Slow markets continue to plague the industry out west; however there are a few factors that could create some activity later this week.  East coast storms have created flooding in urban areas, which has caused serious damage to homes and businesses, not to mention washing away roadways.  Many stores remain closed as the cleanup begins.  Eastern growing areas have been hit hard by the rains, some are still harvesting but quality of surviving product is marginal at best.  This could create more demand as the East assesses the damage and stocks up once again.

Trucks are available, rates have begun creeping up from last week’s lows, but mixer loads remain in the mid to upper 7000 range.

Weather has been warm in the Salinas Valley these past few days, although temperatures will hit a cooling trend, expected in the low 60s later this week.

LETTUCE — Quality has been very nice.  Nice weights and presentation out of the West. There is hope that the market improves later this week as Colorado and Eastern producers begin to see lighter numbers; something that normally happens this time of year.  We could see prices rise by the weekend.

BROCCOLI — Steady supplies out west, but not much of a market.  Little change from last week and good quality on all sizes.  Shippers are reporting that numbers could decrease towards the end of the week which should improve this market by early next week.

CAULIFLOWER — We are seeing lighter supply on cauliflower, although the market is currently poor.  Demand is not strong enough to create any type of market increase.  Like many of the other items, we could see a change by this weekend.  Quality is very nice.

LEAF ITEMS — Romaine is making a move, it has been stronger than green and red leaf for the past month, but as more East and Midwestern buyers are looking to the west for better quality it is creating a stronger market coming in to the new week.  We expect this market to get stronger into the latter of the week.  Green and Red leaf have also made a slight upward move but not quite the momentum as romaine.

CELERY — Still plenty of large sized celery around.  Good quality and prices.  Good growing weather has brought on plenty of nice quality product.  Large sizes are everywhere and at dirt cheap prices.  Smaller sizes are harder to come by, nice weather sizes up the plants and with the poor market, harvesters are in no hurry to get product out of the field.

STRAWBERRIES — Very light supplies for the entire week.  Driscoll is pro rating upwards of 80% of regular orders just to cover everyone.   Weather has been warm and muggy in Watsonville resulting in poor quality.  Quality is very poor, many reports of soft, leaking berries and bruising at the receiving end.  With conditions like these harvesters are leaving much of the product in the field, hurting supply even more.  Make customers aware that these are not the same berries we had in June, close one eye and move through them quick.

Ed Brem

www.producewest.com