Most shippers have improved although below budgeted volume but stalled demand has led to a reluctant market correction. Forecast call for mildly warm temperatures which should be ideal for quality . Limited labor will keep supplies from overwhelming the market. Overall quality is good with some variations in color , weight and appearance due to fringe burn and mildew pressure.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Heart production continues to be managed with some shippers harvesting 50% of their product while others continue full harvest. Demand has slowly improved. 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 been depressed with Eastern regional production eroding demand.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Mexico is winding down with heavy insect pressure forcing an early end to the season. Central Coast supplies have been slow to start but should improve heading into next week. The market has shot up dramatically with most shippers allocating supplies until their new crop gets fully started.
Celery
We are seeing tighter supplies industry wide. Salinas production is slowly picking up momentum. Oxnard production is winding down and is expected to be completely finished by the second week of July. Quality has been nice with very few issues to report. There have been more large sizes available, with small sizes are in tight supply. We expect supplies to carry through the holiday and volume will improve post holiday.
Bell Peppers
Green Bell production looks to be strong from the Central Valley with pricing adjusting from it’s seasonal high. Red Bell production will now be limited until production begins in Central California, expect higher pricing for the balance of the month.
Oranges
There is higher demand on Valencia oranges. Harvests have been keeping up the pace at this point. There are fewer small sizes available and pricing is reflecting this. Quality has been very good on Valencias with very few problems to report other than some slight greening. We expect this market to strengthen as supplies dwindle in the coming weeks.
Broccoli
Market has weakened and most shippers are looking for business. Both bunch and crown cuts are readily available. Run your offers by us.
Strawberries
The market has cleaned up as we move towards the end of the Holiday pull. Many suppliers have gone the route of the juicers and the freezers in order to clean up the large inventories of fruit. Promotional pricing for the 4th help clean up the large cooler inventories. Expect fruit sizing to continue to run small into next week. Estimates will continue to be down for the majority of shippers out of the Watsonville area. Prices will be of the steady and most likely range from $9.00 to $10.00 next week. The weather forecast for next week the Salinas / Watsonville area is for Sunny and mild temps ranging from 68- to 72 degrees all week.
Blueberries
Expect California supplies to continue to lighten up. The central valley areas have seen warm weather, and it has pushed fruit forward. Quality is being reported as good, but with the recent heat, we can expect to see some softer berries if the cold chain is broken. Maintaining proper ride temperatures is imperative on long trips. Growers are packing mostly 6oz, but Pints are available. North Carolina continues with harvest, but has had a recent set back due to rain. We expect production to recover quickly. Quality is good, and prices have been steady. New Jersey is getting started with light production this week and the Pacific Northwest begin around the 1st of July.
Blackberries
Demand exceeds and extremely limited industry-wide. Mexico’s seasons has come to an abrupt end and California is slowly ramping up. Georgia has been increasing supplies this week. Supplies are expected to remain very limited for the next 1-2 weeks out of all other areas. Look for North Carolina to come into play next week. We will have some light central valley harvest starting in California next week. While at the same time the areas of Santa Maria, Salinas and Watsonville will hopefully bring some relief to the market place.
Raspberries
Status quo for the market. Supplies remain limited. Mexico’s season has come to an end, and California is slowly ramping up. The general feedback from all shippers is that availability will continue to be light until Salinas/Watsonville increase production. The transition will be slow, but we expect improvements week over week for the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Cauliflower
Good availability on all sizes. The weather along the Central Coast growing regions of California has been very nice this week and harvest volume has increased. Run your offers by us.
Artichokes
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.
Cantaloupes
Transition time is here. Desert deal is winding down and could be hastened due to poor market conditions that will be exacerbated by competition from the Westside. Transportation woes continue. A few of the Westside growers are harvesting now, but more will join the pile this weekend and next week. Demand has continued to be tepid at best due to the aforementioned transportation woes and general overall slow trading. Next week demand cold pickup at bit as there seems to be some increased promotional interest from retailers. Transportation will continue to be an issue but that could be offset as Westside loading makes it easier to lad partial trucks and mix it with other products. It has yet to be determined how sizes will run in early fields but 9s and 12s are expected to be peak size. Quality in desert is getting a bit tired but Westside should be nice. We look for a steady to slightly better market next week with less discounting than has been the case in the desert.
Honeydews
Like cantaloupes the transition from the desert to the Westside is well underway. In fact, honeydews have started slightly before the cantaloupes. Sizes as with the desert are running mostly 5 & 6s. Quality is good. Transportation and overall slow trading has kept prices in check with discounting occurring in the desert. Next week the desert should be done for all intents and purposes. Westside should continue to increase supplies. We look for the market to firm next week with less discounting, But no dramatic price rises either.
Mixed Melons
Desert will continue for another week, and northern districts should be starting about then. Demand has been tepid as the same transportation woes are affecting demand. Supplies have been moderate but have felt abundant due to the lack of demand. That should continue when the north starts. We see little change next week but a possible rise in prices the following week.
Grapes
Central Valley greens will start towards the middle of July. Current growing areas are Mexico and Coachella Valley. Quality and color is very nice and good sugar is being reported. This market is slipping as Mexico rolls loads and cleans up inventories for the season.
Red grape pricing is coming off as the growing regions overlap . central valley reds are expected to start harvesting this weekend, which will help ease the market. Early quality reports are good on central valley grapes.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower production has improved as weather returns to near normal. Expect steady supplies into July. Quality has been excellent.
Broccoli production has been steady with most shippers expected to be steady for the next couple weeks . Quality is improving with the mild weather.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
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.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine supplies continue steady with improved availability and quality.
OG Citrus
Lemons: The crop has been very good quality with mostly large sizing profile . The market has strengthened even on large sizes and is expected to remain strong through the month as we see production limited to Southern California district.
Oranges: Valencia’s supplies have improved with increased sizing and sugar profile. Demand continues strong.
Limes: Quality is 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.
OG Root Vegetables
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 , Red and now Russets although sizing has been smaller than anticipated limiting bulk count packs.
Onion demand has been good and production is strong as new crop production has begun from Southern California deserts supplementing supplies from Mexico. Quality should improve as storage supplies have been reduced. The market continues to be strong.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Production from Mexico has been hampered by rain and is declining weekly. Expect lighter volume through the month. Anticipating Flor Loca crop to begin in July. California: California Hass continue with strong demand and elevated pricing compared to imports and other varieties. Expect limited domestic supplies to last through the Summer.
OG Melons
OG Watermelons Supplies on seedless are steady. Quality has been good from Mexico with slightly smaller sizing profile. Availability has improved and the market remains strong with reduced east coast supplies keeping pressure on West Coast production. Bakersfield has started with excellent quality and brix levels .Mini seedless supplies continue to improve.
OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews production from California , Arizona desert region has good volume with excellent sizing and flavor profiles .Overlap supplies should allow for good values heading to the weekend. Honeydews will increase availability this week. as well.
OG Grapes
Green & Red : Mexico and Coachella production has increased and the market has started to settle although many shippers selling out daily. All varieties continue to struggle to reach appropriate color, sizing and brix levels. Central California production is right around the corner but most shippers are reporting to have continued smaller sizing, color and brix levels . Shippers are starting to offer Ad promotions.
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