As we approach the start of Winter , the Lettuce market appears to have settled. A few shippers continue to offer volume discounts to help spur demand while many shippers are holding firm sighting lighter production with anticipated cooler weather next week. Recent weather has been ideal for improving quality with Lows in the upper 30’s and short lived highs in the 70’s This has slowed growth enough to improve quality and allowed shippers to still get a full days harvest. If temperatures drop below freezing quality will be impacted as well as lowered production due to shorter harvest hours to allow thawing of lettuce before harvest. Historically next week is the coldest week of the year for the desert. We expect some volatility through January if colder weather materializes.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Heart production continues steady but demand has been good for the Holidays especially Hearts . Quality has been improving steadily although many still are showing seeders and pronounced ribs. Cooler nights will eventually help improve quality as long as lettuce ice remains light.. Most shippers are expecting lower temperatures next week which will likely result in tighter supplies heading into New Years. Green and Red leaf markets have been weaker with mild demand.
Brussels Sprouts
Production continues from Northern California with mostly good quality.Central Coast California supplies are heavy 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 also available .
Celery
This market had gained momentum last week but has now topped out and shippers are once again looking to move product. Sunny weather, good supply and high freight costs have kept this market sluggish, even as supply decreases during the holiday pull. Quality is still very nice. Good deals this week on all sizes and we expect this to continue through the weekend.
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 exceed 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 shoulders on product in both Santa Maria and the Desert growing regions.
Asparagus
Production from Mexico and Peru continues with good availability Demand has improved and the market has reacted slightly. We expect pricing from Mexico product to firm due to reduced labor and cooler temperatures reducing available supplies in the West although off shore supplies in the East should help keep pricing moderate.
Artichokes
Production continues to be moderate and demand has started to pick back up for the Christmas Ads . Most quality is good with some light frost damaged in isolated areas starting to show up. Expect a two tiered market for cleaner artichokes to materialize.
Strawberries
The Berries in all growing regions are showing the same small percentage of defects at the cooler level. Most labels are showing some signs of Bruising, wind burn, white shoulder, and a small count size. The Santa Maria area is forecast for temperature to dip into below freezing levels this weekend. The Oxnard area will be a little warmer and we expect the lows to be in the 40’s into the Christmas holiday. This will further slow harvesting and contribute to keep market conditions strong. We expect an increase in volume finally from the Central Mexico region as weather condition improve. We should see a slight increase in volume out of the Florida regions next week and expect some discounted pricing in the short term.
Blueberries
Expect Blueberry numbers to are improve over the next two weeks. Production out of Mexico has been steady and has been supplying a large portion of the fruit on the west coast. Quality is being reported as strong and market prices have been steady. We expect this to remain steady over the next 2-3 weeks. The Chilean arrivals have increased this week, opening up more fruit in the market. Although we are not seeing a wave of product or a push for big volume, we are hearing of better availability and more arrivals as we move forward. Demand and quality have been very strong. Market prices have been steady, with a slight decrease on the east coast.
Raspberries
Raspberry availability is very limited this week and the majority of suppliers will be in prorate mode. The primary source will continue to be Central Mexico, but volumes are light and many transfer trucks have been delayed. The front part of the week was the lightest. Demand has been strong and quality is good. Market prices are slightly up due to the limited supplies. We expect supplies to continue to be limited and demand will exceed supply into January.
Blackberries
Blackberry availability is very limited this week. Just like raspberries, Central Mexico is the primary source of supply at this time and we are dealing with multiple delayed arrivals due to heavy snow in Texas. The front part of the week was the lightest. However, as the transferred product arrives in California and Florida at the end of the week, we can expect better order fulfillment. Demand has been strong and quality is good. Market prices are slightly up due to the limited supplies. We expect supplies to continue to light into the New Year.
Green Onions
Green Onion production has started its’ seasonal decline . Cooler nights and reduced Labor force during the Holidays is expected to impact supplies and result in the annual spike in pricing . We expect pricing to elevate through New Years week before settling back down by the 2nd week of January.
Oranges
Supplies are getting tighter and markets continue to creep upward. Demand is down this week, mostly due to the coming holiday but is expected to rebound the following week as buyers replenish their inventories. Quality remains strong. The navels are coloring up naturally and gassing has not been necessary, a result of cooler weather in the central valley of California.
Cantaloupes
The Caribbean basin including Central America and Mexico continue to be the sources of supply. Mexico is due to wind down and keep most of their production local, but that hasn’t happened quite yet. Caribbean is in its peak and new areas such as Guatemala and Honduras are joining the production pile. Demand was good heading into the holidays but looks to slow significantly starting this weekend. Volume could also wane however, as holiday crew problems will persist for the next two weeks both at harvest points and ports of entries. Also the political unrest following Honduran elections could keep exports from them inhibited. We expect a barely steady to moderately lower market next week with discount deals available.
Honeydews
The Caribbean and Central America continue to product peaking on larger sizes. Mexico production has remained ample in spite of rain and cold. Demand was pretty good for the holidays but the slowdown due to those same holidays, has already begun. Offs shore prices remained steady but with more discounting occurring which should lead to a lower market. Mexico continues to deal and is having trouble maintaining their prices especially on smaller sized fruit. We see a continuation of this trend into next week, in spite of potential holiday related crew problems. Market next week should be lower.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower Production is currently running steady from the desert although cooler nights will help improve quality but will slow growth and combined with strong demand the market has firmed heading into the end of the month.
Broccoli Production continues steady although quality has been inconsistent. Supplies are expected to remain steady although heavy ice could impact the market. Expect volatility into the New Year.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Greens have maintained good production . Some quality issues from recent heavy winds have reduced production on some of the more tender items additionally 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 . Recent heavy winds have impacted some production but Lettuce ice will be the determining factor heading into the New Year.
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 to improve with good demand . The crop has been good quality with better sizing profile. 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 in full swing with good demand . Supplies are currently good but Christmas and New Year demand continues to keep availability limited with advance notice required.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Production from Mexico has been lower mostly due to Mexican growers holding back shipments , While supplies from Chile have been steady. Demand is good and we’ve seen prices firming for the Holidays and into New Year . Availability should be good through January.
California: New Crop is not expected to start until later this Winter although the Wildfires near Oxnard will have an impact on a few coastal acres.
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 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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