After the recent heatwave out west, weather has cooled down to normal fall conditions this week. The damage has been done however, and we will continue to see quality issues as a result of the heat.  A chance of rain is forecasted on the central coast over the next few days, but not much, and should not significantly affect markets.  Truck rates are still cheap and there are still plenty of truckers looking for loads.  Fuel prices are about $1 cheaper than they were this time last year, which should keep freight rates on the lower end for the next 5 weeks.

 

Lettuce​

Demand continues  to ease with  production mostly  steady from  Salinas and  Santa Maria .  Quality  continues to impact supplies .  Quality issues  range from  internal burn ,  weak tip , seeder , mildew and insect damage .  Weights have improved but are still lower than normal.  Current  market has weakened  but likely firm with increased demand  from East Coast  as local production winds down.  Transition  to Central Valley, CA for a  few  shippers  will  begin  in  2-3 weeks  along  with New regional production  from Las Cruces , NM  .  New  production areas currently on track  to have improved  quality.

 

Mix Leaf

Production on  Romaine and leaf  continue  to fluctuate among shippers but  overall  steady.  Quality has improved  slightly  but the range of issues  remain.  Similar transition on  Romaine to  Central  Valley  , CA  but fewer shippers participate due to  limited  water availability . Las  Cruces , NM  will have a  limited  production schedule  as well .

 

Celery

Plenty of product available out of Salinas and Santa Maria. Markets are sluggish and shippers are looking to deal.  Quality is nice, weather is cooler and we are seeing good color and strong stalks with less seeder in the fields.   Product is still coming out of Michigan, keeping markets down.  We should see better markets in a few weeks as holiday business picks up and Michigan production winds down.

 

Broccoli

Demand is increasing out of the Mid West and East Coast as local deals start to dry up.  Couple that with quality issues and lighter yields out of California due to the higher temps from last week and we now have ourselves in a demand exceeds situation.  Supplies will remain limited on all pack styles especially crown cuts well into October.   Export volume out of Mexico is beginning to increase but quality is fair at best due to heavy rains in their growing regions over the last few weeks.  Quality issues we are currently experiencing in California are yellow bead and spread.  We will do our best to find best quality for your orders and pre books are recommended.

 

Cauliflower

Prices have climbed over the last few days.  Deals that shippers were looking to make at the beginning of the week are now disappearing.  Markets will continue to trend upwards as the week comes to a close.  Quality has been nice, white to off – white domes with solid curds and good green jackets.

 

Artichokes

Production  has been limited  due to the heat damage  the last couple weeks .  Supplies look to rebound next month  but demand should keep the  market strong.  The  primary  variety continues to be the Seeded / Thornless  Globe ,   Limited Heirloom  Globes  won’t peak again until the Spring.

Brussel Sprouts

Improved demand, mainly from Canada, has firmed the market although quality issues continue to impede overall demand.   Heavy  promotional  supplies  will be available  but  cooler weather is  necessary to improve quality   heading into  heavy  production  Fall  program.

 

Strawberries

The Salinas and Watsonville growing regions are beginning to wind down for the season. Early reports from Oxnard, California have shippers harvesting very light supplies and Santa Maria shippers sold out until Thursday. The forecast for Santa Maria, California is for sunny skies, with highs in the 70s warming to the 80s on Friday and lows in the 50s. The berries have some bruising and are over ripe, occasional salmon color, occasional white shoulder and tip and average counts in the mid- to upper- 20s, with some 30s. New crop fruit is averaging a count of 22 to 24.

 

Cantaloupes

The Westside continues to wind down slowing with many in their last fields.  Sizes are running smaller and peaking on 12s then 15s.  9s are not short, but not plentiful. Overall quality is average.  Arizona started this week with sizes running mostly 9s. Quality is good, volume is moderate but should be increasing.  Demand has slowed due to fall arriving and prices being somewhat higher than mid-season.

 

Honeydews

Supplies are adequate as the northern areas around the Westside and north of Sacramento continue to ship although with less volume than mid-season peaks. Arizona is phasing in rapidly.  As with the cantaloupes, sizes in the more mature northern districts are peaking on 6s.  Arizona sizing is skewing to jbo 5 and 5s. Demand is moderate as inventories on the delivered end are high priced and consumers tend to gravitate toward fall fruit.

 

Limes

Limes are transitioning in to New Crop with large sizes becoming more available daily. There are still good supplies of 250/230s on hand but expect that to gradually change. There has been rain in Mexico and the is forecast for  rain at the end of next week. So expect volumes to remain roughly the same and prices as well.  So far the volume shipped is down compared to the same time frame last year.

 

Watermelons

The East Coast is expecting a strong weather front that should end the last of the East Coast melons.  West Texas is winding down  and quality is diminishing in that area . Southern Texas is just starting and will have more fields come on line in the next two weeks. Produce West will also have melons to load out of New Mexico next week we feel that the peak sizing will be 50% 45s 50% 60s from that area.