When you think of March, what comes to mind? If you’re like most guys, it HAS to be March Madness. Other than that, St. Patrick’s Day, and the beginning of Spring. For produce, we are sort of waiting for Easter business and the Spring strawberry season.
Long range weather for the desert growing regions show warmer days and nights, which should help bring on supplies. The strawberry regions of Oxnard and Santa Maria are showing continued patterns of rain every few days, which is just enough to keep the supply chain uncertain. Along with this, the long range weather for most of the East coast shows the big time Nor-Eastern hitting as of this writing, but clearing up after that. Because of that, business is messed up today and into tomorrow, but looks okay after that.
Trucks plentiful and rates are negotiable.

LETTUCE–a fairly wide range in price today. Some of the preferred labels have pushed their markets, but are secretly asking why? Demand is only fair, at best, so raising their prices doesn’t make sense. We don’t see this market hanging on.

BROCCOLI–good supplies of bunch 14s, 18s, and crowns, and prices are reasonable.

CAULIFLOWER–shippers pushed this market too high, and now we are seeing a wide range in price, indicating to us that the overall market is getting ready to come down. This is one that you only want to buy what you need, and not get overloaded.

LEAF ITEMS–not much change in price for red and green leaf, but romaine is very active. The salad folks are going heavy and are taking much of the romaine out there for their bag business. That puts pressure on the carton business and the shippers are forcing that market upward.

CELERY–this market has really crashed in the past week. Prices have fallen nearly 1/2 of what they were this time last week. However, prices now have certainly bottomed out, and as we have preached in the past, when the market comes off this much this fast, prices usually go lower than they should, and then firm back up. We may see that happening this week, especially on the larger size 18s and 24s. Keep that in mind.

STRAWBERRIES–we are in a fairly wet pattern in the berry country of Oxnard and Los Angeles. Again, we stress that it IS March, and we normally aren’t a factor for supplies until April. Again as mentioned, we see rain off and on for the next 10 days, and that will keep supplies and quality messed up.

ASPARAGUS–believe it or not, the desert deal has already PEAKED with their supplies! As long as the weather doesn’t get too hot in the desert, we will grass available throughout this month, and then switch to the Stockton/Lodi area after that.