After a record heat spell last week that hit California growing regions, we are now starting to see more Fall-like weather. Cooler days and cooler, longer nights; a pattern which will start to slow down growth and production of just about all fruits and vegetables, and will see some market fluctuations. THIS is the time of year where we can see wild market swings, depending upon weather.

Trucks are available, and rates continue to slip for most areas of the country.

Long range weather for Salinas area show cooler days, and even a chance of rain later this week. Again, we had a heat spell last week, where we were in the high 90’s to low 100’s. Now, we won’t see higher than mid to high 60s this week.

LETTUCE–shippers tried to get the market up today, and came out with higher prices. By mid morning, they backed off. Still, we see the over market getting off the floor this week, with prices going up $2-3.00/box by the end of this week.

BROCCOLI–no change. Plenty of bunch 14s, 18s, and crowns. Too much Eastern product to change things. Still, with low prices and EXCELLENT quality out West, this is a terrific ad item.

CAULIFLOWER–we see this market going up by the end of this week. The hot spell last week brought on product, and also put some fields into shock. Supplies are expected to drop off as this week progresses, so we could see the market double in price by this time next week.

LEAF ITEMS–plenty of red, green, and romaine, and prices, while fairly wide spread depending upon the shipper, are still reasonable. There was some damage done from last week’s heat spell, with tip burn and yellowing, but most shippers are doing a good job trimming out the problems.

CELERY–no change, although there are signs these markets could start to gather strength.  There shouldn’t be much market change until the end of this week, if it does at all. Heart 12s and 18s are available.

STRAWBERRIES–even though supplies continue to drop, demand just isn’t there. The heat spell hurt supplies, and shippers are saying volume is off 25-30% over last week. Still, you have to have demand to raise a market, and there just isn’t much.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com