The Source - August 16, 2017

California – Gala apples are steady on all sizes are still peaking on 100/113s with generally light color. The market is steady along with demand but supplies are light. The quality has been good.

Washington – Red Delicious are steady to higher on most sizes and grades and the market is active. Red delicious are the only variety they have left in any volume. Most red packers are still peaking on 80/88s. Golden delicious are finished for the season. Earli/Gingergolds will start next week. Granny Smith are higher but the two suppliers that still have them are sold out for the week. The remaining Granny's are still mostly large. Galas are in even fewer hands and the remaining suppliers that have them are packing mostly 72/80/88s. A couple suppliers have packed some early lots of new-crop Galas but the volume is minimal. Fuji's are also essentially finished for the season. The quality for all varieties has been good.

Chile – there are still a few large Chilean Pink Ladys, Fujis, Galas, and Braeburns and all are slightly lower. Some smaller sized Pink Lady's have shown up and they are steady. All variety's are peaking on 70/80 size. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington is close to gapping on Granny-smith apples and they continue to gap on golden delicious.

Transitions:
New York will start packing a few Paula reds and a few gingergolds this week.

Michigan will also start a few Paula reds and a few gingergolds this week.

Washington will start packing Earli/gingergolds next week

Peak Seasons:
Washington is still in the peak of its red delicious season.

Central Mexico is seeing lower volumes this week due to rain from Tropical Storm/Hurricane Franklin. Most fields will be closing next week due to these rains, and seasonality. Northern Baja (Ensenada) is still seeing good production, weather has been excellent, and we will see this trend for the next 2 weeks. Northern (Trujillo), Southern (ICA) Peru are both in good production, and the growing weather is cooperating. We're still sizing issues from all regions, and overall markets have improved with Central Mexico winding down.

California harvest is slowing down and shippers are only packing a few days a week as they are nearing completion of this years crop. We are expecting about 2 more weeks of limited availability before totally being finished for this year.

Alerts:
Demand continues to exceed supplies.

Mexico's summer crop is small and limited. Harvest is slowing down to get us through August and into September. Mexican growers continue to raised field prices as US importers push to a share of this limited amount of fruit. Demand is exceeding the supplies and the US market is still pushing upward quickly.This looks to be the trend for a while. Currently the crop is peaking on 60s and smaller sizes, with mostly #1 fruit and very small percent of #2s. No relief to this shortage looks to come until we see the first of the Chilean imports toward the end of the month. These early arrivals will be light volume with better volume by mid September. Mexico's new main crop is expected to start mid September if maturity level of the fruit is there to harvest.

Alerts:
Demand continues to exceed supplies.

The green bell pepper market is steady as she goes with all the major summertime shipping regions going. Cool weather the last two weeks through the mid-west slowed production and the market was showing some strength. Now with warmer weather and the Canadian shippers picking up in volume there is starting to be some downward pressure on the market. Quality has been good in all areas and we should be in steady supplies for the next few weeks.

Peak Seasons:
Green bell peppers are in peak supply.

Green Bell Pepper supply has improved peaking on large #1 followed by choice grade out of Fresno, Ca. We will see more availability as we move into the week.

Red bell Pepper is shorter supply this week due to lighter harvest in the central valley . Better demand on choice grade followed by #1 25lb and 15lb, Yellow bells are very limited on field grown in California.

We are in peak harvest in the Salinas / Watsonville areas. Good supplies available from several shippers. Quality has been excellent and market prices are lower. Volume spot buy opportunities will be available for the next 2-3 weeks. Supplies will remain steady through September until we transition to Central Mexico at the beginning of October.

Transitions:
Central Mexico is expected to start by October.

Peak Seasons:
We are in peak season in the Salinas / Watsonville areas. Good supplies expected through September.

Pacific Northwest
The weather has significantly cooled down this week with a chance of rain in some areas. Depending on the severity, this could have an affect on harvest in the days to come. Luckily supply has not been as greatly impacted as expected. Although production has been lighter, order fulfillment has been steady. Market prices have firmed up a little this week and may continue to climb depending on how the weather affects supply. British Columbia will start to down trend over the next 2 weeks and Oregon is expected to last another 3-4 weeks.

Michigan
Supplies have become lighter in Michigan as we transition between early varieties and late season varieties. The weather forecasts calls for possible rain and thunderstorms this week, this could have an even great effect on supply over the next week. Market prices have been steady and quality has been strong. The next cycle of harvest is expected to start over the next 2 weeks.

Peru
The fresh harvest season has begun and some shippers are expecting the first arrival of fruit to hit the U.S sometime in the next week or so. However, volume will be very light until September. Peak harvest is expected for late September and peak arrival in the US will be October.

Transitions:
Import season expected to start in the next 2-3 weeks with Peru.

We are now in the peak of the Salinas / Watsonville second cycle of harvest. We have good supplies of raspberries from all shippers. Quality is being reported as strong and market prices have remained fairly steady. Spot buy volume opportunities will be available over the 2 weeks, then supplies will start to gradually trend down as we begin September. Central Mexico is expected to start by the end of September.

Transitions:
Central Mexico forecasted to start by the end of September.

Peak Seasons:
We are now in peak harvest and expect good volume for the next 2-3 weeks.

Supplies remain steady, quality is improving and markets are firmer. As discussed last week, the hot weather took a toll on the strawberry quality. All fruit was darker with reports of bruising and occasional soft spots. This week, the weather in Salinas and Watsonville has cooled down. The cooler weather will help firm up the berries and shippers expect the quality to improve as we move through the week (see picture below of Tuesday's harvest). Supplies will remain steady, but heavy volumes are not expected. Market prices have firmed up this week and may climb slightly by the weekend.

Santa Maria region is preparing for the first of new Fall Crop harvest within the next 3-4 weeks. Quality is expected to be very nice and markets will be high to start.

Transitions:
New Fall Crop harvest is expected to start in Santa Maria over the next 3-4 weeks.

The broccoli market has started to firm up as suppliers have been ahead of current acreage due to the previous weather in the Salinas and Santa Maria growing regions. Now we are seeing a decrease in supplies that will trend into next week. The quality of broccoli from all growing regions is really nice with minimal yellowing, decent crown size, as well as full bunches. The growing conditions in the Salinas Valley have resumed the typical summer weather patterns.

The supplies continue to be extremely limited. We should be in peak season, but unfortunately the erratic weather we have experienced in the Salinas Valley has taken its toll on growth patterns. We still have the majority of supplies in the small and medium sized brussels sprouts. The market is still extremely active with no end in sight. We hope for better supplies by the end of next week. The quality although is really nice despite the market conditions.

Alerts:
The market continues to trend higher. This is all due to the lack of supplies in the Salinas Valley.

In California growing area we are still seeing slowed size growth of the carrots. Good demand for the jumbo sized carrot and less production of them, the market for them continues to be firm. We currently don't expect and shortages or quality issues as we move forward. Supplies on value added and baby peeled are still good.

We have a good steady supply of cauliflower from the Salinas and Santa Maria growing region. This is keeping the market at competitive levels. Quality has been really nice with minimal yellowing, vibrant white color, and minimal brown to black spotting. The weights have ranged in the 24 to 28 pound range.

Production continues to be strong in northern as well as southern California. Supplies exceed demand. The best sizing continues to be in the large sizes, twenty-four and thirty counts in particular. Shippers are flexing for volume type orders and this will continue throughout the week. Aside from some slight bowing and seeder, the overall quality continues to be reported as strong from most shippers. Michigan continues to produce as well.

Cherries have finished for the season in the Pacific Northwest.

Pablano – Seeing better quality and condition with new crop in Santa Maria. California growers have started harvesting with improved size.

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.

Jalapeño – fair to good quality on new crop pepper. Good size, color, and condition with supply limi Baja and Santa Maria volume improving some.

Anaheim – Good quality, condition, and size coming out of Baja California and growers now Harvesting in Fresno and Santa Maria.

The quality out of the growing regions is still a major problem. This has caused a serious decrease in supplies. Also the tropical storm over the weekend that crossed Mexico provided a set back for growers as they were unable to harvest. We will wait to see the quality affects after this rain. The market remains extremely active with it carrying into next week.

Alerts:
The cilantro market is still reaping the affects of weather related quality issues. This has drastically reduced supplies.

The domestic lemon supplies continue to be limited and demand is very strong. We are seeing good supplies of Chilean fruit. Mexican lemon harvest has slowed due to the tropical storm blowing through over the weekend and continued rains.

Limes are in a world of hurt right now. Tropical Storm Franklin caused a lot of damage to the lime supply. Rain and heavy winds caused days of zero harvest and on top of that quality will suffer for weeks due to stylar and wind scarring. Shippers are hardly able to pack anything and what they are harvesting is low quality. The situation will not improve much for the next few weeks as things dry out between the tropical storm last week and scattered shows this week. The market is higher.

Demand for California Valencia oranges remains very strong and is getting stronger. School demand for the smaller sizes continues to build. School demand paired with the retail juice demand, is now exceeding supplies for 113s and 138s which will last through the Valencia season. Even with packers moderating their pack weekly to stretch the crop, some packers will finished by the end of the month and others expect to see their crop finish sometime in September. The excessive hot weather in the growing area this summer, we are seeing heavier than normal regreening of fruit. Fruit looks tired and has softness.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supplies of 113s/138s

The cucumber market is steady with some quality issues starting to show up. All the major players are in good supply from Michigan, Ohio to New Jersey and north to New York State. Most of the quality issues are relegated to older fields that been through the summertime thunderstorms that been crossing the region over the past few weeks. Buyers have good options on where to load their cucumbers and the market is reflecting that. Good supplies should continue for the next few weeks with reasonably priced fruit.

Alerts:
Quality issues are not widespread but there have been enough to at least make note of it.

Peak Seasons:
cucumbers are in peak availability.

Improved supply on cucumber crossing in Baja California. Excellent color, quality and condition on all grades, sizes and pack styles. Peaking on Super Select.
Started to get better supply of cartons, heavy to 42s volume will increase as temperatures continue to drop.

Eggplant supplies are tight, with cooler than normal temperatures in the mid-west, yields are lower than normal. New Jersey, a big supply of eggplant this year, is experiencing some quality issues decreasing the supply from that growing region. The eggplant market appeared to be getting weaker 10 days ago then change suddenly with the declining temperatures. The forecast for the next week is showing a warming trend that should speed production up, a long with other growing areas starting better supply. New Jersey is starting newer field along with New York State and Canada,

Eggplant is currently being shipped from Fresno CA, Supply is improving with cooler weather. Quality is improving after the recent heat wave. Look for supply and condition to improve as we move into the month.

Green grapes have great availability and are looking and tasting excellent. The grapes are on the larger size currently and have good uniformity. We are seeing a number of different varieties being harvested which adds to the diversity of choices. The market is steady right now.

Red grapes are in a spot where there aren't very many small grapes and the overall supply is steady. We have growers coming in and out of availability as their crops mature for harvesting. Quality is excellent, color is great, we have good uniformity and they taste great. The overall size is large with good volume on both large and extra large sizes. If we had more demand the market would be higher. The market is steady at this time.

The green onion market remains active as supplies in the San Luis and Mexicali Mexico growing regions continue to be pounded with extreme heat. Temperatures are in the 104 to 111 degree range. This has seriously affect growth rates. Jumbo sized green onions are non existent and supplies have shifted to mostly small and medium sized green onions. The quality has also suffered. We are seeing brown to yellow tops and lighter weights due to the sizing. We will continue to see this trend well into next week.

Alerts:
The market continues to be active as supplies from Mexico are limited due to the current weather.

We continue to have plenty of supplies of kale in all growing regions. Quality has been excellent with full cartons and bunches, minimal dehydration or yellowing, and dark green color. The market has remained competitive for weeks and looks to follow that trend.

Flat markets continue to be the story with this commodity. A few shippers have attempted to create a stronger market with higher pricing but the attempt failed as supplies far exceed demand. Production this week is very good and shippers are listening to offers. Good weights, 43-46 pounds on palletized has been the industry standard. Aside from some slight fringe and tip burn, the quality has been good. The warm temperatures has kept supplies abundant. There will likely be a gap in production in September according to multiple suppliers. For now, however availability will be plentiful throughout the week.

Although schools have begun, the market on romaine as well as all leaf items has remained steady. The quality on romaine, aside from some slight tip and fringe burn has been good. Weight have been thirty-four to thirty-eight pounds with lengths ranging from 12-14 inches. Shippers are flexing for volume type orders. Green and red leaf as well as butter has had good quality as well. Expect competitive pricing and good availability throughout this week.

We have an oversupply of cantaloupes for the current demand. Growers are experiencing heavy production right now and demand is lackluster. Schools continue to start which helps demand but it's not enough. Quality in an overall sense is very nice however there have been some green cantaloupe arrivals and some soft lots. The market is lower

Honeydews are struggling with a supply exceeding demand market however it's not too bad of an imbalance right now. Quality is very nice on all lots with great appearance and taste. The market is lower to steady

Seedless Watermelon supply in the west has improved due to cooler weather . Bakersfield and Huron are shipping with improved quality and size, peaking on 45s mostly bins and some cartons. Heavy supply on personals being offered peaking on 6s and 8s with better,lower pricing.

Market are steady on all sizes and colors. Central California and New Mexico onion supplies are wind down for the season and a few shippers will be done by the end of this week. Timing is good as Washington and Idaho are building supplies and will be up to full speed as these two areas finish for the season. Quality is still being reported as good. Sizing in the new growing areas is starting off peaking on Jumbo's and smaller with good quality is being reported as good. Sizing will improve as we get into the front part of September.

Transitions:
Supplies starting to transition to the Northwest growing areas

Stockton, California - Bartlett pears remain fairly steady on the larger sizes with lighter numbers while volume deals remain on 100s and smaller. The Bartletts are peaking on 100/110s still. Red pears are steady to lower and are peaking on 45/50s now. Bosc pears have started and are steady to lower with better availability in the smaller sizes. The quality for all has been good.

Washington – D'anjou pears are essentially finished for the season.

Alerts:
Washington has finished packing Danjou pears.

Transitions:
Washington will start packing Bartlett pears next week.

Demand is picking up and supplies from the tropic's remain light. It now is looking like it will be mid September before supplies will start to return to more normal levels.

Idaho - Storage crop is almost finished for the season and will be completely done by end of August. New crop has started with a hand full of grower with more to start as this week moves on. All shed should be up and going by the first week of September. Quality is fair on the remaining storage crop with a steady market. Quality on the new crop is being reported as good with a firm market on all cartons. Number two's are very limited and pricy and will be till we get into October. Look for the markets to weaken on all sizes except numbers as we get into the front part of Septemeber.
Washington has all sheds going with new crop. Market are steady at high levels. Quality is being reported as good.
Colorado and Wisconsin have finished with storage crop and have started in a very light way with new crop. Demand is good with limited supplies. Quality is also being reported as good.

Alerts:
The Eclipse is to go right over Idaho Falls potato growing area this next Monday which will bring thousands of people into the area. This has some of the potato shed shutting down for the day due to all the extra traffic

Transitions:
2016 Storage crop is almost over for the season. New crop has started with building volumes

Eastern Washington -- red and gold potatoes are steady and continue to peak on A size. The quality has been good.
Stockton, California -- the red, white, and gold potato markets are all steady but red supplies are limited this week. They have good availability on all sizes and colors of golds and whites and all three have limited supplies of Premiums/Bakers. The quality is good.
Wisconsin -- The market is steady to lower with more A and B size. The gold potato availability has greatly improved. The quality has been good.
Minnesota -- reds are steady on all sizes and golds are steady to lower with better availability. Both colors continue to peak on size A. The quality has been good.
Delaware -- They still have supplies left but they are very limited due to all of the rain.

Peak Seasons:
Stockton, Wisconsin, and Minnesota continue in the peak of their colored potato seasons.

Squash supplies have been tight for the past 2 weeks, especially yellow, with low yields due to cooler temperatures. There is just less acreage of yellow squash planted so when you get in situations where yields are low it magnifies the tight supply. Most regions are reporting that new fields will be starting this week helping the supply situation. We do not expect the market to come down this week, just stabilize and have enough supply to cover orders. Quality has held up in all regions very well.

Alerts:
Supplies will be better but still remain tight this week.

Yellow Squash and Italian Squash are being harvested in Santa Maria and Fresno. Weather is cooler and supply has improved. Good Supply on medium followed by fancy and xfancy with very few W/B being offered. Hard Squash is still being offered from the central valley in California, Butternut and Kabocha are in fair supply, Acorn and Spaghetti are very limited.

Yellow peaches will be in abundant supply over the next two weeks. They will be the larger sizes 30/36/44 and will be in promotable volume. Plums are in good supply with prices moving upward this week. We shouldn't have any trouble covering orders. Supplies of nectarines should be good over the next week. Please allow flexibility in using yellow and white to help cover orders. Shippers continue to want to promote apple pears and pluots and both should be in good supply. Kiwi is in short supply with a gap in Chilean product and prices moving up. California will start in October. Lastly, it sounds as if most shippers will be wrapping up nectarines in early to mid September.

The east sustained several days of rain last week but the market remains steady over the several growing regions in play. AL, NC, MI, and VA are all in production helping eastern supply and expected to continue into September when operations transition back down south. Roma tomatoes remain limited as expected for this time of year however supply continues to improve in eastern growing regions to helping to level out pricing. Cherry and Grape tomato harvest are suitable for eastern demand providing for a steady and reasonable marketplace.

The market remains steady from last week with some upward pressure going into the middle of August as a result of the rain that passed through Mexico with tropical storm Franklin. California is steady and sizes are evening out with higher prices for larger sized fruit. Romas remain a coveted item this week after storms in Mexico have left more than 15 inches of rainfall in some areas. It is unknown how much of any crops have been reduced and it can be expected that a majority of what is available in Mexico will stay there strengthening their national market further. California roma production is steady however supply is generally lower with plantings around 25 percent of their round counterpart. Since Mexico is usually the big producer of romas, prices will remain high until crossings improve and Mexico comes into better supply. Similarly grape tomatoes are strengthening with less available as a result of coastal weather systems.