Lettuce supplies continue to be light to moderate but with demand to match. Growers continue to see damage on younger plantings which will keep supplies in check heading into October. Expect the market to react quickly with any hint of demand. Lighter color and weights have been common with seeder, and occasional rib discoloration.
Mix Leaf
Romaine is still showing signs of sunburn, tipburn and seeders as well as rib blight although most major issues are being trimmed. Romaine Heart quality is struggling with twist, ribby seeder with discoloration likely on arrival. In short quality is going to be marginal at best. Both markets are expected to fluctuate with mostly higher pricing as growers monitor damage to determine best possible harvest options to maximize production. Demand for Green and Redleaf is starting to improve as supplies are being affected from heat related issues. Most of the early demand is from shipper community but will translate into tighter supplies for the industry.
Brussels Sprouts
Production continues from Northern California with improving quality but still showing varied sizing , discoloration and insect pressure. Eastern Canada local production is underway and Central Coast California supplies are expected to improve as many shippers will start Freezer production in coming weeks which will increase supplies significantly. Fall promotions will be available although strong demand will keep supplies moving.
Celery
This market remains sluggish this week. Plenty of product available and shippers are looking to move. We are seeing some early signs of strengthening markets for next week. This is likely the result of the record heat we expecrienced 3 weeks ago. Plant development was accelerated, creating gaps in harvest for the following month. Michigan still continues to produce good numbers, however, which will keep this market from gaining too much momentum. Quality is good overall, some seeder has been reported.
Bell Pepper
Green Bell production in Gilroy and Hollister continues strong withgood demand and strong but stable pricing . Red Bell supplies have peaked with also good demand and steady pricing.
Broccoli
The market remains strong although demand does not seem as brisk as it was last week. California growers are still having quality issues that continue to limit their yields. The main quality issues that we are finding are cateye ( brown bead) and spreading of the domes again caused by the weather we had along the central coast two weeks ago. The East Coast demand continues to get filled by the regional growing areas of Maine and Canada along with very limited amounts out of Central Mexico.
Cauliflower
Demand seems to be gaining a little momentum as we head towards the end of the week. Cooler nights which aid in slowing down the growth process along with an increase in demand from processors the last couple of days have helped clean up the abundant supply of product we have had over the last few weeks. Overall quality is similar to what we have seen since last week which is some soft shoulder, a light cream cast on the domes and some riciness.
Artichokes
Seeded varieties are in full production with sizing profiles from Large to medium. Limited Summer demand continues to keep pricing depressed. Look for Fall promotions to firm the market heading into October.
Strawberries
As we continue to move away from heat and rain damage we experienced a few weeks ago, expect quality to improve and see less bruising and soft fruit in the market place. A few Oxnard suppliers have started shipping limited numbers with forecast for increasing numbers over the coming weeks. The weather forecast for next week looks very favorable for all the California grower areas. We are looking for larger counts and a firmer berry at shipping point.
Blueberries
As production falls out of BC and Michigan areas, expect tight supplies until Peru and Argentine fruit increases in volume.
Blackberries
The California supplies took a hit with the heat and rain from a few weeks ago. Mexican supplies will continue to be light until the end of the month.
Raspberries
Raspberries will continue to light into next week. Poor weather int he Central Mexico regions has hammered the expected volume out of this area.
Green Onions
Green Onion production was severely affected by Tropical rain storm and tightened supplies. The market reacted sharply but has now peaked with demand likely to slow.
Oranges
Valencia supplies are extremely tight and markets are strengthening daily. With fewer and fewer growers still producing, the window is closing on the central valley season, creating wide gaps in supply before transition into Navels. Recent heat did not help matters, and we expect the next few weeks to be extremely challenging on the supply side. Expect markets to continue inching upward with no relief in the near future.
Cantaloupes
Supplies were adequate this week. Sizes are a bit smaller peaking on 9sand 12s with less jbo 9s. Quality was good. Demand was just a skosh better allowing g the marker to rise a couple of ticks with much less discounting. Next week weather will be moderate but the supply picture is a little muddied as the deal enters its last acreage. Demand will be fair as parts of the country struggles with post hurricane recovey. We look for a steady market next week with some discounting below quoted markets.
Honeydews
The same weather conditions that moderated supplies on lopes affected overall supply and sizing on dews. Demand was aided by the seasonal nature of honeydews which many consumers think is a fall melon. At the same time demand was hampered by natural disasters. Next week growers will also be breaking their last blocks. But districts north of Sacramento go later than the Westside. Sizing will Still leak on 5s and 6s. We look for steady pricing with discounts on the slower demand days.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Production has begun to slow and is expected to further stall as Fall weather pattern has begun to take hold. The market is expected to firm into next month Broccoli production was expected to improve but insect pressure and heat related issues have limited production. Growers are still estimating improved supplies to end the month.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most 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
Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine from California with heat and insect pressure will continue to impact supplies. Markets continue steady with limited demand due to competition from homegrown supplies.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has finally succumb to continued excessive heat in the Central Valley joining Potato supplies that have been cut short due to extreme heat in the Central Valley this Summer. Supplies are expected to be limited through the Fall season. Onion demand has been good with good supplies from Central California.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Imports from Mexico have improved supplies and the market has settled from its’ Summer high. The desert crop is expected to begin next month which could help further reduce pricing.
Limes: Quality is starting to show signs of improvement although still not ideal after a string of Tropical storms affected supplies.
OG Melons
Watermelons have been hampered all season by heat and delays on new plantings leading to limited production from California . Supplies have improved lately but excessive heat this past weekend will bring an early end to the season by the end of the month.
OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews production has been slowed by heat and will likely bring an abrupt end to the season.
OG Avocados
Mexico: The summer crop is small with limited availability. Demand exceeds supplies as the U.S. market is pushing upward rapidly. This looks to be a continued trend. The crop is currently peaking on 60s and smaller. Mexico’s new main crop is expected to start by the end of the month if maturity level of the fruit is sufficient to harvest.
California: New Crop is not expected to start until late Fall .
OG Berries
TOG Strawberries
Soft fruit continues to be the norm especially on the Summer crop which was small and susceptible to bruising prior to last weekends heatwave. The Fall crop is starting to shows signs of improvement and should provide better supplies as the weather pattern is forecast to return to normal.
OG Blueberries
Supplies remain limited awaiting the first large arrivals of import fruit delayed by Hurricanes and Tropical storms. Domestic harvest has been trending downward over the last couple of weeks, and will likely finish the season by the end of the week. Markets have been firm as supplies are becoming increasingly limited
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