Lettuce: Lettuce market continues to be active. Fueled by quality issues affecting yields and Processors continuing to acquire acres to offset low yields.  Overall acreage has increased but continued insect and disease pressure along with mild evening temperatures has resulted in less than optimal quality and yields. Deals on 30 size lettuce will continue as the Salinas Valley season winds down over the next 3 weeks.

Brussels Sprouts: The market has firmed with increased demand although production should start to increase heading into the peak of the California and Eastern Canadian season. Quality has not been ideal due to warm nights elongating the Sprouts and increasing mildew and insect pressure.

Mix Leaf: Steady markets along California Central Coast while quality has been very inconsistent from shipper to  shipper. Moderate demand from East coast has kept pressure on the market to remain strong on Romaine and Hearts with  Green and  Red leaf slightly more thrifty.

Celery: Santa Maria and Salinas, California are the primary shipping locations for celery off of the west coast. There are reports of some pith and insect damage in Santa Maria. The quality in Salinas is excellent. Currently, promotable supplies are available out of both areas. Sizes are peaking on 30s

Broccoli: There will not be much change from present conditions.  Prices will remain at current trading levels through the week.  Most shippers seem to have better supplies of crowns this week and you will find suppliers willing to adjust pricing on volume orders.  Mexico will begin to cross more volume over the next two weeks which should drive pricing out of California downward.

Cauliflower: Demand has waned as markets are now saturated with high price product.  Expect a slight drop in price over the next week.  Good supplies on 9 size, some shippers willing to get a little more aggressive on pricing to move some volume on this size.

Bush Berries: Blackberries: Production continues out of Guatemala, with some small volume production out of Mexico. Rain in Mexico has limited some of that production, Guatemalan berries quality remains good and consistent. The forecast for promotable volume out of Mexico will be the first week of October barring any weather problems out of Mexico.

Blueberries: We are experiencing gaps on quality and production with both the domestic and imported blueberries. Production out of Michigan and British Columbia is winding down, as we  the transition to Imports out of Peru and Argentina. Rumors about a port strike in Argentina  could limit fruit exported into the U.S.

Raspberries: A slight delay in available volume this week kept the market active for the front part of the week.  Expect better volume into the front part of next week. Quality is excellent on the better labels.

Strawberries: Cooler nights will help calm down surging prices by the end of this week. We have a slight chance of rain in the forecast for Thursday. The weekend is calling for sunny and mild temps.  Expect prices to adjust to more of a split market ranging from $14.00 to $ 22.00. Sizing continues to be in the 20 – 22 count range.  Some reports of fruit not having the legs to go east.

Melons: The cantaloupe market remains active, due to limited supplies this week.  We should expect to see the prices remain inflated until the Arizona fall melon harvest begins, next week.  Quality on Cantaloupe is hit and miss, and everything is showing a green cast.

The honeydew market is steady and supplies remain good.  Quality has been very good and all sizes are being offered.

Watermelons : The CA watermelon market remains steady and quality is still good.  The sizing profile tends to be smaller at the end of the season, so expect deals on 45ct and smaller.  Seeded are still available in limited volume.  Mini seedless are still being harvested, but CA shippers are wrapping up quick.  Mexican supplies are set to begin by mid October and Baja supplies are showing some issues.

Grapes: The grape market is getting a little active, due to weaker supply.   All varieties are still available, but they are not coloring up as quickly as we would like, which is slowing down the harvest.   Varieties are as follows:  Red Seedless – Flames, Crimson, Scarlett Royal / Green Seedless – Thompson and Autumn King,  Black Seedless – Autumn Royal

Citrus : Valencia’s –  There are good supplies of 56-72-88’s, but the 113-138’s are very limited on both grades.   Fruit quality has been OK.

Navel’s – Import volume is steady on 36-40-48-56, but limited supplies of 72-88, 105-113 are available.

Lemons : We are starting to see more new crop lemons. District III and Mexican supplies are in better volume. Offshore lemons are still coming in. Mostly 165-200-235 here, district III is packing out 70% fancy and 20% choice. We are going to see adjustments in the market. Grapefruit – New crop will start the end of October.

Dry Vegetables: The Bell pepper market is a little active.  Supplies are coming from multiple locations in California and we are seeing product from Baja.

Green peppers are lower in price, but Red’s and Gold’s are a significantly higher.   Quality and supply is dictating this difference.

Zucchini and Yellow squash markets are active, with supplies winding down in California.  Nogales is expecting to harvest this weekend, so relief should be coming soon.  Baja is harvesting and quality is good.

Cucumbers have remained lightly active due to sporadic supplies from Baja.  Nogales is threatening to start in another week or so and California has pretty much wrapped it up.

Tree Fruit

Peaches are available for another couple weeks, with the harvest being heavy on larger fruit.  Very limited supply of Volume filled.

Nectarines are done for the season.

Red plums are being harvested and sizing seems to be on the larger size.

Black plums are more available and all sizes are being harvested.