We seem to go through this every year in the Fall. Early rains, transitioning from Salinas to the Huron/Bakersfield areas, cold snaps, starting Thanksgiving business. These all add up to unsettling markets, giving the shippers ample reasons to raise their prices. Just about all of the major items, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, leaf items, strawberries are ALL on the rise.

Long range weather for the next 10 days show chances of rain towards the end of this week. Trucks are readily available and rates are variable, since we are transitioning from Salinas to other areas of California and Arizona.

LETTUCE-most shippers have moved their supplies to Huron area. Quality in BOTH areas is suspect. Salinas supplies are showing old, tired product, with red discoloration and pale, while the Huron product is starting out light weight and internal problems. The market is VERY active, with shippers nearly double in price where they were at this time last week. They will push for more as the week progresses.

BROCCOLI–this market also on the rise. More East coast business is coming in, and the shippers see that and push their prices. There are a lot of broccoli ads for Thanksgiving, so this market is “made” for the next month.

CAULIFLOWER–like broccoli, this market is climbing. While not a big item for Thanksgiving, it is a “cooking’ vegetable, nonetheless, and a natural for the season. Expect prices to continue to climb this week. We could see $20 by this weekend.

LEAF ITEMS–green, red, and romaine are ALL on the rise, while moving along the coattails of head lettuce. Romaine, in particular, is easily going to be $20-25.00 on the East coast.

CELERY–shippers pushing their markets to get in line with the Thanksgiving lid prices they have put out. Oxnard looks to start about the middle of November, which would allow them to participate in the 2nd week of the Thanksgiving push.

STRAWBERRIES–the rain we experienced in the Salinas/Watsonville area yesterday(Sunday) will knock these shippers out for a few days, but there is another storm scheduled to come in by Thursday or Friday of this week, which will continue to hurt harvesting and supplies. The product that IS being picked is marginal, AT BEST. So, don’t expect much. It is THAT time of year.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com