The Source - April 25, 2016

Washington - red delicious remain steady and continue to peak on 72/80/88s. Most suppliers are still subbing up to the higher grades to cover volume orders of fancys. 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 remains 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 slightly higher on all sizes due to lighter supplies and 113s and larger are still the best deal. Reds continue to peak on 80/88s. McIntosh are steady to higher but supplies remain limited. Galas are steady to higher on all sizes due to light supplies. Golden delicious supplies are getting lighter as one supplier is finished. For the suppliers that still have Golden delicious the market is firm. Jonathan supplies are light but the market is steady. Fujis are finished for the season. Red Romes are steady on all sizes but supplies are very short.
New York - Red delicious, Red Romes, and Empires are all steady but small fruit is very short. Gala supplies are light and the market is firm. Empire volume is hit and miss. The fruit quality has been good for all.

Weather in the Salinas Valley has affected supplies this week. The heat followed by cold and rain put a few setbacks last week in harvesting. The market to start the week is firm. Asparagus from Washington is in full swing as well and is keeping the market steady. Quality from both areas is excellent with little spreading of the tips.

California harvest has picked up and are now seeing good volume coming in to he packing houses. Volume looks to continue to build into May. 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 large and extra large. Most growers in Mexico are finishing in the south and are starting production in the north with California shipping as well.

Red pepper is becoming less available every week. Quality with mostly number one product being offered in both the blocky and elongated variety. Many shippers winding down on volume offered in 25,15 and 11lb units.

Yellow pepper volume is lightening with some growers finishing. Quality and condition are good on both number one and number two product.

Mexican production will continue to increase and will then peak in the coming weeks. We are seeing less issues with red cell and soft, broken berries.

Domestic production regions are finally seeing an increase in the harvests and availability out of CA, FL and GA. It will take some time to supply all the pipelines but higher volume is coming in the next weeks. Central Mexico and Baja also continue to produce steadily. Availability has improved overall and quality has remained good in all areas.

Transitions:
FL, GA and CA are all increasing in production. These crops have been slow to take off but will continually increase over the coming weeks.

Central Mexico continues to be the largest production area. CA will be increasing production as we move into May. Quality has been fairly consistent, availability remains somewhat limited.

Demand is exceeding supply. We received more rain in CA growing regions last Friday followed by 30-40 mph winds this weekend. The quality and supply had not yet recovered from the previous rain event and some quality issues could increase such as pin rot, bronzing, bruising and decay. As Mother's Day pull period kicks in this week and runs all the way through next week, we will have very limited availability. High temperatures are staying fairly mild and low temperatures are dipping down into the 40s so strawberries are not coming on with the expected volumes for this period in Santa Maria, Watsonville or Salinas. Harvest estimates are not showing large volume increases until mid-May (after the Mother's Day pull period is over.)

Alerts:
Demand is exceeding supply and we expect limited availability throughout the first week of May. Quality will remain suspect following recent weather events in all CA growing areas.

The broccoli market has firmed up. Supplies are a little lighter to start the week. This is allowing shippers to firm up their prices. Quality is still really good with nice green color and decent crown size. Product from Mexico still quoting hallow core.

Brussel Sprouts remain limited in supply. And it looks like quality turned south ending in shipments last week. Decay, yellow leaves, and brown discoloration have been reported upon arrivals today. The market remains extremely high with no relief in sight until July with the start of the domestic crop.

Alerts:
Brussel Sprouts remain active with limited supplies.

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 market has settled at current levels. Supplies look to be steady this week. There have been minimal quality issues upon arrivals. Nice color and weights in the 25-30 pounds. the only difference this week is that the volume deals are limited.

This market is steady. There are a few shippers that are flexing on volume type orders on twenty-four count sizing in the Southern California region. Small sizing is commanding a higher price. Seeder continues to be the biggest issue with this commodity. The sizing and weights are meeting the standards, overall. Production in Florida is steady, as well as pricing. Demand is moderate in the marketplace. Loading in Salinas is an option but shippers are charging a delivery fee for contract or open market business.

Domestic cherries are up and going with multiple shippers. Sizing early week will be on the smaller side and price is firm, but the volumes will be ramping up quickly. Most growers jumped into harvest late last week anticipating rain over the weekend. The southern growing regions did get some showers, but if the weather stays cool, yields should not be effected. Quality has been reported as excellent and harvest is expected to increase daily. Next week shippers are anticipating bigger size and more volume. Advance pricing available.

Transitions:
Domestic cherries are now in production.

Peak Seasons:
Volume is expected to increase quickly as we move forward. Peak availability starting next week 5/2.

Serrano; Some growers are finishing and others are starting new fields. 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.

Jalapeno : new fields and good supply are starting in northern México.

Cilantro supplies to start the week are light but expect to see better supplies by Wednesday. The market varies from supplier to supplier due to supplies mainly. Quality issues have been minimal with some yellowing of leaves and dehydration.

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 is steady to lower on sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. The peak size has shifted back towards smaller sizes. 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. The overall supplies are increasing slightly.

Bin inventory of small fruit was low. Shippers have good supplies of large sizes as crop is peaking on 72s/56s and starting to lighten up on 113s/138s. Demand for the 113s/138s is very good and supplies are cleaning up daily.

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 crop has started in southern California.

The Chilean green grape supply is quickly coming to an end. Storage crop is limited in availability and sizes. Quality has been fair at best with many reports of wet and soft berries. Prices have climbed higher this week for the remaining fruit. Mexican production is expected to start in light numbers as early as next week with volume slowly increasing as we move through May.

Alerts:
Supplies of Chilean green grapes are extremely limited and quality continues to be a concern.

Transitions:
Mexican production is expected to start with light numbers next week.

Chilean storage crop red grapes are expected to remain steady as we finish the season and transition into Mexican product. Prices have jumped up slightly and should remain fairly consistent for the remainder of the week. Quality has been good with occasional soft berries being reported. Mexican production is expected to start next week with light numbers and increase quickly as we move through May.

Transitions:
Mexican production is expected to start next week.

Good supplies of green onions are coming out of Mexico. Now would be a good time to promote. Quality has improved with minimal arrival issues. The market is also steady with increased supplies.

Kale supplies remain steady from all growing regions. Quality is excellent with little yellowing and minimal dehydration. Last week there were some isolated issues of insect presence but that has subsided.

The lettuce market is active with all suppliers. There will be a gap in lettuce production thru this week and next week as well. Common defects occurring with this commodity include pale color, misshapen heads, lightweights, and insect damage. These defects are occurring in Santa Maria and Salinas. Huron is cleaned up. The weights are averaging 35-39 pounds on wrap lettuce. Production in Salinas is expected to be moderate to light all week. Suppliers will be watching contracts closely.

This market is active on all leaf items. There are defects worth addressing. Fringe burn, tip burn, insect damage, mildew, and lightweights are common defects. Salinas and Santa Maria have very similar issues with one another . Demand is stronger to begin the week on all leaf items. Expect pricing to be active, especially if yields start becoming an issue at production time. Rain , winds and high heats are weather factors that have been a direct cause to these crops having multiple issues. On romaine, the outer leaves are not holding up well. There has been complaints on chopped romaine. The green and red leaf has had the fringe and tip burn issues.

The quality is good overall with some lots being overripe. The peak size is currently 9ct. The current market has turned slightly higher on all sizes. Demand has increased and supplies are lighter than last week causing it to rise up. Very few 15ct lopes are being packed now and virtually zero 18ct are coming over. Mexico has started shipping light supplies of Cantaloupes.

Demand has picked up on honeydews and supplies have decreased causing the market to come up. 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 picking up but not enough to effect the market yet. 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 are promoting to 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 supplies are winding down quickly (Idaho and Washington). Only a few shippers still have supplies that will finish up the first week of May. Quality is fair with some transparency showing up in the outer layers. Texas growing areas received some moderate rain over the weekend. Most shippers had plenty dry onions in the their packing sheds for orders for today and tomorrow. Quality is being reported as good. Texas should have good supplies for the next three weeks and then they will slowly wind down. Southern California onion supplies have started with moderate to good supplies of yellows and limited supplies of Reds. Red onion supplies will improve by the weekend. Quality is good. Market is steady out of all areas.

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady and continue to peak on 80/90/100's. US#1 grade 110-count and smaller remain limited along with all sizes of the fancy grade. Most packers are finished packing D'anjous and only have whats in their 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 packers will ship CA Bosc pears for the next week or two. Red pears have finished for the season. The quality on domestic D'anjous and Bosc have been good.
Chile - Argentinian Bartletts are steady and continue to peak on US#1 70-100s. Chilean Packhams are steady and continue to produce mostly US#1 80/90/100s but there is some smaller fruit on the west coast. Chilean Bosc are also steady and they are peaking on 100-size and larger. The quality on all of the imported varieties have been good.

We are now see some shippers back off on supplies increases until later in May. Supplies from these shipper are beginning to tighten back up. Others will see some increased supplies in May.

Demand is moderate with a steady market out of all shipping areas. (Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin) Quality is being reported as good with an occasional ruff lot. All shippers are spraying Sprout nip on their potatoes as they are be sorted. All growing areas are in the middle 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. The availability for all colors is better with some suppliers while reds are lower with a few. The new-crop quality has been good.
Phoenix, Arizona - one supplier has started packing red potatoes and they are peaking on A-size. The quality is reported as good.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady to slightly but supplies are shorter now. Both colors continue to peak on A-size. We have two suppliers left and they expect to pack through April. The quality has range from fair to good.
North Dakota - Reds and gold supplies are very light and are in fewer and fewer hands. Golds are more limited than reds.
S. Florida - reds are steady to higher and the market remains strong but some shippers are finished or are close. Many suppliers have finished with golds and whites. All colors are still peaking on A-size. The quality has ranged from good to fair.
N. Florida - Supplies of new-crop reds are limited and most shippers are split between As and Bs. The quality is reported as good. They are scheduled to start new-crop whites and golds 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.

Domestic stone fruit is now in production. Early varieties of apricots, peaches and nectarines are available to load with multiple shippers. Sizing continues to be on the smaller side as we ramp up production, however, two layer and volume fill packs are now available. Market prices are firm, but will be declining as volume increases. Quality has been reported as excellent and shippers are anticipating a very strong season. Promotable volume will be available.

Transitions:
Domestic stone fruit is now in production and volumes are expected to increase quickly.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies in Florida are in good numbers, with spring production going. Sizes have been on the smaller sizes, however, look for larger sizes to pick up. Mexico is also harvesting good numbers, with good supplies crossing. Quality is good.
Roma - The market is steady. Like the Rounds, good production numbers being harvested out of Florida and Mexico. Look for good supplies to continue in all areas. Quality is good.
Cherry - The market is steady. Production looks to be a bit better this week in Florida. Mexico looks to continue with better numbers crossing. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be good out of Florida. Mexico also has good numbers, with supplies crossing. quality range from Good / Fair.

Rounds - The market is steady. Mexico looks to be in better supplies, with additional numbers crossing. Florida also has good numbers, with spring production going. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Good supplies continue in Mexico and Florida, with several areas in both locations in production. Look for supplies to continue to be good in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Steady. Supplies in Mexico and Florida are looking better . Range of quality from Good to Fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to look strong. Florida and Mexico have good supplies. Range in uality is Good / Fair.