After near-record rains in California for April, we are FINALLY getting our wonderful spring weather! Rain and cold temperatures have affected nearly all vegetable items coming out of Northern and Central California–strawberries, lettuce, leaf items, cauliflower, and celery. Even though we aren’t out of the woods yet, clear, mild weather is forecasted for the next 10 days, which will help bring on supplies and help improve overall quality. It may take a while, but, by this time next week, we should have better news to report.

Trucks are available, and rates are continuing their slow climb upwards, although with Mother’s Day business done, we won’t see much more of a bump in rates until Memorial Day period, which will be in about 3 weeks.

LETTUCE–a wide range in price and quality. We have moved just about 100% of supplies to the Salinas and Santa Maria areas, and will be here until November.  We have been fighting quality for the past few weeks, what with the rain and cold we’ve had. Expect quality to improve, now that our weather has.

BROCCOLI–good supplies of bunch 14s and 18s, as well as crowns. However, there are signs that crowns could tighten up starting next week. Some shippers report a gap in crown material starting as early as this weekend. We’ll see.

CAULIFLOWER–still tight supplies and crazy market. Shippers all quoting in the low to mid $20s for 12s and 9s. But, be aware. Now that retail prices are adjusting, and our weather starting to improve, we should see supplies pick up and prices drop. You DON’T want to get stuck with high priced cauliflower heading your way.

LEAF ITEMS–there seems to be plenty of romaine, but light supplies of red, green, and boston lettuces. Prices of the latter 3 items are $14-16.00 FOB and should hold there this week. We should see improved supplies and weaker markets by this time next week.

CELERY–very FIRM market on ALL sizes, especially on the 30s and 36s. With higher freight rates, celery is the main item that suffers. We are now seeing a box of celery costing $8.00-10.00/box JUST for freight to the far East coast. That puts delivered prices of celery in the range of $24-28.00. Hearts are also available, and are expensive, as well.

STRAWBERRIES–still a shortage out west for berries. Orders today showing HEAVY pro rates, especially from shippers like Driscoll. Today and tomorrow are the last days for any Mother’s Day business, and with our weather improving, we should see things ease up by the end of this week. There looks to be A LOT of berries coming on by next week.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.