2010 is already going by too fast. This past weekend started daylight savings time, Spring starts this weekend, and Easter business kicks in as early as this weekend, too. Like Ferris Bueller said “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around, you might miss it'”.
The desert is still the main area for the majority of vegetable supplies, but we are now seeing more broccoli and cauliflower show up in Salinas and Santa Maria. Still, expect to load this week and next for your mixers.
Long range weather in the desert shows highs in the mid to high 80s, lows in the 50s. Oxnard shows high 60s to low 70s, while Salinas is going to be in the 60s, but nights close to freezing. NO RAIN forecasted.
Trucks are available, but they are starting to push for higher rates.

LETTUCE–we are starting to see a real range in price now for wrap and palletized. In fact, there is a much as a $5.00/box spread in price. This usually means the overall market is starting to come down, so we are going to anticipate that. Huron, if you can believe it, is actually going to start later this week. But, overall, we expect to load in the desert this week and next.

BROCCOLI–still a real shortage of crowns. The desert, for instance is quoting $5-6.00/box MORE for crowns than bunch 14s. Even with higher retails set, we don’t see much relief until next week, which will be in time for Easter business, so that will keep demand strong and the market firm, as well.

CAULIFLOWER–light supplies here, too. Salinas has started, but only in a light way, and quality is very erratic, so we are watching that. Prices are upwards of $20 fob, so that is close to $25.00 in the Eastern markets. High retails are set, so that should cool off demand and possibly ease the market.

LEAF ITEMS–slightly weaker undertone here. Easter is no big deal for romaine, red, and green, so we don’t anticipate a run on those items. Supplies will continue to come out of the desert for the next 3-4 weeks, then start moving north to Salinas and Santa Maria areas.

CELERY–continued STRONG demand for all sizes of celery. The desert is winding down, Easter is around the corner, and Oxnard will be the main player. Prices, which are already closing in on $20 fob, should remain strong, and could go higher.

ASPARAGUS–prices are already at Easter ad levels, so the deal is set for the next few weeks. We will continue to load the majority of supplies out of the desert, although the Stockton/Lodi deal is starting, and even Salinas is starting to come in with some numbers.

STRAWBERRIES–with no rain forecasted in Oxnard, and Florida pumping out volume, this will hopefully be a pressure free Easter. HUH? Whoever heard of a “pressure free” Easter? You have to figure something will come up. Rain or heat in Florida, heat in the desert, rain and cold in Oxnard. Something.

Ed Brem
ed@producewest.com