the cold weather in the desert is taking it’s toll on product, both supply, and quality-wise.  Night time temperatures dropped into the 20s in the desert for nearly 5 nights straight, causing a heap of problems. While the workers are doing their best to trim off the freeze effected leaves, there WILL be some issues upon arrival. Blister, epidermal peel, and discoloration are all showing up, so you need to expect these problems, and let your customers know what is going on. This is universal, and no one is free of the problems.
Long range weather shows cloud cover (with a few showers) in the desert today, then clearing. There will be cold mornings in the desert growing areas the next 10 days, and highs only in the upper 60s to low 70s.
Truck rates are coming off slightly from last week.  Tree fruit, grapes and melons are finished for the season , leaving a good supply of trucks looking for loads.  Christmas is approaching and fuel prices remain high so we expect only slight drops in rates.

LETTUCE — Last week’s cold spell took its toll on lettuce.  Blister peel, feathering and discoloration are an industry-wide problem. Shippers are now quoting WITH freeze damage, so if these issues come up on the receiving end, those are NOT scoreable.  The market is holding steady.

BROCCOLI — a screaming market is the result of the freeze stopping growth and production.  Product is tight, and plants simply do not develop in freezing conditions.  Virginia and Carolina product is coming on strong which should alleviate some of the strain on the desert, although shippers are going to keep the market as high as possible, for as long a time as possible.

CAULIFLOWER — With the FOB market pushing the $30 range, shippers are going to keep raising the price until they  eventually kill the market.  Since cauliflower is hardest hit when cold weather sets in, its no surprise that it is the most expensive.  Quality defects such as yellow discoloration and black spotting have been found also.

LEAF ITEMS — blister and peel has really affected leaf and romaine, especially romaine.  Leaf supplies have been much more plentiful and harvesters are able to pick through the affected heads and shed many of the external problems.  Prices have not escalated high mostly due to the current volume of product.  Even if it doesn’t freeze anymore, effects of the freeze will show up for weeks to come.

CELERY — this market has been showing signs of life over the past week.   Christmas business is here and demand has been picking up.  Most of the product is still coming out of Oxnard, although we can get product transferred to the desert for loading.  There is still a  very wide spread in prices, with Dole topping the market. A few rain showers yesterday and today but clear for the net 10 days.  We have most likely seen the top of this market.

Ed Brem
www.producewest.com