Once again, it is “transition” time. The desert areas are finishing up, and the new areas of Huron and Salinas are under way. But, with this move, it brings it’s share of problems. Mixer loads get scattered, and we find ourselves starting trucks in Salinas and eventually finishing out in Yuma, Arizona. LOTS of extra miles are added to loads, and with ever increasing fuel costs, the loading and delivery costs keep going up. Also, it is important to know that you will have to give your truckers an extra day to get the loads picked up to make your delivery schedule. Also, the “new” areas of Salinas and Huron are starting in their typical way, with marginal quality and light weights. The alternative is to load older product in the desert, with less of the holding quality on the shelves.

Even though there are plenty of trucks available for all areas of the U.S.,  as we move  to the northern districts, truckers will be demanding more money for their loads. Also, as mentioned, it is important to give your trucks an extra day to load.

Long range weather show a VERY welcome sight–NO RAIN!! The desert will be warming into the 90s, while Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas hitting the high 60s to high 70s, IDEAL for this time of year.

LETTUCE–the desert has another week to 10 days left, while Huron is starting to amp up. Quality is questionable in both areas, with the desert looking more old and tired, while the new area of Huron is lighter weight, smaller, showing some internal problems, but fresher. Pick your poison. The market is fairly flat in both areas, as demand is just so so.

BROCCOLI–the desert has basically finished, and Salinas, Santa Maria, and San Joaquin Valley are picking up the slack. It is a real challange trying to load trucks with broccoli on it, as you need to start in Salinas and finish in the desert. Shippers aren’t transferring broccoli to the desert. The market is a bit firmer, especially on crowns.

CAULIFLOWER–like broccoli, the desert has bascially finished, as supplies move to the northern districts. The market is strong for 9s and 12s, but as the weather warms up this week, there should be more of a price range.

LEAF ITEMS–good deals on red, green, and romaine in the desert, and that area has another week, or so, left. Huron is going now, as is Santa Maria. Salinas has just barely started to scratch the surface.

CELERY–as Oxnard dries out from the unrelenting rain the past 2 weeks, supplies are slowly starting to increase. There was A LOT of damage done to celery fields, and we will see the effects for weeks to come. As a result, the market on all size celery and hearts is $16-20.00 FOB, which is still $25-28.00 delivered to the East coast, PLUS the extra $1.50/box for sleeving.

ASPARAGUS–as the desert continues to warm up, it is becoming increasingly more obvious that that area will NOT be a supplier for Easter. That leaves it up to the Lodi/Stockton and Salinas areas to be the major area. Still not sure how this will play out for the Easter rush.

STRAWBERRIES–we should FINALLY start to see numbers increase in the berry patches, but not until next week. After that, we should be in good shape for supplies, as long as we don’t get any more rain!! But, again, it won’t be until next week for some volume, as this week will still be a mess, with pro rates, strippings, and quality issues.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com