Lettuce 

Production continues to be steady with intermittent demand.  Quality continues to be mostly good with a  wide range of  color, size and shape. Most shippers are on top of their fields and are poised to  push the market higher with the expected surge in demand from institutional back to school business.  The ash from the area  wildfire seems to be minimal and should decrease further as the fire is contained.
Mix Leaf

Production continues to be steady with a lack of demand keeping prices depressed.  Quality is good with some fringe burn and insect damage seen scattered around the Salinas and Santa Maria valley. If the Iceberg market reacts it may help the leaf market but  supplies appear sufficient  for the next few  weeks.

 

Brussels Sprouts

The market has firmed​ with supplies coming almost exclusively from the Central Coast of California.  Quality has been excellent with a return of the cooler more normal  night time local  temperatures.  Production should remain steady until October when freezer production ​ramps up.

 

Celery

Steady markets continue throughout the industry. Good quality remains the industry standard and large sizing seems to be in greater supply.  Small sizes are slightly more expensive, with a $2-$3 spread between sizes.  Shippers are looking to move product and are listening to offers. This should continue through next week and should begin tightening up as we near the end of the month.

 

Broccoli

Good availability for the remainder of the week.  Supplies from all over the country have filled the pipelines.  There is availability out of California, Mexico, Maine and Canada.  Overall quality from the regions has been good.  Get with your Produce West representative and set up some ad’s for the next few weeks.

 

Cauliflower

Supplies are starting to lighten up as East Coast demand has picked up the last few days.  Weather interruptions with Canadian product has turned the attention back to the West Coast.  Markets will get slightly stronger going into nest week, especially on 9 size flower.

 

Artichokes

Heavy production with  light demand has lead to good  buying opportunities on all sizes.  Quality is  good  and should remain through August.  Take advantage of a good Summertime  alternative.

Strawberries

Markets are still tighter this week and expected to be the same for the following week. Cool weather on the coast has slowed growth and the berries are slow to ripen. Smaller sized berries have been reported which is typical for this time of year. Bruising is the most common issue reported which has been caused by recent muggy nights and high humidity.These factors mixed with high demand have limited supplies and strengthened markets..

Watermelons:

 

 

Cantaloupes

Cantaloupes finishes last week with the promise of better market as ads were in place.  But by Wednesday the market found itself struggling again, with ample supplies of hearty fruit and ad shipping over.  Demand other than the brief promotional period remained tepid at best. Thus the market was a bit lower with many deals being made below quoted levels. Supplies next week look to be unabated and demand without any promotional impetus looks to remain lackluster. We see the market as dull and steady.

 

Honeydews

Supplies were ample this week and even increased with the Sacramento area joining the pile. Fruit was good and there was no promotional activity. Next week little looks to change. The next time the market has a chance of improving would be closer to September when consumer interest normally improves and retailers look to promote. Like cantaloupes, we see steady prices with dull trading and some dealing