8/2/17

Lettuce

 Warming trend this week has lettuce shippers pushing to move volume.  The Market once steady appears  headed for an oversupply situation. Possible Thunder showers and high humidity may impact quality and therefore availability by next week but there will be a surge in production the balance of this week. Quality continues to vary from excellent to  fair throughout the valley. Tip burn and mildew  are visible on many lots with the best quality having lighter weights and darker color.

Mix Leaf
Romaine market  remains steady with mild demand and  Romaine Heart production has surged causing the market to soften for most shippers. Quality has also downgraded with fringe burn, mildew and seeder pressure all increasing as well as building inventories leading to aging product. Green and Red leaf  are also showing variable quality around the valley. Local Homegrown production areas continue with some weather issues but will continue to put pressure on California market to remain steady although with many shippers in their reduced summer acreage ,spikes in demand could lead to sudden price fluctuations.
Brussels Sprouts
Production continues from California with improving quality but still showing varied sizing, discoloration and  insect pressure.  Supplies  are not expected to increase for another month.
Celery
Summer volumes are picking up on the West Coast and plenty of product is coming out of the ground.  Good production between Salinas and Santa Maria areas. With Michigan and Canada coming on strong demand is slowing nation wide. Quality is good overall however seeder is still a factor; normal for this time of year.  Lots of deals and shippers are looking to move, especially on 24 and 30 count sizes.
Bell Pepper
Green Bell production in Gilroy and Hollister has started to  peak  with  better pricing available.  Red Bells will follow in a couple weeks.
Broccoli

Broccoli demand has waned a little and shippers are looking for business, especially on crown cut.  There will be opportunity buys available going into the weekend from various shippers.  We are experiencing some warmer than usual weather which should create an increase in yields.  Run your price buy ideas by us and let’s get your orders filled for the weekend.

Cauliflower
Supplies exceed demand and shippers will be looking to make deals for the end of the week in order to clean up inventory before going into the weekend.  Get with your Produce West sales representative to find the best buy.
Artichokes
Seeded varieties are in full production with sizing profiles starting to peak on medium sizes although demand  has diminished  entering the Summer season making Artichokes a Great value.
Strawberries
 The glut of berries continues, but there could be a light at the end of the tunnel as suppliers have beensending fruit to the freezers and the juicers to help lighten cooler inventories.  Due to the crazy spring weather patterns fruit that is coming off now really should of been peaking about 5 to 6 weeks ago. Demand will still be light next week, but expect a slight up tick in pricing supplies lighten.
Oranges
Demand exceeds situation here on the West Coast. With schools starting this week we are seeing high demand in pretty much every size Valencia. We will see tight supplies throughout this month. More Chilean product would help supply, although volume remains tight there as well.  Pricing will continue to rise.  Expect pro rates on most sizes this week and next.  Quality is good as product is harvested to order, with very little storage fruit.
Cantaloupes
Cantaloupes felt as if they had found a comfortable trading level as week. Demand has been adequate to clean up inconsistent supplies.  This week sizes started peaking on jumbo 9s then 9s with other sizes coming off in much smaller percentages.  Large sizes increase yields so volume increased this week.  At the same time local areas increased their production.   Thus the market corrected on larger sizes but the correction was reasonable and piqued demand enough to stabilize prices again within $1.00 of last week’s levels. Next week temperature in the San Joaquin Valley will be a bit cooler but production should stay robust. Sizes should stay peaking on 9s and jbo 9s.  Demand does not look to change too much either.  Market should be steady with some discounting all next week.
Honeydews
Abundant supplies of mostly 5s and lackluster demand due to buyers focusing mostly on cantaloupes led to a dull market with cheap prices. Next week supplies should stay abundant, demand could pick up a bit in response to the cheap pricing.  We look for a steady market next week with improving demand toward the weekend.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli  and Cauliflower production continues to be  steady with overall light supplies and good demand. Insect  pressure is the main culprit limiting supplies. The market has remained firm on  limited supplies but should settle at sustainable levels later this month.
OG  Herbs & Bunch Greens

Most of the Herbs and Bunching Greens have experienced quality issues along with persistent insect pressure causing intermittent shortages although local Homegrown supplies have been sufficient to offset any availability issues.

OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce

Supplies have improved on  Leaf, Iceberg  as  well as Romaine from California although heat and insect pressure will continue to impact supplies.  Markets continue steady with  limited demand to due competition from homegrown supplies.

 
OG Root Vegetables

Carrot production continues to be strong  although wind and heat have impacted harvest and quality. Onion & Potato  demand has been good with good quality White, Yellow and Red  Onion supplies from Central California while Potato supplies are expected to remain tight through the Summer.

OG Citrus
Lemons: Demand exceeds supply on all sizes and grades of fruit; anticipated to last into early fall. Chilean  imports are helping overall availability and Mexico is trying to get started, but has been hindered and delayed by the rain. Even with imports, overall supplies will remain tight.
Limes: The market is slightly higher this week. Heavy precipitation continues to decrease volume and increase stylar (a disease affecting the opposite end of the stem, appearing as a discolored, water-soaked spot).
OG Melons

Central Valley  Watermelons have been  hampered by heat and delays on new plantings leading to limited production from California. Hot weather in the forecast  this week will likely lead to continued shortages on  on all melons including Cantaloupes and Honeydews.

OG Avocados
Mexico: The summer crop is starting slowly with volume increasing in the coming weeks. Sizes are peaking on 60s and smaller; limited availability on larger fruit.
California: Sizes are peaking on 48s and larger; limited supply on 60s and smaller fruit. Harvest volume continues to decline with some shippers packing only a few day per week. Supplies will continue to trend downward as move into August and the crop finishes for the season.
OG Berries

Strawberry production from Salinas and Watsonville continue with sizing and quality still hampered by fluctuating high temperatures and overcast weather.  The market has tried to strengthen on better quality although bruising remains prevalent. Most shippers are trying to limit problems by sending their marginal fruit to the freezer / processors.

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