Weak demand continues to bog down the lettuce market. Cooler overnight temperatures in the desert this week have help slow growth but demand has matched. Other than an occasional touch of frost , ideal weather conditions will prevail for through January . The likely scenario will lead to adequate supply through the balance of the Winter season with possible shortages towards the transition barring any adverse weather out West. Improved weather in the East and promotions will be the main factors influencing demand. Quality remains inconsistent with some areas improving while other areas are seeing heavier blister and peel which most shippers are stripping off. Confidence levels for volatility are reduced until the transition. Mid February is generally the latest date for adverse weather to affect crops in the desert.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Heart production continue to vary among shippers most have sufficient supply with limited demand . Demand has improved but still lags behind supplies . Quality has been improving with better texture although some blister and peel leading to discoloration on arrival which most shippers are quoting. 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 Redleaf markets have been weaker with mild demand.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Northern California should start to wind down by the end of the month as Mexico and Southern California supplies have hit their stride. Overall heavy production with weakening demand. Many shippers are offering substantially reduced deals from last week for volume orders. Strong volume is expects as most shippers are overlapping production areas for now, Easter is a strong promotional period but it appears there are alot of sprouts between now and then.
Celery
Good supplies continue to keep markets down. Oxnard and Santa Maria continue to be the main growing areas. Yuma production is increasing, although at premium pricing. Some insect damage and branchy stalks have been reported in both growing areas. Freight rates, although subsiding, are still negatively impacting demand for celery.
Strawberries
Supplies are improving in all areas. California had a slow start this week with cold temperatures, but the weather has warmed up and is expected to remain ideal for the next ten days. Demand has been strong, and the market has been steady. Quality is being reported as good. The berries are firm, but color has been light due to the colder mornings. With the warmer weather expected for the next week, we anticipate seeing good supplies and quality as we get closer to the Valentine Days pull. Florida has slowly been recovering, and yields are improving. The weather has warmed up, but a chance of rain is expected for the weekend. Demand has been steady, and markets are lower this week. Some aggressive prices were offered earlier this week to move through some volume. Depending on the weather, we may see some lighter supplies and higher prices next week. We expect good supplies for Valentines Day. Central Mexico increased production early this week, and we saw some aggressive offers for volume. Quality has been solid, and markets are expected to remain steady through the weekend. Overall, as we prepare for Valentines Day demand, we expect good supplies and quality industry-wide. Sizes should yield good stem berry volume. Demand will be very strong, and we expect markets to start to rise as we get closer to the Valentine’s pull date.
Blackberries
Supplies have been consistent, but did lighten up slightly this week. Quality has been strong with good color, size, and flavor. Demand has been good, and market prices have been steady to slightly higher. Central Mexico did experience some cooler weather last week, but the blackberries were not affected due to the fruit being under hoops. Moving forward we expect continued good supplies into February.
Blueberries
Blueberry supplies have been consistent this week. Availability has gradually been improving as more fruit arrives from Chile. There is fruit available to load on both the east and west coasts. Quality has been good with occasional soft fruit being reported. Demand has been strong, and market prices have started to decline slightly this week. Mexico continues to have consistent but light supplies. Quality on these berries is being reported as excellent. Market prices are higher than the Chilean fruit, and loading options are more limited. As an industry, we expect supplies to continue to improve in the coming weeks.
Raspberries
Raspberry supplies remain demand exceeds. Central Mexico production is at it’s lightest point. We do not expect any major disruption in order fulfillment, but we will see some substitutions into organic to avoid shortages. Quality has been good, and market prices have been high and firm. We expect supplies to remain tight for the next two weeks.
Broccoli
Market remains at the bottom. Plenty of product and not enough demand to help move it off the floor. Weather is perfect in all growing regions keeping the supply chain filled. It looks like we will finish the week out in this same manner. We have beautiful product coming out of Central Mexico being packed in our Shui Ling label. Run your orders by us.
Cauliflower
There seems to be a little more interest in flower and we might see prices begin to reflect this. Market feels like it has a chance to move off the floor over the next couple of days.
Asparagus
Production from Mexico has surged ahead. Most shippers have transitioned in 28# packs and are eager to promote. Look for lower pricing heading into the weekend . and beyond. Most shippers have resumed offering ad pricing for Valentines Day ad period . Take advantage of these while volumes are on the rise.
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 some frost conditions will adversely affect quality once again.
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
Sizing is peaking on large oranges and very few smalls. More fancy fruit available, making up more than 80% of current production this week. We expect this trend to continue at least through the next few weeks. Quality has been nice on Navels and Valencias with good sugar being in both varieties.
Cantaloupes
Like many commodities this past week, cantaloupes have been victimized by very slow demand, Truck rates from all areas have been quite high but easing a bit. Cold and/or snowy winter weather in population areas has also crimped consumers desire for summer like fruit. Production has been ample and spread over a range of sizes. Quality has been quite good. Next week the supply picture looks to be unchanged with good production of all sizes. Demand and transportation costs need to improve which seems a bit unlikely as we had toward the end of a long winter month and the beginning of another winter month. We see little change in the market as quotes will hold steady with discounts on longer or less popular sizes being common.
Honeydews
Little to say that we did not say already about cantaloupes. All the above factors apply to honeydews as well with a few caveats. The production of honeydews has been less robust all year keeping discounts a bit in check. However Mexico continues to produce and market fruit (albeit not a very large amount) taking a bit of off shore demand away. We look for little change in honeydew market with less discounting than on cantaloupes.
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 even with a change in the weather this week to more seasonable cooler weather supplies have maintained.
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 Superbowl 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 Superbowl 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 Superbowl “season” where demand has started 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 Hass 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 improving 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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