Weather continues to be cool and mild throughout the production area which has kept supplies moderate although with demand to match, the market has retreated .Quality has been improving with mildew pressure expected to increase as a result of the persistent heavy marine layer along the coast. Some shippers are still packing lighter lettuce while some are reporting heavier lot.

​Romaine and Heart production continues to be moderate with many shippers harvesting 50% of their product while others continue full harvest. Demand has started to slowly improve from the outbreak debacle which would explain the slow down in iceberg demand. Labor shortages will avert any potential oversupply. Expect continued variations in quality , availability and price until consumer confidence fully returns.  The Green leaf and Red leaf markets have also retreated, with Eastern regional production getting started.

Production mostly from Mexico and Southern California​ has slowed allowing for the market to improve. Production from Central Coast is limited , Quality continues to be mostly good with some insect damage reported from all districts.

This market continues to be steady this week. There have been a few shippers trying to raise pricing on small sized celery but overall we are seeing similar conditions as last week. Shippers are still looking to move product, especially on large sizes.  There is availability in Salinas, although at a premium price above Oxnard. Salinas is not expected to harvest any significant volume until the middle of next month. Quality is very nice overall.

Demand from the East has kept prices strong. Supplies on Green Bells should be steady although transition to Central Valley could create lighter supplies. The Red Bell market has been tiered with better quality from Coachella while deals continue on mostly fair quality from Nogales. Expect lighter supplies as Mexico finishes in coming weeks.

 California Valencias are increasing in volume, mostly on large sizes. Quality is very nice with very few problems to report. There are still some navel varieties available but supplies are diminishing quickly. We expect lower than normal supplies all summer in California due to abnormal weather conditions this past winter.

We are starting to see a slight reprieve in prices, mainly with the crown cuts. Bunch broccoli remains somewhat limited and will finish the week in that manner. Overall quality is fair. Product remains branchy and some yellow spotting is being reported. Make sure your orders are being inspected before loading.

A plethora of supplies will be available thru the front part of next week.continue to Santa Maria, Salinas and Watsonville are in full production with good quality and heavy volumes. Transportation continue to be tight. Consider Oxnard finished for the season as supplies are dwindling fast. The majority of the suppliers are pulling out of fresh harvest and are using the remaining fruit for juice and processing. Quality has been fair at best in this area. To absorb the sudden onset of volume, Santa Maria growers have also dedicated a big portion of their fruit to processing this week. Although this will help, supplies continue to be heavy with plenty of good quality fruit to push. Aggressive prices and volume opportunities are available. Salinas and Watsonville production saw a boost last week as well. This week, harvest continues to be steady with good availability and good quality. Again, aggressive prices and volume opportunities are available. As we move past this wave of volume and post-holiday demand lull, we hope to see markets begin to normalize. Looking forward, all areas expect to.

Blackberry supplies are gradually increasing. Domestic harvest is still limited, so Mexico continues to be the primary source. However, shippers expecting Santa Maria to start ramping up over the next two weeks and Salinas / Watsonville to start by the beginning of June. Quality is good; berries are large with good flavor. Market prices have been fairly steady and will gradually adjust as volume increases. Georgia has now started with light volume. Quality is good, but price is higher. Supplies will improve in this area moving forward.

Due to weather in Florida, Supplies came to a sudden halt last week their season ended abruptly. Georgia has had light harvest with on and off rain. California is very slow to get started with minimal harvest, and Mexico is winding down. All of this led to an industry-wide supply gap. Demand continues to far exceed supply this week as we wait for production to increase in California. Market prices have escalated, and coverage remains a challenge. That being said, the shortages are expected to be temporary. California growers are expecting supplies to increase rapidly over the next two weeks and North Carolina will begin harvest by the end of the month. Total production numbers are expected to ramp up and hit peak volumes by the first two weeks of June. New Jersey will start the middle of June.

Supplies have started to improve as domestic production in California is gradually increasing. We continue to see an overlap with Mexican fruit being harvested consistently. Quality in both regions is being reported as good, and prices have started to decline slowly. Moving forward we expect to see domestic harvest continue to improve as Salinas and Watsonville areas begin early June. Market prices are expected to adjust down gradually as volume increases.

Slightly better supplies have started showing up over the last few days. It seems as though some shippers have better volume than others thus causing as much as a $5.00 spread between the high and low prices. Quality is good, some light cream cast and soft shoulder is being reported but nothing too excessive. Check with your Produce West salesperson for best quality and price.

Production from Mexico has slowed as supplies shift to cooler production areas. Quality from California has been excellent but limited.  Northwest and Eastern regional production areas including New Jersey and Michigan are expected to help fill in supplies as the weather improves and keep prices steady.  Organic supplies are expected to be tight on limited domestic production..Quality has been excellent.

Production of the heirloom artichoke has peaked on large sizes with still good values on medium sizes. Markets on larger sizes have firmed while deals continue to be available on medium sizes. Take advantage of the superior Heirloom variety. while supplies last.  Moderate supplies of the “thornless” variety continue to be available at reduced pricing.

As expected cantaloupes traded higher this week as a gap developed and there were much lighter supplies; The Offshore deal finished. Mexico enjoyed local demand and the desert areas started inconsistently with larger sizes being very tight. By mid week however, more domestic growers started and the early starters’ yields were becoming more consistent and running more 9, jbo 9s and 12 size. Thus prices began to level and then decline. Quality has been quite good. Next week domestic supplies should continue to increase with more growers starting their harvest. By the first week in June all participants should be producing consistent quality volume and sizes. Demand has been slowed by higher prices and tight and expensive trucks. Also next week by mid week there will be holiday arrival date conflicts. Market should be lower over the course of the next week.

Honeydew prices also rose this week with the demise of the off shore deals and the delay in the domestic deal start. Mexico prices went up in response to the overall lighter supplies as well. Demand was and continues to be hampered by expensive freight rates and competing fruits. Next week domestic supplies should increase, albeit at a slower pace than cantaloupes. Demand will be hampered by holiday conflict dates and continuing logistical woes. Market should be lower on honeydews starting the middle to end of next week.

Nogales has a good supply of green grapes available and good quality is being reported. Domestic fruit is starting in the Coachella Valley. Quality is very nice but supplies are limited and prices high, typical for the beginning of the California summer season.

Chilean red grapes are mostly finished. Most of the product is now coming out of Nogales Az. Quality has been very nice for this time of year. California is starting in light numbers and early quality reports have shown strong fruit.

Cauliflower Production has been slowed by extended cooler than normal weather which is forecast to continue through next week . Supplies have slowly improved but light demand will has kept markets steady. Quality has been excellent.  Broccoli  production has been impacted by cooler than normal temperatures but should rebound with any amount of warmth. Quality is improving with the mild weather.

Most Herbs and Bunching Greens have maintained good production although expect some volatility in supplies throughout the month. The market is expected to stay steady.

Leaf, Iceberg  as well as Romaine  supplies  continue steady with improved availability and quality.

Lemons:  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 as we see production improve from Southern California district.

Oranges: Valencia’s supplies have improved with increased sizing and sugar profile.  Demand continues strong.Limes: Quality was showing signs of improvement from Mexico and the market continues strong​.​ California production is limited.

Grapefruit:  Supplies have been steady with good quality and demand keeping prices elevated. Sizing profiles have increased substantially .

Mandarins:  Clementine production has almost finished as the California season nears its’ end.

Carrot ​Production has been steady but warmer weather in the Central Valley will help improve supplies although advanced notice is still required with current heavy demand .

Potato Supplies from California continue steady supplies on Gold and Red with Russets expected to begin June 11th.

Onion demand has been good and production is strong as new crop production has begun from Southern California deserts supplementing supplies from Mexico.

Mexico: Production from Mexico has started to tail off with continued strong demand. Expected steady decrease in supplies through the month.

California: California Hass continue with strong demand and elevated pricing compared to imports and other varieties.

​​OG Watermelons  Supplies on seedless are steady.  Quality has been good from Mexico. Availability has improved and the market is good from Nogales. Coachella has started with excellent quality and brix levels. Mini seedless ​supplies look to improve moving forward.

OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews production from Nogales is available with good quality and Domestic cantaloupes are increasing daily with excellent sizing and flavor profiles .  Honeydews will increase availability by the end of the month from the California, Arizona deserts.

Green & Red : Mexico production has begun increasing volume this week with reported excellent quality. The market has been strong but should start to ease as supplies increase. Coachella Valley, which is a little behind schedule, has also begun their domestic crop with limited production but is expected to ramp up in coming weeks as well.