Lettuce

Lettuce production has begun to wind down in the Salinas Valley for some shippers as most have transitioned harvesting to the Central Valley Huron area.  Lettuce quality in both areas continues to suffer affecting yields which in turn has strengthened the market back to seasonal highs.  Last week’s hot weather pushed an already stressed crop creating a temporary glut.  Normal Fall cool temperatures now dominating the State should have a positive effect on quality but will also stall needed production leading to a shortage of lettuce once again for the next couple weeks. Additional Growing areas such as New Mexico have also started new crop production with good quality and availability.

–

Brussels Sprout

Brussels Sprout quality should get a boost with the cooler night time temperatures allowing the sprouts to grow at a normal pace, lessen insect pressure  and increase yields,  The volume should be heavy through the fall  but since it got off to sluggish start overall volume may not be as abundant as  once thought.  Watch for the market to surge as the heavy demand Fall/Winter season kicks in.

 

Mix Leaf 

Mix Leaf continues production along the California Coastal areas from Oxnard to Salinas.  Only a couple of shippers transition their production to Huron this week. Quality continues to suffer from twist, seeder, and tip burn. The market will firm as the Iceberg lettuce strengthens.   Green leaf and Red leaf supplies have been slightly less affected by burn and disease and continue to follow behind Romaine pricing.  Las Cruces has started production this week with very good quality.

 

Broccoli

Steady supplies are expected for the remainder of the week.  This is one of the few commodities that is still reasonably priced although there is the chance that the crown market could start to react due to lighter yields of tight beaded, uniformed heads.  Some fields have grown at faster rates than expected this time of year due to the warmer than normal night time temperatures.  Current loading locations are Mendota, Santa Maria and Salinas, CA along with product of Mexico shipping out of the McAllen, TX area.

 

Cauliflower

Demand has increased and will continue in this manner for the remainder of the week and most likely into next week.  Expectation of a supply gap is becoming a reality as warmer than normal weather in the California growing regions has pushed the crop ahead of schedule.  Many growers are finished harvesting fields two weeks ahead of schedule.  There is not enough product left in the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys to fill the void and the Desert region is not expected to start until late November.

 

Celery

Steady market and supplies currently coming out of Salinas and Santa Maria.  Oxnard product will begin regular production around the beginning of November.  Quality is looking nice in all areas and volumes remain consistent. Small sized celery is less prevalent and is normally a dollar or two more than larger sizes. Thanksgiving ads are quickly being locked up for mid-November pull.

 

Artichokes

Thorn-less, Seeded artichokes continue to be the predominate variety available.  Most shippers have been peaking on large sizes with light volume matching light demand on medium and small sizes.  Green Globe, Heirloom variety will begin to increase when the normal cooler evening temperatures return.

 

 

Strawberries

The strawberry market will have a wide range in pricing depending on the growing area, which include Watsonville, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Baja and Central Mexico.  Fruit quality is good out of most of the southern areas but field inspectors are reporting some pin Rot and bruising issues. Fruit sizing continues to in the 20 to 24 count range.  Expect better volume out of Oxnard next week.

 

Blackberries
Production continues out of Guatemala, as well as the Mexican harvesting is underway.  Guatemalan quality has been fair. Looking forward, we expect to see full production and good quality in a few weeks out of central Mexico in the next couple of weeks.

 

Raspberries

There will be good availability this week and next Suppliers will be looking to promote in order to stay in front good volume for the rest of the month

 

Blueberries

Some domestic crop remains in the marketplace with very light availability. This is mostly controlled atmosphere storage product and quality is fair at best. Offshore product is available from Central America and Central Mexico. Availability will be volatile depending on where you choose to load as product is being transferred daily to meet order requirements.

 

Melons

The cantaloupe market is very active due to very light supplies. Central California is finished. Central Arizona is going with light supplies. Yuma and Nogales (Mexican) cantaloupes will not start until next week. Honeydew supplies should are getting better.

Quality on both cantaloupes and honeydews is mixed.

 

Watermelons

We are seeing an increased supply of Seedless Watermelon coming from Mexico.  The market is very active as supplies increase to meet demand.

 

Grapes

The grape movement is very good. Most shippers have little to no inventory on red seedless grapes. The predominant variety on green seedless is Autumn King and they are moving very well at this time. The market is very firm on all varieties. Seems we still have a good amount of grapes to pick, but we are still waiting for color and sugars. We have good supplies of Red Globes and fair supplies of Autumn Royals.

 

Citrus

Valencia’s – There are good supplies of most sizes of Valencia’s.

Navels – Are being harvested in CA now… Limited supplies of 72-88 with fruit peaking on 113, 138 and 163’s.

Lemons – We are starting to see more new crop lemons. District III and Mexican supplies are in better volume.  Mostly 165-200-235 here, district III is packing out 70% fancy and 20% choice. We are going to see adjustments in the market. Grapefruit – New crop will start the end of October.

 

Tree Fruit

Pomegranates are now being harvested is full force.  Good supplies on all sizes in #1 and #2 grade fruit.  Market is strong as demand outpaced supply.  Asian Pears are available with good supply.  Both varieties Shinseki (Brown) and Hosui (Yellow)