Supplies continue to be limited with strong demand from the foodservice sector although retail /wholesale demand remains mild . Growers continue to maneuver through issues related to last months weather fluctuations. Light weights, Low Yields and overall light volume continue to fuel high prices overall. 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, light color and solidity.
Mix Leaf
Romaine and Romaine Hearts have also been influenced by weather events last month and supplies have been limited. Quality will continue to vary with Tip burn , seeder , mildew and twist prevalent. We expected better supplies by the end of the month. Green leaf prices continue mostly higher while red leaf lags behind. Regional Homegrown production has taken some pressure off markets but prices remain elevated although they have likely peaked.
Brussels Sprouts
Production from Mexico is finishing up with domestic supplies surging. The market seems to have bottomed out although some shippers continue to entertain sharp deals for volume orders. Quality has been variable but has improved lately.
Strawberries
The strawberry market will remain firm this week as the actual damages from the recent inclement weather become increasingly evident keeping supplies short. Quality and quantities have been affected for much longer than the anticipated period of time. The market remains stable with higher undertones. Most growers are expecting this steady trend to hold through the last week of July when warmer temperatures should help plant growth and production numbers. Quality is just fair right now. Watch for weather-related issues to still be present in most lots including bruising, full ripe and short shelf life.
Raspberries
Raspberries continue to be steady mainly out of the Watsonville area and production should increase steadily as we move into warmer weather. Quality is good in most lots. Look for the market to remain firm through next week.
Blueberries
Good production will continue all along the Pacific Northwest in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The market is easier and promotable volumes are available. Quality is excellent. Servicing the Eastern Seaboard in New Jersey, Michigan, North Carolina and the tail end of the Georgia crops. Mexico has dropped out of the mix due to the reduced returns on their product because of the multiple loading options we have at this time.
Blackberries
Blackberries will continue to be in light supplies in any one growing area. Western shippers are transferring fruit from Georgia and Oregon to help fill orders. Quality is good in most lots with the occasional older fruit showing some age upon transfer arrival. Look for the market to remain firm through July as we wait on the warmer weather to increase production out West.
Cauliflower
Prices are steady although much like the issues facing broccoli, less the insect problem, some shippers are telling me that we could see an uptick in the market early next week. Quality coming out of Santa Maria and Salinas has been fair. There is the occasional yellow cast and some soft shoulder.
Squash
Supplies have tightened up as New Jersey winds down for the season. We expect this market to strengthen over the next few weeks on yellow squash. Italian is more readily available than yellow. Quality is good overall.
Celery
this market seems to have found its bottom after a dramatic plunge over the past two weeks. Volume is increasing daily as Salinas, Santa Maria and Oxnard growing areas continue in full production. Warmer weather in forecast will bring on more product and we expect mostly sluggish markets for the next few weeks. Quality is good overall, with very few issues to report.
Broccoli
Market is trending upwards due to a few factors. Weather has been cooler than normal in the Central Coast of California growing regions slowing production. Growers are behind on their scheduling ( both planting and harvesting) due to the late spring rains and finally they are losing production due to insect issues causing stem decay. I have been told that broccoli may stay at above average pricing well into August. Only time will tell but in the short range you can expect to see an increase in price.
Artichokes
Production has been decreasing as we enter Summer month but supplies continue to be available mostly on Seeded or thornless varieties with the Heirloom variety returning later this Fall.
Onions
California…High Quality onions are being held in very few hands…there is a lot of decay showing up on arrival. As we get into some of the later varieties’ the problems will begin to fade. Right now, the market is pretty solid at $18 on Jumbo Yellow and $12 on Reds. The red market is no anywhere near the yellow market as far as demand is concerned.
New Mexico Demand far exceed supply in most areas of New Mexico. The market is maintain $22 with some shippers asking more money. The quality out of New Mexico is outstanding now. So far they have dodged the heaviest rain in the southwest.
Whites Market is being quoted at quoted as low as $20.00-22 and are sold out too.
Stone Fruit
In general, we continue to see excellent quality and ample supplies. The peak sizes are in their seasonal shift to larger sizes. With that being said, Peach and Nectarine 70’s are few and 80’s are no longer available. Market prices are expected to remain flat for the coming week. On promotional opportunities, look to push Yellow Nectarines and Black Plums for the next two weeks.
Grapes
The oversupply situation has only become more complicated with the San Joaquin Valley now harvesting grapes. With that said be careful as there will be continue to be a lot of discounted poor quality grapes in the marketplace for the next few weeks. None the less, good quality is available and these low promotional prices will continue for the foreseeable future. We expect Mexican production to last another 2-3 weeks before tapering off.
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 Navels are nearing the end. The season should end this week. Navel pricing holding steady. Valencia Orange supplies are steady on all sizes. Quality and condition are solid and promotional opportunities exist. Pricing to remain steady for the coming week.
Lemons – Pricing continues to creep higher on good demand even with Chilean Lemons now available from both coast and limited amount from Mexico in the supply chain. Supplies remain the tightest on 140’s and smaller. It is best to book 4-5 days ahead of loading to insure you get covered.
Limes – No change here. Good availability on Limes for the coming week with an opportunity to promote. Smaller fruit seems to be slightly more limited but in good supply. The market will be steady on most sizes. Quality on limes continues to improve with minimal stylar or skin breakdown. Volume is expected to lower slightly within 2 weeks causing a slight upward trend in pricing.
Asparagus
The Michigan harvest is over for the most part and buyers are going to Mexico and Peru for supplies…prices ar in the low 30’s on 11/1”s.
Cantaloupes
Cantaloupe supplies of larger fruit especially were much lighter this week, however demand remained stubbornly dull so the markets changed little. The desert virtually finished up except for late fields in the Phoenix and Blythe areas. The Southern part of the Westside (Huron( started and ended rather quickly and ran almost all small fruit. The main section (Mendota to Firebaugh) was delayed due spring planting and early growing issues. Demand however remained strangely anemic and prices languished on larger sizes and struggled on 15s and smaller. By this weekend Mendota and Firebaugh should start normal production with 9s and 12s predominantly, but still more 12s. We are still waiting for summer demand to begin which could be aided by better sizing when It becomes more available. We look for a steady market and snug supplies on jbo9s, slightly lower pricing on 9s and barely steady pricing with dealing on 12s next week.
Honeydews
Mexico finished this week, but Phoenix, Blythe, Bakersfield and a few late Yuma fields kept producing. By mid week the Westside got going. Like cantaloupes sizing ran smaller than normal peaking on 6s and 6s with some 9s and few larger. Demand was lackluster. Prices were steady and firm on 5s and jbo 5s. Steady with some dealing on 6s and weak to very weak on 8s and smaller. Next week we expect the desert to finish up but Westside to increase keeping supplies steady. Sizing should still run small early in the week but should increase by mid to end of the week. Demand should remain dull but could perk up with better sizing. We look for steady prices on 5s with some deals. Steady to lower pricing on 6s and 8s next week.
Mixed
Like other melons. The desert would down and the north started. Overall supplies were steady with variable varieties. Sizes ran 6s and 8s with few if any 5s and moiré 8s than usual. Prices were steady on 6s with 8s being discounted. We expect little change next week, except for possibly less 8s and a few 5s being harvested.
Honeydews
Organic Items
OG Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cauliflower Improved production has helped ease pricing although supplies have leveled off and the market is expected to head higher Quality has been good with some variations in color
Broccoli Production finally improved and the market remains moderate at more sustainable levels. We expect supplies to remain good for the next couple weeks before insect pressure increases at the end of the month.
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.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine demand continues to be strong Production has been varied among shippers . Expect volatility to continue for another couple weeks.
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.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Strong demand with limited supplies are expected to continue through much of July when the seasonal production surge 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 quality resulting in depressed pricing.
California: Supplies continue from Coachella although transitioning to Central California will eventually lead to better supplies and lower pricing although currently quality has been far superior reflecting in substantially higher pricing than Mexican product.
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