Choas & Confusion are replacing Transition as this weeks buzzwords. With the latest romaine advisory by the CDC complementary commodities especially iceberg lettuce will be in extreme demand As this newsletter goes to press prices have doubled and will likely double again before next week. Production is centralizing in the desert with overall industry volume expected to increase. Even with improved supplies iceberg will be in an extreme demand exceeds situation for an extended period. Quality from the desert has been variable with many soft puffy heads and light texture. The weather has been good so quality should improve quickly.
Mix Leaf
ALL production of Romaine related products will be halted immediately upon further investigation from government agencies. Until then all salad substitutes will be in extreme demand. Expect Green leaf and Red leaf demand to leapfrog Romaine and triple in price over the weekend. Cooler weather has improved Quality but seeders remain as well as occasional yellow fringe and weak texture. Near ideal weather should improve quality heading into next week.
Brussels Sprouts
Domestic production from Northern Coastal region continues to be strong. The market has held mostly steady with heavy demand for Thanksgiving helping keep prices firm. A few quality issues from insect pressure remain but overall quality is good.
Celery
Volume has sustained through the Thanksgiving push and product is still available out of Salinas, Santa Maria and Oxnard areas. Lighter supplies on small sized celery. Product is being shipped down to Yuma for loading purposes at premium pricing. Good overall quality in all loading regions, although there have been some ice related issues reported. Run offers by us for post holiday business.
Strawberries
Harvesting crews will be limited due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The shortened week will artificially tighten up supplies combined with rain in the forecast, the short term outlook for berries is grim. The Salinas and Watsonville area will be very limited this week and the inclement weather may finish the season. The Oxnard area is forecast for rain on Wednesday and mostly sunny skies with highs in the 60s and lows in the 50s. The Santa Maria area is forecast for rain on Wednesday with the balance of the week to be partly cloudy, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 50s. Salinas/Watsonville is forecast for rain on Wednesday and Friday with partly cloudy skies the rest of the week, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 50s decreasing to the 40s for the weekend. Oxnard fruit has occasional bruising, soft shoulder, windburn and over ripe with average counts of 22 to 24. Santa Maria fruit has occasional bruising, white shoulder, soft shoulder, misshapen and overripe and average counts of 24 to 26, some smaller and larger depending on variety. Salinas/Watsonville fruit has occasional bruising, white shoulder, misshapen and overripe with an average count of 26 to 28 and occasional smaller.
Cauliflower
The strong market created by cooler temperatures in all growing regions will last well into next week. Please try and give us advanced orders as day of orders are difficult to fill.
Broccoli
Light volume due to cooler temperatures and transition has created a demand exceeds situation. Not only is California experiencing cooler temperatures but Central Mexico has also been battling below normal temperatures for this time of year. We expect the market to stay strong for the next ten days. We will have limited supplies of our Shui Ling crowns available next week.
Limes
From Mexico, ample supply of limes out there with good volume on all sizes. Quality has been fair. Market prices are steady.
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 Some frost has been reported in Salinas and Mexico which will impact quality.
Stone Fruit
The Imported Stonefruit season will kick off in December.
Grapes
No major shifts in supply, quality or markets for the coming week . There is plenty of promotional opportunities and volume spot buys available. The eating quality remains high. The predominant varieties are: Red Seedless- Scarlet Royal, Allison, & Crimson, Green Seedless – Autumn King, and Black Seedless – Autumn Royal.
Green Onions
Production has started to improve mostly on iced Green Onions but iceless supplies should improve heading into the weekend although cooler weather in Mexico will lessen the impact. Quality should also improve with an improvement in weather.
Squash
Good supplies on Italian squash out of Nogales through the holiday. We expect this to continue through this month and light as colder weather hits Mexican growing areas. Yellow squash is much lighter this week due to gaps in growing areas. Quality is marginal, with many shippers now packing more #2 product on yellows. We expect better volume around the second week of December as winter growing regions ramp up.
Asparagus
Production Western Mexico has been strong with strong Holiday demand helping firm pricing . Quality has shown improvement .Cooler weather in Mexico will likely tighten supplies after Thanksgiving.
Lemons
Lemons are currently being harvested from the Desert (District 3) and the San Joaquin Valley (District 1). Supplies are steady. There is a good run of sizes available with the peak sizes being 115/90’s in the Desert and 140/165’s from the San Joaquin Valley. The fancy to choice ratio is running 70/30. The quality from both districts has been great. Market prices expected to be steady to slightly higher. Keep in mind that labor continues to be an issue that we are monitoring closely. It’s harder for growers to find pickers each day reducing the amount of fruit that can be packed.
Oranges
Navel Oranges – Our 2018-2019 California Navel Orange Season is in full stride. The size structure continues to run small with sizes peaking at 113/88/138’s and 72’s. With that said, the growers are still coming up with a good amount of large sizes (56’s & larger). The fruit is eating real good for this time of year brixing as high as 12.5. The market seems to have settled into the current pricing comfortably. If there is any opportunity to drive prices lower, it will be on the smaller sizes .Looking ahead, the growers are reporting a large amount of cracking as the oranges grow quickly. This could affect future yields.
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 reducing yields.
Broccoli Production will be light until full transition to the desert takes affect. Expect the market to remain strong . Demand has been steadily improving.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Green production continues to be limited until full transition to Arizona and Mexico takes place in coming weeks. The markets are expected to remain strong through November.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg will become extremely high demand with prices expected to rise substantially as Romaine Production comes to a halt.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Steady production and improving quality has led to better demand and stable pricing. Mexico and Chile quality is still variable and supplies should hold steady with a higher percentage of fancy fruit expected. .
Oranges Navel production continues to improve although sizing profile is still running below normal. Expect prices to ease heading into the Winter Citrus season . sizing profile will likely remain smaller through November.
Limes: Improved weather in Mexico should help increase Supplies. Quality has held steady despite weather interruptions. With no further rains forecast quality should improve in coming weeks
Grapefruit: Production is light and desert supplies will be limited through November.
Mandarins: Production has begun and is expected to ramp up in time for The Holidays. Prebook now to reserve your Holiday volume.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Production from Mexico has been shut down for the past 3 weeks with inventories completely wiped out. The discord among growers, laborers, cartels and the Mexican government is expected to end this week although unconfirmed. Additionally rain is forecast for the area next week which could further hamper production. Promotional supplies were expected to be available through November but with the current unrest supplies are on hold.
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. Possible rain in the forecast next week could affect quality but inventories are reported to be strong.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has been steady and improved weather could further enhance supplies heading into a heavy Holiday demand period. Continue to plan ahead to get full coverage.
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 .Quality has been very good The market continues to be steady, especially on Red and White.
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