Production continues from Yuma with steady volume and improving demand. Weather continues to be ideal with occasional light lettuce ice. Quality continues to show a wide range with some puffy, ribby and pale heads with some tip burn as well. Quality should improve with the cooler nights slowing growth but the market will likely firm with most shippers 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Heart production continues steady but demand has picked up for the Holidays. Quality has been mostly fair on hearts especially with many ribby and pale susceptible to discoloration.. Cooler nights will eventually help improve quality as long as lettuce ice remains light. Demand has been good although some poor arrivals have slowed overall movement. Green and Red leaf markets have had similar issues with heavy production , moderate quality and demand. We still expect some volatility if/when seasonal frost conditions materialize later in December.
Brussels Sprouts
Production continues from Northern California with mostly good quality.Central Coast California supplies have improved and volume deals are available but demand continues strong for the Holiday season. Light production has started from Southern California and Mexico. The
market continues to adjust slightly and deals continue to be available but the floor appears to be elevated over past years. Stalks are available for the Holidays.
Celery
Markets have been pushing upwards as the Christmas pull continues. There is a wider range of pricing between shippers and deals are available if you shop around. Warm daytime temperatures are expected to continue through next week which will keep ample volume through the new year. There have been some harvesting delays due to smoke from the California wildfires. Overall quality remains nice with very few problems to report.
Broccoli
Market is getting stronger due to cooler night time temperatures and lighter harvest volume. Most shippers are 7-10 days ahead of harvest schedule due to warmer temperatures during the beginning of the season. Now that temperatures have cooled down product is not coming on as fast. Look for markets to climb going into next week. Volume out of Central Mexico continues to be somewhat limited as the cooler weather has affected them as well. We should start to see better harvest numbers out of there the week of 12/25.
Cauliflower
Demand exceeds supplies and prices are reflecting this current situation. Prices are trading in the mid twenties and will most likely continue to climb. Cooler weather is causing the gap, much like broccoli. We recommend pre-booking product and it will only be pallet volume as most shippers are limited. Overall quality is fair, we are seeing light yellow cast and some soft shoulder on product in both Santa Maria and the Desert growing regions.
Asparagus
Heavy production from Mexico and Peru continues with good availability Demand has improved and the market will likely firm as we get closer to Christmas.
Artichokes
Production continues to be moderate and demand has started to pick back up for the Christmas Ads. Most quality is good with little to no frost damage from the desert although some frost damage has occurred in Northern California.
Strawberries
The Berries are being harvested out of three main areas. We will continue to see good production out of Central Mexico into next week. Temperatures are expected to decrease in the Oxnard area and combine with strong winds in the forecast, there is potential for a dramatic decrease in volume and a delay in fruit maturation. Wildfires in the area have delayed loading and some ash issues have been reported. Florida production will increase through the balance of the year. The forecast for Florida next week could affect volumes with light rain and colder temperatures a possibility. Sizing out of Florida continues to run small.
The California Strawberry Commission has released their annual acreage survey for Strawberries planted in California for the coming year. Each of the four major growing regions in California have reported decreases, While Mexico and Florida reported increases in acreage.
Blueberries
There are multiple areas of production, but availability is fairly limited. It will not be until the 1st of the new year until we will see more consistent supplies arriving in the states. Central Mexico has been the one steady supplier this month.
Raspberries
The main production areas continue to be Central Mexico and Baja. Limited volume is shipping from Oxnard. Salinas and Watsonville will be finishing for the season next week for the season. Overall availability will be limited for the rest of December. We may see some substitutions into Organics. The forecast for next week out of Central Mexico is for cooler temperatures.
Blackberries
Central Mexico, which is the main growing area, is currently hitting its first fall peak. Over all volume should remain steady along with pricing. Oxnard will continue to harvest light numbers. Occasional red cell has been reported.
Green Onions
Green Onion production continues steady from Mexico. Demand has improved for the Holidays and the market is trying to get off the mat.
Oranges
The navel market is getting stronger this week. small sized fruit is hard to find, with better supply on larger fruit. Heavy demand for the holidays is keeping supplies tight. Quality has been hit and miss over the past few weeks, but is expected to improve in the coming weeks. Weather has been favorable and quality will improve as a result.
Lemons
Growing district 3 in the desert is expected to end a month early and suppliers are trying to maintain supply to fill the harvest gap. District 1 is starting back up but with light supplies. We expect the markets to remain strong through the new year. Quality is very nice with very few problems to report.
Cantaloupes
Cantaloupes rose this week on the strength of increased holiday demand and decreased production in Mexico. Sizes continued to peak on 9s then jbo 9s. Smaller sizes were a bit scarce and their price actually rose above the larger sizes. Next week Mexico will continue to ebb and most of their product will be kept within their borders. Caribbean basin supplies should be stable but increase as boats arrive toward the end of the period with the newer areas starting and adding to the production pile. Holiday demand will keep going through most of the week but could start to falter at the end of the week or the beginning of the following week, which is Christmas week, when abbreviated delivery schedules will take affect. We look for a steady to slightly higher market early next week with possible price reductions at the end of the period.
Honeydews
Supplies were ample this week in Mexico and still a bit thin on off shore product. Demand was increased a bit by holiday activity. Thus Mexican prices rose slightly and off shore prices rose moderately. Next week Mexican export production could wane somewhat as local demand will be more robust. The Caribbean supplies should increase, especially toward the end of the week. At that time demand could be faltering as well due to holiday delivery conflicts. We look for a steady market early next with somewhat lower prices toward next weekend.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower: Production is currently running steady from the desert as mild conditions continue. Cooler nights will help improve quality but will slow growth and combined with strong demand expect the market to firm heading into the end of the month.
Broccoli: Production continues steady as well although quality remains inconsistent. Supplies and quality will again be volatile as the weather cools
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Greens have maintained good production with the warm weather to start the desert season. Intermittent shortages could likely occur with cooler weather pattern and an inconsistent labor force.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine from Arizona continue strong with improving quality and demand.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production continues to improve but advance notice is still required through December.
Potato supplies continue to be erratic from the Northwest Rocky Mountain region. Onion demand has been very good with Holiday demand with strong and steady pricing expected through December.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Production continues from the desert and Mexico . The crop has been good quality with better sizing profile. Supplies from Central California have also started in a light way . The market is expected to remain strong through January.
Navels : Navel Crop continues with good sizing and quality . Demand continues strong.Expect production to improve through December with ideal growing conditions .
Limes: Quality is starting to show signs of improvement and the market continues strong but we’ve seen increased production from Mexico.
Grapefruit: Supplies from the desert with good quality and demand keeping prices elevated.
Mandarins: The Clementine season is underway with good demand. Supplies are currently good but demand for Christmas will limit availability once again.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Production continues to be steady from Mexico , Chile and Columbia. Demand has improved and we’ve seen prices firming heading into the Holidays. Availability should be good through January .
California: New Crop is not expected to start until later this Winter.
OG Melons
OG Watermelons: Supplies on seedless are very tight. Quality has been good with lower temperatures in Northern Mexico. Availability has been very limited with mostly smaller fruit. 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 Mexico is winding down with 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 have storage fruit available but flavor profiles and brix levels will be less than ideal.
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