With Transition nearly complete we now enter the period of production that was heavily influenced by late Winter weather. Currently strong supply of lettuce with moderate demand but expect supplies to tighten and the market to firm heading into May. Quality remains variable with irregular sizing, solidity and color prevalent with some insect , growth crack and/or tipburn visible in many lots. Expect volatile markets to continue through May as many fields are pushed behind or pulled ahead from weather interruptions and varied growing conditions. Production from Southwest New Mexico is expected to begin next week although Hail storms are forecast in the area which could have a significant impact.
Mix Leaf
Production has begun to concentrate from the Central Coast of California. Demand has been active especially Romaine Hearts. Labor has been an issue to start the season but seems to be settling down allowing for improved production. The market has eased for some shippers while others remain firm. Quality remains varied as most have gone through inclement weather since planting. Green leaf and Red leaf prices have firmed with improved demand. Expect volatility to remain with continued uneven supplies distributed among shippers.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Mexico has begun to prematurely wind down and domestic production will be limited through May. The market has been strong with heavy demand and now severely reduced supplies. Quality has been marginal as well adding to the shortage of product.
Strawberries
Oxnard volumes are steady and Santa Maria, Salinas and Watsonville volumes are on the rise. This trend will continue into next week as warmer temperatures are expected. Overall, weather permitting, the forecast May and June is for higher than average numbers when compared to historical numbers.
Blackberries
Steady to slightly lighter supplies will give way to peak volumes in 2 weeks. Promotable pricing will be available. The short term forecast is for favorable weather out of Mexico.
Raspberries
Conventional volume out of California will increase over the next 2 weeks and you will see a moderate increase in Organic Raspberries during this time period. Mexico volumes will remain flat.
Blueberries
Oxnard production will continue to be strong for the next few weeks. Santa maria will have steady supplies available for the next few weeks. Florida and Georgia and beginning to ramp up the production for their short term deals.
Cauliflower
Supplies are much lighter this week as a result of wet weather in February and March. Expect tight supplies through next week. Quality is good overall although there has been some bruising and yellow color reported.
Broccoli
Supplies have tightened up as a result of wet weather over the past 3 months in Salinas and Santa Maria. We expect light supplies through next week. Quality is good overall with the exception of some purple and yellow cast, as well as some mechanical damage.
Artichokes
Production continues steady with improving demand especially on the Heirloom variety. Most varieties currently are seeded or Thornless. at reduced prices but still strong demand. Production continues towards larger size profile as the weather improves. Expect medium sizes to increase by the end of the month. Quality has been excellent especially on the Heirloom variety.
Stone Fruit
The Import season is nearly done. Plums are still available on limited supplies with the sizing continuing on the large sizes (mostly 2 layer 40’s and 50’s). The California Stone Fruit season has started this week in a limited way. White and yellow peaches will be first to harvest followed by apricots and then yellow nectarines a few days later. Look for size and eating quality to improve as we get into the month of May.
Grapes
Chilean imported grapes are continuing to wind down. On Green Seedless, a limited amount is still available at these elevated prices. Good supplies of Red Seedless available. The Red Seedless market is mostly steady to slightly higher. Mexico is estimated to start crossing a few Green Seedless the week of May 6 with Red Seedless to start the week of May 13. Early reports say Coachella will start grapes the week of May 13 with volume the week of May 20.
Green Onions
Production continues exclusively from Mexico where production was interrupted by Holy week observation. Supplies should resume heavy for a couple weeks before falling off for Summer production. Overall quality has improved but issues remain with heavy insect pressure causing scarring.
Citrus
Navel Oranges- Good supplies are being harvested with the market holding mostly steady. Peak sizes are mostly 88’s followed by 72’s. There are good numbers of 48’s and 56’s available at promotable ad prices. On the quality side, the percentage of choice fruit is increasing due to an increase in puff and scarring.
Lemons- No real change here. Good supplies on good quality coming out of the San Joaquin Valley (District 1). Peaking on 115’s and larger. Demand remains weak making for good ad opportunities on 115’s and larger. On the smaller sizes, the market on 165’s and smaller will continue to hold or trend higher.
Limes- The Lime crop is currently peaking on size 230s and 250s. Large sizes are very limited. Supplies are slowly pickup and the market prices continue to come off daily. The chatter is that the roller coaster lime market will continue going into May as the growers are expecting a strong market through the Cinco de Mayo pull.
Squash
Steady markets this week on most varieties. Quality is consistently nice coming from Mexico. Large sizing is less prevalent than smaller sizes this week. Most product is coming into Nogales AZ and steady markets should continue through next week.
Celery
This market continues to be extremely active and high pricing remains the norm this week. We expect this trend to continue into at least the first week of may . Demand continues to exceed supplies, keeping pricing well over the $70 range on average. Quality is marginal at best, with plenty of seeder, limp stalks and insect damage. At this point, shippers are packing anything they can get their hands on, capitalizing on record breaking markets. High pricing is expect continue through May until Salinas starts production.
Onions
California is now started in a light way and shippers are starting to buy their way into the market…they started the week at $12.00 and are now at the 9-10 dollar range. Texas is doing decent number and are in the $14 range with reds being 12*14 on 25#’ers.
Northwest is still shipping but most of the brokers are starting to go south for good product.
Asparagus
Market is anywhere from $12.75 on Obergon Mexican (new crop) to consigned on old crop.
California is $22.90 on 11’s and $48-50 on 28/1’s.
Indiana and Michigan are due to start in the next week, so the Western Market will only get more competition.
Cantaloupes
The market rose again this week. Offshore supplies continued to dwindle as older areas ended and there are no new areas on tap with the deal coming to its seasonal end. Quality was good and sizes continued to peak on 9s and jbo 9s. Nogales started in a very small way with fair quality and expensive prices. Demand continued to be good with good weather across most of the country and inventories being light following the Easter/Passover holiday. Next week we should have higher prices again. Offshore supplies will dwindle further and start their endgame. Nogales will begin to pick up volume but only a bit and not enough to make up for diminishing Caribbean production. Domestic fruit should be starting around 5/6. The domestic desert deal is quite light this year so we shouldn’t see any volume until at least mid May. We look for a rising and active market though at least next week.
Honeydews
Like cantaloupes the market rose on dews this week, albeit in less dramatic fashion. Good quality and decent supplies continue from Caribbean and Mexico through Nogales. Sizes peaked on 5s & 6s in both area with some oversized packs from Offshore. Demand improved due to warmer weather and holidays, but also because dews became a better value compared to lopes as latter’s price rose. Next week, offshore supplies should continue to dwindle. Mexico supplies should be steady. We are still a couple weeks away from domestic harvest, and like lopes plantings in the desert is light. We look for a higher market over the next two weeks on honeydews.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cauliflower Markets have been pushed higher A return to warmer weather pattern should start to push supplies although pricing remains elevated due to limited production and weather related interruptions during the growing season in Northern California
Broccoli Production on broccoli has fully transitioned North with adequate supplies are available and steady market.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Green production remain varied with some quality issues affecting supplies but improved weather should help improve quality. Expect supplies to remain unstable as they grow through quality issues related to late Winter and Spring weather.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine demand continues to be strong Production is transitioned North which will keep supplies limited as weather has been mild in Northern California . Expect volatility for the duration of the Spring season.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Steady production and improving quality from the Central Valley District has led to better demand and competitive pricing. Expect a higher percentage of fancy, larger fruit available with lighter supplies and firmer prices of the smaller fruit .
Oranges Navel production has been strong as well as sizing profiles. Rain has sporadically interrupted harvest but overall supplies are strong. The rain has helped improve sizing profile and prices to remain competitive although smaller sizes will remain limited.
Limes: Supplies remain limited and pricing continues to be strong from Mexico. Issues at the Border have impacted supplies and prices as well as Cinco de Mayo promotions .
Grapefruit: Production continues steady from the desert and Mexico has begun to slow. Expect the market to firm
Mandarins: Production has been steady with good demand . Prices have been steady on Specialty Citrus including Pummelos , Caras , Bloods and Pixies although supplies are expected to diminish heading into May .
OG Avocados
Mexico: Strong demand with varied supplies and with the approaching Holidays and continued issues at the border added volatility is expected.
California: Season has begun with limited production. Expect supplies to be much lower than previous years.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production has been steady with improving supplies. Demand has been very strong. Continue to plan ahead to get full coverage.
Potato production has been slow to start but should start to ramp up on Gold, Red and Russets as the weather improves.
Onion demand remains strong although new crop supplies have begun from the desert region and prices should start to settle.
OG Asparagus
Mexico: Production from Mexico has been extended further than anticipated leading to adequate availability but expect lighter supplies moving forward.
California: Limited supplies have started with elevated pricing keeping demand limited but expect demand to improve as quality and supplies diminish from Mexico.
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