The historic high pricing continues and over the next few weeks Coastal vegetable production will be winding down and transitioning to the Central Valley and the Desert Southwest. Lettuce, Leaf and Peppers  are the first items to transition followed by Celery, Broccoli and Cauliflower later next month.  Most markets are easing off  sustained highs  but with the uncertainty of a seamless supply due to labor, water and weather there is some hesitancy of  the direction of the markets and it’s  reflecting in Thanksgiving promotional opportunities.

Weather throughoutCaliforniaand the West Coast forecast for normal temps this week  but cooling trend with possible showers the middle of next week . Mexicois expecting possible Thunder showers this week but returning to near normal for next week . Norms for Coastal California are 72hi:47lo  ,Central Valley  76hi:50 lo , Desert norms 88hi:52lo

Transportation rates held steady last week after dipping slightly the past couple weeks.  Overall supply appears to be strong but teams will remain in high demand with increased regulations putting pressure on drivers ability to make on time deliveries. Plan ahead for best values and service.

LETTUCE – Production continues to be light to moderate with quality concerns of Mildew, Fringe burn and seeders. Although the market has eased slightly with only a couple weeks in the Coastal production area  the market

will have little pressure to ease further until the new growing areas in theCentral Valleystart up over the next couple weeks. Although fewer shippers are choosing to transition to theCentral Valleythe result could mean a wider range of quality.  The off quality and lack of retail demand may eventually lead to a softer market.  Production fromNew Mexicocould also influence the  market to soften.
LEAF LETTUCE-  Romaine production continues to be light . Continued defects range from  fringe and tip burn along with mildew and seeders although there is still some nice quality available. Fewer shippers are choosing to transition to the Central Valley and are taking a chance their quality will hold.  Green and Red leaf  supplies have increased but with a wide range in quality as well. jeux flash

ASPARAGUS- Production  from Coastal Mexico  and Peru has been limited and the market has firmed over the past week. Holiday promotions are still available but are tightening rapidly.

CARROTS-  Carrot production has continued to increase with better supplies of Jumbos . Quality has been excellent.

BROCCOLI-  The dynamics of the broccoli market are in flux. Broccoli is typically grown as a rotational crop for lettuce but with the steep increase in strawberry acreage and other rotation crops broccoli acreage is down significantly. Salinas and Santa Maria production continues with light to moderate supplies . The market has been extremely tight  but has corrected with increased production from Mexico and less demand.  Production from Central Valley will help supplement supplies and put pressure on the market to ease further but water and labor restrictions may affect their supplies as well  . There are many factors influencing  broccoli making it much more volatile  than in the past when it was taken for granted to be oversupplied and promotable.

CAULIFLOWER-  Lighter production continues with extreme high market.  Supplies should start increasing as we approach the Fall season.  Quality has been declining over the past few days with increase in discoloration and bruising.

CELERY-   The market has been active  and higher overall quotes.  Shortages in other commodities have increased “demand” as well as production from Michigan winding down,  Oxnard is expected to begin production in a couple weeks but there are reports of disease possibly  affecting yields.  There should be sufficient supplies for Thanksgiving but pricing may not be at the desired levels for promotions.

BELL PEPPERS- Production  in the California  Central Valley and Coastal Valley will wind down this week and with production limited out of the desert and Mexico the market has been active. Red and Yellows have continued to be active and should follow the same pattern with lighter supplies through the transition to Coachella and Nogales. Eastern Bells quality has been improving as new production areas in Georgia and Florida have had better growing conditions.

STRAWBERRIES- As with many vegetable commodities strawberries are gradually transitioning South for the Winter.Santa Maria is in full production and Oxnard and Mexico are just beginning. Although Oxnard acreage is  down significantly which will have a major impact on convenience ,Mexico acreage is projected to pick up the slack. Quality is just fair to OK from all areas showing a range of bruising with Santa Maria  and Oxnard being the best.Salinas/Watsonville  after a strong Summer season should finish up as early as next week if forecast of rain comes through. Overall volume and quality should improve weekly. Increasing supplies of Raspberry amp; Blackberry have eased the market.  Similar to Strawberries quality and volume should improve weekly.