Supplies continue steady from California although many shippers are skeptical regarding future available acres with pending transition and prices have begun to spike with uncertainty of future supplies. Overall quality is holding with wide variations in color and weights , mostly due to mildew with most trimmed at field level. Central Valley CA has begun with mostly good quality but with similar variations in color and weights. Processors will continue to have the largest impact on markets as they supplement supplies during the upcoming transition. Expect volatility to last through the Fall season. Las Cruces , NM continues with light production due to the impact of previous and current rains. Streaming Pacific Hurricane season continues to affect mostly Mexico region producing dry veg and berries it has also has impacted Arizona , New Mexico and Texas all of which are either currently in production or will be in coming weeks.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and especially Heart demand continues to be strong with steady supplies. Increase pressure from the rising iceberg market will pressure Romaine markets higher. Demand has improved from all parts of the country. Quality has varied with a return of seeder growth. Transition to the Southern CA , Arizona deserts will take place in a couple weeks with reports of a few days behind schedule. Green leaf and Red leaf demand has also started to improve along with Romaine.
Brussels Sprouts
Domestic production from Northern Coastal region continues to be strong. The market has held mostly steady although surging supplies ahead of Thanksgiving promotions will result in some significant volume deals .A few quality issues from insect pressure remain but overall good quality. Regional production continues from Eastern Canada for a few more weeks.
Bell Peppers
Green Bell supplies continue steady as production transitions south with strong demand due to weather related losses in the Southeast and Mexico production areas . Prices spiked with increased demand from the east. Red Bell production has peaked and markets have spiked as well.
Celery
Good supplies on large sized celery. There is availability on all sizes, although small sizes are beginning to tighten up. Market is stronger than last week overall as colder nights and shorter day set in. Quality is nice with very few problems to report industry wide. Good production expected through next week. Demand should start picking up later next week and stronger markets will subsequently follow.
Strawberries
The Salinas and Watsonville areas are winding down, more buyers are looking for new crop fruit in the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing areas, Even with lighter available numbers, demand has been lackluster. The Salinas/Watsonville area is forecast for mostly sunny skies, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. The Santa Maria, California growing areas are forecast for sunny skies, becoming partly cloudy for the weekend, with highs in the 80s decreasing to the 70s on Sunday and lows in the 50s. The Salinas/Watsonville fruit has occasional bruising, white shoulder, overripe and decay with an average count of 22 to 24, occasionally smaller. Santa Maria fruit has occasional bruising, soft shoulder, misshapen, windburn and overripe. The average count is 20 to 22, occasional smaller.
Cauliflower
Good availability and lower prices will remain for this week. Overall quality is fair, we are seeing some yellow cast and soft shoulder on all product loading out of California.
Broccoli
The market has remained unchanged for the last 10 days out of California. It does not look like we will see any changes anytime soon. Markets will remain constant through the remainder of the week. We are seeing a slight increase in price with product coming out of Central Mexico, cooler temperatures and rain are the factors behind price increase. We should have our first cartons of “Shui Ling” crowns crossing in Texas next week.
Citrus
Lime – Fairly good availability on 175’s and smaller. The peak sizes are 235/200’s with 110’s and 150’s very limited. Even with the recent rains the quality has remained good. The market is to remain steady for the next week. Reports from the fields say size should pick up in 2-3 weeks.
Artichokes
Production continues steady with improving demand especially on the Heirloom variety. Most varieties currently are seeded or Thornless. at reduced prices. Production is peaking on Medium size profile.
Cantaloupes
Volume has yet to increase in the desert and is all but finished on the Westside. Mexico volume is moderate. Next week other than the Westside finally being completely done volume looks to increase a bit as we get past the rain damage in the desert. Ground spots however will most likely remain for the rest of the deal. Mexico is bracing for a Hurricane which could inhibit production and transporting to the border, keeping their volume limited. Demand had been lackluster due to high prices and underwhelming quality, which is limiting the retail appeal leaving processors and food service as the only significant sectors still demanding product. Next week this dynamic looks to change little. We expect at tense but steady market next week.
Honeydews
Scarring is still an issue in the desert. Volume has been low due to spotty quality and light plantings this year in those areas. Mexico has been better quality and in good volume. The price gap between domestic and Mexican product has been significant with Mexico trading at a 6.00 discount compared to domestic. The irony here is that Mexico has much better product right now with much less scarring, better condition and better brix. Domestic commercial grades are selling closer to the # 1 grades from Mexico. Domestic sizing continues to run very big with jbo 4s and 5s the prominent counts per carton. Mexico has more of a run of sizes peaking n 5 and 6s. Next week this dynamic looks to continue. Domestic will struggle with quality and volume. Mexico should continue to be in good quality and volume unless they are affected by the hurricane. Demand should continue to be lackluster. We look for a steady market next week unless the Hurricane significantly disrupts production and transport.
Grapes
Plentiful supplies and exceptional quality continues to be the story on California grapes. We are now in the peak season. Market prices remain flat with plenty of spot buy opportunities available. There is a plethora of varieties out there on red seedless and green seedless and certainly a variety for everyone. Now would be a good time to speak with us about booking your needs for the balance of the season to maintain the lower pricing.
Stone Fruit
Over the next 2 week, the California stone fruit season will be finishing up. Given the current demand, Black Plums should be available through early November with Red Plums going into late November. Markets have been steady and the quality remains good.
Green Onions
Production continues light with continued recent heavy rains further hampering harvest . Supplies are expected to remain tight through the month but should slowly improve with expected increase in demand next month.
Asparagus
Increased production from Western Mexico has started to materialize and the market has begun to ease. Many shippers are expecting good demand in anticipation of Holiday promotions . Quality has shown improvement . Production from Peru has also begun to increase. Prices are expected to firm during the Thanksgiving promotional season.
Lemons
From Mexico, very little fancy grade fruit is being produced. Heavy to the choice grade from Mexico with the peak sizing of the crop small with a peak of 165/200’s. Demand exceeds supplies on 115’s and larger. From California, quality is very nice out of the desert. Peak size is 140/165’s. The market from California is mixed. One day it is lower with the day day it is back up. As we settle into November, promo opportunities will abound.
Oranges
New crop California navels have started with more volume coming over the next 2-3 weeks. Remember this early fruit has been gassed and the external and internal color/quality may be an issue relative to your specs. This will improve as we work through this early fruit. There will be plenty of 113’s and 138’s for the season with shipper ready to book ads on those sizes.
Squash
Yellow squash has mostly finished in Santa Maria growing areas. Italian squash is still readily available on the coast and quality has been holding up. Yellow and Italian squash now available out on Nogales. We are seeing good volume for now, although quality is beginning to suffer as a result of the recent tropical storms in Mexico.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower The market has been firm with lighter supplies due to cooler evenings. Quality has been good with some insect pressure in the hotter inland locations.
Broccoli Production continues steady with a strong market. Demand has been steadily improving.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Green production continues to be light with improved demand. The markets are expected to advance with increased pressure from East coast demand. Expect some volatility in supplies as we approach the Fall and “Homegrown ” production becomes scarce.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine Production has been limited , mostly due to quality with heavy insect and mildew pressure. Expect markets to continue to advance as demand increases from the east.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Improved production and reduced quality has eased demand, although quality has improved from the desert as well as Mexico and Chile. Supplies should hold steady with a higher percentage of fancy fruit expected.
Oranges Navels have begun with limited supplies Expect limited supplies and reduced sizing profile through November.
Limes: Supplies from Mexico continue to improve and the market remains steady. Quality has held steady despite weather interruptions with improved color but continued small sizing profile.
Grapefruit: Production is light and desert supplies will be limited through November.
Mandarins: Limited Production has begun and is expected to ramp up in November although sizing nor volume is expected to fill Holiday demand . Time is running out to Reserve your promotional supplies for the Holidays.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Mexico production has improved with additional supplies expected.. Quality has been good although continuous rain has increased spotting or darkening skin. Promotional supplies are available through November. as well as off shore varieties.
California: Season will begin early 2019.
OG Grapes
Green & Red Central Valley supplies continue to be excellent along with outstanding quality. Specialty varieties , especially reds are exceptional size and brix levels.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has been steady but excessive heat in the Central Valley most of the Summer has interrupted production , further hampering availability with advanced notice already required with current heavy demand .
Potato supplies will continue steady with most supplies moving into storage on Gold, Red and Russets.
Onion demand has been good and production is steady with improving demand .Quality has been very good The market continues to be strong, especially on Red and White.
OG Melons
OG Watermelons Production from Mexico (Nogales) has been improving although they have been hampered by continued rains throughout Mexico Supplies of the mini’s will remain limited as well.
OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews Production from the Southern desert and Mexico has been slow to start with intermittent rains from the remnants of Pacific Hurricanes.. After a long run of extremely high quality we are currently evaluating quality after heavy rains soaked the production area last week.
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