With transition fully complete the market has stabilized with slightly firmer pricing. Most shippers appear to be on top of their fields and quality has responded although isolated late season showers could cause some discoloration on arrival. Las Cruces , NM will begin production in a few days with anticipated excellent quality and conveniently located to Eastern markets.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Heart production continues to be moderate while demand has continued strong, although as long as the usual miscommunication regarding E.coli outbreak on Chopped Romaine from Yuma Valley lingers , sales will likely be impacted. Forecast call for improving weather conditions by the weekend which could improve supplies as well as improve quality. Expect continued variations in quality , availability and price through the end of the month. The Green leaf and Red leaf markets have strengthened with light supplies although warmer conditions are expected to improve quality and supplies by next week.
Brussels Sprouts
Production mostly from Mexico and Southern California continues with steady supplies. Demand continues steady with volume deals available. Quality continues to be mostly very good with occasional insect damage reported from Mexico.
Celery
Good supplies coming out of Oxnard this week and next week. Quality is very nice with good color and structure, with very few problems to report. Salinas Valley is starting in light numbers. As weather warms in California we will see even better supplies and shippers will be looking to move product.
Strawberries
On Sunday and Monday’s we had Rain and hail storms in the Salinas growing area which postponed harvesting and creating temporary artificial market. Light rains in Santa Maria were causing berries to be picked with water on the fruit and in the packs which can lead to quality issues. With the exception of some passing showers on Thursday morning in Santa Maria and Oxnard, the weather should be mostly sunny for the California growing regions. Santa Maria area was seeing nice quality fruit with good size. Oxnard fruit is running smaller, with most fruit it the low 20’s. There should be good availability in the coming weeks and promotable numbers for Mothers day as long as the weather remains as forecasted.
Raspberries
Raspberry supplies continue to be very limited this week and will be tight into next week. Domestic harvest has yet to ramp up, leaving Mexico as the primary source of production. Unfortunately, Mexico’s production numbers are tapering off as we approach the back end of the season. Demand is strong exceeds supplies. Market prices are high and firm. Quality has been fair. We expect supplies to remain limited until we get some warmer consistent weather patterns.
Blueberries
Blueberry supplies are improving this week as California and Florida harvest volumes gradually increase. Florida has seen a bigger jump in production this week than California, but we expect CA to gradually ramp up over the next 2 weeks. Mexican harvest is winding down and most of the Chilean import fruit is finished. Shippers do have some Peruvian fruit available. Market prices have been higher as we transition into all domestic production, but will start coming down quickly as volumes increase. Georgia is starting production with very light volume.
Blackberries
Blackberry supplies have lightened and demand is good this week. Mexico is past their second peak and production numbers will be decreasing. Domestic harvest has yet to ramp up, so we are left in a demand greater than supply situation. Market prices have been higher and firm. We expect supplies to be limited until domestic harvest increases over the next two weeks.
Broccoli
We anticipate market prices to decline as we head towards the end of the week and going into first part of next week. Warmer temperatures are expected for all California growing regions which should help push production upwards. Quality has been fair with some purpling color on the domes and most heads are branchy. Due to the longer laterals the crown cuts have been a little longer than normal, especially the short cuts.
Cauliflower
FOB prices have started to decline as growers anticipate heavier than normal production over the next few days. We should see some pretty aggressive prices as the week comes to a close. Quality is fair, we are still seeing some cream in color and the occasional soft shoulder. Stay in touch with your Produce West sales representative for price deals
Asparagus
Production from Mexico is expected to wind down this week with limited Domestic acreage. The market is strengthening on Domestic supplies while deals are still available on Mexican imports. Expect overall supplies to tighten once Mexico supplies diminish. Also expect to shift back to 11# containers. Organic supplies are expected to tighten on limited domestic production..Quality has been excellent.
Artichokes
Production of the heirloom artichoke has begun to peak with large sizing profile. Heavy demand has forced prices up especially on the popular medium large sizes which will begin to peak next week. Moderate supplies of the “thornless” variety continue to be available at reduced pricing.
Green Onions
Production from Mexico is expected to be steady. Supplies will be more concentrated to the Northern production areas now that shippers have completed their full transition. Quality has been slowly improving.
Oranges
Navels are currently available in late varieties and predominately large sizes out west. California Valencias are starting but at premium pricing. They are expected to peak on larger sizes. Quality remains very nice with very few problems to report. Expect stronger markets through next month.
Cantaloupes
Once again there is little change expected for cantaloupes next week. Caribbean supplies are expected to remain ample, and Mexico will be starting its spring deal. Off shore sizes are beginning to skew smaller with more 12s showing up and less jbo sizes. There may even be some 15s available next week. Quality has been good. Demand has been hampered by lingering, intermittent blasts of stormy and/or wintry weather in the delivered markets. We look for a steady to slightly lower market next week especially on 12 count.
Honeydews
All season Honeydews have been in less abundant supplies than Cantaloupes. This theme continued this week, although there were a few more coming in from the Caribbean and Mexican production was a bit increased as well. Sizes, as with cantaloupes became a bit more democratic with a few more 6s showing up and even a few 8s, mostly from Mexico. Next week off shore supplies should remain ample, and Mexico should increase. Demand could improve somewhat if the weather ever begins to behave in a more seasonal manner in delivered markets.
We look for a steady to slightly lower market next week on honeydews.
Grapes
West Coast Chilean reds are in good supply, quality has been very nice. We expect good volume and quality to continue through mid may in the LA area. We don’t expect any major fluctuations in price until the end of the season around the first week of June when we could see a spike as supply drops. Chilean Greens are in lighter supply. Quality is suffering on storage greens and we expect this season to end much sooner than reds. Expect the green grape market to gain momentum through the remainder of this month.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower Production has begun to improve as well as quality. Supplies are expected to continue improving into next week.
Broccoli Production has also improved although quality is still below expectations. Mild weather forecast for the next couple weeks should help improve quality.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Greens have maintained good production through the transition North although expect some volatility in supplies through the end of the month. The market is expected to strengthen with improved demand.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine supplies are have slowly transitioned North with improved availability and stong demand.. Expect variable quality and supplies through the end of the month.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Production has increased as a result of the rain the past couple weeks . The crop has been very good quality with mostly large sizing profile . The market has adjusted on larger sizes but the smaller sizes are expected to remain strong through the month.
Oranges: Valencia’s have started in limited production with better supplies expected in coming weeks. Demand continues strong.Limes: Quality was showing signs of improvement from Mexico and the market continues strong. California production is limited but will improve in coming weeks.
Grapefruit: Supplies have been steady with good quality and demand keeping prices elevated.
Mandarins: Clementine production has improved with good quality and strong demand. Golden Nuggets and Pixies remain available with limited supplies.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has been slow but warmer weather has helped improve supplies although advanced notice is still required with current heavy demand .
Potato supplies from California have begun with production ramping up next week on Gold and Red with Russets expected to be the last variety to start by June.
Onion demand has been very good with strong and pricing as new crop production ramps up .
OG Avocados
Mexico: Production from Mexico has been steady with strong pricing.
California: California Hass continue with strong demand and elevated pricing compared to imports and other varieties.
OG Melons
OG Watermelons Supplies on seedless are steady. Quality has been good from Southern Mexico. Availability has improved and the market is good from Nogales and Texas. Mini seedless supplies will be limited until new crop Northern Mexico and Florida start in coming weeks.
OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews production from Nogales is expected by the end of the month.
OG Grapes
Green & Red : Offshore fruit from Peru is available on the East and West coast although supplies are expected to lighten by the end of the month. Mexico production is forecast to increase this year with reduced exports expected.
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