The Source - December 10, 2015

Weather Update

The first in a series of storm systems move into California late today with the bulk of the precipitation expected to remain in the northern half of the state. These systems will bring strong winds (20-23mph) and cooler temperatures to Southern California and the Desert locals into early next week. Chance of scattered showers area wide Friday as cold air behind the system moves in. Frost advisories are in effect for the desert fields over the weekend into early next week.
Florida will see diminishing rainfall in the south as a dry pattern takes over into the weekend.

Freight Update

California and Arizona trucks look to be steady for the week. Washington and Idaho trucks remain be tighter than normal and should stay that way for the next few weeks. The National Average on diesel fuel dropped slightly and is now $2.379 per gallon. A difference of $1.156 from this time last year. California prices remained steady and are currently at 2.704 per gallon. Crude oil dropped slightly and is at $37.73 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

Washington - the red delicious market is steady and most shippers are still peaking on 72/80/88s. 113s and smaller remain limited. Washingtons red delicious volume is down by 30% from last year so expect a season-long strong market. Golden delicious are also steady and are still producing mostly Wash-Extra 100/113s. Large Goldens are still very short! Washington's golden delicious volume is down by 25% from last year so expect them to also stay strong all season. The Granny-smith market is steady on all sizes and they are peaking on 88/100/113s. Most Granny shippers don't have much larger than an 88 and they are still short on 125's and smaller. Galas are steady on all sizes. Most Gala shippers are still peaking on 100/113s and don't have much available on 88's or larger. Fujis are steady and are peaking on extra-fancy 80/88/100's. Honeycrisp are steady to higher and the market is strong due to light supplies. Honeycrisp are peaking on 64/72s. Lower grade Honeycrisp are still relatively cheaper but supplies are short. Jonagolds and Braeburns are both steady and continue to peak on 72/80/88's. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes and are peaking on 80/88s. Empires are steady on all sizes and still peaking on 125/138s but Empire supplies are limited. Most suppliers will finish with Empires in late November or early December. McIntosh are steady and they are heavier to 125/138s. Galas are steady on all sizes and are peaking on 125/138s. Golden delicious are steady and they are still peaking on 125/138s. Honeycrisp are nearly finished for the season. Jonathans are steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Fujis are steady to lower and they are also peaking on 125/138s. Red Romes, Ida-reds, and Jonamacs, are all still available.
New York - Red delicious, Macs, Galas, Macouns, Romes, Cortlands, and Golden delicious are all steady. Macoun and red delicious volume is good and some shippers will flex on certain sizes and grades, all other varieties have only limited supplies available. The Gala volume is light on all sizes. The quality has been good on all varieties.

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

Asparagus supplies from Mexico and Peru are extremely limited. Christmas Ads coupled by very good demand have caused this market to react very quickly. Prices have jumped by double digits. Mexico does not have enough supplies to cover the West Coast demand. Peruvian supplies are also limited with increased demand off of the East Coast. The market will remain extremely active with limited supplies for the next few weeks. Also during these times quality tends to be fair to marginal at best. Look for some spreading of the tips and dehydration upon arrival.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Extremely Limited Supplies of both Mexican & Peruvian Asparagus. Market Extremely Active.

Growing Region Market Quality
Ica, Peru to Trujillo Higher Fair
Southern Baja, MX Higher Fair
Avocado (Mexican)

Movement remains slightly sluggish from the Thanksgiving hangover. Good promotions have been set December. Mexican shipments to the U.S. was up a slight amount last week and look to be consistent for the next few weeks. Supply and demand should hold fairly steady until Super Bowl ramp up begins in early January. We are seeing peak sizes range on 36s/ 40s/48s, but availability on 60s/70s continues to be an issue for some shippers. This new crop fruit is lower in maturity and will take longer to ripen and not darken as much when ripen. Ripe fruit could still be green in color as the skin isn't mature enough for it to darken. Color is not an indication of ripeness, pressure is.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady Good
Berries (Blackberries)

The CA blackberry crop continues to decline in volume and should end major production by mid December. Mexico is ramping up production as we move further into their growing season. Availability has tightened some over recent weeks and markets are slowly coming up as well. A few less volume deals available as less fruit is being sent to the US. Shippers have cleaned up some of the overstock from the moderate demand around the Thanksgiving holiday pull. Some quality issues with soft fruit, red cell and juicing have been reported in both CA and MX fruit.

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

Good availability with increased volume arriving on both the East and West coasts. Chile is shipping more blueberries as other areas of South America are declining toward the end of their seasonal production. Mexico is still shipping good volumes as well. Demand has been moderate and supply has been adequate to cover.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Chile will be the main blueberry production region for the next several weeks as we head into 2016! Shipments should continue to increase and supply should be adequate for the next few weeks.

Growing Region Market Quality
Concordia, Argentina Steady Fair
Salto, Uruguay Steady Fair
Central Mexico Steady Fair
Southern Chile Steady Good
Trujillo, Peru Steady Fair
Berries (Raspberries)

The CA raspberry crop continues to decline in production volume out of all growing districts but central Mexico is ramping up production. Between all production areas, we have adequate supply. CA quality has suffered some with wet, leaky fruit being reported but current reports do show improvements over recent weeks. MX quality has improved and reported with good remarks.

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

Production remains limited on the west coast as Santa Maria declines toward their seasonal end and Oxnard is just beginning to ramp up production volume with their new crop. Sizing in Santa Maria remains small with 25-30 strawberries per 1 pound clamshell. Oxnard strawberries should begin to increase in size, 18-24 count for new crop. Mexico and Florida production are both increasing in volume. Mexican strawberries are increasing in size, between 24-26 count and Florida counts are a little smaller with 26-28 per 1 pound clamshell. Quality is fair to good overall. Some reports of white shoulder and tips, light color and misshapen berries. Demand is moderate but should strengthen as we move closer into the holiday product pull. Some deals available for volume orders!


- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Santa Maria, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Oxnard, CA Steady/Higher Good
Central Mexico Lower/Steady Fair
Central Florida Steady Fair
Broccoli Alert

The broccoli market continues to be demand exceeds as supplies remain tight. All growing areas are struggling for supplies as weather related issues have affected, and continue to affect the growing cycle. Quality issues caused by the unusual weather this year have also affected yields at harvest. We see no relief to this situation and expect a demand exceeds situation to continue for the next several weeks.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Quality issues and cold weather continue to impact the market.

Growing Region Market Quality
McAllen, TX Steady/Higher Good
Yuma, AZ Steady/Higher Good
Salinas Valley, CA Steady/Higher Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Good
Brussels Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts in the Salinas Valley are still extremely limited. Sizing is still a big problem, Mostly small sizes. Quality problems have also varied from black spotting to worm damage. The market will remain strong this week due to supplies being limited.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Carrots

Cooler weather in Bakersfield is still slowing growth and the sizing and tonnage is off. The percentage of jumbo size carrots is lower than normal and market is firm.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield/Santa Maria, CA Steady Excellent
Cauliflower Alert

Demand exceeds a very limited supply of cauliflower. We are in supply gap of historic proportions with very little relief in sight. This shortage is attributed mainly to the unusual weather patterns this year. We should see some supply come in over the next several weeks but the projected numbers are minimal at best. We look for this market to remain extremely short through the end of this year.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Extreme shortage of cauliflower

Growing Region Market Quality
Yuma, AZ Steady Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Celery Alert

The celery market is moving even higher as supplies continue to drop. Salinas has finished for the season, Santa Maria is very light, Oxnard is losing volume to the Fusarium Wilt as well as the cool weather. The desert regions are still weeks away from any supply. All indications are that we will see a demand exceeds supply situation through the end of the year.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Celery in extreme supply shortage.

Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Good
Cherries

Chilean cherries are available on both coasts. Quality is excellent. We are currently receiving all shipments by air with the first containers arriving at the ports about the first week of January. Quality and quantity of the cherries coming in by water is questionable. Early projections for January are for a volatile cherry market.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coquimbo/Valaparaiso/Santiago/Rancagua, Chile Steady Excellent
Cilantro

Cilantro supplies are limited this week. There was limited product harvested out of Mexico over the weekend creating a firm market. Supplies remain limited out of Oxnard. The market will remain firm to active for the rest of the week. The quality issues we are seeing upon arrival remain the same, yellowing in packs to slimy black decay.

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

Demand remains very good. The Desert crop is 50% harvested. We have started the small Central Valley crop. Both areas are producing a larger proportion of fancy grade and is peaking on 140s and larger fruit, which is in good availability, but still leaving us in a in tight supplies on 165s and smaller fruit. Expect tight supplies on smaller fruit to continue through January.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
We remain very tight supply on the smaller sized fruit 165s/200s/235s. Expect tight supplies on these sizes to go through January.

Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella, CA / Yuma, AZ Steady Good
Merced/Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Citrus (Limes)

The lime market is steady on all sizes now. Previous rains caused the size profile to go towards larger sizes but the crop has now found equilibrium across the range of sizes. The overall quality is very good on the new crop. Demand is currently a little better than last week which is pulling up some prices.

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

Navel crop is peaking on 88s/113s/72s. Cooler night time temps are bring on better natural color to the oranges and growers are able to drop gas times on the fruit down to 48 hours or less for some. This will help both quality and turn around of fruit. Volumes will continue to be steady.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Merced to Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Riverside, CA Steady Good
Grapes (Green)

The green seedless grape market is strengthening as supplies clean up. Quality is only fair at best for the end of the storage crop. Wet, soft, breaking down (occasional decay) in the berries is fairly common. Quality demands are pushing orders to the imported grapes off of the East Coast and these are priced at a premium.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
East Coast availability on Peruvian and soon some Chilean fruit.

Growing Region Market Quality
Delano, CA Higher Fair
Fresno, CA Higher Fair
Madera, CA Higher Fair
Grapes (Red) Alert

The California red seedless grape season is winding down. Most lots are showing issues with color and condition. Demand is strengthening as supplies are cleaning up. We expect to see a strong market for the remainder of this month as supplies of domestic fruit drop and supplies of the imports are still very limited. The better quality Peruvian grapes are command a premium price over the domestic fruit.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Quality issues in the domestic grapes.

Transitions:
Peruvian on the East Coast with Chilean starting in the next few weeks.

Growing Region Market Quality
Delano, CA Higher Fair
Fresno, CA Higher Fair
Madera, CA Higher Fair
Green Onions

Supplies remain limited on Medium, Large, Jumbo, and Iceless green onions. Better supplies of Small/Pencil green onions are creating a 2 tiered market. Your more aggressive deals have been with small green onions. The quality has been hit and miss for arrivals. Some of the arrival issues have been yellowing / Browning of the tops.

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

Good supplies remain in both growing regions. The market has also remained stable. Quality is excellent with great color and minimal yellowing. Look for supplies and the market to remain steady for the week.

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

Demand has fallen off and this market has become softer with all suppliers. Cold, temperatures over the next week in the growing regions will create defects on this commodity. Crews will be delayed due to icing on the plants. There will continue to be gaps in pricing amongst the multiple shippers. Yields and quality are going to suffer. Escalated pricing continues to be in effect on contract cartons as well as value added items. Yuma lettuce is reported to have seeder, light weights, small and irregular head size, puffiness, blister and insect damage. These defects are industry wide. The weights on palletized lettuce are ranging from 33-39 pounds. Expect marginal quality for the rest of this year, minimum.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Icing expected over the next seven to 10 days. Crews will be delayed in harvesting.

Growing Region Market Quality
Yuma, AZ Lower Fair
Lettuce Leaf Alert

Cold weather is expected in the growing regions of Southern California as well as the Yuma region over the next 7-10 days. Blister and epidermal peel will be seen on all leaf items. Supplies on romaine are stronger as demand has simply fallen off. Romaine hearts continue to have less bleaching and blister. This will continue for the rest of the year. Weather is playing havoc on all leaf items. Other defects include seeder, light weights, small and irregular head size, puffiness, and insect damage. These defects are industry wide. Green and red leaf and butter are better in availability as well. These commodities are having issues very similar to romaine. This is industry wide. There will continue to be gaps in pricing among the different shippers on all leaf items throughout the week.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Cold weather creating blister and epidermal peel on all leaf items.

Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Lower Fair
Yuma, AZ Lower Fair
Melon (Cantaloupe) Alert

Offshore melons are very short in supply currently. Offshore melons are trickling in on the west coast and supplies will build slowly. The quality is good overall with some lots arriving with bruising and scarring. The peak size is 9ct and 6ct with very few 12ct and even less 15ct. The 18ct sizes will not be available for several more days. The large size fruit trend will continue throughout December. We are experiencing very good demand for the cantaloupes that are arriving. Supplies will be lighter than normal for the month of December and the peak size will be 9ct to 6ct. The current market is steady on all sizes.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
The peak size is 9ct and 6ct with very few 12ct, fewer 15ct and zero 18ct. This trend will continue for the month of December. Please be able to substitute into 9ct.

Growing Region Market Quality
Zacapa, Guatemala Steady Good
Melon (Honeydew)

The peak size is currently 6ct with more of all sizes coming in than previously. Mexican dews continue to ship out of Nogales AZ however many growers have finished and soon the volume will be very light. Demand is good on all sizes. Decent volumes are arriving in Florida with the peak size being 5ct. Offshore dews are set to arrive on the west coast mid December. The market is higher on the Mexican dews and steady on the offshore dews. Some lots of the offshore dews have been arriving with superficial spots caused by previous rains in Guatemala. The Mexican dews are very nice.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Mexican production is nearing completion and will soon be down to very light volume for the winter months. Offshore dews will be our main supply source until the summer.

Growing Region Market Quality
Zacapa, Guatemala Steady Fair
Hermosillo, Mexico Higher Excellent
Onions

Washington - the market is steady on all sizes and all colors. Medium yellow supplies are still limited. The quality is good on all colors.
Idaho/Oregon - the market is steady on all sizes and colors. Some suppliers are dealing on volume due in part to light demand. The quality has been good on all colors.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Ontario, OR to Nampa, ID Steady Good
Pears

Washington - Bartletts are steady on all sizes and the market remains strong due to limited storage supplies. The fruit continues to peak on 110/120s and large sizes remain short. Bosc are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Fancy bosc are limited. D'anjou pears are also steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100s but the fancy grade is limited. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are still producing mostly half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s. The quality has ranged on the bartletts as some suppliers are between regular storage and C.A. The D'anjou, Bosc, and red pear quality is good.

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

Supplies look good for December. Exports to Europe has backed off and this is helping our supply issues we have seen over the last month.

- 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

Washington - the market is steady on all sizes and demand has been fair. The norkotah quality has been good.
Idaho - the market is steady on all sizes and in both varieties. Demand has been steady. The quality for both varieties has been good.
Colorado - the carton market is steady to slightly lower depending on the supplier. The norkotah quality has been good.
Wisconsin - the carton market is steady on all sizes. The norkotah quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Steady Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Steady Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Monte Vista, CO Steady Good
Potatoes (colored)

Bakersfield, California - all colors are steady and they all continue to peak on size A. Whites are limited along with Premium/Baker size reds and golds. The quality has been good.
Western Washington - reds and golds are steady and they continue to peak on A size. The quality has been good on all colors.
Idaho - Reds and golds are mostly steady on all sizes. All colors continue to peak on A-size. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - Reds and golds are steady and both colors are peaking on A-size. Some suppliers will flex for volume of red Bs. Premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs are still short. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - Reds and golds are steady and still peaking on size A. US#1 and 2 Red Bs are short along with premiums and bakers in both colors. The quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Mount Vernon, WA Steady Good
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady Good
Plover, WI Steady Good
Red River Valley, ND Steady Good
Stone Fruit Alert

The first of the Chilean peaches and nectarines are arriving on the East Coast. Early indications on limited quantities is for good quality and a steady market. Sizing is running heavily to the 50 and 60 series tray pack fruit.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Chilean stone fruit starting.

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

Rounds - The market is higher. Florida continues to see shorter supplies. Rain has halted/curtailed harvest, and production yields are lower. Weather out west also continues with rain shortening up supplies as well. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is higher. Supplies are very short this week. Some shippers finished up production and other delayed by rain. Mexico also hampered by rain, causing shorter supplies out west. Quality is Good/Fair
Cherry - The market is higher. Supplies tightening, with Florida up in pricing. Mexico crossing grapes, however, supplies are also lighter. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is higher. Florida struggling on supplies due to rain. Mexico coming on in areas, but, production is slower also due to rains. Quality is Good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Florida Higher Good
Charleston, SC Higher Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Rounds - The market is higher. Mexico still struggling due to weather conditions. Florida also seeing lower supplies due to weather back east. Market much higher, and should last through the week at minimum. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is higher. Supplies are very short. Weather continues to hamper production out west. Florida market also up with rains slowing up harvest back east. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is higher. Supplies are getting tighter, due to weather conditions. Florida also much higher due to supplies back east. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is higher. Mexico opening up more areas, but, production is low. Florida seeing much lower supplies due to rains. Quality is Good.


- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Higher Good
Northern Sonora, Mexico Higher Good

Things You Should Know

Asparagus
Extremely Limited Supplies of both Mexican & Peruvian Asparagus. Market Extremely Active.

Broccoli
Quality issues and cold weather continue to impact the market.

Cauliflower
Extreme shortage of cauliflower

Celery
Celery in extreme supply shortage.

Citrus (Lemons)
We remain very tight supply on the smaller sized fruit 165s/200s/235s. Expect tight supplies on these sizes to go through January.

Grapes (Red)
Quality issues in the domestic grapes.

Lettuce Iceberg
Icing expected over the next seven to 10 days. Crews will be delayed in harvesting.

Lettuce Leaf
Cold weather creating blister and epidermal peel on all leaf items.

Melon (Cantaloupe)
The peak size is 9ct and 6ct with very few 12ct, fewer 15ct and zero 18ct. This trend will continue for the month of December. Please be able to substitute into 9ct.

Stone Fruit
Chilean stone fruit starting.

Transitions and Temperatures

Berries (Blueberries)
Chile will be the main blueberry production region for the next several weeks as we head into 2016! Shipments should continue to increase and supply should be adequate for the next few weeks.

Melon (Honeydew)
Mexican production is nearing completion and will soon be down to very light volume for the winter months. Offshore dews will be our main supply source until the summer.

Grapes (Red)
Peruvian on the East Coast with Chilean starting in the next few weeks.

Grapes (Green)
East Coast availability on Peruvian and soon some Chilean fruit.

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