Weather in May in California can either be too hot, too cold, or just right. The weather forecast for the state for the next 10 days show JUST RIGHT. Salinas, where most of the vegetables are currently coming from, forecasts low to mid 70s for highs, lows in the 50s. The San Joaquin Valley, where the tree fruit and grapes are coming from, has 80s and 90s expected for highs, and lows in the 60s. For both of these areas, that is IDEAL for growing. Because of this, we see A LOT of product coming on in these areas. With that, especially for the vegetable scene, we see markets coming down.  The fruit deal is trying to get volume going, and this is just what the doctor ordered.
Plenty of trucks available, and rates are still hanging in there. Once Memorial Day business hits, and that will be as early as this weekend for East coast loading, we should see rates begin their Summer climb upward.

LETTUCE–May is “lettuce month”, and the heaviest producing month of the year. LOTS of ads are rolling this month, and quality is much better than where it has been, and prices are coming down. So, this is a good time to cash in.

BROCCOLI–continued wide range in price here. Last week, we saw as much as a $5.00/box spread in the market on crowns. We are starting out this week the same, but we expect ALL shippers looking for business by the end of this week, so that price gap will shrink. There should be plenty of broccoli for the next few weeks.

CAULIFLOWER–this past week was another example of the “roller coaster” ride we often see with cauliflower. The shippers pushed their prices higher than they should have because of their light supplies, and are now anticipating heavier supplies this week. They pushed prices up and retails stopped, so now its going to be tough to get customers interested in cauliflower. Because of this, we expect to see prices drop quickly this week, so don’t order too heavily.

LEAF ITEMS–we are anticipating heavier supplies of all leaf–romaine, green, red, and boston. The markets on green, red, and boston have been active the past few weeks, and shippers are fighting to hold their prices. We don’t see them able to do that. Expect a steady price drop on just about all leaf items this week.

CELERY–a real wide price range here. The “preferred” labels are commanding a premium price, which is as much as a $5-6.00/box over a “mostly” market type label. If you have GOT to have Dole or T&A, expect to pay the piper. Otherwise, there are deals out there.

STRAWBERRIES–we expect to see A LOT of berries coming on this week and next. This will be just in time for Memorial Day business, so that shouldn’t be a problem. Berries will be competing with cherries, peaches, nectarines, and grapes for the picnic business, so there could be some deals out there on “volume” business.