As we head into the Fall, weather begins to factor more into available supplies. Normally growers battle mildew, rib blight, tiburn and high core this time of year and combined with varying weather such as we experienced this past week with 3 days of high temperatures followed by light rain, plants are stressed even further reducing quality and yields. Even with moderate demand prices become much more volatile. The market pushed higher late last week before easing back slightly this week but expect lighter supplies , diminishing quality and higher prices until we transition to Central Valley production areas later next month.
Mix Leaf
Romaine demand continues steady as well as pricing. Heart demand has eased with pricing levels narrowing. Quality is fair with some tip burn, mildew and high core being trimmed in the field. Green leaf, red leaf and Boston remain steady with a sense of pending improved demand in coming weeks. Markets should advance as Homegrown quality diminishes.
Brussels Sprouts
Production is mainly from Central California The market has eased with good demand but additional volume available as growers ramp up production for processors . Quality has improved with some continued insect pressure. Expect demand to improve and prices to firm by the end of the month.
Strawberries
Berries continue to be challenged by less than ideal weather events. Extreme heat over the last weekend exceeding 100 degrees inland and hovering in the mid 80s to 90s on the coastal regions of both Santa Maria and Watsonville /Salinas have caused reduced yields on the front end of the week. Monday we saw a light rain occurring through most of the morning into mid day. This combination of heat and precipitation will affect both quality and harvest projections. Expect to see softer fruit with bruising and moisture related issues such as mildew and premature breakdown in some of the berries. Shippers are working diligently to keep problem fruit out of the pack but with the extreme nature of these past weather issues there will be a noticeable decrease in overall quality. The market will remain firm with open market fruit becoming increasingly tight as we move into the weekend . Although projections are not calling for severe heat , we are expecting another warming trend coming up Sunday through next week where temps are expected to reach mid 80s to 90s inland. The market will remain strong with higher undertones through next week.
Raspberries
Fruit continues to be exceedingly tight as we move forward into the weekend . Mexico has not yet begun to produce significant numbers, West Coast production has been stunted by the extreme heat experienced over the weekend. The heat not only affected the plants themselves it also affected harvesting crews. Many shippers pulled crews out early as the temperatures under the hoops rose to intolerable levels for the workers. Expect light supplies to continue into next week with higher pricing a possibility towards the end of this week. Quality is generally good but we can expect to see some heat related issues such as early breakdown and some possible light mildew caused by the moisture in the air.
Blueberries
The Blues are finishing up in the Pacific North West and Michigan will run through mid October weather permitting. After that it will be all imported fruit from Mexico , Argentina ,Uruguay and Peru. Quality on the last of the PNW fruit is just marginal while the fruit coming out of the Michigan area is still showing good quality. The Imports are being reported as having very good quality at this point . Imports are also commanding a premium price compared to domestic product. The offshore fruit is being distributed through the ports of Philadelphia, Miami and Los Angeles. The Mexican fruit is coming up through McAllen Texas and Baja California. Look for markets to remain steady.
Blackberries
Blackberries are the only berry that actually thrived in this recent heatwave. Blackberries are coming off in increasingly good numbers out of the Central Coast . Mexican product is arriving at various U.S. entry points in increasing numbers. Quality has been good on fresher fruit but there is still some red cell being reported upon arrival in some lots. Look for the market to slip slightly lower overall as better numbers become available.
Cauliflower
Prices seem to be stable sitting in the low to mid teens. There is a discount on size 16’s as shippers seem to have good supplies of this size. Overall quality is fair. Due to past and current weather conditions in the California growing regions we are seeing some yellow cast, spread, richness and hollow core in product coming out of both Salinas and Santa Maria.
Celery
Good supplies and availability. Overall quality is good. Weights have been 53#-55#, there is some leafy tops and light insect damage but color is nice and green. Run your offers!!
Broccoli
Market will continue to remain strong into next week. Light yields due to quality defects from the weather we have experienced over the last 4 weeks is the driving factor behind the high prices. The warmer weather here on the Central Coast of California is causing yellowing, pin rot and brown bead on the domes of the broccoli. Due to these quality defects a large percentage of the product is not being harvested. With the light rain we had on Monday followed by warmer weather for the remainder of the week we will not be out of this current situation any time soon. On the flip side product continues to ship from Central Mexico loading in the McAllen, TX valley. Overall quality has been nice, of course there is some hollow core but dome quality and color have been good and prices are as much as $10.00 lower than that of USA product.
Artichokes
Production continues steady for the end of the Summer while demand has been tepid. Seeded or thornless are the predominant varieties available with the limited Heirloom variety returning later this Fall.
Onions
Washington…Not much change in the Washington deal, demand is very good right now and some shippers are having trouble filling all the orders. The rain in Idaho and Washington have slowed things down on the storage onions has curtailed some shipping but the market is staying in the 7.00 range in Idaho and $6.00 in Washington. The sheds are about 2 days behind in filling orders.
Sweet Onions…
The Washington Oregon Sweet onion (round Grano) is holding at the $10.00 level with demand starting to pick up a bit by the fact that some distributors want to have a two-tier price range. Peru is steady and shipping in the #20.00 range
Red Onions are in the $6.00 range with a few being quoted lower in all areas.
Squash
Supplies are keeping up with demand despite widespread damage from hurricane dorian. Unfortunately we are seeing quality defects such as scuffing and scarring as a result of the high winds. We expect to see quality defects for at least another 3 weeks.
Stone Fruit
Peaches
More large sizing available this week. Markets are steady from last week. Ample supplies should last through the remainder of the month. Good quality reported on remaining fruit out of California.
Nectarines
Yellow nectarines are tightening up. the season is mostly finished in the central valley, although there are some supplies still available. Most of the existing domestic volume is expected to dry up by the middle of next week. Quality is still very nice with very few issues to report.
Plums
Good supplies out of California. Good supplies predicted well into October and quality has been very nice.
Grapes
Red Grapes
Similar conditions as last week . Good production on multiple varieties and steady markets. Plenty of deals available and shippers are listening to offers. Quality is nice overall with fresh product being shipped out. Good supplies expected into October.
Green Grapes
Plenty of product available and shippers are looking to move inventory. There are multiple varieties currently in production. Quality is good overall, although some yellowing and soft berry has been reported in isolated incidents. Supplies will lighten up as we head into the fall season and markets will strengthen as a result.
Green Onions
Production continues mainly from Mexico with moderate supplies. Although planted acres are expected to increase heading into the Fall , hot temperatures have led to lighter yields and reduced quality. Demand has slowly improved along with prices. We expect a continued trend of higher pricing until quality improves.
Citrus
Oranges
Tight supplies continue this week, particularly on small fruit. Imported navels are arriving, although in light numbers and larger sizing. Tight supplies are expected for at least the next 3 weeks until California navels start. Quality is ok overall, although some brown spotting has been reported, very little decay.
Lemons
Higher markets this week as demand has picked up. Good supplies are coming out of the Desert and Texas. Imports are finishing up. Good supplies on smaller fruit. Large sizes are less prevalent and markets are strengthening as a result. Quality is good overall.
Limes
Extremely tight supplies continue this wees as a result of drought conditions in Mexico. Supply are expected to improve next week, although will still be a demand exceeds supply scenario. This drought will continue to affect the lime market for the long term.
Asparagus
The market on Mexican asparagus crossing from Baja has really soften with a large increase in volume. The grass market is in the $16-$18 range with some consignments to some large eastern terminals. As the Fall season moves into cooler weather the demand will start to pick up and the prices will start to stabilize.
Cantaloupes
The market jumped this week as expected. Volume was down as cooler weather, along with starting of the last fields kept shipments at or below contracted volume, causing a bit of shortage in spot market availability, especially on Jbo 9s. At the same time demand weirdly picked up a bit as spot market buyers scrambled to cover their needs. Next week these trends tend to continue, with light supplies as the Westside deal begins to wind down and temps in the Central Valley are expected to stay on the cooler side. Sizes should continue to peak on regular 9s then 12s with precious few jumbos. Demand should slow a bit as the pipeline absorbs the higher spot market prices, keeping prices from rising. We look for a steady market next week. Arizona and CA desert deals are expected to start the first week in October and gradually pickup volume over the second and third weeks.
Honeydews
It seems like there is nothing that can awaken the demand for honeydews, which remains lackluster in spite of the excitement in the cantaloupe market. Sizes continued to peak on 5s and 6s but there was more smaller sized fruit as well. Prices stayed barely steady with some discounting occurring to hold up quoted markets. Next week, once again little looks to change. Supplies should be winding down but unless there is some interest, there seems little hope for any significant price increases. Demand has a bit of a chance of improving somewhat as we get into Autumn and the Jewish high holidays, which typically include honeydews in their celebration meals. We look for a dull and steady market next week with a change for improvement later in the week.
Organic Items
OG Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cauliflower Production has begun to level off and prices appear to be rising. Quality should improve as we get into cooler Fall season although hot temperatures this past week may affect quality in the interim.
Broccoli Production remains steady while demand has improved pushing the market slightly higher. We anticipate a steady increase in prices as we get further into September. Quality remains variable with brown bead , knuckled domes and aphid pressure all contributing factors.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Most Herbs and Bunching Green production remain steady. Expect supplies and pricing to remain steady through most of the month until local Homegrown supplies decrease.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Production has been steady and quality remains good. Demand continues to lean towards local production although the market continues steady. Expect insect pressure to remain steady keeping supplies limited.
OG Citrus
Lemons: Limited production as the crop transitions south with sizing profile continuing to lean towards larger fruit. The market continues to be strong especially the smaller, food service 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. Quality has been mostly Fancy. Offshore Navel offerings have kept pricing competitive.
Limes: Production remains limited especially on larger sizes due to dry weather in production areas Quality continues to be fair. The market continues to escalate on all sizes.
Grapefruit: Quality continues to be good and offering good value heading into the Fall.
OG Avocados
Mexico: Recent rains have delayed harvest and supplies continue to trend towards larger profile. Improved supplies are expected heading into the Fall season.
California: Production Has finished up for the season.
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 Production has transitioned with strong demand on Gold , Red and Russets.
Onion demand has leveled off as most growers have transitioned to their NW production areas while increasing storage supplies. Quality has been very nice to start.
OG Grapes
California: Supplies from Central Valley of California have peaked with most shippers continuing to offer specialty varieties with exceptional color and favor. We anticipate pricing to settle near current levels especially for best size, quality.
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