Lukewarm demand has kept markets from overheating although the weather is expected to “overheat” this weekend which will bring about quality and labor issues likely impacting supplies. Highs are expected to reach triple digits in many areas other than right along the coast. More lettuce acreage is transitioning further South in the Valley where the highest temperatures are expected. Most shippers will begin to increase their acreage heading into September expecting lower yields but with improved demand.
Mix Leaf
Romaine market has improved with mostly steady supplies and good demand. Romaine Hearts have also improved but not quite as strong with many shippers are stripping down their off quality Romaine into Hearts . Quality continues to vary with fringe burn , mildew and insect pressure along with seeders and twisting. . Demand for Green and Red leaf lag behind while continuing to show variable quality around the Valley. Local Homegrown production areas are experiencing less than ideal weather although continuing to compete with California market.Hot weather this weekend could impact supplies and provide for sudden price fluctuations.
Brussels Sprouts
Production continues from Northern California with improving quality but still showing varied sizing , discoloration and insect pressure. Supplies are expected to improve in coming weeks as most shippers will start their Freezer production which will increase supplies significantly although demand is expected to correspondingly increase heading into the Fall season.
Celery
Good supplies continue this week out of the central coast. Michigan is still producing plenty of volume, keeping this market depressed for now. Large sizing remains the most plentiful and shippers are listening to offers. Quality is nice with very few problems to report.
Bell Pepper
Green Bell production in Gilroy and Hollister continues strong with stable pricing . Red Bells are just starting to improve supplies and pricing is expected to adjust.
Broccoli
Market remains unchanged as Eastern markets continue to be inundated with local product. Although supplies are somewhat limited on the West Coast they are able to take care of the demand west of the Mississippi. We do not expect to see much fluctuation with the market over the next 10 days.
Cauliflower
It has been awhile since we have seen the market sit on the floor for this period of time. We are beginning our fourth week of very low FOB pricing and there does not look to be an end in sight. Shippers are making deals for all delivery locations. Get with your Produce West sales representative and get some orders on the books.
Artichokes
Seeded varieties are in full production with sizing profiles from Large to medium. Limited Summer demand has kept pricing down although could improve later next month.
Strawberries
The market tightened up due to the Labor Day pull and lighter yields from the fields. The Watsonville and Santa Maria areas have been experiencing warmer temperatures than normal and we are forecast for temperatures in the high 90’s for the weekend. Expect prices to range from $ 12 to $ 16 thru the middle of next week. New Crop fruit is now underway out of Santa Maria.
Oranges
Valencias are becoming very active as supplies diminish for the season in the central valley. With overall production down 20% this year, suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand. Quality is marginal at best, but with so little fruit available customers have to take what they can get. Some growers have less than 2 weeks left in their harvest schedule and navels are not expected to start until mid October. This will leave 3-4 weeks of very little product. Expect elevated pricing this fall.
Cantaloupes
Demand for cantaloupes stayed stubbornly slow for spot market sales, but contract sales and a few holiday promotions firmed the market a bit and greatly diminished the below quote discounts. Sizes were a tad smaller; still peaking on 9s but with few jbo 9s and more 12s. This also cut yields as it takes more melons of smaller sizes to fill up a carton, cutting down on total carton counts. The weather this week turned hot and this should keep sizing on the smaller side next week. Demand could diminish a bit as holiday will be over and Texas will be all but eliminated from the demand picture. We look for a steady quoted market with jbo 9s trading a bit higher and discounting becoming more prevalent on 12s.
Honeydews
Little change this week in honeydews. Sizes continued to run heavy to 5s then 6s then jbo 5s. Demand was dull, as there was little holiday promotional activity; and cantaloupes remained cheap and plentiful, along with local melons. Next week sizing could shrink a bit in the face of record breaking heat. This in turn could cut carton counts coming from the fields. Demand should remain dull, with peak autumn demand not starting for a couple of weeks and of course the Texas tragedy. Market should be steady next week with perhaps a firming up of jbo 5s.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower supplies have increased significantly and the market has corrected. Supplies could be impacted by this weekends heatwave. Broccoli production remains to be impacted by insect pressure with overall light supplies. The market has remained firm on limited supplies. This weekends heat should only compound the insect pressure.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Greens have experienced quality issues along with persistent insect pressure causing intermittent shortages although local Homegrown supplies have been sufficient to offset any availability issues.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Supplies have improved on Leaf, Iceberg as well as Romaine from California although heat and insect pressure will continue to impact supplies. Markets continue steady with limited demand sue to competition from homegrown supplies.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot production continues to be strong although the heat has impacted harvest and quality. This weekends spike will likely has an impact especially on the tops. Onion demand has been good with good supplies from Central California while Potato supplies have been cut short due to extreme heat in the Central Valley this Summer .
OG Citrus
Lemons: Supplies from California continue to be limited while Chilean imports are helping overall availability and Mexico is improving although peaking on choice fruit after being hindered and delayed by Tropical storms.
Limes: The market continues to be strong with continued weather from Mexico hampering supplies but should rebound with drier conditions.
OG Melons
Central Valley Watermelons have been hampered all season by heat and delays on new plantings leading to limited production from California. OG Cantaloupes and Honeydews production has been steady with moderate supplies and good demand.
OG Avocados
Mexico: The summer crop is small with limited availability. Demand exceeds supplies as the U.S. market is pushing upward rapidly. This looks to be a continued trend. The crop is currently peaking on 60s and smaller. Mexico’s new main crop is expected to start mid-September if maturity level of the fruit is sufficient to harvest.
California: New Crop is not expected to start until the Fall.
OG Berries
Strawberry production from Salinas and Watsonville continues with small sizing and varied quality due to fluctuating high temperatures and overcast weather. Production of New Crop from Southern California has begun on limited supplies and improved sizing and quality leading to a tiered market. Blueberry supplies are expected to decrease from the Northwest.
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