With Labor Day here and gone, we are now dealing with the challenge of squeezing 5 days into 4.  Short work weeks not only add more hectic days logistically, they can also create false markets that stir up attention initially, and then die out as the week progresses.  Eastern growing regions are still producing product and will continue for the next few weeks. Weather is going to warm up this week.

Salinas is warming up and temperatures will be in the low 80s for the middle of this week.  This time of year called “Indian summer,” one of the warmest times of the year in the Salinas Valley.

Truck rates continue to slowly decline, and we are now seeing rates in the low 7000 range to the East Coast.

LETTUCE — Market continues to be steady, at near rock bottom prices, industry wide.  Good quality and shippers are confident in sending product anywhere.  Good shelf life and normal weights.  Some shippers are reporting slightly lighter than normal head weights, mostly attributed to cooler weather in the Salinas Valley over the past few weeks.  With warmer weather forecasted this week, we could see some change in quality.

BROCCOLI — Steady market and excellent quality is the general report.  There is still plenty of East Coast broccoli, keeping the western market at bay.  Even though supplies may be slightly lighter here on the West, it was anticipated by growers, and they don’t plant heavy for this time of year.

CAULIFLOWER — good quality and shippers are looking to deal.  Cool temperate weather has kept product looking nice. Warmer weather may result in quality issues 2 weeks from now, but no problems currently.

LEAF ITEMS — Not much change from last week. Leaf market remains at the bottom, not much movement.  Local Eastern product will continue to produce for a few more weeks.

CELERY — Lighter supplies but not much demand.   Good quality industry wide.  Larger sizes are more readily available than small sizes.  Demand has not yet created any type of market on celery and FOBS continue to be lower than freight it takes to move product to the east coast. So, delivered prices continue fairly high, making retail demand sluggish.

STRAWBERRIES– Driscoll continues to pro rate 75% and HIGHER this week, so other shippers are riding on their coattail. Driscoll continues to push their prices weekly, hoping to kill demand, based on their dropping volume. Other shippers are hanging back $2-4.00/box less than Driscoll, but don’t want to go to the east coast. Quality is only fair, at BEST, and shippers are quoting their fruit “with 20-30% defects”, and don’t want to hear about any problems. While this isn’t saying “acceptance final”, it’s pretty close.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com