Conventional Items

Lettuce

Markets spiked as fields continue to see increased quality issues from recent heat waves. Temperatures warm again this weekend but not excessively. Stressed plants along with increased insect pressure has led to reduced quality and yields. Demand continues to be light to moderate as prices shot up primarily on reduced supplies and processor demand. We anticipate markets to maintain their peak at current levels with supplies stretched thin for the remaining month of the Salinas/Santa Maria season. Transition usually brings shortages but additional production areas could provide some relief in a couple weeks. Las Cruces , NM  is scheduled to begin production by mid October

Leaf Lettuce

Romaine Demand for Carton and Heart Romaine continues to excel combined with the stress from the recent heatwave supplies have tightened even further and pushed prices higher. Reduced quality will continue to impact supplies through October. Fringe and tip burn, increased high core, twist and high levels of insect pressure ( Lygus & Thrip ) causing discoloration, disease and rib decay.  Most of the initial defects have been able to be trimmed in the field but more insect damage is being found in the inside layers. Expect quality issues and High prices to continue well into October.

Red leaf, green leaf and boston  plantings were negatively impacted by the heat and have shown signs of tip burn and wilt. Prices have escalated as Eastern production areas come to a close in coming weeks.

Celery

As we begin to head into the fall months we should begin to see demand and pricing gradually increase. Currently there is good availability out of both Santa Maria and Salinas. Prices are slightly lower out of Santa Maria. Quality has been fine, there is still the occasional yellow leaf due to the heat from a few weeks ago , but over all everything looks pretty good with nice green color and good weights coming out of both growing regions.

Artichokes

Production of the thornless varieties has been hampered by successive high temperature events resulting in reduced quality and sizing. We don’t expect any significant volume on larger sizes until the Fall .

Broccoli

There should be better availability going into next week as growers work through the pin rot issues that have inhibited their harvest for the last three weeks. Look for prices to come off slightly but the the cooler nights and shorter days will help keep numbers in check so dont expect any major changes. We estimate to start our Shui Ling broccoli crown program shipping out of Central Mexico loading in Pharr,TX around October 15.

Cauliflower

Do not expect any changes going into next week. Markets will remain steady. There are still some quality issues with brown bead and yellow cast which is not so definite and time of shipping but continues to show up upon arrival 3-4 days later.

Brussels Sprouts

Coastal California supplies continue to improve with a mix of quality and sizing as pricing remains competitive. Current Supplies were unaffected by the high temperatures although some younger plants have shown signs of distress scheduled for harvest early next month

Green Onions

Mexico growers continue their reduced Summer acres which offset increasingly Hot temperatures in Mexico and local Eastern production this time of year. Pricing has advanced as supplies have temporarily slowed due to high temperatures affecting yields and National Holiday observance . Expect increased production by early next month.

Strawberries

Cooler Temperatures, Labor shortages, and quality defects from the extreme heat a few weeks ago have resulted in decreased volumes and yields industry wide. Expect volumes to continue to be low over the next few weeks. Cooler temps and a thick marine layer has contributed to a higher level of fruit defects which is impacting volume as well. Organics are light in number due to the same problems that the conventional market is experiencing.

Raspberries

We still are feeling the effects from the high temperature we experienced a few weeks ago. Volumes continue to be low across all California regions and expected to remain low through the end of September. We expect an uptick in numbers as we move into October.

Blueberries

We will see increasing numbers on the Peruvian fruit through the end of the year. We will also see better numbers out of Mexico next week, with Baja not far behind.

Blackberries

We are transitioning between domestic and Mexico prodigy regions. Supplies will remain low for the next several weeks until we see the numbers out of Mexico increase. Oregon and New Jersey will be finished for the season in the next few days.

Stone Fruit

Yellow peaches and nectarines have finished for the season. There are currently some white peaches and nectarines still available but supplies are limited. Red and black plums are still available in good production, although small sizes are somewhat limited. Run offers by us on large red and black plums.

Grapes

Steady supplies continue this week on red and green grapes this week. Good supplies are expected to continue for the next few weeks, followed by lighter production towards the middle of the month. Multiple varieties from multiple growers are currently available. Red varieties include Magenta, Scarlet Royal and Magenta. Green varieties currently consist of Bella, Ivory and Pristine. Summer Royals are the majority of the black grape varieties. Plenty of product to promote for the next few weeks, so run offers by us.

Citrus

Oranges – Strong markets continue this week. Small sizes are extremely tight and difficult to find. We expect these conditions to last through the remainder of the season. High demand world wide has decreased imports to the US, creating wide supply gaps nationally as domestic production finishes up. Quality is only fair, and will continue to decline as the season draws to a close. Expect elevated pricing well into next month.

Lemons – good availability this week with production coming out of multiple growing areas. Better demand on large sized fruit. Quality has been strong industry wide with very few issues to report. Run offers by us.

Limes – Good availability this week. Demand has been sluggish over the past few months as a continuing result of the pandemic. Overall quality has been good, however there have been some reports of yellow color. Shippers are looking to promote so run offers by us.

Cantaloupe

After a season of lackluster demand and depressed prices, we suddenly find ourselves in a considerable supply gap. Recent historic heat, combined with air fouled by smoke from historic wildfires, has caused an impending sudden end to the westside deal a couple of weeks earlier than usual. There will be limited harvesting for the next 10 days or so, but fields have been so ravaged that yields are depressed. Sizes are skewing heavily to jbo 9s and 6s with some 9s and few smaller. Quality has remained surprisingly good. Daily supplies for sales other than contractually committed product has been very short. Most sellers are falling short of meeting commitments or have wrong sizes to meet specs of those contracts, leaving contracted buyers scrambling to find enough supplies to cover their needs. Prices shot upward and then hit a plateau. This situation is looking as if it will continue until the fall desert deal starts. One grower has started to harvest in a small way and will have supplies but most shippers will not be starting until mid October, with lighter overall plantings this fall. We look for an active and tight market for the next two to three weeks.

Honeydew

Like cantaloupes, the Westside is winding down to a close and sizes are skewing to jbo 5s and regular 5s with less 6s and a few smaller. Quality and condition are acceptable. Demand is not as robust as with cantaloupes, but then again, it never is. The same outlook as lopes applies to dews. Gapping supplies and higher prices should be in effect thru the middle of the month when the desert deal is expected to hit its stride.

Dry Onions

Oregon and Washington are getting into better sizing and the jumbo market may feel the effects in the short run. The mostly market is holding steady with decent action in sales. Reds are rocking along in the 5 to 6-dollar range and whites are a little tight. As the economy opens, the demand should start to

increase, and, depending on the ebb and flow of the storage crop, we could see much higher pricing as demands grows. On the other hand, suffice to say we know what happens if the virus get a stranglehold on the economy again.

Asaparagus

Mexico is shipping a lot of asparagus with pricing in the mid- teens. There doesn’t seem to be any let up until at least to the late part of the month. Promotional prices are available from every shipper. As the weather starts to change in the east, we could see traction on recent Ad pricing.

Organic Items

OG Broccoli & Cauliflower

Cauliflower and Broccoli    Broccoli production continues to be minimal due to poor quality. We expect this trend to continue through early next month.  Prices have been pushed to annual highs and are expected to continue until we transition south towards the end of next month. Cauliflower production has fared much better with moderate supplies and prices to match. We anticipate supplies to tighten and prices to escalate when cooler fall temperatures arrive.

OG Herbs & Bunch Greens

Availability and pricing appear to be mostly steady with Local Homegrown production expected to continue for another month.

OG Root Vegetables

Carrot Production has been steady and demand continues to spike as carrots offer a great grab and go option as well as being a staple commodity in the USDA Farm to Family Food Program. Continue to plan even further ahead to get partial coverage. Carrots mostly come from Central Valley of California which fires should not affect although Hot weather will likely impact the tops of the bunched carrots

Potato and Onions  Markets continue to be strong as well as demand for retail packs. Northwest production continues to be limited.  We expect shortages and advancing prices through the Fall.

OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce

Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Demand for romaine remains strong especially hearts with lighter supplies due to last week’s heatwave, reduced acres, increased insect pressure and diminished quality . Green and Red quality has suffered more so than Romaine with production lighter although demand remains moderate for now.

OG Citrus

Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Demand continues to be strong throughout the Citrus category due to retail sales and Food Box programs . Mexico’s lemon crop is peaking with mostly fancy supplies. Many shippers have shifted production exclusively to bags on all citrus. Lime quality remains inconsistent but has shown signs of improvement. Valencias sizing profile has been leaning toward the smaller sizes which has benefitted increased demand for bags at retail. We anticipate navels to begin next month.

OG Grapes

California: Central Valley production remains strong with moderate demand. We expect excellent flavor, quality and size to last through the summer with promotional volume available. Off sizes and reduced quality grapes continue to be available at discounted prices.

OG Melons

California:   Cantaloupes, Honeydew, Watermelon production has been hampered by heat and smokey skies restricting plant growth much of the past month. With only a few weeks left in the California season we should see one last wave in production before the season comes to an early close.