Still feeling the effects of last weeks heatwave , Growers underestimated the extent of the damage and continue to harvest ahead of persistent tipburn issues. Low Yields and overall light volume continue to fuel high prices although demand remains moderate. We expect supplies to remain light into next week with markets likely peaked at current levels with downside. Quality is variable with a wide array of issues including tipburn, sun scald, light color and solidity.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Hearts have also been influenced by weather events and supplies are gapping with very good demand currently resulting in elevated markets. Quality will continue to vary with Tipburn , seeder , mildew and twist prevalent. Green leaf and Red leaf prices, although lagging behind Romaine also surged mostly higher . Regional Homegrown production, including Eastern Canada is expected to begin which should lessen demand out West and keep prices from surging much higher.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Mexico continues with domestic production increasing as well. Expect the market to catch at more sustainable prices but many shippers continue to entertain sharp deals to enhance demand. Quality has been variable with some insect pressure common in the remaining Mexico supplies.
Strawberries
Salinas- Watsonville weather has been mild with mostly foggy mornings and sunny afternoons. The next 7-10 day forecast looks mild and temperate in the low-mid 70s to kick off summer. Overall, quality is good with counts mostly 16-18 – downsizing weekly. Most shippers continue to sort through bruising and misshaped fruit due to last weeks spike in temperatures resulting in reduced overall volume. Most are either quoting fruit with increased bruising (30% + ) standards or outright quoting AF terms. We expect this to continue through next week. Santa Maria will also see a reduction in volume over the next 3 weeks. Organic counts are 24-28 and numbers should be consistent through July. Bush berry quality is holding up great and volumes are increasing each week.
Raspberries
Conventional and Organic Raspberries are starting to increase overall volume. The market continues to be escalated with good demand for the 4th of July Holiday.
Blueberries
Blueberries have transitioned to the Northwest with much improved quality. Volume is expected to ramp up next week, and to peak during the first two weeks of July.
Cauliflower
Production is improving after the high temperatures we experienced two weeks ago. Quality has improved also, although there have been reports of occasional bruising and yellow cast. We expect volume to increase through next week.Long range weather appears to be mild, which will help production and overall quality.
Squash
Plenty of product being harvested in Santa Maria, Fresno and Baja growing regions. Quality is very nice on Italian squash and shippers are looking to promote product. Yellow squash quality is improving, although there have been some reports of shriveling and discoloration. Better product is expected in the coming weeks as new fields begin production.
Celery
Markets have been softening over the past 2 weeks, and up to this point, the decrease has been gradual. Now pricing is dropping quickly as supplies come pouring in from 3 different growing areas on the coast. Production is now catching up with demand and pricing is expected to be at normal seasonal averages by next week. Quality is very nice with very few problems to report industry wide.
Broccoli
This market has eased after a warming trend in Salinas and Santa Maria. There have been some quality issues including yellow cast and dark areas. Shippers are looking to move product, be sure to run offers by us.
Artichokes
Production has been decreasing as we enter Summer month but supplies continue to be available mostly on Seeded or thornless varieties with limited supplies of the Heirloom variety.
Onions
California…Whew! Jumbo Yellow Onions are demand exceed supply still A few more shippers have started and the industry thought there would be some easing in the demand, but the pipelines remain empty. Overall quality is suspect in some of the growing areas and some shippers don’t want to go too far east. Markets in California are in the 16-19 price range… Jumbo Reds are in the $14 range and are available.
New Mexico Demand far exceed supply in most areas of New Mexico. The market started out in the $16.00 range and quickly went to $22 with a few days waiting time to load. Who knows what the next week will bring
Whites Market is being quoted at quoted as low as $16-18 and are sold out too.
Stone Fruit
We are into the peak of the season and now is the time to promote. Quality is high and the fruit is eating well. Yellow Flesh, White Flesh, Plums, Apricots,and Pluots are all available. Most sizes are available with the mid-range sizes most plentiful. Aggressive pricing will continue to be available on Peaches and Nectarines over the next 7-14 days.
Grapes
From Nogales, the market is very depressed on red and green seedless. This will continue given the huge amount of grapes still yet to be harvested. Prices will remain low with price after sales opportunities available. Quality is good with the Mexican grapes eating well. From Coachella, prices at slightly higher as compared to Nogales as the California grown product is bringing in a buyer’s premium.
Green Onions
Production continues exclusively from Mexico with moderate supplies. Reduced Summer plantings have led to lighter volume and the market has begun to firm higher. Overall quality remains varied with some insect pressure and mechanical damage.
Citrus
Oranges- California Late Navel are nearing the end. At the current marketing pace, the season should last another 2 weeks. Pricing holding steady. There are no issues transitioning in Valencia Oranges. Availability is good and the quality is looking great. Most sizes are available on the Valencia Oranges.
Lemons – Steady as we go on Lemons for next week. Ample supplies of 75’s and 95’s with some deals available on fancy and Choice. 115’s are hold firmer on good demand. 140’s and smaller are very tight and markets continue to trend upward into next week. Quality is good. Mexican Lemons crossing into McAllen, Texas, are peaking on 140/165’s.
Limes – Good availability on Limes for the coming week with an opportunity to promote on 175’s and smaller. The market will be steady to lower depending on the size and quality.
Asparagus
Shipping locally grown as this juncture and will come back to California shipping Mexican asparagus from San Miguel de Allende Mexico. Market is $14-18 out Mexico and can load in Lodi.
Cantaloupes
Holiday demand for cantaloupes was disappointing this year on all levels. No big retail promotions. No big spot market take. No robust processing pull. In the meantime supplies hummed along at ample if not abundant levels. Only sizing changes which skewed smaller, snuggling up jbo 9s but with plenty on regular 9s and 12s available. Quality was okay unless you happened to get melons that were slow to be sold and therefore old. Accordingly the markets retreated after briefly flirting with higher prices last weekend. By this writing many vendors were looking to move inventories on all levels of the distribution chain and deals were being struck across the board. Bakersfield and Huron started scratching around in fields this week with sizes running small (mostly 12s and 15s). Next week the desert will continue to ship but begin winding down. Bakersfield and Huron will pick up but continue to run smaller sizes for the first week. Demand should remain tepid if not frigid, being further complicated by Thursday holiday, which often morphs into a long weekend break in selling. We look for the market to struggle for another week until the desert finishes up which could lead to a better market on larger sizes the week of 7/8.
Honeydews
Both Mexico and the desert wound down a bit his week leading to somewhat lighter supplies. Bakersfield and Huron were starting in light way with sizes skewing to 6s ad 8s. The tail end of the desert deal also lead to sizes running smaller. Along with cantaloupes, honeydew demand was quite disappointing. Prices rose a bit on larger sizes but the market remained dull. Next week we should see supplies wind down from Mexico and the desert and pick up on the Westside. Sizes should continue to run small. We look for a steady to slightly higher market on 5s and Jbo 5s next week but a lower market with deals being made on 6s and smaller
Mixed melons:
Good supplies of most varieties. Decent quality and sizing. Lackluster demand. Market is steady to lower with some dealing this week, and that should last into next week and beyond until the Westside starts in about 10 days.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cauliflower Improved production has helped ease pricing although supplies are expected to level off and the market is expected to stabilize. Quality has been good with some variations in color due to heatwave last week which exposed some heads to the sun.
Broccoli Production finally improved and the market retreated to more sustainable levels. Quality issues from the heat are starting to show with brown bead and increased insect pressure.
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 from recent heatwave.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine demand continues to be strong Production has been impacted by the recent heatwave 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, foodservice sizes.
Oranges Valencia’s offerings continue strong 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 improving with sizing profile increasing although quality continues to be fair.
Grapefruit: Predominantly Large sized fruit continues to be available with limited smaller fruit due to previous rains and now excessive heat.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Strong demand with limited supplies are expected to continue through June when the seasonal production surge 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. Some damage to the tops is expected from recent high temperatures.
Potato Strong demand and steady production on Gold and especially Red with Russet production expected to improve by the end of the month
Onion demand remains strong although production is expected to improve in coming weeks.
OG Grapes
Mexico: Supplies of Green and red grapes continue from Mexico with mostly Smaller sizing profile and reduced pricing.
California: Season is expected to have a bumper crop as it ramps up with pricing expected to settle. Quality has been excellent from Domestic supplies.
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