The Source - April 4, 2016

Weather Update

A strong high pressure ridge will bring warm temperatures to the west coast through mid week. Record high temperatures are possible from Northern Mexico to Northern California under the strong ridge. An approaching cold front from the south brings tropical moisture and rain to the West the latter part of the week.
Florida will see dry conditions early this week in front of a couple of fairly weak storm systems expected mid-week. The majority of the energy will be directed to the north.

Freight Update

California and Arizona trucks have tightened slightly due to transition from Yuma to Salinas. Washington and Idaho potato trucks remain steady. Idaho onion trucks remain tighter than normal. The National Average for diesel remained steady and is now 2.115 per gallon. A difference of $0.669 from this time last year. California prices remained steady as well and are currently 2.426 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is now $35.81 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

Washington - red delicious are steady on all grades and sizes and they continue to peak on 72/80/88s. Lower grade reds remain limited and most suppliers are still subbing up up to cover orders. Golden delicious are steady on all sizes and grades. The Golden market is 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 but the market is firm due to strong demand. Most Gala suppliers still don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are steady to higher on all sizes due to light supplies. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. Most packers are finished with Jonagolds and Braeburns. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes but there is some volume flex on 113s and larger. Reds are peaking on 80/88s. McIntosh are steady on all sizes but supplies are very light. Galas are steady to higher on all sizes but supplies are also very short. Golden delicious are steady to higher but the market remains firm due to light supplies. Jonathans are steady to on all sizes but supplies remain short. Jonathans are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Fujis are steady to higher due to light supplies. Red Romes are steady on all sizes but supplies are low on them as well.
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 much less now on all varieties. The fruit quality has been good for all.
d on all varieties.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coopersville/Belding/Sparta, MI Steady Good
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Good
Hudson/Pleasant Valley/Red Hook, NY Steady Good
Asparagus

Caborca is just about finished and this is putting pressure on the California crop. There are supplies slowly coming in from Peru as well. The market has a upward trend and looks to be going up daily. We are also 2 to 3 weeks away from Guanajuato Mexico. Quality from California is excellent. But the heat has brought on seeding in the tips from Mexico.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Caborca, Mexico Higher Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Excellent
San Joaquin Valley, CA Higher Excellent
Avocado (California)

California harvest picked up a bit last week and looks to be consistent this week. Volume looks to build through April. We still continue to see smaller fruit than we would typically would see this time of year. Fruit is just not sizing up as growers had hoped due to the lack of water in the southern growing area.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Temecula/Escondido, CA Steady Good
Avocado (Mexican)

Volume from Mexico is still very good. Inventories are building after the dip down from Easter. The size curve continues to be an issue with larger fruit being plentiful, and smaller fruit at a relative premium.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady Excellent
Bell Peppers (Western)

Green bell pepper continue to be very limited. Product is mostly small to medium with very few large x large or jumbo .Most growers in Mexico are finishing fields.

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.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Lower/Steady Fair
Berries (Blackberries) Alert

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 than we've seen in the last 2-3 weeks. We are still seeing some issues with red cell and soft, broken berries.



- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies are still lighter but are improving.

Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Steady/Higher Fair
Berries (Blueberries) Alert

Chile has ended major blueberry production for the season. 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 2 weeks at least and markets continue to get stronger. Supplies are very limited, demand exceeding. Domestic production is not coming on quick enough to avoid a supply gap.



- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supply is still very limited, demand exceeding. Domestic production is not coming on quick enough to avoid a supply gap. This current shortage is expected for another 2 weeks.

Growing Region Market Quality
Southern Chile Higher Fair
Oxnard, CA Higher Good
Central Florida Higher Good
Berries (Raspberries)

Raspberries are still limited but we are right on the cusp of more steady production and getting back to more normal availability. We are still experiencing some day to day challenges with availability as we're dependent on MX transfers and arrivals to support a large portion of the demand. Quality remains good.


- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Oxnard, CA Steady/Higher Good
Berries (Strawberries)

Cool temperatures in CA last week slowed strawberry production in all growing regions. Weather is forecasted to be more favorable to begin this week, warming into the mid 70s to upper 80s in some areas. With the warm weather, we are expecting production to pickup by mid-week. By Thursday, a chance of rain returns to the coastal and valley growing regions and remains through the weekend. Demand remains steady. Market has moved up some beginning this week with limited availability. Quality has been good out of Santa Maria, Salinas, Watsonville with a few issues reported out of Oxnard with white shoulders, green tips, bronzing and smaller-sized berries.














- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard, CA Steady/Higher Good
Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Good
Salinas Valley, CA Steady/Higher Good
Watsonville, CA Steady/Higher Good
Broccoli

Broccoli supplies are still plentiful with several growing regions packing. The market is flat with offers for volume. Quality is really nice with little to no yellowing. Also good crown size with tight beads.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Celaya Guanjuato Mexico Steady Good
Brussels Sprouts Alert

Brussel Sprout supplies remain extremely limited. Shippers are still struggling to cover orders and the processors are feeling the same pinch. The market remains active at extremely higher prices. Look for this situation to last for the next few weeks. Quality is fair at best with some lots arriving with discolored sprouts and black leaves.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies remain extremely short and the market is extremely active.

Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Higher Fair
Carrots

Size is coming back very slowly on the crop coming out of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys of California. Carrots are still small, and yields are showing some improvement, but not what was hoped for 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.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Excellent
Cauliflower Alert

Cauliflower supplies have decreased with the finishing of the Yuma season. The Salinas Valley is heavier to 16 count and 12 count with limited availability of 9 count. Santa Maria is following in suit but there were still offers today for volume. Quality is very nice out of both growing regions with little creamy to yellow discoloration. The market in the Salinas Valley looks to firm up as the week progresses.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Decreased Supplies out of Salinas and Yuma finishing for the season is causing an upward trend in the market.

Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Good
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Good
Celery

The celery market is flat with light demand and an excess of supplies on all but the very small sizes. Quality is generally reported as good. We see no change in this market as demand is projected to remain stagnant for the near term.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Chili Peppers


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.

Jalapeno: limited supply with steady availability.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Cilantro

Good supplies continue and this is keeping the market at reasonable levels. Quality is still an issue with arrivals showing dehydration and yellowing of the leaves.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, MX Steady Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Citrus (Lemons)

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 165s has them cleaning up daily. Demand remains very strong.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Merced/Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Oxnard/Ventura, CA Steady Good
Citrus (Limes)

The lime market has continued higher on all sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. The peak sizes are shifting towards smaller 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.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Veracruz, Mexico Higher Excellent
Citrus (Oranges)

Good picking last week, and looks good for this week. Shippers have good in inventory. Eating excellent and look beautiful, with peak sizing on 72s/56s/88s. Demand is back up on 113s/138s as school demand begins to tighten the supplies of these smaller sizes.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Merced to Bakersfield, CA Steady/Higher Excellent
Riverside, CA Steady/Higher Excellent
Cucumbers (Western)

Supply on cucumber is improving. More supply from the northern district. Quality is better on all sizes and pack styles.
Color is good with very few quality defects Many euro cucumbers are available with large volume and good availability

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Lower/Steady Fair
Eggplant (Western)

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.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Higher Fair
Grapes (Green) Alert

Green grapes did not see much change today. We did see a slight increase in market prices last week and we know the supplies will continue to become limited, but the front part of this week seems to be holding steady. Shippers are expecting prices to start bumping up again mid to late week. Supplies will become more limited as we transition into storage crop next week.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
We can expect to see the supplies of green grapes to become more limited as we prepare for storage crop next week. Pricing will start to edge up as we move forward.

Growing Region Market Quality
Coquimbo/Valaparaiso/Santiago/Rancagua, Chile Steady Good
Grapes (Red) Alert

Red grapes continue to be steady. As expected, good volume of quality Crimsons are available all this week. Prices have remained consistent on the west coast and slightly lower on the east coast for smaller size profiles. Quality has been reported as strong. Expect this week to be consistent in price and start to edge up next week as we transition into storage crop.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Expect prices on red grapes to start to climb next week as we transition into storage crop.

Growing Region Market Quality
Coquimbo/Valaparaiso/Santiago/Rancagua, Chile Steady Good
Green Onions

Green Onion supplies are at steady levels. Also with that being said iceless green onion supplies mirror the iced. Some quality issues upon arrival have been yellow to brown tops. The overall market is steady with no fluctuation in price from last week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Mexicali, Baja Steady Good
Kale

The kale market is steady even with the transition to Salinas. Supplies out of Oxnard are also steady. The market is relatively flat with steady demand. Quality is excellent with little dehydration and yellowing.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, MX Steady Excellent
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Excellent
Salinas, CA Steady Excellent
Lettuce Iceberg

Transition from Yuma and the desert regions to the northern growing regions is in full swing. Santa Maria has started with most suppliers. Huron is going and despite some insect pressure the quality is holding up. Salinas is just beginning with very light volume but will continue to ramp up over the next several weeks. Yuma will be finishing this week. Even with all of these changes we see a steady market for the near term.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Iceberg lettuce starting in Salinas this week with very light supplies.

Growing Region Market Quality
Huron, CA Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Yuma, AZ Steady Good
Lettuce Leaf

Leaf lettuce is nearly finished in the desert regions. All other areas are going with supplies improving daily in the Salinas area. By April 11 we will be predominately loading in Salinas and Santa Maria/ Oxnard; with a few finishing in Huron. Quality is generally good out of all areas although we are seeing some insect pressure (flies and gnats) in some of the Huron product.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Salinas supplies increasing as Yuma finishes.

Growing Region Market Quality
Huron, CA Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Yuma, AZ Steady Good
Melon (Cantaloupe)

Cantaloupe supplies are returning to more normal. The quality is good overall with some lots being exceptionally nice. The peak size is currently 9ct. The current market is higher on all sizes. Demand has increased with more schools coming back in and warmer weather. There are 15ct lopes being packed now and virtually zero 18ct coming over.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Choluteca, Honduras Higher Excellent
Zacapa, Guatemala Higher Excellent
Melon (Honeydew)

Demand has picked up on honeydews while supplies have lightened up more. The peak size for the offshore is 6ct and the small amount of Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct. All sizes are available now. Honduran and Guatemalan grown honeydews are really good. Mexican dews continue to ship out of Nogales AZ and the volume is light. The Mexican dews are also very nice. The market is steady to higher across the board.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Choluteca, Honduras Steady/Higher Excellent
Zacapa, Guatemala Steady/Higher Excellent
Obregon, Mexico Steady/Higher Excellent
Melon (Watermelon)

The spring crop has finally arrived and product is now being shipped from southern Sonora Mexico. The supply has increased and the availability will be increasing everyday. Shippers will look to promote and increase the movement. Quality condition and brix are all very good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Southern Sonora, Mexico Lower/Steady Good
Onions

Market out of all areas ( Idaho, Washington and Texas) are steady with a few deals being made on certain sizes. Idaho and Washington's quality is starting to show transparency in the outer layers of both yellow and red onions from all shippers. Be careful what you are buying as there are some deals being made at very low levels due to quality. Texas and Mexican onions have the best quality. Mexico already past its peak volume and will be slowly winding down. Texas has just started with building volume. Look for the markets to be fairly steady for the next couple of weeks. Southern California will start up the middle to the end of this month.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Ontario, OR to Nampa, ID Steady Fair
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Fair
Tampico/Sonara, Mexico Steady Good
McAllen/Uvalde, TX Steady Excellent
Pears

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady and they are peaking on 80/90/100's. US#1 110-count and smaller supplies have improved, and smaller remain short along with all sizes of the fancy grade. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Fancy grade Bosc remain short in all sizes. Bosc will finish up in mid to late April. Red pears are steady on all sizes and they are peaking on half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s, but supplies remain light. Red pears will also finish in mid April. 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. Packhams are steady and continue to produce US#1 80/90/100s. Argentinian Bartletts are steady and are peaking on US#1 70-100s. The quality on all of the imported varieties have been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Good
Chile Steady Good
Pineapples

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.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
La Virgen, Costa Rica Steady Good
Heredia, Costa Rica Steady Good
Guapiles, Costa Rica Steady Good
La Cieba, Honduras Steady Good
Retalhuleu, Guatemala Steady Good
San Luis, Guatemala Steady Good
Potatoes

Potato are still coming out of storages out of Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin. Demand for retail bags out of every area other than Idaho is very light which has the carton supplies limited and some packing sheds only running half days. Idaho has just enough retail demand to keep the carton market in check. Quality is still being reported as good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Steady Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady/Higher Good
Eastern Colorado Steady Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Steady Good
Potatoes (colored)

Bakersfield, California - new crop whites are high priced but steady on all sizes. The whites are peaking on A-size. Reds and golds are higher and continue to peak on A-size. Supplies are limited on all sizes as they clean up the Washington product. The quality on both colors has ranged from good to fair.
Western Washington - They have finished with reds and golds for the season.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady to higher 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 has been good on all colors.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are both higher and they continue to peak on A-size but supplies are very limited. Gold supplies are very short! Suppliers here continue to buy bulk from N.D. and repack it. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
North Dakota - Reds and gold's are higher and the market remains firm. Some suppliers have finished with golds. Reds are peaking on A-size. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
S. Florida - reds and gold's are steady but the market remains firm due to light supplies. Whites are still not available. Poor yields are keeping the Florida market up on all colors. Both reds and golds are peaking on A-size.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Bakersfield, California will start packing new-crop red and gold potatoes at the end of this week and into the end of next week.

Arizona will start packing new-crop red potatoes on approximately April 20. New-crop gold potatoes will be a couple weeks behind.

Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady/Higher Fair
Red River Valley, ND Steady/Higher Fair
Plover, WI Steady/Higher Fair
Imokollee/Palm City/Punta Gorda, FL Steady Good
Squash (Western)

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 squash supply is very limited and many lots are showing Quality and condition issues. Italian squash is being harvested with large volume and deals being offered, great quality on most volume from all growers. Many lots of yellow showing scaring
on arrival.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady Fair
Stone Fruit

Chilean stone fruit continues to be steady. Peaches are slightly more limited, but East Coast shippers are looking to move some volume on Nectarines. Sizing continues to be on the large size with most of the fruit being packed in 2 layer tray packs. Red and black plums have seen a little jump in market price and supplies are starting to become a little more limited. Domestic stone fruit is expected to get going in a couple weeks.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coquimbo, Valaparaiso, Santiago and Rancagua, Chile Steady/Higher Good
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Rounds - The market is steady. Florida volume is coming around with Ruskin/Palmetto still a couple of weeks away from being fully ramped up. Mexico looks to be a bit better crossing supplies. Quality is all areas Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Florida looks to continue to be lighter than normal. However, new crops should begin harvesting. Mexico harvesting additional supplies, with Obregone on-line. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Steady. Supplies in the east continue to be better. Although the rain some-what slowed up harvest, look for additional supplies to hit the marke. Mexico is looking to have additional supplies, and should begin to cross more numbers. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Ruskin and Palmetto areas are starting to produce better volume on grapes now despite recent rains slowing production . Mexico looking to cross additional supplies, with the holiday past. Quality is Good / Fair.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Southern Florida Steady Good
Northern Florida Steady Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies are looking a bit better in Mexico. Sizing continues to look better. Florida should start to come around with more availability in all sizes. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies looking a bit better out of Mexico, however, supplies still a bit lighter than normal. Back east, supplies continue to be a few weeks away. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Steady. More shippers in Mexico continue to come on-line. Look for supplies to continue to get better, and cross more supplies. Back east, supplies also continue to look better, even though the recent rains have slowed up harvest a bit. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be light, however additional supplies are crossing. In Florida, volume has picked up a bit and demand is off, easing up the market. . Quality is Good Fair.



- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady Good
Southern Baja California Sur, Mexico Steady Good

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blackberries)
Supplies are still lighter but are improving.

Berries (Blueberries)
Supply is still very limited, demand exceeding. Domestic production is not coming on quick enough to avoid a supply gap. This current shortage is expected for another 2 weeks.

Brussels Sprouts
Supplies remain extremely short and the market is extremely active.

Cauliflower
Decreased Supplies out of Salinas and Yuma finishing for the season is causing an upward trend in the market.

Grapes (Green)
We can expect to see the supplies of green grapes to become more limited as we prepare for storage crop next week. Pricing will start to edge up as we move forward.

Grapes (Red)
Expect prices on red grapes to start to climb next week as we transition into storage crop.

Transitions and Temperatures

Lettuce Leaf
Salinas supplies increasing as Yuma finishes.

Potatoes (colored)
Bakersfield, California will start packing new-crop red and gold potatoes at the end of this week and into the end of next week.

Arizona will start packing new-crop red potatoes on approximately April 20. New-crop gold potatoes will be a couple weeks behind.

Lettuce Iceberg
Iceberg lettuce starting in Salinas this week with very light supplies.

Want to receive our most recent market reports by email as soon as they're released?
Click here to sign up
Back to Top