The Source - April 14, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady and they continue to peak on 72/80/88s. Most suppliers are still subbing up to higher grades to cover volume orders of the fancy grade. Golden delicious are steady on all sizes and grades. Goldens continue to peak on Wash-Extra 100/113s and most suppliers don't have much larger than an 88-size. Granny-smith are steady on all sizes and they are continue to peak on 88-113s. Most suppliers still don't have much larger than an 88 or smaller than a 125. Galas are steady on all sizes and grades and but the market remains firm. Most Gala suppliers still don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are steady on all sizes but the market is firm due to light supplies. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes but the price flex for 113s and larger is still available. Reds continue to peak on 80/88s. McIntosh are steady but supplies remain very short. Galas are steady to higher on all sizes due to light supplies. Golden delicious are steady but the market remains firm due to light supplies. Jonathans are steady to on all sizes but supplies remain limited. Jonathans are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Fujis are steady but firm due to light supplies. Red Romes are steady on all sizes but supplies are limited.
New York - Red delicious, Red Romes, and Empires are all steady. Gala supplies are light and the market is firm. Empire volume is hit and miss but there are occasional deals. Small fruit availability is light for all varieties. The fruit quality has been good for all.

The Asparagus market is 2 tiered with Mexico being more competitive than Domestic. We have supplies coming from the Salinas Valley, Central California, and Washington. Quality on the domestic product is excellent. Product from Mexico is showing seeding in the tips due to the heat down there. Sizes are mostly standard and large with limited supplies of extra large and jumbo.

California harvest has picked up and are now seeing good volume coming in to he packing houses. Volume looks to continue to build through April. We still continue to see more smaller fruit than we would typically would see this time of year.

Volume from Mexico is still very good. Fruit is coming from higher elevations with good quality and oil content. The size curve is peaking on 40s/48s/60s.

Green bell pepper continue to improve with supply. Product is mostly small to medium with very few large x large or jumbo .Most growers in Mexico are finishing fields.
With California shipping as well.

Red pepper is becoming very available this week. Quality with mostly number one product being offered in both the blocky and elongated variety. Many volume deals being offered in 25,15 and 11lb units.

Yellow pepper in both variety and all pack styles. yellow and red are more available with better color due to warmer weather.

Supply has improved some to start this week. Some grower-shippers are still struggling with availability and transfers from MX but others have better supplies. We are seeing less issues with red cell and soft, broken berries.

South America has ended major blueberry production for the season. There is still some storage product in the pipeline but it is drying up very quickly. Central Mexico and Baja are still in steady production and FL and CA are beginning to produce on a small scale. Supplies will continue to be short over the next week or so then we should begin to see both FL and CA production picking up swiftly. Supplies are very limited, demand is exceeding.

Alerts:
Blueberry supplies are still extremely limited, demand exceeding.

Supply got very tight by mid-week last week and looks to remain short for the near future, demand is exceeding. We are right on the cusp of production increasing in California and availability being better but we are not there yet. Quality has been good overall, with a few reports of sun scald.

Alerts:
Limited availability, demand is exceeding supply this week.

Demand is severely exceeding supply. Rain over the previous weekend disrupted harvesting and production. Quality issues have followed and led to very large reductions in harvest for fresh market this week. Extremely limited availability for the weekend and expected to affect next week as well.

Alerts:
Demand is exceeding supply, extremely limited availability out of all growing regions.

The broccoli market has firmed up off the bottom. Some growing regions such as Phoenix and Yuma have finished. And most suppliers are feeling increased demand. Supplies in the remaining regions are steady. But the increased demand and possible supplies gapping by the end of this week have created an upward trend in the market. Quality remains excellent with nice crown size with limited yellowing.

Brussel Sprouts continue to be a problem. Not only are supplies extremely limited, prices are extremely high as well. Quality is fair at best with arrivals showing brown discoloration and some black decay. Unfortunately there still isn't any forecast for relief.

Alerts:
Brussel Sprouts are still in limited supplies and extreme markets.

We still are not seeing size is coming back as we had hoped in the Coachella and Imperial Valley crop. Carrots are still small, and still not getting much supply on Jumbo size carrots. Jumbo size still very tight, and still looks like it will be awhile before any real improvement of size is seen. Supplies of medium size and baby peeled carrots are is good.

The cauliflower market remains active this week. Supplies are limited on all packs. Also there will be possible substitutions from 12 count to 16 count from some shippers. The quality of cauliflower is showing creamy color to some yellowing upon arrivals. Look for limited supplies and active markets for the rest of the week.

Alerts:
The Cauliflower market remains active with limited supplies.

All sizing has firmed up with most suppliers. Good quality continues although there has been some reports of slight seeder. Moderate supplies continue out of the Florida region. Expect pricing to get stronger towards the end of the week. Loading in Salinas is an option but shippers are charging a delivery fee for contract or open market business so please be aware.

The first domestic cherry harvest is expected to start April 25th. Growers are expecting a strong season with excellent fruit sets. Volume will ramp up as we begin May with promotional opportunities available. Sizing will run on the smaller side with early fruit.

Serrano; Some growers are finishing and supply has dropped. Quality remains good with better demand.

Anaheim; Sizing and quality remain good, more product being offered.

Pablano; Slightly lighter supply, good quality and condition expected to continue.

Tomatillo; Very good supply and quality ,extra large sizes available.

As we transition to Salinas, there has been minimal supply gaps. This has kept the market steady at competitive pricing. Cilantro quality has been good with minimal dehydration and yellow discoloration of the leaves.

The central valley and the Ventura crops are going and both are peaking on 140s and smaller size fruit. Larger sized fruit is tight and strong demand for 140s/165s has them cleaning up daily. Demand remains very strong.

The lime market has continued higher on all sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. The peak sizes are shifting back towards larger sizes now. This is the time of year where overall supplies are low and will remain at lower levels until the first or second week of May. The overall long term upward market trend will likely continue with the lower supplies through to first part of May. Quality is excellent overall. Supplies continue to remain extremely short. The short supplies will carry into the end of next week.

Some rain over the weekend will slow picking for a day or two for shippers. Bin inventory of small fruit was low going into the weekend, so pickers need to get back out to the groves. Eating excellent and look beautiful, with peak sizing on 72s/56s/88s. Demand is very good on 113s/138s, leaving these sizes somewhat tight in supply.

Supply on cucumber has improved. More supply from the northern district. Quality is better on all sizes and pack styles. Peaking on Super Select and Select.
Color is good with very few quality issues. Euro cucumbers are available with limited supply in number one and number two pack styles.

Eggplant will continue with lighter supply from both central and northern Mexico. Excellent color and condition will continue
with many number two product being offered. Many growers in the south are finishing and supply will lighten.
New district will start soon.

Chilean green grape supplies continue to be limited as we transition to only storage crop. As expected, market prices have suddenly spiked and will remain firm until we start Mexican fruit in the front part of May. Quality continues to be a concern with the last of the Chilean crop. Late season rains and unfavorable weather has resulted in storage grapes being weaker than normal. Amber color, soft wet berries and early decay have been reported. Availability and quality will continue to be a challenge for the next 2-3 weeks until we start the first Mexican harvest.

Alerts:
Chilean green grapes will continue to struggle with quality and supply. Market prices are escalated.

Transitions:
Mexican green grapes are expected to begin May 10th.

Chilean red grapes continue to remain steady in supply and quality. Volumes are expected to meet demand for the next couple weeks. The late season Chilean red grape varieties have been much more resilient to the rains and quality has been reported as strong. Markets have been level and are expected to remain flat through next week. Mexican harvest is estimated to start the front part of May.

Supplies remain steady as shipments from Mexico have not been delayed. Both iceless and iced green onions are in decent supplies. The market for this week will be steady. Quality has been good with minimal browning to yellowing of the tops.

There are plenty of supplies from all growing regions. The market remains steady even through transition. Quality has been excellent with nice green color, minimal dehydration, and yellowing.

This market is stronger. Huron has been updated to have light supplies next week on this commodity, then be finished. Santa Maria is in production, but supplies are limited. Insects are seen along with some irregular shaped heads in Huron. Decay has also been an issue. The weights are averaging 39-44 pounds on palletized. Salinas is expected to have better production next week. Defects in Santa Maria are similar to Huron with some suppliers. The growing regions have had rains earlier in the week. Temperatures have been fluctuating as well.

Production in Huron is all but finished. It is time to move loading locations on all leaf items. Salinas and Santa Maria currently are the main growing regions for these commodities. This market is getting stronger as price fluctuations are occurring. There are quality issues on romaine. These issues include blister, insect damage and cupping. This is occurring on green and red leaf as well, not just romaine. This market is expected to get stronger as the week goes on.

The quality is good overall with some lots being exceptionally nice. The peak size is currently 9ct. The current market has turned higher on all sizes. Demand has increased but supplies are lighter than last week causing it to rise up. 15ct lopes being packed now with virtually zero 18ct coming over.

Demand has picked up on honeydews and supplies have decreased since last week causing the market to come up a bit. The peak size for the offshore is 6ct and the Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct, very few 8ct are available. Honduran and Guatemalan grown honeydews are really good. Mexican dews ship out of Nogales AZ and the volume is beginning to pick up. The Mexican dews are also very nice. The market is higher across the board.

Spring crop is bringing big volume. Product is now being shipped from southern and northern Sonora Mexico.
The supply has increased and the availability will be increasing everyday. Shippers The are looking to promote and increase the movement.
Quality condition and brix are all very good. All sizes being offered in both bins and cartons peaking on larger fruit,36s, 45s some 60s.
Personal watermelons are being offered in all sizes, good quality and condition.

Northwest storage onions are getting into fewer and fewer hands out of Idaho and Washington. Most shipper will finish up with their storage onions the end of the this month, a few will go into the front part of May. Quality is still pretty good with being in storage for so long. Market is steady. Supplies of new crop onions from Mexico are winding down while supplies from Texas Valley are building. There is a good chance of thunder showers in the Texas Valley the next 5 to 7 days which could interrupt supplies for a few days. Southern California will start shipping yellow onions in a light way next week. Red will follow about a week behind. Market and supplies could tighten up next week if Texas does get hit with rain and or hail. Quality is being reported as good.

Alerts:
Texas Valley forecasted to get hit with Thunder Showers the next 5 to 7 days

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady and continue to peak on 80/90/100's. US#1 110-count and smaller supplies remain limited along with all sizes of the fancy grade. Most packers are finished packing D'anjous only have whats in their respective CA rooms. Many suppliers are out of fancy grade D'anjous for the season. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Fancy grade Bosc remain short in all sizes. Most shippers ship CA Bosc pears into next week and possibly beyond. Red pears are steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s, but supplies are very light. Red pears should finish in the next week or two. The quality on domestic D'anjous, Bosc, and red pears have been good.
Chile - Chilean Bartlett pears are finished coming in and supplies are limited to small fruit on the west coast. Argentinian Bartletts are steady and continue to peak on US#1 70-100s. Packhams are steady and continue to produce mostly US#1 80/90/100s. The quality on all of the imported varieties have been good.

We are back to a more normal demand for the lighter, but steady supplies that we have. Still looking for supplies start to come back as we move through April.

Demand is good on large russet potatoes (60 count and larger) out of all growing areas due to light availability. Supplies of 70 count and smaller remains steady with some spot deals being made on certain sizes. Quality is still being reported as good. All growing areas are in the process of planting next year storage crop.

Bakersfield, California - new crop white, red, and gold potatoes are all steady and all three colors are still peaking on A-size. Expect better availability for all colors next week. The new-crop quality has been good.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady but supplies remain limited. Both colors continue to peak on A-size. One Idaho supplier will finish next week and the other two will pack through April. The quality for all colors has has been good.
North Dakota - Reds and gold supplies are light and are in fewer and fewer hands every passing day. They still have a few red and gold As and B's.
S. Florida - reds and gold's are steady to slightly lower but the market remains strong. Both reds and golds are peaking on A-size. Whites are steady on all sizes and they are still very short. The quality has ranged from good to fair.

Transitions:
Arizona will start packing new-crop red potatoes next week.

Hard Squash will continue to lighten in supply. Acorn and butternut are becoming more scarce. Spaghetti is abundant and Kabocha is becoming less available.

Yellow and Italian squash are being harvested with large volume and deals being offered, great quality on most volume from all growers. Many lots of yellow showing scarring on arrival.

Chilean stone fruit has essentially come to an end with shippers cleaning up remaining inventory. Domestic stone fruit is anticipated to start as early as this weekend with light harvest of early season apricots and nectarines. Volume and varieties are expected to ramp up as we move forward. Growers are reporting excellent fruit sets with a wide range of sizes and promotable volumes.

Transitions:
Domestic stone fruit is starting next week.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies continue to pick up in the East, with new areas beginning to harvest. Mexico however looks to be decreasing due to the transition. Demand is consistent. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady / lower. Supplies continue to be very good in all areas. Florida and Mexico have plenty of product. Quality looks to have a wide range, with high prices going to the higher quality product. Quality ranges from Good / fair.
Cherry - The market is Higher. Demand has picked up in all areas. East looks to be up in price four to five dollars, with transition. Mexico looks be bit a bit tighter this week as well, and crossing less. Look for the market to continue to be tighter for the next week. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is Steady. Supplies continue to be good in all areas, with good quality is Florida and Mexico. Quality is Good.

Rounds - The market is steady. Mexico looks to be lightening up a bit, as the transition takes place. However, supplies back east looking to be increasing, keeping good supplies on the market. Warmer weather should continue to pick up supplies in all areas. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Plenty of supplies available in all areas. Demand is consistent. Quality looks to have a wide range from Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Higher. Mexico looks to be lighten, and the transition takes place. Back east, the market looks to be increasing, and up by four to ficw dollars, as they also transition harvest. With all areas looking lighter, market should continue to rise through the week. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to look better in all areas. Florida and Mexico have good supplies, with good quality. Quality is Good.