Lettuce

Lettuce production continues from Coastal California with some shippers transitioning to the Central Valley of California by the end of the week.  The past weekend warm weather has pushed additional acres further ahead leading to a sudden surge of availability.  As the weather returns to more moderate temperatures production will level and the market should firm.  In the meantime take advantage of reduced pricing some shippers are offering.  Additional Growing area in New Mexico has also started new crop production with good quality and availability.

 

Brussels Sprout

Hot Weather has also affected Brussels Sprout Production causing the sprouts to be puffy and elongated limiting supplies of #1 and causing a heavy pack out of off sized Jumbo Sprouts.  Also insect pressure has become a major concern.   Production is still scheduled to increase with the return of the normal cooler fall weather pattern.  The volume should be heavy through the fall as long as weather and insect pressure don’t continue to interrupt the normal growth.  Promotional pricing will be available for the next couple weeks before the market firms.

 

Mix Leaf 

Similar to Iceberg Lettuce, Mix Leaf continues production along the California Coastal areas from Oxnard to Salinas.  Only a couple of shippers transition their production to Huron later this week.  Last week’s warm weather accelerated production but also tip burn and dehydration were added to existing pressure from Insects, Seeder, Twisting, Tip burn, Mildew and Soil Born disease.  The best quality will have limited defects upon shipping but will still likely show problems on arrival.  This reduction of quality continues to affect yields and overall availability although a temporary increase in volume will ease the market.  Green leaf and Red leaf supplies have been slightly less affected by burn and disease but have shown more dehydration issues on arrival.  New Mexico will start limited production next week with very good quality anticipated.

 

Broccoli

Steady markets for now. Product is coming out of Salinas, Santa Maria and Mcallen.  Yuma will start towards the end of November, with possibilities of a supply gap early next month. Quality is currently very nice in all regions.  Eastern broccoli is still producing, although production is decreasing daily.

 

Cauliflower

A softer market with more deals available on smaller sizes.  Quality has improved from the past week and inspections are showing product and color is getting back to normal.  We could see a stronger market later next week as preliminary harvest forecasts are down and transition is approaching.

 

Celery

This market is slightly stronger than last week, demand has seen some improvement and there have been some quality issues in Salinas and Santa Maria, mostly with pith.  There is small sized product available, and a dollar or two difference between sizes.  Oxnard is going to start in small numbers next week and early reports are showing good quality.  Mid-west product is finishing up and more demand will be focused out west as we get closer to holiday season pull.

 

Artichokes

Thorn-less, Seeded artichokes continue to be the predominate variety available.  Most shippers have been peaking on large sizes with light volume matching light demand on medium and small sizes.  Green Globe, Heirloom variety will begin to increase when the normal cooler evening temperatures return.

Strawberries

4 growing regions now harvesting.  Watsonville, Santa Maria, Oxnard and light supplies out of Mexico. Quality out of the north has improved, but some lots still have sheen and bruising. We expect the market to adjust down as demand has cooled off.  Prices should adjust $2.00 to $4.00.

 

Blackberries
Wet weather continues to hamper supplies out of Mexico. An improving weather forecast will increase available volume over the next week.

 

Raspberries

Producing regions are Baja, Oxnard, Watsonville, Santa Maria and Salinas. Supplies are increasing and quality is very good the further south you load. Varietal shifts have contributed to higher quality yields. Conventional production is forecasted to increase during October. Organics continue to be tight. Look for increased volume starting next week with new growing areas getting started.

 

Blueberries

Light supplies of Argentine blueberries are making their way into US ports as the domestic season winds down. Most customers have begun to switch from domestic to imports. The majority of the volume coming into the states are 6ounces with some 4.4’s available as well.

 

Melons

The cantaloupe market is very active due to very light supplies. Central California is finished. Central Arizona is going with light supplies. Yuma and Nogales (Mexican) cantaloupes will not start until next week. Honeydew supplies should are getting better. Quality on both cantaloupes and honeydews is mixed.

 

Watermelons

We are seeing an increased supply of Seedless Watermelon coming from Mexico.  The market is very active as supplies increase to meet demand.

 

Grapes

The grape movement is very good. Most shippers have little to no inventory on red seedless grapes. The predominant variety on green seedless is Autumn King and they are moving very well at this time. The market is very firm on all varieties. Seems we still have a good amount of grapes to pick, but we are still waiting for color and sugars. We have good supplies of Red Globes and fair supplies of Autumn Royals.

 

Citrus

Valencia’s – There are good supplies of most sizes of Valencia’s.  Navels – Are offshore and in good supplies on 36-40-48-56. Limited supplies of 72-88 and a few 105-113 are available. Lemons – We are starting to see more new crop lemons. District III and Mexican supplies are in better volume. Offshore lemons are still coming in. Mostly 165-200-235 here, district III is packing out 70% fancy and 20% choice. We are going to see adjustments in the market. Grapefruit – New crop will start the end of October.

 

Tree Fruit

Pomegranates are now being harvested is full force.  Good supplies on all sizes in #1 and #2 grade fruit.  Market is strong as demand outpaced supply.  Asian Pears are available with good supply.  Both varieties Shinseki (Brown) and Hosui (Yellow)

 

 

Vegetables

Green bells became very active last week as other growing districts finished up across the U.S.  The Central California is beginning to wrap up this season as well.  We will be looking to Coachella earlier this year to get supplies.  Red and gold bells will be promotable this week, but next week we will see Oxnard and Gilroy finishing up for the season.  Mexico will have less supplies due to Hurricane Odiles destruction.  Cucumbers, zucchini, and yellow squash very tight as we are transitioning from our summer fields into our fall fields.  October will be a very turbulent ride until newer districts will have stable supplies.