The Source - August 23, 2017

California – Gala apples are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on 100/113s. Granny-smith apples are steady to higher with generally light supplies due to the very strong demand. The quality has been good for both.

Washington – Red delicious are steady to higher on most sizes and grades and the market remains very active. Most red suppliers are still peaking on 80/88s. Gingergolds have started but supplies are light and many shippers are already finished packing them and selling from inventory. Gold Supreme's are the next variety followed by Golden delicious but the next few weeks will be short for all. We expect new-crop Golden delicious to start as early as the end of the first week of September. Granny Smith are essentially finished for the season. Galas have started but supplies are still very limited as this is the first week. So far the color has been high and the fruit is peaking on 88/100s. Fuji's are very limited with only a few 80 size and larger left. The quality for all varieties has been good.

Michigan - they have started packing Paula reds and Gingergolds but supplies are light since this is their first week. The quality is reported as good

New York - they have started packing Paula reds and Gingergolds but supplies are light since this is their first week. The quality is reported as good.

Chile – there are still a few Fujis and Galas left but supplies are cleaning up quickly..

Alerts:
Washington Granny-smith are basically finished for the season. The two remaining suppliers that have them are over-sold and not taking new orders, and it appears they may not dig out of the hole they are in.

New crop Gingergolds are available in Washington but as transition variety supplies are low for them. Most Washington shippers have already finished packing them and are shipping from inventory. The next gold variety will be gold supremes followed by Golden delicious as early as September 8.

Transitions:
New York and Michigan have started packing Paula reds and Gingergolds.

Peak Seasons:
Red delicious are still in the peak of their Washington season.

Central Mexcio weather has improved over the last week, but with many fields closing due to seasonality overall production is down. Northern Baja (Ensenada) is also seeing excellent growing conditions, and good quality. Northern Peru (Trujillo), and Southern Peru (ICA) are both in their typical winter weather. Cooler nights, and cloudy days which is not helping overall production. All markets are up with Central Mexico production down, and larger sizes from all regions are still limited.

California harvest is very near completion for this season. Shippers are only packing a 2 days a week with only limited availability and expect to be done for the season by the end of August.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds 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 hold field prices high as US importers push to get a share of this limited amount of fruit. Demand is exceeding the supplies and the US market is still holding very high pricing.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 exceeds supplies.

This is a great time to buy green bell pepper. The whole northern tier of the country is in good production. Quality is good through out all regions and markets are the cheapest we have seen all summer. We expect good supplies for the rest of this week, by the end of the week cooler temperatures are predicted to sweep across the mid-west and northeast, so expect to see a slow down in production next week.

Alerts:
these are the most reasonable markets we've seen all summer.

Peak Seasons:
Green Bell Peppers are in peak Availability.

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.

Blackberry supplies have been consistent over the last week and are expected to remain steady for the next 2 weeks as we move through the Salinas / Watsonville peak harvest. Flavor and size are excellent, but some occasional soft / wet berries are being reported, mostly caused by red cell. Market prices have been steady with occasional spot buy opportunities. California supplies will start to gradually taper off in September, followed by Central Mexico production starting by October.

Transitions:
Central Mexico is expected to start by October.

Peak Seasons:
We are now in peak season in Salinas / Watsonville.

Blueberry supplies continue to lighten as the Pacific Northwest and Michigan areas start to down trend. The Pacific Northwest is expected to last another 3-4 weeks, but volume will continue to decrease as shippers move through late season varieties. Quality has been fair with occasional soft berries being reported. However, the weather has cooled down and is helping with improved quality moving forward. Market prices have climbed again this week and are expected to remain firm until import fruit begins to arrive. We expect the first big wave of import fruit to arrive in the U.S in the next 2 weeks and volume will increase by mid September.

Alerts:
Supplies are limited and will continue to be light until the import season begins in 2 weeks.

Transitions:
The import season is expected to begin in the next 2 weeks with the first arrivals from Peru.

Raspberries continue to be in good supplies in the Salinas / Watsonville areas. Flavor and quality continue to be favorable. Market prices fell slightly last week and have remained steady this week. Spot buy volume opportunities will be available over the next 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 is forecasted to start by the end of September.

Peak Seasons:
Salinas / Watsonville are now in peak harvest and expect good volume for the next 2 weeks

Strawberry supplies have been consistent without any major interruption in order fulfillment. However, as the weather has cooled down drastically around the Salinas / Watsonville areas, production numbers have slowed. With the slowed harvest and increased demand for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, we expect supplies to continue to be limited over the next 2 weeks. Quality overall has improved with the cooler weather in Salinas / Watsonville. Market prices have jumped up this week and are expected to remain firm until we get into September. Then we expect to see a push to move through the Salinas / Watsonville volume as Santa Maria begins new harvest.

Santa Maria new fall crop is expected to start in 2-3 weeks with volume really ramping up by late September. Quality is expected to be very nice. Market prices will be firm.

Transitions:
Santa Maria will start new fall crop in 2-3 weeks.

The broccoli market varies from supplier to supplier. Supplies are in the same situation. The market has firmed up but it doesn't look to trend higher. Quality from the growing regions is very good. We have seen decent bunch and crown size, minimal yellowing or dehydration in iceless packs, and some purple cast/color in the beads.

The brussels sprout market remains extremely high. Supplies have been limited due to a major worm and insect damage. I have provided pictures in order for you to see what that actually looks like. As shippers struggle to find decent quality, the market will remain high. We will hopefully see some relief in September. But until then the market will be steady at these higher costs and supplies will be day to day.

Alerts:
The brussels sprout market remains historically high with limited supplies.

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

Alerts:
The heat has stunt growth in the California growing region, and very few jumbo size carrots are being produced.

The cauliflower market is competitive with plenty of supplies from the Salinas and Santa Maria growing regions. The market is reflecting this right now with competitive pricing. Quality is really nice with vibrant white color, weights in the 25 to 29 pound range, and minimal brown to black spotting.

Heavy inventories continue to be the story with this commodity. Production is good in northern as well as southern California along with Michigan. Supplies far exceed demand in the marketplace. Multiple shippers are flexing and are listening to offers. Slight seeder and insects have been seen, but minimally. Most shippers are producing good quality in terms of weight and texture. Expect steady supplies throughout the week with this commodity.

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.

Cilantro quality issues still exist as the suppliers continue to battle inferior raw product out of the Oxnard growing regions. The Salinas Valley has the same issues as well. Santa Maria although was hampered by similar weather patterns seems to have slightly better quality. The growing region in Mexico is also dealing with heat which has delayed crossing and hampered growth patterns affecting supplies. This will continue for the next two weeks.

The domestic lemon supplies continue to be limited and demand is very good. We are seeing good supplies of Chilean fruit. Mexican lemon harvest still slow after rains from a last week.

Limes are still 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 were 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 the week before and scattered shows this past weekend. The market is higher

Alerts:
Tropical storm Franklin caused some crop losses, delayed harvests and quality issues.

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

Cucumber production has been very steady for the last few weeks with warm sunny days. The northern part of the country is going to have some cooler temperatures move in over the next few days. With lows in the low 50's look for production to slow down decreasing supply. Quality is still good for the most part with a few issues in older fields and on product that is not moving out fast enough. Some growers are starting to quit older fields due to cheap pricing on number 2 grade product and quality issues.

Alerts:
With a cool front coming look for production to Decrease by next week.

Peak Seasons:
Cucumbers are in peak availability right now and through the week.

lighter 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 improve as temperatures continue to drop.

The eggplant market has been deceptively steady the last few weeks, every time it seems poised to fall, production declines and the market perks back up. The mid-west has had below normal temperatures cutting yields slightly and eastern shippers in New Jersey and Connecticut have run into quality issues decreasing their production. California has been in light production all summer taking pressure off eastern shippers having to compete with western product. With cooler weather coming across the east we expect this trend to continue.

Peak Seasons:
Eggplant are not in peak availability.

Eggplant is currently being shipped from Fresno CA, Supply is improving with cooler weather. Quality has improving after the recent heat wave. Look for lighter supply as we move into the fall season.

Green grapes continue to 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 continue to be in a spot where there aren't very many small grapes. 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 extreme heat in the Mexicali and San Luis Mexico growing regions continues. It has drastically affect growth patterns. We are seeing limited supplies due to these weather conditions. Sizing has been a struggle as we are seeing an influx of small to pencil sized green onions and minimal amounts of large to jumbo size. The market is active at higher levels but it looks as if it has reached its peak. The quality issues we are seeing have been yellow to brown tops due to the heat.

Alerts:
We continue to see limited supplies due to the heat in the growing region of Mexico. The market has reacted due to the weather and limited supplies.

there continues to be abundant supplies of kale in both growing regions. The market remains competitive. Quality has been excellent with dark green color, little dehydration, minimal yellowing, and full cartons due to the large bunch size.

The lettuce market has finally turned upward as supplies have tightened up with all shippers. Warm temperatures in past weeks accelerated the growth of this commodity and now there is a gap in production that is occurring. Demand has also picked up with schools back in session. The quality continues to be strong with most suppliers. Aside from slight ribbing, occasional mechanical and insect, inspectors continue to report of good quality lettuce coming out of northern as well as southern California. Weighs on palletized are averaging 42-48 pounds. Expect pricing to gradually climb throughout the week.

This market for all leaf items has remained steady and this pattern will continue for the entire week. Romaine has been averaging 32-36 pounds. There has been a little mechanical damage and slight insects due to warm temperatures in the growing regions. The overall quality, however is being reported as good with most suppliers. Green and red leaf as well as butter are also showing minimal defects and strong quality. Shippers are flexing on volume type orders so please be aware. With schools starting up again, all leaf items are good to promote.

Cantaloupes like their counterpart honeydews are in a suppressed market. Supplies are also outstripping demand and just like dews it looks like a week or more situation. Quality has been better than it is right now but we have seen an improvement over previous weeks. Softness has been the main quality defect. The market is lower to steady for now.

Honeydew's are in a suppressed market currently and that situation doesn't look to have relief for the next week or more. Supplies are exceeding demand at this time. We should see a bit more demand because of the low prices and schools ramping up demand. Quality is excellent 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.

Central California and New Mexico onion supplies are winding down for the season quickly and will only be in a few hands by the end of this week. Timing is good as Washington and Idaho are building supplies. This has kept the markets steady on Yellow and Red onions. White onions are limited with a firm market. Quality is still being reported as good. Sizing in the new growing areas is starting off peaking on Jumbo's with a quick curve on the top side. Quality is being reported as good. Sizing will improve as we get into the front part of September.

Transitions:
Supplies are moving back to the Northwest

Stockton, California - Bartlett pears are slightly lower on the larger sizes and the smaller sizes are steady with volume deals available in 100s and smaller. The Bartletts are still peaking on 100/110s. Red pears are steady and are still peaking on 45/50s. Bosc pears are slowly coming off but supplies are limited so it takes longer. The fruit is peaking 100/110s. The quality for all has been good.

Washington – Bartlett pears have started and they are peaking on 110/120 in the US#1 grade. The quality ahs been good. There are light supplies of red pears available as well.

Transitions:
Washington will start packing Bosc pears in 3-4 weeks with red D'anjous coming a week after them.

Demand is good 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 - 2016-2017 Storage crop is all but done for the season. New crop has started with light supplies with most sheds. Supplies will increase quickly over the next 10 days. Quality on the new crop is being reported as good with a firm market on all cartons. A few lots are running into immaturity/skinning as growers get into the field early to catch the market. 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 is steady at high levels. Quality is being reported as good. Sizing is peaking on 70 count and smaller.
Colorado and Wisconsin have started in a very light way with new crop. Demand is good with limited supplies. Quality is also being reported as good. Sizing is peaking on 70 count and smaller.

Transitions:
All areas are transitioning into New Crop (Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin)

Eastern Washington -- red and gold potatoes are steady and continue to peak on A size. The quality has been good.
Stockton, California -- the reds are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on A size. Whites and Golds are higher on all sizes due to light supplies and both are also heavier to size A. Premiums/Bakers remain short in all colors. The quality is good.
Idaho -- they are going to start packing a few red and gold potatoes later this week.
Wisconsin -- The red market is steady on all sizes and they still have more B size. The Gold market is steady but with better availability. The quality has been good for both colors.
Minnesota -- reds are steady on all sizes and gold potatoes are steady to lower with better availability. Both colors continue to peak on A size. The quality has been good.

Transitions:
Western Washington will start packing new-crop reds in 2 weeks with golds and whites coming right behind them.

Peak Seasons:
Stockton is still in the peak of its colored potato season.

After a few weeks of very tight supplies on yellow squash, production is getting better just as green squash supplies are tightening causing a Flip Flopping squash market. There are a number of regions producing squash this time of year from the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee to Michigan, Ohio and east to New Jersey, Connecticut and New York state. However none of these regions seem to be getting good production for one reason or the other. Quality has been good in all areas but with cooler weather across most of the eastern U.S. next week, expect supplies to stay tight.

Alerts:
Green Squash is getting tighter.

Peak Seasons:
Squash is not in peak availability.

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.

Peaches, nectarines, plums and pluots are all in good supply right now. There has been an increase in demand with back to school business. There has been no trouble getting those orders filled. The markets remain steady at $20-$24 with an occasional lower here and there. Over the next week to 10 days we will be watching to see if prices go up as some varieties start wrapping up harvest in early to mid September. Shippers continue to want to push Asian pears and pluots. Keep those in mind if you are looking for something to promote. Kiwi supplies are limited right now due to a gap in Chilean supply. California kiwi is expected to start late September to early October. Kiwi prices are up.

Moving into the end of summer crops, regional programs continue to supply the eastern US. 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. Grape tomato harvest are suitable for eastern demand providing for a steady and reasonable marketplace. Cherry tomatoes are short in the west strengthening eastern market this week and will remain stronger until September.

California has moved into the final phase of harvests and is steady with sizing evening out with higher prices for larger sized fruit. California roma production is steady however supply is generally lower with plantings around 25 percent of their round counterpart this time of year. Overall, the romas have improved slightly this week with supply increasing across growing areas. Grape tomatoes are strengthening with less available as a result of coastal weather systems. Additionally, cherry plantings are transitioning between fields shortening supply with demand driving price upward temporarily for the next couple of weeks until supply improves again in September.