First of all, we at Produce West, would like to wish you all a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING! Time to think about what we DO have, instead of what we DON’T have. And give thanks.

As usual, its like shutting off a faucet. The past 2 weeks were at a torrid pace. Today, either customers have TOO much product, or not enough. Too much, in most cases. Markets that had been pushed to the ceiling, are starting to back off, except items such as cauliflower and broccoli. Cool, wet weather is certainly slowing down growth and production on those items.
Long range weather in Salinas shows rain for a few days, then dry, but, below normal temperatures. The desert shows seasonal cool nights, and days in the high 60s to low 70s.
Trucks are available today and tomorrow, with most truckers trying to get back for Thanksgiving. There probably won’t be many around this weekend.

LETTUCE–this market could be on the verge of falling hard. After a big run up the past 2 weeks, with prices hitting $24 FOB, things are backing off. Retails are raised to offset the price hikes, and now business is backing off. Shippers don’t like to drop their prices on a Monday, because they will have to drop their prices from the weekend. Tomorrow, we see prices dropping. We are loading just about all of our lettuce needs in the desert.

BROCCOLI–even though demand has fallen, as Thanksgiving needs are covered, supplies are still light, especially for crowns. This market should start to come off, just not very rapidly. Cool, wet weather is keeping supplies light.

CAULIFLOWER–a REAL shortage here, and we don’t seek much improvement for another week to 10 days, AT LEAST. There is just NO flower around, and even if you do get any, its a pallet here and a pallet there. Prices are basically what the shippers can ask. We have heard $25 fob, and that could be a bargain.

LEAF ITEMS–we believe red, green, and romaine, will  ALL start to drift downward in price, even if the shippers don’t think so, so don’t order to heavily. Again, demand isn’t there, due to high retail prices. There is is some product available in Salinas, but we feel the best quality is in the desert now.

CELERY–the faucet has been turned off. The market never got going, except for preferred labels, such as Dole and T&A. But, even those shippers are looking for business today. We don’t see any hope for celery for quite a while. Christmas business may come and go without  a hiccup.

STRAWBERRIES–cool, wet weather in Salinas/Watsonville has finished off the season. Oxnard is going, but in a light way. Driscoll is continuing to pro rate their orders and holding firm their prices. Quality is a hit a miss project. Some arrive in beautiful condition, while others show 30% defects. Either way, don’t expect much in the way of quality, but DO expect to pay big money.

Ed Brem
ed@producewest.com