Lettuce market continues to be steady with sluggish demand limiting market upside. Chamber weather through this week in the desert should keep supplies steady but cooler, unsettled weather is forecast for next week which could tighten supplies as most shippers continue to pack ahead of schedule. Quality remains inconsistent with some areas improving while other areas are seeing heavier blister and peel leading to discoloration on arrival which most shippers are quoting. We still expect some volatility through January if colder weather materializes next week.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Heart production continue to vary among shippers most have sufficient supply with limited demand. Most expect demand to improve as the Romaine outbreak, which lingered through last week, has started to ease calming fears when industry groups finally started to properly communicate facts. Quality has been improving with better texture although some blister and peel combined with rain last week leading to discoloration on arrival. The amount of discoloration has varied widely between production areas. Many shippers are trimming their product in the field, some more than others. Either way expect some degree of discolored blister. Green and Red leaf markets have been weaker with moderate demand.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Northern California should start to wind down over the next month as Mexico and Southern California supplies have improved along with quality. Overall heavy production with strong demand continues. There has been an increase in volume deals this week as some shippers are overlapping production areas which should help overall pricing.
Celery
Steady markets continue. all sizes are readily available this week and shippers are looking to move product. The best deals and quality continue to be in Oxnard and Santa Maria areas. Yuma numbers are improving but quality has been marginal out of the desert. Run offers by us. Freight continues to impact celery movement keeping delivered costs high.
Strawberries
All 3 major growing areas have been subjected to varying weather patterns that helped keep volume in any given region inconsistent. Quality out of California has been fair as we have subjected rain and colder temperatures. There is more in the forecast for end of the week as well. As the rains subsided in Florida, we have seen a small spike in volumes. The forecast is for colder temps for the weekend. Central Mexico has seen a gradual increase in numbers this week, but still low when compared to last year’s volumes at this time. You can expect much the same for all 3 area next week as well.
Broccoli
Heavy supplies available out of California, Arizona and Mexico. Prices have declined over the last few days and look to level out by end of week. Quality has been good with very nice quality coming out of Central Mexico. We have good availability of our Shui Ling crowns loading in Pharr, TX. Beautiful green domes and a perfect dome and cut.They are a true 4″x 4″ cut.
Cauliflower
The market has reached the bottom with many shippers looking to make deals off of the floor price in order to get movement. Lots of deals are being thrown around so get with your Produce West sales representative for pricing opportunities.
Asparagus
Production from Mexico has begun to increase . Look for lower pricing heading into next week and beyond. Most shippers have resumed offering ad pricing for Valentines Day ad period . Take advantage of these while volumes are on the rise.. Expect 28# packs to become more prevalent.
Artichokes
Production continues to be moderate and demand has slowed along with most western veg. Quality concerns with some frost damage has slowed demand. Milder weather the past couple weeks has helped improve overall quality although forecast for lower temperatures return next week.
Green Onions
Green Onion production continues to improve for most shippers with increased shipments from Mexico expected through next week . Demand should improve heading into the end of the month as pricing should return to more sustainable levels.
Oranges
Last week’s rain delayed harvests, creating supply gaps this week. Volume is improving after better weather this week but more rain is expected over the weekend which will further delay harvests. Sizing is peaking on larger fruit and very little small fruit is currently available. Fancy grade continues to dominate supply with very little choice fruit available. Quality is very nice.
Grapes
Domestic grape supplies are nearly finished and Chilean numbers are improving daily. We expect the market to ease up as more product arrives. Quality has been very nice and a wide range of sizing is available on both Chilean and Peruvian product.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower Production is currently steady from the desert as ideal weather has allowed production to get back on schedule. Better supplies and pricing are expected as we head to the middle of the month.
Broccoli production has also showed signs of improving after a sluggish start to the New Year. Mostly ideal weather has supplies ramping up for the Super Bowl promo season where demand should be heavy.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Greens have maintained good production. The market is expected to remain stable through next week although a change in the forecast to more seasonable cooler weather could interrupt supplies by the end of next week.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine from Arizona continue strong with variable quality and demand. Ideal conditions this week should help improve overall quality although some blister and peel from previous frost has started to show signs of breaking down. Many shippers are trimming damaged leaves in the field.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production continues to improve but advance notice is still required through January especially with Super Bowl promotions expected to further increase demand. Potato supplies continue to be erratic from the Northwest Rocky Mountain region. Onion demand has been very good with strong and steady pricing expected through January.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Production is expected to continue strong with most fruit well ahead of schedule. Rain the end of last week slowed harvest temporarily but has returned to normal this week. We expect good supplies for the balance of the month with good demand also expected. The crop has been good quality with mostly moderate sizing profile. The market is expected to remain strong through January.
Navels : Navel Crop continues with good sizing and quality . Demand continues strong. Production had been interrupted late last week by rain but has since returned to normal. Expect improved quality and sizing profile following the rain.
Limes: Quality was showing signs of improvement and the market continues strong but we’ve seen increased production from Mexico which should help match demand for Super Bowl promotions.
Grapefruit: Supplies have been good with good quality and demand keeping prices elevated.
Mandarins: The Clementine production area is in transition a few weeks away.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Production from Mexico has started to increase shipments, While supplies from Chile have been light. Demand is good and we’ve seen prices easing ahead of the Super Bowl “season” where we expect demand to max out supplies . Take advantage now and book ahead. Availability should be good through January but demand is expected to exceed.
California: New Crop have started in a small way but is expected to improve weekly although the Wildfires near Oxnard will have an impact on a few coastal acres lost in the wildfires.
OG Melons
OG Watermelons Supplies on seedless have improved . Quality has been good with lower temperatures in Southern Mexico. Availability had been very limited but supplies have improved and the market has adjusted. East coast demand has improved with limited supplies out of Florida. Mini seedless have good supplies but the brix are a little low as well.
OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews Production from East coast offshore fruit now available with mostly smaller sizing profile.
OG Grapes
Green & Red : California season is complete as we await offshore fruit from Peru to hit the East coast. Some shippers still have storage fruit available but flavor profiles and brix levels will be less than ideal.
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