After the first week in August, the Central Coast of California, as well as northern California, is looking at record breaking cold temperatures. What it amounts to is the normal overcast we get in the morning that usually burns off by noon, or so, continues to hang around, keeping the temperatures well below normal for this time of year. The area of California we are talking about is the Salinas/Watsonville regions where the strawberries, lettuce, leaf, broccoli, cauliflower, and other items are coming from. Berries, in particular, are suffering and we are seeing shortages and pro rates.

Long range weather in Salinas/Watsonville areas show continued below normal temperatures for the all of this week, then warming up for the weekend. The Fresno/Bakersfield areas show steady, hot temperatures, which are normal for the summer.

Trucks continue to be readily available for all areas of the country, and rates are “negotiable”.

LETTUCE–stronger market. After last week’s giveaway, cooler weather has slowed growth and production, and the shippers have bumped up their prices $4-5.00/box over last week. Quality is continuing to look good, overall, with nice color and condition. We’d like to see better weights, but they are down, due to the cooler temps.

BROCCOLI–still good deals out West, in spite of increased demand from receivers that had been taking Eastern broccoli. Bunch 14s, 18s, and crowns are all showing good condition, with nice, tight beads, and color. We could possibly see this market pick up by the end of this week.

CAULIFLOWER–good deals here, too. Plenty of 9s and 12s, prices are low, and quality is nice, overall. However, we could see this market improve by the end of this week, as well. The cold temperatures will slow down growth and production.

LEAF ITEMS–stronger on red, green, and boston, and REALLY strong on romaine. There has been quite a bit of supplies lost the past few weeks due to fringe burn on the romaine. Shippers have had to pass over fields or suffer yield loss because of this. As a result, the market is nearly double from the past few weeks.

CELERY–plenty of product, and prices are on the floor, for most shippers. Dole continues to demand $2-3.00/box more than the mostly market. With Michigan going, we don’t see this market doing much. Freight rates, although continuing to slide from their yearly highs, still make a box of celery to the East coast close to $20.00.

STRAWBERRIES–the record setting cold temperatures in Central California for August have REALLY slowed down growth and production. All of a sudden, Driscoll is pro rating 50%, and more, while other shippers take advantage of this “new found” business that Driscoll can’t cover, and are bumping up their prices. As mentioned, we are going through record setting cold temperatures for August, and it looks like it will be the same all week. So, expect higher prices and more pro rates. Condition will suffer, as well. Look for more white shoulders and green tips.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com