Cool and wet weather out West has slowed growth slightly but cold and blustery conditions throughout the rest of the country has slowed demand as well. The market continues steady this week but could react with the slightest tick in demand. Quality has been mostly very nice.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Hearts have shown improved demand for better quality as Epidermal peel continues to vary among shippers although additional frost delays the last few days and rain forecast for the end of the week will do no favors for quality. Green leaf and Red leaf also have seen a slight improvement in demand and will continue to be
volatile as long cool weather persists in the desert.
Brussels Sprouts
Supplies have mostly shifted to Mexico with some improvement in quality. Demand continues to be strong.
Onion
If Mexico starts to increase volume, the Northwest will have enough onions to sustain the market at normal supply…if they don’t the market will begin to increase in a big way. Texas and California will probably start with a very good market if the above happens. The general feeling is that Mexico will not increase their volume.
Celery
Strong markets across the board on celery. Limited supplies are result of less volume being planted this season. Florida production is light, putting more pressure on west coast production areas. Cold weather has slowed growth and resulted in quality issues including blister and pith. We expect strong markets through next week.
Strawberries
Supplies will continue to be limited this week in California due to cold weather and forecasted rain. The Oxnard and Santa Maria strawberry availability is in extremely short supply with intermittent rain and overnight cold temperatures bringing plant growth to a standstill. Storms are forecast for Wednesday with more fronts emerging in the near future. Many shippers are anticipating harvest conditions not changing for them until the first of next month. Market conditions will remain fairly firm even as we move past the Valentines day pull. We are still in a demand exceeds supply situation out in California as many growers not harvesting thru the weekend. Berries out of Mexico are producing steady numbers into next week even as we move past the peak season. We expect to see a decline in production as we move forward coming out of that area. Florida berries are increasing in supply as the weather improves and temperatures continue to work in favor of harvesting larger numbers of solid fruit.
Blackberries
Mexico blackberries have tightened up as lighter supplies will continue into next week. Much of this is due to lesser quality and lower production until the next production peak in late March. Blackberries are experiencing a brief period of shorter supplies due to weather in Mexico affecting crops not grown under hoops. Red Cell may be prevalent in many boxes, which is a bursting and breakdown in the individual beads on the berries. The market is slightly higher and quality is just fair. Look for lower numbers available towards the end of the week.
Raspberries
Mexico raspberries continue to remain tight supply as production won’t again pick up until late March. Next week we should have relatively steady supplies out of Mexico with some temporary shortages caused by the delays in border crossings. The market remains steady with higher undertones as shippers attempt to meet the challenges of bringing the fruit across the U.S. border and into the distribution areas in a timely manner. Quality has been overall very nice.
Blueberries
Delays over the weekend due to Northeast weather, possible delays this week due to the storms. Early March looks like it will be the end to import season. Sporadic arrivals will continue until then as we continue to battle through poor weather on the Atlantic. Mexican blueberries are holding steady on supply. The majority of the crossing are in 6 oz, with pints & 18 oz. being more of a special pack. Pricing out of Mexico is a bit higher than the imported vessel fruit for the freshness reasons The Mexican supply is just a few days old vs 2 weeks on the water for other supplies. With that is also the difference in supply, Chile is definitely higher volume overall, than Mexico. Expect higher prices on the Mexico fruit on the quickly with the expectation that Chile will be finished earlier than normal.
Cauliflower
Prices have increased the last few days as we find lighter supplies out of the Desert growing regions. Some of the seasonal shippers out of the Imperial Valley are either finished or winding down for the season which is taking some volume off the open market. Market will remain strong as we finish out the week.
Broccoli
Market has strengthened slightly due to better demand and cooler temperatures in the California and Arizona growing regions. We do not expect any higher prices for the remainder of the week. Central Mexico is will have normal supplies both this week and next. Demand is fair as business has been somewhat light this week, especially on the East Coast, most likely the result of bad weather in that region.
Artichokes
Production remains steady with a surge of large sizes continuing from the Coast and Deserts. Mostly Thornless varieties are being offered with some to most having Frost damage. The superior eating Green Globe or Heirloom season will begin it’s seasonal peak by the end of the month.
Stone Fruit
Chilean stone fruit availability continues to improve, Market prices have begun to decline slowly. As more volume hits in the coming weeks, prices will continue to go down. Quality is very good. Yellow flesh and white flesh peaches and nectarines are both available as well as black and red plums. Expect a peak on the large size peaches (30/40’s) for the near future.
Grapes
Supplies of imported grapes is improving. The market is slowly declining on Red Seedless. The Green Seedless market will soon follow at the end of the month. Quality is good on all colors with the sizing still heavy to XL’s and Jumbos.
Squash
Good volume in Nogales on all zucchini and yellow squash out of the West.
Quality is very nice and shippers are looking to move product. We expect good volume into next month and consistent quality as more growing regions start production.
Citrus
Oranges
The rainy weather continues to slow down the harvest making for tight supplies at times. With that said, the shippers have cleaned up their inventory and prices are holding firm at the current low levels. Quality has been good with the fruit brixing at 13-14. The crop is peaking on 72’s and smaller. As long as we have weather disruptions, we recommend placing your orders 3-4 days in advance of loading.
Lemons
Ample supplies for the coming week peaking on 115/95’s. Quality is good especially on the District 1 crop. While the market is mostly steady, there are spot buy opportunities available on larger to mid range size choice lemons. Please reach out to us for the details.
Limes
The roller coaster ride continues on the lime market. The market continues to move higher with a spread of $6.00-7.00 between the lowest prices and the higher prices on the same sizes. Although larger sizes have been available look for the sizing to shift back to a peak on the smaller sizes. By the end of the month we expect the larger sizes will demand a large premium over the small fruit.
Asparagus
Markets are waxing and waning at this point…there are very low-price deals on odd sizes i.e. Small and Extra Large. The promotion prices are hovering around the $30-$34 range with some deals being made with some deals being made in the high $20’s Weather in Mexico was a little chilly and slowed things down a bit, but will begin warming as the week wears on, so supplies will start to increase.
Cantaloupes
Cantaloupes continued to struggle this week. Supplies from Honduras and Costa Rica were ample and ran the size gamut while peaking on 9s and Jbo 9s. Quality was consistent and good. Demand, on the other hand still was anemic with winter continuing to strike its blows across the country, including on the West Coast where it was rainy and windy with temps much below average. It even snowed in Seattle, a rare occurrence. Thus the market retreated and discounting prevailed. Next week not much looks to change. Prodigious production looks to continue in the Caribbean basin. Weather in consumption areas still looks to be wintry. No holidays on tap for a bit. The following week (last week in February), supplies should be moderating. We look for a dull and steady market next week with possible improvement the following week.
Honeydews
Dews continued to be light in supplies and short in quality from the Caribbean basin and moderate at best from Mexico. Demand was tepid as winter limited consumption. Quality was still an issue. Fair quality was being discounted this week, but best quality and scar free product remained steady at higher prices. Little looks to change next week on the production side and winter’s continued roar should keep demand in check. We look for a steady market next week.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli and Cauliflower
Broccoli and Cauliflower production has begun to slow with the cold weather which is forecast to remain for through next week. As with most crops supplies are expected to improve once the weather returns to normal.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Continued struggle with mildew and insects has led to shortages on most leaf items. Romaine Hearts have been the exception as most of the outer layers can be trimmed. Expect continued volatility throughout the Winter.
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