With plenty of local product still available across the country, demand and business is slow and markets generally weak for just about all the major vegetable items. Head lettuce, leaf, romaine, broccoli, cauliflower, and celery out of California are just barely staying afloat, marketwise.

Long range weather in the Western growing regions for the next 10 days show no change in the Salinas area, with days in the low to mid 70s and nights in the 50s. The fruit regions in Fresno show slightly cooler days, moving to the low 90s, instead of the high 90s and low 100s. These are all typical for this time of year. No rain in sight.

Still a shortage of trucks coming out West, and rates are hanging in tough to all areas of the country. $6800-7000 is pretty common from California to the East coast.

LETTUCE–not much action out there, and prices are weak. A box of wrap 24s is barely $10.00 fob, making it around $18-19.00 delivered to the East coast. Quality out of Salinas is good, with nice color, size, and weights. Good ad item.

BROCCOLI–even though there isn’t a lot of broccoli out West, the market is sluggish because overall demand is, too. We don’t see much change in this market until the East coast dries up, which could be another month. Still, we are seeing broccoli as a nice ad item, with low prices and nice quality.

CAULIFLOWER–this market is about as low as you can get right now. Again, this probably won’t change until local deals start to dry up. Good prices, availability, and quality on either 9s or 12s.

LEAF ITEMS–fairly steady on red, green, and boston, while romaine is a bit stronger. Even so, demand is only fair, so we expect all of the leaf markets to stay fairly steady in the next few weeks. Salinas is the major area to get you leaf needs and quality is nice on just about all items.

CELERY–not much change. Dole continues to be $2-4.00/box higher than the general market, but is finding resistance at those higher levels. Hearts are available, either 12s or 18s, and that market remains active.

STRAWBERRIES–we have about another month to go before weather becomes an issue. Demand is only fair due to the fact that many stores aren’t advertising berries any longer, concentrating on melons, tree fruit, grapes, and local apples, so not a lot of space on the shelves is given to berries. Still, Driscoll has been pro rating orders because THEY are light in supply. But, they are also finding resistance whenever they try to raise their prices. Quality is hanging in there, but we definitely recommend that you only order what you need, and don’t hold fruit too long. After all, fall is right around the corner, starting this Wednesday. When that time of year comes, anything can happen, and usually does.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com