In terms such as “catastrophic”, “record breaking”, “unparalleled” , the freeze that hit the desert growing regions of Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley, Yuma, Phoenix, and Nogales, this past week and weekend is having disastrous(we’ll use our OWN adjective here!) consequences.

Temperatures got down to the low 20s for 8-12 hours several nights and this extended freeze time can, and did, wipe out vegetables, fruits, and just about any other plant exposed. Shippers are still assessing the damage, but it is safe to say that these effects will be felt for the next MONTH, at least. We will pass on any, and all information as it becomes available. This freeze is extremely unusual for this time of year. Usually, we don’t even have to worry about freezing when February comes. As far as ads are concerned, shippers are pulling ALL ads, using “act of God” clauses. Ads are the LEAST of our problems. We just want to get our orders covered!

LETTUCE–the freeze hurt the head lettuce so bad, that shippers are trimming down 6-8 leaves just to find something that is useable! T&A, for instance, said that they will be packing 90% 30 size lettuce all this week, just to have something to sell. The market, while not truly established ad this writing will be somewhere in the $25-30.00 fob range this week. And, again, quality will be a big issue. Most shippers are selling “as is”, and will NOT accept any inspections that show freeze damage defects.

BROCCOLI–lots of quality issues. Purple cast, discoloration, cat face. The market isn’t too terrible, but there could be VERY FEW crowns available in the coming weeks.

CAULIFLOWER–lots of damage here, as well. Yellowing discoloration are wide spread, and shippers are throwing away upwards of 50% of what is in the field. This market will continue to climb daily this week.

LEAF ITEMS–ALL leaf items hit hard, especially romaine. The freeze has caused extensive blister and peel, going 5-7 leaves DEEP into the head. Expect red, green, boston, and romaine to go WELL into the $20-25+ range this week, and into next.

CELERY–the desert, which is a major supplier of celery during the Winter months also got hit hard. The market for all size celery is in the range of $35-40 FOB today, and look for the shippers to continue to push their prices until people just stop buying.

ASPARAGUS–probably hit the hardest. If you have ever seen an asparagus field, you see that there is NO protection from the elements. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, can have some protection with leaves, but asparagus has nothing. The crop is basically wiped out for a week, at least. The good news is that warm days bring on asparagus rapidly, but the current damage is done.

STRAWBERRIES–Florida continues to supply the East coast with their needs, and there is little demand for California berries for any destination east of the Mississippi River. If you ARE purchasing Oxnard fruit, the quality is very nice, with big, hard, tasty fruit.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com