As temperatures rises in the desert, it is time to transition to northern growing regions.  Items like broccoli and cauliflower have been available in Salinas for the past few weeks, and will soon be followed by lettuce and mix veg.  California weather is expected to be sunny and mild, which should help speed up development, easing the transition pains normally associated with this time of year. Some rain expected late next week, which could affect the back half of transition as the remaining items head north.  Freight costs remain steady, with slight increases expected for Easter pull two weeks from now.  Plenty of trucks available.

LETTUCE – Yuma product is finishing up later this week. Some shippers will stay around for another week as long as quality holds up. Heavy weights in desert product, a result of warmer weather. Although quality is good overall, there has been some bruising from the bulkier heads in the box.  Early reports from the Huron show- ok quality, although availability will most likely decrease as demand picks up in California.  Santa Maria lettuce volume and quality is improving daily.  Salinas production is still a few weeks out and quality is expected to be marginal at best.

BROCCOLI – Availability in all areas, although lighter in the desert. Salinas / Santa Maria volume starting to pick up, quality has been very nice.  Mexico is still growing as well, although be careful with quality, some branchy product and yellowing.  Demand remains steady, bunch broccoli has been pricier than crowns, which is highly unusual.

CAULIFLOWER – Yuma production is finishing up. Some quality problems include yellowing and brown spotting.  More volume in Salinas and Santa Maria. Early reports from the north show better quality. Volume improved this week, with increasing numbers next week.  Market expected to remain steady next week.

LEAF – Huron has started and early inspections show some quality issues including blistering and fringe burn.  Quality is not much better in the desert as Yuma production finishes up, including broken/red ribs and wilting.  Expect minor problems over the next few weeks, typical for transition time, especially if we get significant rains later next week.  Overall product is not pretty, although better than it has looked in recent years during transition time.    

CELERY – Yuma will be finishing up by the end of this month.  Oxnard is in full production and currently plenty of volume. Warm winter months have brought on plenty of product, more large sizes available.  Quality is fine, production expected to be strong at least for the next few weeks.  Demand should pick up as weather improves in the eastern half of the US. 

STRAWBERRIES – Focus is now on west coast fruit as Florida and Mexico wind down production.  Currently there are plenty of berries available in Oxnard and Yuma areas this week and next. If we get rain later next week in California, we could see gaps in production during Easter pull. Salinas berries have started, although very light supply, and no significant volume is expected for at least 4-5 weeks. Quality has been generally nice in California and Arizona, strong fruit, although some minor problems like white shouldering have been reported.

ASPARAGUS – This market is finally showing signs of life as we enter into transition time. Mexico is slowing production and California product is in light supply. Salinas and central valley have begun production.  Mexico production is lighter, quality not what it was a few weeks ago. High Easter ads have pushed the current market significantly higher. Expect production as a whole to be moderate at best throughout this week and prices to remain high through Easter.