****WARNING**** Seasonal cold temperatures have resulted in harvest delays due to ice. This will eventually lead to blister,peel and discoloration issues on most vegetable commodities especially leaf and lettuce.

For the past couple weeks most of California including the southwestern desert growing regions have experienced  temperatures  8-12 degrees cooler than normal with continuous morning frost conditions. This weekend  will culminate with some of the coldest temperatures this season. In some areas temperatures are expected to drop into the mid 20’s for morning lows.  These temperatures  have already had an effect on the markets and will continue to do so. Production not only is affected by slow growth but it is also diminished by quality issues created because of the icy conditions.******WARNING******Quality issues  ranging from Blister, Peel, Discoloration , Fringe Burn amp; Decay will be present for the next month or longer if continued colder than normal weather persists.

Weather for most of the West Coast (norms: 62-65hi/38-45lo)   continues with icy conditions.  The forecast for this weekend is for even colder temperatures before returning to near normal next weekend.  The deserts have had a similar pattern (norms:70hi/37-42lo) with 10-12 degrees below normal with morning icy conditions.  Cold and possible windy conditions are expected to last for another week but bottoming out this weekend with season low temps. Warmer near normal temps are forecast to return by the end of next week.  Soil temperatures are at a season low, 6-12 degrees below the range  needed for  normal growth and will continue to drop further this weekend. It will take a week of above normal weather to get soil temps to rise. Central Florida berry growing region is expected to have above normal weather (72hi/50lo)  with occasional isolated showers  for the next week before finally dropping below normal by the end of the month. Central Mexico looks to be near normal (67hi/43lo) for the balance of the month.

Transportation rates are expected to remain steady or ease down the next couple weeks with lighter supplies  and fewer shipments out west. Plan ahead to get the best value and service available.

BROCCOLI- The market continues to climb with shipments at seasonal lows. Cooler weather  along the coast and in the desert will continue to have an effect on supplies.  Quality along the coast continues  to be fair at best.  There will  be increasing supplies coming from alternate growing districts such as Nogales, Mexico but even those areas have to get through this weekends low temperatures before any increases will be seen. The market likely will  peak early next week but supplies and quality  are not supposed to be sufficient through the month of January.

CAULIFLOWER- The market has continued to rise with the cold weather slowing production daily. Historically supplies peak sharply the first week of February. If weather returns to normal late next week there will be a good chance that history will repeat.  Quality has mostly been good with some reports of mold spots and bruising.

****WARNING****LETTUCE- Production has been slowed by cold temperatures along with quality issues arising from  icy conditions. With this weekends big chill along with high winds  quality is bound to suffer. Blister and peel with wind burn issues will become prevalent , causing lighter color with discoloration on arrival . ALL shippers have contract clauses  that prevent inspections to count blister as a scoreable defect although if serious enough decay will become an issue which is scoreable. The market is likely to peak next week but insufficient supplies  will keep market active through most of the month. Order minimum quantities until quality improves.

****WARNING****LEAF LETTUCE- Similar to Iceberg lettuce , quality will continue to suffer from blister, peel , fringe burn, discoloration and likely decay. Look for the market to continue to be active but shopping for the product least affected by the frost will be necessary. Some shippers  try to strip all affected leaves before packing and some prefer to leave on a few “wrapper” leaves for protection. Either way there will be issues from pale heads highlighting discoloration issues or decay from the breakdown of damaged outer leaves.

ASPARAGUS- Market continues to be  active with limited supplies coming in from Mexico and Peru.  Strong demand will keep pressure on the market to remain high.

BRUSSELS SPROUT- Production from California has all but finished but Mexico production is well underway. Recent cold weather will slow production slightly and the market is likely to firm. Quality will be significantly better from Mexico.

GREEN ONION- Supplies have been limited mainly due to labor in Mexico but also cold weather the last few weeks  While labor issues have subsided continued cool weather will assist in being able to hold the product in the field until sufficient labor starts increasing shipments next week. 

CARROTS- Carrot production has been steady but starting to slow with seasonally cold weather.  The market is steady locally but an influx in bulk supplies from Mexico have deals on bulk packs. Good demand  through the heavy promotional period should help maintain pricing especially for the retail packs.

CELERY- The celery market continues to see strength as good demand and reduced acreage combine to keep market active. Quality has been showing signs of frost damage of late and will continue to have varying degrees of issues depending on production location. Small sizes have become more prevalent due to colder weather and stripping of damaged outer stalks.  Limited quantities being grown in the desert continue to result in a wide ranging market due to the fact most celery is transferred to Yuma for consolidation. The best values will continue to come from Oxnard.

CITRUS- Navel shippers are keeping an eye on the weekend weather reports.  Until now the light to moderate ice conditions have had little effect on the citrus crop but this weekends severe ice  may impact the Central Valley California citrus crop.
So far this season quality has been excellent with good volume and improving flavor and sizing profiles.

STRAWBERRIES- Production is increasing mainly from Mexico and Florida. Central Coast California production is still very limited with quality not suitable to ship East although better quality is expected from production areas on the Southern Coast  within a couple weeks  The market looks to be holding as supplies are sufficient and prices have dropped to promotable levels. Quality from Florida and Mexico is improving daily and shippers are optimistic quality will be sufficient for continued promotions. Raspberry production  has stalled with most production out West and the market is very active on limited supply. Blackberries primarily from Mexico continue offer a good value.