Now that the weather in the desert growing regions have started to warm up, and product is coming on more rapidly, shippers are REALLY out there looking for business on just about all commodities. Prices are “negotiable” with items such as lettuce, leaf, romaine, broccoli, and cauliflower. Unfortunately, the weather on the East coast remains, for the most part, cold and wet. This makes for slow business, and makes us all look forward to Spring. On top of that, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, and we have 6 more weeks of Winter. How can one little ground hog have SO much power?
Long range weather in the desert growing areas show continue gradual warming days and warming nights.
Trucks are plentiful, and rates are flat. With the slow business across the country, it is no wonder.

LETTUCE–slow demand on palletized and wrap, and prices are just about on the bottom floor. We don’t see much of a change here until demand picks up, so, for now, this is a good item to promote. Quality is mostly good, although size is mostly medium and weights aren’t overly heavy.

BROCCOLI–slow demand and weak market. Here is another item that would be good to advertise, either bunch 14s, 18s, or crowns. Supplies in Santa Maria, Oxnard, or the desert.

CAULIFLOWER–like broccoli, little demand, and prices are low. However, once shippers start to catch up on their fields, they will push their prices. This could happen by this time next week. Again, now is a good time to promote.

LEAF ITEMS–no change on red, green, romaine, and boston. Demand is only fair on all leaf items, and prices are flat. Supplies mostly coming out of the desert, although there are some supplies in Oxnard and Santa Maria areas.

CELERY–this is one item that is hanging in there, for the most part. We are seeing as much as a $10 SPREAD in price, depending upon the the shipper and area. The “preferred” labels, Dole and T&A are commanding these higher prices, and are getting them! You try to tell them what the REAL market is, and they don’t care.

STRAWBERRIES–not much change here. Supplies continue to be fairly light in the Oxnard area, which is normal. We aren’t SUPPOSED to have berries in California in January. We are suppose to have rain! But, rainfall has been very light, to this point, although, we are forecasted for some later this week. For now, though, quality is very nice with the Oxnard, and most Southern California berries.

ASPARAGUS–supplies continue to pick up in the desert, and shippers are looking for business. We anticipate asparagus to be a very interesting item as time goes on this Winter and Spring. With the economy being so bad, asparagus is sure to be low on the shopping list with most consumers.