5/2/11

We are FINALLY getting some warm, Spring-like weather in Salinas, as well as  the rest of central California and the state. This will be the first week OF THE YEAR that we will have temperatures in the mid to high 70s, and even low 80s! This will certainly help to bring on the vegetables and berries.

Trucks continue to inch upwards and will really start to spike up as tree fruit, grapes, melons, and cherries get going later this month.

Long range weather for the next 10 days show mid to high 70s and even a few 80s for central California. No rain.

LETTUCE–plenty of supplies in Salinas and Santa Maria areas. Quality improving daily, and the market is near the bottom. As a side note, May is the biggest volume month of the YEAR for head lettuce.

BROCCOLI–continued heavy volume and weak market on bunch 14s, 18s, and crowns. We could possibly see this market get stronger next week. Nice quality out of Salinas or Santa Maria areas.

CAULIFLOWER–as mentioned last week, cauliflower has tightened up. Shippers are falling down in volume, and the market is nearly double what it was last week at this time. However, we don’t feel the market will go too crazy.

LEAF ITEMS–after a huge run up in price on green, red, and romaine the past few weeks, these markets have backed off considerably, and we are seeing a very wide range in price, with as much as a $5.00/box SPREAD on all three items, depending upon the shipper, area, and quality. Good idea to shop around, and buy with protection.

CELERY–things are really cranking up, price-wise, as the shippers are pushing all sizes into the low to mid $20’s FOB, which are well over $30.00 delivered on the east coast with the climbing freight costs. Supplies are coming out of Oxnard and Santa Maria, but shippers are also transferring product to Salinas to load with mixer trucks, for an additional $1-1.50/box charge.

STRAWBERRIES–VERY tight supplies early week with pro rates and cuts, as shippers try to get out from under Mother’s Day commitments. Things should settle down by the end of this week. Good quality out of Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Maria, whereas Oxnard looks to finish up with most shippers.

Ed Brem

ed@producewest.com