The Unseasonably warm “Winter”: continues out West. Other than a few cool evenings the West Coast has seen temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal. This has pushed harvest schedules nearly 3 weeks ahead of schedule once again. Depressed markets have forced many shippers to limit harvest to 4 hour minimums in order to keep the labor force working daily otherwise risk losing crews altogether. Many shippers are leaving partial or whole blocks unharvested to maintain quality resulting in a wide range in quality. This will add some potential volatility to the market if demand improves in coming weeks. Fresh harvest and lower weights are your best defense against arrival issues.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Heart production continues heavy with light demand. Quality has been wide ranging with some better texture and color with many shippers electing to leave acres behind to improve quality until demand improves or production slows. Continue to shop for lighter weights and better color product. Green and Redleaf markets have been weaker with sluggish demand.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Northern California continues along with Mexico and Southern California, creating a glut in supplies as the market has slumped post holidays. Now is a good time to promote Brussels with bulk and value added packs available. Quality has been excellent.
Celery
Good supplies and plenty of deals as shippers are looking to move product. Oxnard and Santa Maria are the main loading areas. Yuma also has product available. Quality is very nice overall with very few problems to report.
Strawberries
As we near the end of the Valentines day pull, look for better supplies next week and slight decrease in demand for the week. The main growing areas will continue to be Santa Maria, Oxnard, Central Mexico and Florida. Quality has been generally good, but there have been a few reports of Bruising on arrival. The forecast for the weekend could help keep the market firm as Central Mexico and Florida are calling for Rain.
Broccoli
Good availability from all growing regions. Santa Maria, Imperial Valley, Yuma and Central Mexico are all shipping product. If current weather conditions exist we could see the Salinas Valley start as soon as the last week of this month. Perfect growing conditions and light demand has created a surplus of product. Run all offers by us.
Cauliflower
Market has declined and shippers are looking for business. Run all offers by us. Quality is good coming out of Santa Maria or the Desert. Some light yellow cast and the occasional soft shoulder can be found but is not prevalent across all shippers.
Asparagus
Production from Mexico continues to surge ahead with warm weather in Mexico. Unlike other Veg crops shippers cannot push off harvest as the crown continues to produce spears with the unseasonably warm weather.Northern California production has also start nearly 2 weeks ahead of schedule adding to the oversupply. 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 has been improving with no frost for the past few weeks which should help improve demand. The Heirloom season is right around the corner an NOW is the time to lock in promotions Northern California is the Primary loading location for Heirloom o Green Globe varieties.
Green Onions
Green Onion production continues heavy mostly to smaller sizes. Demand has picked up marginally . Look for promotional volume through February.
Oranges
Better supplies available this week of California navels, although small sizes are still less available due to warmer weather. Quality has been nice overall and we are seeing very few issue on arrival. Mexican oranges are not meeting sugar specifications, resulting in stronger markets out of Nogales.
Cantaloupes
Little change is expected in the cantaloupe market next week, other than some shifts in size distribution. Volume could pick up a bit especially from Costa Rica. Sizes should skew toward larger sizes. Demand should not change much but could start picking up toward the end of the month if winter starts to loosen its grip on the Midwest & East Coast. We see a basically steady market next week with some discounting on 9s on slower trading days;
Honeydews
Little looks to be changing here as well. Volume should be steady to slightly increased from the Caribbean with sizes peaking on 5s and 6s. Mexico could be increasing a bit as the weather there has been ideal. Demand will be determined by weather in the Midwest & East. Market, as with cantaloupes should be steady to slightly lower next week.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower Hot weather has production surging once again. Currently quality is good but continued Hot weather will eventually take its’ toll.
Broccoli Production has been fairly steady and has started to increase with warmer weather although heavy insect (aphid) pressure is likely if the hot weather lasts too long.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Greens have maintained good production. The market is expected to remain stable especially as the weather has turned Hot in the desert.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine from Arizona continue strong with variable quality and demand. Quality may take a step back with insect pressure increasing. Many shippers are trimming damaged leaves in the field.
OG Citrus
Lemons: The market continues strong with good demand. Production from Southern California has begun with limited supplies but warm weather should increase sizing and quality. The crop has been good quality with mostly moderate sizing profile.The market is expected to remain strong through the month.
Navels : Navel Crop continues with good sizing and quality. Demand continues strong . Production has improved with mostly larger profile which could lead to an early end to the Navel crop.
Limes: Quality was showing signs of improvement and the market continues strong even after demand slowed post Super Bowl.
Grapefruit: Supplies have been good with good quality and demand keeping prices elevated.
Mandarins: Clementine production has improved with good quality and availability.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot: Production continues to improve but advance notice is still required especially with Superbowl promotions currently increasing 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 February .
OG Avocados
Mexico: Production from Mexico has surprisingly kept up with demand. Many expect an artificial drawback by Mexican growers after the strong push to keep prices elevated, Supplies from Chile have been steady but light. Demand is good.
California: New Crop Hass have started with good demand and elevated pricing compared to imports and other varieties.
OG Melons
OG Watermelons Supplies on seedless have improved . Quality has been good from Southern Mexico. Availability has improved and the market is good from Nogales and little weaker from Texas. Mini seedless have good supplies with improving brix levels.
OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews Production from East coast offshore fruit now available with improving sizing profile.
OG Grapes
Green & Red : Offshore fruit from Peru is available on the East and West coast.
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