Lettuce​

​Production in the southwest desert has  a couple weeks  left  while production from California Central Valley and Central Coast regions will get underway next week.  Quality remains fair from the desert and should improve from the new growing areas.  ‘Hot weather in the desert will keep pressure on production and lead to tiered market pricing depending on individual shippers transition schedule.

 

Mix Leaf 

New production areas have begun in Santa Maria, Oxnard and Huron with improved quality.  Quality in the desert continues to be inconsistent with heavy twist, seeder and mildew pressure.  Production in the desert will wind down rapidly but transition to  newer areas has started earlier than budgeted allowing  shippers to avoid any significant gap in production for now.

 

Celery

Still a steady market with multiple areas producing. Mexico, Yuma and Oxnard are all the main growing areas. Santa Maria has been producing on a less consistent basis.  Quality remains nice overall, very few issues to speak of.
Broccoli

Market has been very active over the last 10 days, but now it looks like it may have reached it’s price limit.  Look for the market to settle at current trading levels for the next few days and then will most likely decrease towards the end of next week as shippers start harvesting new fields in the Santa Maria and Salinas Valleys. The best quality is out of Santa Maria and Salinas.  Mexican Crowns are shipping out of Texas and available for loading as well at a $5.00 – $7.00 discount compared to pricing out of California.

 

Cauliflower

Supplies have been very limited over the last 7 days, but it looks like we will start to see better production going into next week.  Harvest volumes will increase in Santa Maria and Salinas and should help relieve prices.  Look for the market to decrease starting the first of next week.

 

Brussels Sprout

Brussels Sprout production continues primarily from  Mexico . Quality has started to show signs  of insect damage.  Warm weather and water shortages have impacted production and quality.  Delayed holiday demand and lesser quality has led to  market deals although demand should  improve into next week before easing post  Easter holiday.
Artichokes

Green Globe /  Heirloom variety  from Castroville  are the preferred variety for the Easter Holiday . Maximum promotions have strengthen market significantly.  Lesser quality seeded globe varieties  will be available to fill in  a portion of the demand.

 

Strawberries

Strawberries will have a wide range in prices as the Oxnard, Santa Maria and even Watsonville areas are experiencing perfect weather conditions.  Quality has been good and is expected to remain that way thru next week. Florida will be winding down over the next week, so we can expect better demand as buyers switch growing areas to the west coast.

 

Grapes

There have been plenty of quality issues with the flames, remaining product is old and getting tired.  Crimsons are starting to come in but at a much higher price.  There is supposed to a large fleet of crimsons arriving later next week which should ease the pricing.  Greens are readily available and quality has been nice.

Citrus

Navels are in full production and more large sized fruit available. Quality is nice with good color.  The lemon market remains steady even with the desert finishing up. More fruit coming out of the coastal areas with better quality. The Lime market continues to gain momentum and product is tight. Rains in Mexico last week have hurt production and fewer trucks are crossing. There are fewer limes in the forecast for the next 10 days so expect the high market to continue.