Cool, Drizzly weather along Coastal California this week has had little affect on demand . Prices continue to be depressed with demand to match. Quality continues to be mostly good but anticipate issues to surface with mildew pressure increasing daily.
Mix Leaf
Production continues steady from Central Coast of California. Demand remains steady for better quality especially Romaine Hearts. Quality remains varied with cool damp weather increasing mildew pressure , fringe burn and seeders are also common issues. Green leaf and Red leaf prices have been steady with varied quality available.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Mexico is prematurely finishing 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
Quality concerns will be the main focus as we approach the Memorial weekend holiday. Mother nature has temporarily dealt a serious blow to growers in all three growing regions of Salinas, Watsonville and Santa Maria. Multiple rain events usually reserved for the winter season have pelted fields in both Northern and Southern Central California with up to 1-3/4″ of rain over the past few days putting a damper on Memorial day strawberry supplies. Rain of this nature at this time of year spells big trouble for strawberries due to the fact that the spring varieties being used are not suited to this type of weather. Being engineered for early spring, these plants are more easily damaged by uncommonly harsh weather such as we are experiencing now. The markets are firm and will remain so through the next week. Shippers will be packing simultaneously for juice, cannery and severely reduced numbers of fresh market until the plants recover mid next week.
Blackberries
Blackberries remain steady as supplies from Mexico remain the same. West Coast blackberries are now producing small amounts helping to augment these numbers. Quality has been good. Look for markets to remain steady with lower undertones.
Raspberries
Steady supplies out of both Mexico and Central California. New crop West Coast product is still slow in coming along due to the cooler wet weather we are experiencing. Quality has been good out of both areas and the market remains stable. Look for this trend to continue through this week and on into the next.
Blueberries
Blueberries are in good supplies coming primarily out of Mexico, but that trend will change as we expect an increase production from Central California. The recent rains have caused some slight delays, but most shippers are reporting better numbers coming online this weekend. Quality has been good.
Celery
Supplies continue to be light in Oxnard. Recent rains have hindered and improvement in volume, resulting in even stronger markets this week. We expect supplies to improve post memorial day. Salinas and Santa Maria a growing areas are expected to start during the first week of June which will help alleviate supply gaps and ease markets.
Squash
Plenty of product available and shippers are looking to move product out of Nogales. Georgia is producing good numbers currently on yellow and green with good quality overall. East coast summer growing season will begin to gain momentum as early as next week. Plenty of promotable volume available, so run offers by us.
Cauliflower
The bottom has seem to have fallen out of the cauliflower market. Product is trading nearly $20.00 less than it was a week ago. It seems as though it may have hit a price level where prices may stabilize. Cooler temperatures are keeping production in check and demand for the end of the week seems to be slightly better compared to beginning of the week.
Broccoli
Prices have declined slightly over the last few days. They now look like they will remain at current trading levels for the remainder of the week. Cooler temperatures in the California growing regions have slowed production so demand is keeping up with current supplies. It does not look like we will see any problems with quality due to the rains. Cooler windy temperatures have helped dry product quickly and kept any type of rot issues out of the equation.
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 as we get towards the end of May.
Onions
California…Jumbo Yellow ‘s are in new varieties now with the size increasing to good availability on Colossal. The seeds are Don Victor Gabriella and Madelyn’s. These varieties are totally seeder free and with the bigger sizes, yield will improve. Markets are steady in the $9 to $10 range…
Reds 9 to 11 with decent quality coming out of Mexico crossing in Yuma.
Whites Market is being quoted at $15-18 with some open deal available.
Stone Fruit
As expected record rainfall and near record cold temperatures have limited production of California Stone Fruit. This weather pattern will continue through Memorial Day. Even with the current weather situation, Apricots, Peaches (both yellow and white), and Nectarines (both yellow and white) are available. Red and Black Plums will be the next to start and are estimated to be ready to ship on June 3rd. The Markets are holding steady but will slowly creep lower as the weather returns to normal at the end of next week.
Grapes
The start of the Grape deal continues to creep along due to the near record cold temperatures. The harvest is selling out daily. The markets remain volatile and unpredictable. By mid next week the weather will return to normal and production will increase with markets slowly declining. Keep in mind that we have a heavy set of grapes hanging in Mexico and now a condensed season. The market will come off. So be looking to aggressively book ads for the month of June.
Green Onions
Production continues exclusively from Mexico with ample supplies. Reduced Summer plantings will eventually lead to tighter markets but not likely before the end of the month. Overall quality remains varied with heavy insect pressure and mechanical damage.
Citrus
Navel Oranges- Record rainfall fall in the San Joaquin Valley will continue through Memorial Day. This rainfall has been limiting the harvest. Prices are slowly creeping higher. Size peaking on 72’s. Navel orange 113’s and 138’s remain limited with Valencia Oranges available to fill the gap. Quality of the Navels is declining as we get to the end of the season. More choice fruit is being graded and more puff is evident.
Lemons- The rain and cold weather has brought on the larger sizes. Supplies on 165’s and smaller remain tight and will continue for the near future. Market prices on the small fruit will continue to climb weekly. Expecting the low $30’s on the small fruit for both choice and fancy fruit. For now, Lemons supplies will continue to peak on the 75/95/115’s. Quality remains strong.
Limes- Extreme heat and a lack of rain in the Mexican growing region is driving the heavy volume of small sizes hitting the markets. Prices for 200’s and smaller will remain at these lower levels next week. Supplies on 175’s and larger will remain limited keeping the prices higher for the large sizes. The growers are saying it will be mid to late June before we see a shift off the current sizing.
Asparagus
Indiana and Michigan are going now and with Washington still shipping 28/1’s in the $58 range…
Cantaloupes
Mostly spotty production for the balance of the week due to the near record cold temperatures. Most shippers have started packing in the Desert areas but the harvest is very limited. Be aware Cantaloupes are currently peaking on 15’s but most growers are expecting a shift in sizes to 9/12’s as the weather warms up. The market should slowly decline next week as volume kicks in mid to late next week.
Honeydews
Mexican honeydews are full stride and supplies are expected to good for the next two weeks. Domestic production from the Desert areas is scheduled to kick in next week peaking 5/6’s. With both areas producing, the market should remain steady through next week. On the quality front, the Desert has experienced a lot of wind recently. As the Desert harvest gets started, we will evaluate the scarring from the winds and will advise if it is an issue.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cauliflower Markets have been pushed higher . Limited production and weather related interruptions in Northern California continue to impact supplies. We expect better supplies in coming weeks with improved weather.
Broccoli Production on broccoli continues to be light but is expected to improve as the weather warms in coming weeks.
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 and rain delays.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine demand continues to be strong Production is likely to be impacted by the cool wet weather in the Coastal growing areas of California. Expect volatility for the duration of the month.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Steady, Light production with sizing profile continuing to lean towards larger fruit. The market continues to be strong especially the smaller,food service sizes.
Oranges Navel production is starting to wind down with Valencia’s increasing offerings. As with most citrus larger sizes continue to be prevalent. We expect prices to remain competitive on Larger fruit although smaller sizes will remain limited at elevated pricing.
Limes: Supplies are still anticipated to improve but have been delayed in most production areas with small sizing profile due to dry conditions in Mexico . Quality continues to just be fair.
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 Caras, Bloods and Pixies although supplies are expected to diminish heading into June.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Strong demand with limited supplies are expected to continue through June when the seasonal production surge is expected in late June is expected.
California: Season continues 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 and Red with Russets expected to improve next month.
Onion demand remains strong and production is starting to improve with the new crop in the desert.
OG Grapes
Mexico: Light supplies of Green and especially red grapes have begun but are not expected to improve until mid June. The market has been very active with limited imports available.
California: Season is expected to have a bumper crop once it gets started later this Summer.
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