SEPTEMBER IS HERE

Hard to imagine, but 2011 is 2/3 done. Fall is right around the corner, even though it seems like we just started summer. On the other hand, folks on the east coast are looking forward to fall, and cooling temperatures after record high temperatures and humidity. Kids are back in school, and a more “routine” life and pace for most families are now in place.

Not much change for long range weather, with the next 10 days in Salinas/Watsonville still mild with days in the high 60s-low 70s, and the central valley in the high 90s to low 100s.

Trucks are plentiful, and rates are finally drifting down. Very typical for this time of year, as local deals continue, and demand for tree fruit, melons, and grapes start to drop off.

LETTUCE– Fairly consistent with last weeks market. Shippers are desperately trying to bring it into the double digits but demand has not quite been there.   With the extreme weather on the East Coast, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a few quiet days this week.  Quality is ok, some reports of breaking down on the store level so it is important to run product through as quickly as possible.

BROCCOLI — Supply is slim on most broccoli items out west.  Fobs are scattered around the 11- 15 dollar range, not very competitive with East Coast product once freight is factored in. Quality is nice, keep the West Coast broccoli in mind when eastern quality begins to slip.

CAULIFLOWER — Plenty of deals out west and good quality to boot. As Indian summer temperatures heat up out west we may see some quality problems, however current weather has been somewhat mild and heads are developing and coloring nicely.

LEAF ITEMS — Plenty of product to move. FOB prices have been painfully low this summer with not much relief in site.  Romaine is the only item that has made any type of move in price, and has left a 4-5 dollar spread in price between shippers. The quality is there and don’t be afraid to go outside the big 3 for good deals.

CELERY — Plenty of celery industry wide, larger sizes have been more prevalent mostly because shippers aren’t in a hurry to pull product out of the field.  As freight rates decrease, we hope that eases the freight pains we are currently experiencing.

STRAWBERRIES –Driscoll is very tight, orders are being pro rated 50 – 75 %.  We don’t see much improvement in supply for the remainder of this week.  Misty weather has resulted in marginal quality and many berries are being passed by in the field because of soft condition.  Driscoll is leading the pack as FOBs near 15 dollars. Other shippers may have plenty of berries but they continue to follow the upward trend in price with Driscoll leading the way.  Be happy with what you get, and move through it quickly.

Ed Brem

www.producewest.com