Supplies finally caught up to demand as quality and yields improved as well as regional production in Colorado and Quebec resulting in a market correction. Supplies are expected to be near normal through next week before seasonal cutback in planted acreage for August and September. Weights and Color have improved significantly with still some tip burn and mildew stain visible.
Mix Leaf
Romaine Heart demand continues to outpace Romaine although both are showing a steady market correction. Many growers continue to push acreage towards heart production as the market has been more resilient. Improved color and texture with less tipburn, seeder, mildew and twist has led to improved yields and production as well as shipper selection Green leaf prices continue on par with Romaine while Red leaf lags behind. Regional Homegrown production has taken pressure off markets although hot temperatures and high winds this week could damage product and push demand back to the West Coast.
Brussels Sprouts
Production is mainly from Central California The market is trying to settle at current levels but volume deals still remain available . Quality has been variable but improving daily.
Strawberries
The market remains fairly firm with most shippers having a very limited open market product. The numbers are looking to improve slightly moving into the week with lighter overall demand expected for the weekend. Quality has improved and will continue to do so after a much-needed streak of optimum weather occurring. Look for the market to remain steady to slightly lower next week.
Raspberries
Raspberries remain in light supplies with most shippers while they wait for the larger production to begin. Many shippers have said that their plants were set back 2 weeks by the same peculiar weather that affected the strawberries so intensely. Look for the market to remain firm into next week. Quality is good.
Blueberries
Blueberries remain readily available out of several locations on the West Coast and Pacific North West. On the East Coast, we Have Michigan, New Jersey, and North Carolina all pitching in to produce a softer market. Quality has been good out West with some rain-related issues occurring in the Eastern fruit. Look for the market remain lower as we move into next week.
Blackberries
Blackberries remain in short supplies. The weather has set these plants back a few weeks delaying peak harvests. We should see steadier numbers next week. Quality has been fair with some red cell being the main problem found in some samples. Look for the market to remain snug into next week.
Cauliflower
Production from the Central Coast of California with steady supplies. Demand remains strong with some deals available on wing sizes otherwise strong pricing. Quality is at a seasonal high with tight , firm and mostly white curd along with healthy green jackets.
Celery
Supplies continue steady with sizing profile still leaning towards larger sizes although they are expected to shift back to normal sizing next week. Quality remains good with color, meat and texture all very strong.
Broccoli
Broccoli continues mostly steady as many shippers have moderate supplies while demand remains strong especially at the lower end of the range. Quality remains good with some bracketing which has limited crown production. Supplies are expected to remain steady through the end of the month.
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
Quality from the Stockton area seems to be the best, especially from Morada. That label seems to be in
the most demand. We are still having to book a week ahead to make sure we have product. There is no
buying on the spot market on good onions.
There will be a few shippers starting in Washington State next week and that might have an impact on
the psychological demand for California product although the amount of product coming from
Washington will have little impact on overall pricing.
Red Onions in California are getting weak and in some cases are in a “price after sale” mode. The better
labels are still in the $10.00 area, the overall market is heading lower.
New Mexico is still rolling along at $20 level and quality seems to be holding up .
Stone Fruit
California Stone Fruit is readily available. Quality continues to be strong and sizes are currently heavy to the large sizes. Markets to remain steady. Early August is good time for strong push on Yellow Nectarines. Plan to push California Stone Fruit into October.
Grapes
California Grapes from the San Joaquin valley are now in full swing. The quality on all colors is excellent. The grapes are firm, good colored, and eating well. Market prices are slowly creeping lower as the harvest progresses. Flames (red seedless), Sugraones/Ivory (green seedless) and Summer Royals (black seedless) are the predominant varieties. Please keep in mind strong promotional opportunities will kick in soon will be available for August and September.
Green Onions
Production continues exclusively from Mexico with moderate supplies. Reduced Summer plantings have led to lighter volume but demand remains light and the market has eased back toward the bottom. Overall quality is good with some insect pressure and mechanical damage.
Citrus
Oranges – Good supplies of California Valencias available. Peaking in mid-range sizes of 72/88’s. Market prices are slightly higher on good demand. Quality has been good but we are monitoring the current heat wave to see how it affects external color (re-greening).
Lemons – From California, supplies of 95/115’s remain plentiful while 140’s and smaller continue to remain tight. On the market prices, we foresee the odd deal to pop up on 95/115’s while prices on the small size fruit continue to stay strong. Offshore supplies and product from Mexico crossing at McAllen continues to increase going into August. This should start to ease the market on 140/165’s
Limes – Rainy weather pushed the markets higher last week and may continue to if the rains persist. Peak size is 175’s. Keep in mind there is some chatter that August is expecting tighter supplies due to previous weather and the loss of blooms.
Asparagus
Mostly market shipments are in the high 20’s with one shipper quoting 24 and cleaning up everyday. Peru is in the low to mid 20’s with more volume on the way…Not very much demand this time of year will keep the market in a equilibrium manner for the remainder of the summer…people are featuring everything but Asparagus.
Cantaloupes
Little change on the horizon for cantaloupes. Volume should remain ample to robust. Sizes will continue to skew large 9s and jbo 9s but with a few more reg 9s and few less jbo 9s. 12s still look to be light supplied. Quality is good and should continue to be so. Demand has been dull and barely adequate leading to opportunities for buyers to obtain discounts. There are no major changes expected on demand either, with no huge retail promotions set for next week. We look for a steady market next week with some dealing on 9s and jbo 9s.
Honeydews
Honeydews were lighter in supplies this week as a mini-gap seemed to develop, yet few if anyone noticed as demand stayed unseasonably dull. Quality was good, sizes peaking on 5s, then 6s with decent supply of jbo 5s and very few 8s. This weekend the “mini gap” is due to end with several sellers who have been out this week getting back in. Sizes are expected to continue to peak on 5s. There is also little that looks to be changing demand. No major retail promotions are set. We look for a barely steady to lower market next week.
Mix:
The beat goes on. Demand and supplies are changing little. Varieties are in and out. Sizes mostly 5s with some 6s. Market looks to change little next week and remain in the 9.00-10.00 range
Organic Items
OG Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cauliflower Improved production has helped ease pricing although supplies have leveled off and the market has firmed. Quality has been good with some variations in color.
Broccoli Production remains steady and prices appear to be sustainable at current levels. We expect supplies to remain good through the end of the month but could be affected by increased insect pressure as the weather heats up heading into August.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Green production remain varied with some quality issues affecting supplies but improved weather has helped improve quality. Expect supplies to remain steady as demand has started to head back to Homegrown supplies.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Production has been steady and quality has improved .Demand has slowly moved to local production although the market continues steady. Expect insect pressure to increase heading into August as the weather is forecast to heat up.
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. Offshore offerings will eventually lead to sharper pricing.
Limes: Supplies have improved with sizing profile increasing although quality continues to be fair. The market appears to have bottomed out and should start to firm.
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 July . New crop from Mexico is expected to increase later next month.
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 remain limited due to late Spring weather interruptions during planting.
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 have begun to transition to Central Valley of California where quality has been far superior reflecting in substantially higher pricing than Mexican product. We anticipate pricing to ease before leveling off for the duration of the Summer season.
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