The Source - April 5, 2017

Washington - reds are steady on most sizes and they continue to peak on larger fruit. 113 and smaller red supplies remain more limited. Golden delicious are steady to higher and strong due to increased demand. The fruit is still peaking on 72/80/88s so supplies of the smaller fruit are limited. Granny-smith are steady on all sizes. The fruit is still peaking on 72/80/88's so small fruit is extremely tight. Many shippers are having to to sub up in size and grade on anything smaller than an 88. The Gala market is steady on all sizes. Galas are still peaking on 80/88/100/72s and they have better volume in the larger sizes. Fuji's are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on 72/80/88s. Fuji volume is generally light right now especially in 113s and smaller. Honeycrisp are steady to higher and they continue to peak on 80/88/100s. Expect the Honeycrisp market to continue to slowly climb until the season ends in May. The quality has been good. There are some small lots of Braeburns and Jonagolds currently available.
Michigan--McIntosh and Empires remain strong but steady due to light supplies. Golden delicious are steady to higher due to increased demand from other areas. Galas are higher due to lighter supplies. Jonathans, Jonagolds, and Fujis are all fairly steady even though supplies are fairly light. Red Delicious are steady on all sizes but the demand has increased. The Galas and Jonathans are still peaking on smaller fruit while the Golden delicious, Red delicious, Fujis, and McIntosh are heavier to the medium sizes. The quality has been good.
New York---the Empire and McIntosh markets are high and strong due to light supplies. Red delicious, Galas, Fujis, and Red Romes are also steady to higher due to light supplies. All varieties are currently producing mostly large fruit! The quality has been good.
Pennsylvania---they have finished for the season.

Alerts:
Washington still only has limited supplies of small Granny-smith apples.

Michigan is definitely feeling stronger demand for their red and golden delicious so the markets could rise.

New York fruit is running large right now so the availability of 125-size and smaller is very light.

Transitions:
Pennsylvania has finished for the season.

Peak Seasons:
Washington is in the peak of its season for red delicious, golden delicious, Granny-smith, Fujis, and Galas.

Michigan is in the peak of its season on red delicious, golden delicious, Empires, Fujis, Galas, Jonagolds, and McIntosh.

Weather in Caborca, Mexico has remained warm as their seasons wind down. We should see asparagus for about another 2 weeks from this region, with quality being fair at best. Market has improved due to the Easter pull. California will have good weather early this week, but will see some rain over the weekend which will bring some cooler weather. Production should slow down some and the market should improve with Caborca, Mexico on the way out and the Easter pull.

Alerts:
Alert for the East Coast: Peru will be delayed about another week to 10 days due to the recovery of the recent rains and flooding.

Transitions:
Baja Mexico should start in about 2-3 weeks.

California expecting to harvest around 7 million pound this week and continue to build as we move through April to close to 10 million pounds per week in harvest. Current harvest is still peaking on smaller sizes 60s/70s, but expect to see some size growth as weather warms up and start improving the availability of 48s/40s.

Mexico's shipments remain stable at around 35 million pounds. Shippers are pushing for more fruit this week and the beginning of next week as harvest crews will be pulling out for the Holy Week of Easter and not expected to start harvest again until the following week. Field pricing from Mexico is expected to start pushing up next week. Long-term projections still indicate that volume will continue to decline in the coming weeks.

Green bell Pepper has improved in supply especially on off grade large sizes. prices have dropped and will continue for the near future. larger sizes on number one grade peaking.

Colored Bells ( Red, Yellow and Orange) has had an increase in supply, both blocky and elongated varieties. Good quality and condition will continue, supply will remain better for the near future. market and demand are much easier. Packing 25# 15# and 11# units. Both number one and number two grade.

Blackberry supplies have been consistent out of Mexico, helping fill demand on both west and east coasts. Santa Maria and Oxnard have been slow due to weather. Salinas and Watsonville is expected to start in 3-5 weeks. Market prices have been steady with slight decreases over the last few days. Supplies are expected to continue to improve in Mexico and southern California over the next 2-3 week as we wait for Salinas / Watsonville to begin. Promotional opportunities will be available through April.

Transitions:
Salinas and Watsonville harvest is expected to start in 3-5 weeks.

Blueberry supplies seem to be improving slowly. Mexico harvest is expected to improve over the next 2 weeks which should help bridge the transition into central California harvest which is expected to really ramp up by the middle of April. Florida has seen some increased production this week with good quality fruit available to load on a consistent basis. Georgia had been hit hard with a freeze and production numbers have greatly suffered, but shippers are hoping for better availability later in the month. Prices have been steady and firm, however, we do expect to see markets start to gradually taper off as production improves in all areas. We anticipate a big change in markets and supply once California is in full production; starting mid to late April.

Transitions:
Oxnard and Santa Maria production will gradually improve over the next 2 weeks. Central California production is expected to start mid April.

Raspberries remain limited. Mexico / Baja are the primary suppliers of raspberries at this time and demand continues to exceed incoming supplies. Santa Maria and Oxnard are struggling with production as the weather has not been consistent enough to increase yields. Salinas and Watsonville are expected to start in 3-5 weeks. Market prices have been steady and firm. Depending on the upcoming weather, we hope to see better harvest out of southern California over the next 2 weeks to help fill demand until Salinas / Watsonville starts.

Alerts:
Supplies will remain for the next 2-3 weeks.

Transitions:
Salinas and Watsonville are expected to start in 3-5 weeks.

Strawberry production in California has been increasing. However, due to the recent inflated Easter demand and the expected rain this coming weekend, supplies will continue to remain snug. Weather forecasts are calling for up to an inch of rain in Salinas, Watsonville and Santa Maria growing regions and up to half an inch in Oxnard. If this happens, harvest will be greatly affected Friday and Saturday. Shippers are warning of possible shortages by the weekend and lasting into the front part of next week. Depending on the severity of this storm system, we could also see some quality challenges further down the road. Market prices have remained steady this week with Easter lids set, but coverage for new orders may be difficult this weekend. Advanced orders are highly recommended.

Alerts:
Rain is expected in all California growing regions starting Thursday and lasting through Saturday. Supplies may be affected.

What can we say here that hasn't been repeated over the course of the past couple months! We are in a severe supply gap. Yuma is finished for the season. Mexico supplies have been hampered by the extreme heat in the growing region. Salinas and Santa Maria are experiencing supply shortages due to the previous rain in January and February. The long term outlook is 3 weeks for some increased supplies. We have see irregular crown size, yellowing, some pin rot from the rain, and small bunch size.

Alerts:
Extremely limited supplies from all growing regions. The previous rainy weather in January and February has created major problems for supplies. This has created an extremely volatile market.

The hot weather in the Mexican growing region has really hampered quality and supplies. Demand has also increased as we head into the spring months. This has created a higher market moving forward. We should see this trend for the next few weeks. The quality reports have been showing pale color, brown decay, and yellowing of the sprouts.

Carrot supplies of jumbo, cello and value added product are very good and look continue to be so for a while.

The cauliflower market is extremely active due to a major supply shortage. This has been created by the previous rains in both Salinas and Santa Maria in the months of January and February. we are looking for better supplies in 3 weeks. But until then it will be extremely difficult for the supply chain. The quality has also suffered with yellow to cream color cauliflower. Also we are seeing brown discoloration upon arrivals.

Alerts:
We are experiencing extreme supply shortages due to previous rain in January and February. This is causing an extremely volatile market.

The celery market has become stronger with all shippers. The Southern California region, specifically Oxnard and Santa Maria has been pressed to pick up production due to the desert finishing up. Salinas will not begin production until approximately June. There have been some light issues of bowing, pith and insects, but overall the quality has been reported to be good with most shippers. Twenty-four counts seem to have a little better availability. Expect this market to get stronger throughout the week.

Transitions:
Yuma production is finished

Pablano - Excellent size and Quality will continue with improved supply.

Tomatillo-Much lighter supply and just fair quality, both peeled and husked. Sizing is only fair. Color and condition will continue to be only fair.

Jalapeno- good quality on new crop pepper, Excellent Size color and condition with huge supplies. Many number 2s are being shipped.

Anaheim- good quality, condition and size are expected to continue as supply have improved.

The cilantro market varies from supplier to supplier. We have had quality issues of yellowing of the leaves, some black decay, and brown discoloration. Supplies from Mexico has also decreased due to the hot weather they have been experiencing. All of this has created an upward trend in the market.

Size growth to the lemon groves in California have left good volume of large size fruit 115s/95s/75s and very limit supplies small fruit 140s/165s/200s. All shippers have reached demand demand exceed situation on small fruit 140s/165s/200s that will last through the summer.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supplies on 140s and smaller, all grades.

Limes continue to peak on smaller sizes such as 230's and 250's although we are seeing an uptick in the supplies of larger sizes which is helping to ease supply issues. New crops limes have taken over production and are smaller in size. We have begun to see a slow but steady evening out of the size profile as volume picks up. Quality has been excellent on the limes over the past several weeks and looks to keep this trend. Weather overall has been very cooperative which will promote good growth and quality. We are in April now and prices are softening up rather than being traditionally high and volatile. The market is lower.

Good export and domestic demand has been driving shipments. Many of the smaller shippers will be done with Navels by May, and others are looking to finish by mid May. Size growth of the fruit has brought peak sizing up to 72/88/56 and the smaller sizes of 113s/138s are to get limited on availability. The Valencia crop looks to get start by the end of the month to first part of May.

improved supply on cucumber coming out of Mexico, Excellent color, quality and condition on all grades, sizes and pack styles. Supply will improve for the next week.Euro cucumber is also available with very heavy supply, #1and #2 both single layer and bushel boxes.

Good quality and condition with good size are currently being shipped from Nogales, mostly 18 count followed by 24 count are available as volume drops slightly. Many number 2s being shipped showing some scarring and occasional internal discoloration.

Green grapes feel like they have found a plateau here. Supplies are steady and demand has backed off somewhat. Problems continue to surface on a majority of the newly arriving grapes ranging from decay to nesting which has created an increasing market. Promotable volumes are not available right now on green grapes. The market is steady at the current high levels.

Red grapes are in a steady market. Lesser quality varieties are in poor condition thankfully, for the most part they are finished shipping this season. Crimsons and some of the other red varieties are commanding a higher price and are definitely worth it. Growing conditions are good for producing high quality grapes. The market is holding steady here and looks to do so for the near future.

We are starting to see the green onion market firm up. This trend will last through Easter. As crews In Mexico take time off for the holiday, this will put pressure on supplies and the market will increase as we approach Easter. We had had minimal quality issues upon arrival.

The kale market had some fluctuation but only due to suppliers moving from Yuma to Salinas. They have had some difficulties transferring product North to Salinas causing a small supply issue. We will see that market stabilize next week. Quality remains excellent with minimal arrival issues. We have see minimal yellowing and full cartons being packed.

Demand exceeds supplies with this commodity. Yuma is finishing up in the next few days and Huron production is moderate to light. Salinas has begun production in a very light way. The quality has been fair with reports of mechanical damage, pink ribbing, growth cracks, insect damage and brittle. Shippers have struggled all week to meet contract demands and this has left little to sell on open market business. The weights are being reported between 37-44 pounds for palletized. This market will continue to be active throughout this week and next at a minimum.

Transitions:
Huron and Salinas will be the growing regions for this commodity. Yuma is all but finishing up.

Romaine, and all other leaf items are very active in the marketplace. Escalated pricing is in effect. The desert region is finished in terms of production. Common defects that are seen on leaf items include seeders, discoloration, mechanical damage and fringe/tip burn. Production in Salinas and Huron is moderate to light. Demand clearly exceeds supplies and expect this to continue for a couple of weeks minimum. Escalated pricing is in effect on contracts as well as value added items. The planting gaps due heavy rains in past months are starting to takes its toll on the shortage of product in Huron, Salinas, and southern California. The month of April will be a bumpy road in terms of quality and availability for these commodities.

Transitions:
Yuma is finished in production. Salinas, Huron and southern California are the growing regions for romaine and all leaf items.

Cantaloupes are active due to continued light supplies which looks to continue for the next week or so. Quality is 95% excellent with a few problems such as softness showing up. We are peaking on 9's and the other sizes are short. The weather has been ideal for growing in all regions and this trend looks to continue. The market is steady to higher for now.

Honeydews are continuing to cruise right along. The supplies are adequate and look to remain so for the rest of the offshore season. Quality has been very nice with almost 99% of them arriving in excellent condition. Weather is ideal for growing honeydews and looks to be ideal for the remainder of the season. Larger sizes such as 5's and 6's are more available than smaller 8's. The market is steady at this time.

Quality and condition are only fair on conventional seedless. Personal seedless are available in limited supply peaking on smaller sizes. Sonora spring crop has started and volume is very limited on large fruit but will improve by the end of the month. Sugar is only fair but will improve as weather continues to warm. Good demand on larger fruit. mostly bins available and cartons being packed to order.

Alerts:
Early fruit out of Sonora has been Damaged by wind and rain 50 days ago. there is very limited supply of large fruit and conditions are expected to continue for most of this month as we transition to Hermosillo (Northern Sonora).

Idaho Storage season will finish up with most shippers by the end of this month. Over half of the 26 packing sheds have already finished. Market is steady on yellow and red onions with moderate demand. Quality overall is good. Storage onion are coming out of Cold storages so if they are put in warm rooms they will start to come to life. Ideally keep them around 40 degrees. Washington Storage season will go into the end of May. Quality is still being reported as good. Market is steady at low levels. Mexico supplies will finish up in the next week or two demanding on demand. Quality has been good. Market has firmed slightly on Yellow onions with Reds and White staying steady. Texas supplies are slowing building. Quality is good but sizing is currently peaking on Medium Yellows. Sound like the sizing out of this area will be a mixed bag depending on the field they are harvesting. Demand is good on 40lb Carton Texas sweets for retail. Southern California shippers will start harvesting around April 19th. Fields will start out with small sizing. This will be short lived with the sizing peaking on Jumbo and larger till they finish around of then end of May.

Transitions:
Southern California to start around April 19th.

Washington -- D'anjou pears are still peaking on US#1 80/90/100s and the market is steady on all sizes. The quality has been good. Bosc pears are mostly steady and they are peaking on US#1 90/100s. Most shippers are finished shipping Bosc at the end of this week or beginning of next. The quality has been good. Red pears are steady and they are still peaking on US#1 50-size half cartons. The quality has been good.

Chile - Chilean Bartlett pears are steady on both coasts and they are still peaking on larger fruit with mostly 80/90/100s, however the availability is light as they are almost finished. Argentinian Bartletts are steady and they remain heavy to large fruit. Chilean Packhams are available now and they are also peaking on large fruit with very little 100-size and smaller. Chilean Forelles are steady and they are producing more smaller sized fruit. The quality for all has been good.

Alerts:
Small D'anjou pears are still really short in Washington.

Transitions:
Washington Bosc pears will last through this week possibly into next and then they will be finished for the season.

Chilean Bartletts are finishing and they are transitioning into Argentinian Bartletts.

Peak Seasons:
Washington is in the peak of its D'anjou pear season.

Supplies remain light, and we are seeing demand pickup as the Easter pull begin. Availability is very limited right now, and better supplies are still projected to start to return toward the last part of April.

Idaho - Market is steady on all size cartons with moderate demand. Retail bag market is weak with very light demand. Quality issues with internal bruising has improved as the shippers have moved into different storages. Look for the market to stay steady at current levels for the next couple of weeks.
Washington - Market is steady with moderate demand. Quality is good. Sizing is peaking on 70 count and smaller.
Colorado - Market is firm with good to moderate demand. Quality is fair. Sizing is peaking on 80 count and smaller.
Wisconsin - Market is firm with moderate demand on all sizes. Quality is good. Sizing is peaking on 70 count.

Bakersfield California -- new-crop whites and reds are steady on all sizes and both are peaking on A size. New-crop golds have just started and they are peaking on A size as well with good maturity. The quality is good. There is still some old-crop reds and golds around and they are priced slightly lower than the new-crop.
Idaho - old-crop red and gold potatoes are steady but most suppliers are flexing their prices to match other areas. The reds are still split between A and B size while the golds are peaking on As. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - old-crop red and gold potatoes are steady to slightly lower and both continue to peak on A size. Most shippers will flex their pricing to compete with other areas. The quality has been good.
Florida - all colors are steady on all sizes and are heavy to A size. #1 product is the bulk of the crop and #2 volume is limited for all colors. The quality has been good.
Canada - a few old-crop reds, golds, and whites remain but the availability is fairly light. The quality has been good.

Transitions:
A couple suppliers in Bakersfield, California will start packing new-crop desert gold potatoes next week.

Peak Seasons:
Idaho and North Dakota are in the peak of their red and gold potato seasons.

South Florida is in the peak of its season for red, gold, and white potatoes.

Yellow Squash and Italian Squash has transitioned to Sonora. The Quality has improve and supply has improved. sizing is mostly medium followed by fancy and xfancy with some W/B being offered. Hard Squash is still being offered in good supply on Butternut followed by Spaghetti and Acorn. Very limited supply of Kabocha.

The import stone fruit season is coming to a close or has closed. Imported Peaches are done for the season. Imported Nectarines are days away before they are finished. Imported plums will arrive through April. Weather in California's San Joaquin Valley has been positive for good production. The wet winter and plenty of cold nights has growers expecting a great CA stone fruit season. The current market on imported stone fruit is steady due to low demand.

Transitions:
Start dates for the CA stone fruit season look to be normal, see below. The dates are rough estimates and could be pushed back by 5 days or so.

Apricot: 5/1
Yellow Peach: 4/22
Yellow Nectarine: 4/22
White Peach: 4/22
White Nectarine:5/4
Black Plum: 5/17
Red Plum: 5/21

There is little to no change in the market this week with growers continuing to work through the casualty of bloom drop. Cooler temperatures have suppressed growth as operations prepare to transition to Central Florida by mid month. As a result, XL rounds are short at this time with overall sizes trending smaller on average. Romas are steady with a majority coming from Mexico. Grape and cherry tomato supply has also suffered a shortage due to cool weather affects elevating prices last week and holding steady at this time.

Mexican supply is steady with heavy volumes continuing to cross Nogales and McAllen . The market is slightly stronger on bigger fruit. Quality continues to be good at this time from all areas. Roma supply continues to be good with better quality coming out of Florida. Cherry and grape tomatoes are also steady with a slight uptick in the market as Mexico shippers try for more money while Floridas volumes have been reduced due to weather. Quality continues to vary with stiffer pricing for better fruit.