Most shippers tried to boost prices based on lower yields , but resistant demand led to markets retreating back to lower levels. Shorter days, cooler evenings, disease or increased insect pressure could impact markets rapidly but currently supplies remain sufficient. Quality appears to be holding although growers continue to deal with increased insect, mildew and seeder pressure resulting in varied solidity, color and texture.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine Romaine supplies continue steady with some quality concerns beginning to increase as warm humid nights have increased mildew and seeder pressure resulting in some discoloration , twist and ribbiness. INSV has increased in some areas although still manageable.
Romaine Heart supplies also remain steady with improving demand and heavily tiered pricing.
Red leaf, Green leaf and Boston Continue with steady supplies with improved demand from the East Coast. Quality has been varied with mildew and tipburn expected to remain a concern.
Celery
Prices have declined over the last three days. The warmer weather, especially the above normal night time temperatures have pushed the growing process a little faster than forecasted. There are some aggressive prices coming out of both Santa Maria and Salinas. No quality issues to report of at this time, all product looks very nice out of both locations.
Broccoli
There is better availability of crowns this week and the market has declined a couple of dollars from this time last week. Bunch products remain scarce and this pack still has good demand. We are starting to see more product from Mexico showing up in McAllen, TX. This will continue to be the case as that season begins to get underway.
Cauliflower
Prices have seemed to stabilize and will remain at current levels for this week. Quality coming out of both Santa Maria and Salinas is good. The product that was showing some quality issues from the warmer weather a couple of weeks ago is now history and the new fields are showing nice white domes with dark green jackets and no brown spotting.
Artichokes
Summer production of the Thornless variety yielding a full sizing profile. A few growers will be harvesting limited quantities of the Green Globe variety in October.
Brussels Sprouts
Domestic production has begun to improve in Northern California as quality , higher yields and acres increase as growers begin mechanical harvest. The market currently remains elevated but anticipate sharper pricing early next week.
Green Onions
Production from Mexico remains limited as growers sort through wind and flood damaged fields. Supplies as well as quality are expected to remain limited but could start to improve in coming weeks.
Strawberries
California’s fruit-producing regions are expected to maintain a consistent supply over the next few weeks. The Santa Maria growing areas are yielding higher quality in newly harvested fruit, showcasing firmer and larger produce. However, older fruit tends to be softer, exhibiting signs of bruising, over ripeness, a shorter shelf life, and elevated counts. Looking at the weather forecast, Santa Maria, California, anticipates mostly sunny conditions during the week of September 25th, with highs reaching the low 80s on Wednesday and then gradually decreasing to the low 70s for the rest of the week. Nighttime temperatures are projected to drop to the 50s. Moving on to the week of October 2nd, expect sunny weather on Monday and Tuesday, mostly sunny days on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by low clouds on Friday and partly sunny skies over the weekend. Highs will range in the 70s, eventually dropping to the 60s on Sunday, with lows remaining in the 50s.In the Salinas/Watsonville region, similar favorable weather prevails for the week of September 25th, characterized by mostly sunny conditions, with daytime temperatures in the 70s and nighttime lows in the low 50s.
Raspberries
Limited production the next couple of weeks with on-and-off rain in Colima and Western Michoacan.
Blackberries
Mexican new crop is up and running! Small production to start but it will ramp up quickly! Overall, a good outlook for this season and normal progression.
Blueberries
Weather continues to keep Peruvian production at a minimum. Production, combined with intensive international demand competition, will continue to keep Peruvian product demand exceeding supply for the next month. Argentina will be getting heavy rain and storms this weekend which will keep their production lower as well. Cooler domestic temperatures will help improve quality on the remaining Oregon, Washington and Michigan product, so these may be the options to go with for the next week.
Stone Fruit
The season for white and yellow peaches is coming to a close, and white and yellow nectarines are currently in limited availability. We still have black and red plums in various sizes, though their quality is mediocre, which is typical for this season. As we approach the end of the California stone fruit season, be prepared for prices to increase on most of these items.
Grapes
Volume reductions of nearly 50% compared to the same period last year are evident. It is probable that pricing will continue to rise over the next few weeks due to challenges faced by shippers in meeting order demands. Anticipate encountering similar circumstances, at the very least, throughout the month of October. While offshore fruit shipments are set to commence in the latter half of October, pricing is expected to remain elevated into November. The current quality of available produce varies, and this variability is likely to persist as shippers tap into stored fruit. Be prepared for ongoing supply difficulties throughout the remainder of the year.
Oranges
The demand for Valencia oranges remains high this week, particularly for the 88 count and smaller sizes. Prices are expected to rise over the next two weeks due to this strong demand. Currently, the quality of the oranges is good, but there may be some quality issues in the future. As we near the end of the season, there will likely be a higher proportion of choice fruit available.
In addition, Navel oranges are anticipated to begin their season later than usual, with a delay of at least 2-3 weeks this year. Furthermore, the overall volume of Navel oranges is expected to be slightly lower than last year.
Lemons
Domestic fruit supplies are depleting rapidly, causing prices to rise steadily. Loading of fruit continues in District 2, but we anticipate limited supplies throughout October, leading to higher market prices for the entire month. The overall crop is projected to be at least 10-15% lower than last year. As the season nears its end and new regions come into play, quality concerns are becoming more prominent. Consequently, we can expect a surplus of choice-grade fruit in the market.
Limes
Demand has remained consistent since last week. Smaller sizes are becoming more abundant, and shippers are actively seeking to sell larger volumes of 230 count and smaller fruit. Quality problems persist due to recent rainfall in Mexico. In the upcoming week, anticipate stronger market conditions, particularly for larger sizes.
Dry Onion
Where’s the Demand? There have been slow “weeks of 2’s” before but this one is right up there in the annals of keeping track of “crappy” business. Demand is very low and when I ask my customers and suppliers, why…no one has an answer. Overall traffic is retail is down if we measure the demand based
on the last few “Covid” years. Onion shippers have good supplies in all colors in the Northwest and are starting storage pulls. Pricing is off a bit, but if you have a volume order’s there will be deals available. Quality is excellent.
Asparagus
There are deals to be had if you have any volume to offer. But here again we are up again the dreaded “demand” issue. Most shippers are afraid to get into ad promotions because they can’t depend on excessive volume to support the ads. Retailers have squeezed down displays and jacked up the pricing so there is a bit of a standoff right now, until we get larger supplies and more demand.
Cantaloupes
Much lighter supplies this week and going forward or at least the next couple of weeks. After record heat that ended around 10 days ago pushed fields forward forcing some deals to end early, late plantings will dwindle and dribble through the mid to end of October. But volume is over on the Westside and little will be left to sell on the open market after contracts. Sizing is bunched up but different between shippers with some skewing very big (jbo 9s) and some smaller (12s). Quality is a bit inconsistent but generally good. Yuma is expected to start their fall crop between October 5 and 15th, but plantings this year are more modest that past years. We look for a snug open market supplies and elevated prices for the next couple of weeks.
Honeydew
Like cantaloupes, volume on the Westside is finished for the season to even a more drastic degree than cantaloupes. Quality is generally pretty good and sizes are skewing large (jbo and reg 5). It appears that dews too will have precious few open for spot market sales after contracts are filled for at least the next 10 days to two weeks. Like cantaloupes we see light available supplies on a daily basis and elevated prices for the next two weeks.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli production in Salinas and Santa Maria continues to be limited by quality issues , especially insect pressure and pin rot. Cauliflower supplies have been steady with fewer quality concerns resulting in lower markets .
OG Celery
Production from Salinas and Santa Maria has been steady along with pricing. Quality remains mostly good although increasing amount of insect pressure and pith . Demand is expected to improve in coming weeks which will likely lead to more active pricing.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Production remains varied among growers in Northern California although with sufficient supplies and mostly good quality .
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Lettuce production has seen increased quality issues with mildew, tip burn and insect pressure all resulting in varied quality. Markets remain mostly steady this week as demand continues to be modest.
Green and Red leaf Supplies remain steady with increasing insect and mildew pressure expected to reduce supplies as we move into October
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Strong demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity.
Lemon Mexico supplies continue to peak on smaller Choice fruit. California will begin in coming weeks with limited production.
Lime quality and supplies remain inconsistent with varied prices.
California Valencias crop will be winding down in some with below normal production and strong demand Navels are still a few weeks out.
OG Grapes
Growers continue to harvest Organic Grapes while sorting through quality issues brought on by the tropical storm earlier this month. Most fruit appears to be in good condition but arrivals have been varied with most receivers sorting through light to moderate quality issues. Prices remain firm with limited availability..
OG Melons
Central Valley production of Honeydews, Cantaloupes and Watermelon has begun to wind down with limited supplies through the end of the season.
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