pauses past and more consistent weather.  Markets should normalize accordingly.