After getting pounded with rain for the past 4 weeks, we are finally looking to dry out. This, again, is after an historic drought period in which we got basically NO rain in December, January, and February, our normal rainiest time of the year. Long range weather shows dry, mild conditions for the next 7 days, but a chance of rain by late next week. Normally, storms get less potent as we get further into April and May, but, then again, this has NOT been a “normal” year.

We are moving pickup location from the desert to Salinas for the spring, summer, and fall months. Nice to be more consolidated for pickup purposes.  Trucks are readily available, but truckers keep pushing for higher rates, using the higher fuel costs as the reason. Funny, fuel costs have leveled out, but the truckers keep pushing for more.

LETTUCE–with the desert finished, supplies are mainly coming out of Huron, Santa Maria, and now Salinas Valley areas. Huron should be finished in another 10 days, at which time we will be moving almost exclusively to Salinas and Santa Maria. The market, after a run up from last week’s rain, has started to back off, and should drift downward as the week progresses. Quality is still fair, at best, overall. The rain last week (with some hail damage) caused some problems, and shippers are dealing with that. Overall, weights are light, lettuce puffy and misshaped, but green and mostly fresh.

BROCCOLI–market back down to pre-rain market, although some shippers are trying to hold firm, which is why there is a $3-4.00/box spread in price on crowns. Supplies are available in Salinas, Santa Maria, San Joaquin Valley, and all the way into Arizona and Texas.

CAULIFLOWER–also a wide spread in price, with as much as a $3-4.00/box range. This is also one to shop around for deals. There are a few more 9 size showing up, compared to the past few weeks.

LEAF ITEMS–another wide range on red, green, boston, and romaine. Supplies are coming out of Huron, Santa Maria, and Salinas, and shippers are competing for business, so we are shopping these items, as well.

CELERY–no change. Good supplies and deals on the larger size 18s and 24s, while prices are $1-2.00/higher for the smaller size 30s and 36s. Oxnard and Santa Maria are the areas going, and some shippers are transferring to Salinas for consolidation, charging $1-1.50/box for the effort.

STRAWBERRIES–we are finally starting to see the light at the end of tunnel. After the rain that hit, it seems like every week for the past month, things appear to be drying out, and that means supplies will start to pop. If we don’t get any rain (and we aren’t supposed to for the next 7 days), we could see a LOT of fruit come on. Driscoll, will lead the way, and price $2-4.00/box higher than the general market. Quality is still an issue, due to the rain last week. Workers are doing their best to avoid packing the rain-effected fruit, but it can’t be helped. There WILL be problems showing up, with bruising, leather spots, dirty fruit, and occasional decay. Quality should improve daily, however.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com