The Source - December 14, 2015

Washington - the red delicious market is steady and most shippers are still peaking on 72/80/88s. 113s and smaller red supplies are still short. 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.

The Asparagus market is extremely active on both the West Coast and East Coast. Limited supplies of Peruvian and Mexican Asparagus have caused the market to drastically increase. Jumbo and Extra Large asparagus supplies are non existent, with Large sized following right behind. Look for this market to remain active with limited supplies for the next couple of weeks.

Alerts:
Extremely limited supplies and markets on all sizes of Asparagus

Mexican shipments to the U.S. looks consistent and steady for the next few weeks. Good promotions are set for December. Supply and demand should hold fairly steady until Super Bowl ramp up begins in early January. We are seeing heavier volumes coming on the peak sizes of 36s/ 40s/48s, and the availability on 60s/70s lighting even more and continues to be an issue for most 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.

The CA blackberry crop continues to decline in volume and should end major production in the next week or so. Mexico has been ramping up production but we are now seeing availability tighten some over recent weeks and markets are coming up as well. MX is sending less fruit to the US than in previous weeks since their demand and national market has improved. With the majority of production coming through Mexico, all loading areas are shorter in supply than in previous weeks. Some quality issues with soft fruit, red cell and juicing have been reported in both CA and MX fruit. We are expecting a 2-3 week period of inconsistent availability and quality out of all loading areas.

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.

The CA raspberry crop continues to decline in production volume out of all growing districts as central Mexico is ramping up production. Between all production areas, we have adequate supply to begin this week. 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.

Production remains limited on the west coast and availability is tightening some in FL and MX over previous weeks as well. CA growing regions of Santa Maria and Oxnard have been challenged over the past weekend with rain, high winds and colder temperatures. The evening lows will drop into the low 30s this week which will likely lower the harvest estimates due to growth being slowed down. Growers may be skipping days on harvest to let fruit color up as well. A hard freeze or more significant rain could put Santa Maria out of production for the season, many growers are already pulling out from this crop. FL strawberries remain small which is keeping the pack outs below estimate. Fruit is elongated, "torpedo" shaped and may not work for all end users. Weather has been hot, well above normal for this time of year. Very warm nights are keeping the fruit from sizing up and also increasing quality issues of soft and mushy berries. MX strawberries began to ramp up in volume last week. However, they are still small in size and experiencing some quality issues after rain in Central MX. Growers are keeping more of the fruit in MX rather than shipping to the US. Overall, market is steady but may be firming up as demand has picked up moderately and supply may be more of an issue this week over the last couple weeks.

The Broccoli Market continues to remain at higher levels. Broccoli Crowns being the hardest to come by when it come to supplies. Colder weather in all growing regions and extremely increased demand are the cause for the continued high markets. Coupled with Processors trying to buy acreage anywhere they can get their hands on. The market will continue to remain at high levels through the week. Quality has been fair at best with some arrivals showing yellowing, knuckling of the bunches, lighter green color.

Alerts:
The Broccoli market remains active with Limited Supplies

Brussel Sprout supplies continue to be limited which is keeping this market at higher price levels. Sizes are mostly in the small to medium range. Supplies will remain limited until we transition to Mexico, which will not be until Mid January. We have seen some black discoloration in some packs upon arrival.

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.

Well the same situation that has caused this market to reach historical levels is the theme for this week as well. Limited supplies this week and extreme market levels. Quality is fair at best with off white to yellow cast of the cauliflower.

Alerts:
Extreme Supplies and Market Levels at historical Highs

The celery market is extremely active with limited supplies out of Santa Maria & Oxnard. Limited supplies on all sizes due to acreage cut backs in all growing regions. Florida has started but prices are similar out there as well. And Florida supplies are limited as well and will not offer any relief from California.

Alerts:
Extremely Limited Supplies and Active Markets

Transitions:
Florida Celery has started harvesting all sizes

The Cilantro market has moved up with supplies decreasing as the week progresses. Limited supplies out of Mexico due to colder than normal growing conditions have increase this market. Supplies out of Oxnard are struggling as well with these cooler temperatures. Quality issues still exist with the yellow leaves and black slimy decay.

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.

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

Good availability across the range of sizes and quality is very good on new crop.

Shippers are going into holiday mode, trying to adjust picking and packing to match the anticipated holiday business. Cold weather in the growing areas is helping toughening up the skin and bring on more natural color and we are seeing very short gas times and in many cases no gas at all on the fruit. Navel crop is peaking on 88s/113s/72s.

The green grape market continue to rise as the remaining storage crop come to an end. This end of the season fruit is experiencing some quality issues. Wet and soft berries with some occasional decay is common. Higher quality fruit is available on the East Coast, but prices are firm.

Alerts:
Quality issues are present in domestic fruit.

Transitions:
East Coast availability on Chilean and Peruvian is slowly improving.

The domestic red grape supplies are quickly coming to an end. Quality continues to be fair at best with most lots showing issues with color and condition. Market prices remain on the rise as supplies of California red grapes drop and imported fruit is slowly increasing. Due to the limited supplies and high demand of Peruvian fruit, the better quality grapes are priced at a premium.

Alerts:
Domestic grapes are showing some quality issues.

Transitions:
Peruvian fruit is available on the East Coast and Chilean fruit is expected to start in another week.

Adequate supplies of Medium and small/pencil green onions have this market at relatively lower levels. Jumbo and iceless green onions are still struggling with supplies and commanding higher prices. Quality is better with nice green tops and minimal browning.

Supplies continue to remain steady and the market is at aggressive levels. Good green color is all packs with excellent quality.

As last week finished we though this market was going to level out at lower levels, well all suppliers walked in sold out today. And the market looks to take a turn right back to higher levels. Cold temperatures in Yuma and Lettuce ice this morning look to make this market hold at higher levels. All suppliers are quoting Epidermal Peel and Blister in all packs.

Alerts:
Limited Supplies / Active Market / Epidermal Peel & Blister

The Romaine market is steady but the market varies from shipper to shipper. Quality reports of light weight, blister, and epidermal peel exist in most packs. This also true for all Romaine Hearts as well when it comes to quality. But supplies of Romaine Hearts have been limited creating a higher market. The Green Leaf and Red Leaf markets also vary in supply and price from shipper to shipper. Quality has been decent as well. The Boston market remains strong due to limited supplies.

Alerts:
Epidermal Peel and Blister in most packs of Leaf

Cantaloupe supplies remain extremely limited and most of the off shore supplies are coming in heavy to 9ct. Limited supplies of 12ct, 15ct, and 18ct. The market remains strong and will be so for the month of December.

Alerts:
extremely Limited supplies of 12ct, 15ct, & 18ct

Supplies are better from Guatemala which is helping for better pricing this week for off shore fruit. Supplies still heavy to the 5ct and 6ct for this week. Supplies out of Mexico are more limited and the market is stronger. Quality is decent put of both growing regions.

Washington - the market is steady on all sizes and all colors and the demand has been light. The quality is good on all colors.
Idaho/Oregon - the markets are also steady on all sizes and colors. Some suppliers will still deal slightly for jumbo and colossal yellow volume. The quality has been good on all colors.

Washington - Bartletts are steady on all sizes and the market remains strong due to limited supplies. The fruit continues to peak on 110/120s and the large sizes remain limited. Bosc are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Fancy bosc are limited on all sizes. D'anjou pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100s but fancy grade fruit is also short. 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.

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.

Washington - the market is steady on all sizes and the demand has only been fair. The norkotah quality has been good.
Idaho - the market is steady on norkotahs and steady to lower on burbanks. Demand has been light and there are some volume deals out there.. The quality for both varieties has been good.
Colorado - the carton market is steady on all sizes. Most suppliers continue to have good size so they are cheaper on 60s and larger. The norkotah quality has been good.
Wisconsin - the carton market is steady on all sizes. The norkotah quality has been good.

Bakersfield, California - reds and golds are steady and they continue to peak on size A. Premium/Baker size reds and golds are still short. Whites are higher and supplies are limited. Bakersfield will start to pack its own whites next Monday. 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 sizes and colors.
Idaho - Reds and golds are mostly steady. All colors continue to peak on A-size. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - Red As and golds are slightly higher while red Bs are slightly lower, and both are still 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 limited. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - Red As are slightly lower while all other sizes of the reds and all sizes of the golds are steady. Both colors continue to peak on size A. Premium and baker size remain limited in both colors. The quality has been good.

Rounds - The market is higher. Florida continues to see shorter supplies due to weather. South Florida saw some torrential rains last week, which curtailed production. Out west, rain and colder weather also limited supplies. Quality is Good, however, may see some changes in the near future due to the weather.
Roma - The market is higher. Supplies continue to be very short this week. Rains continue to hamper production in the east, and rain and cold weather also continues to be a factor out west. Quality is Good/Fair
Cherry - The market is higher. Supplies also tightening due to rains. Mexico crossing product, however, supplies are shorter as well. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is higher. Florida struggling due to rains. Mexico still a bit slower, also due to rains and opening up new regions. Quality is Good.

Rounds - The market is higher. Mexico still struggling due to weather conditions. Baja/Eastern Mexico also gapping, as they typically do this time of year. Sinaloa looking to get started in the first of the year. Florida also seeing lower supplies due to rains. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is higher. Supplies are very short. Weather continues to slow production out west. Rains and colder weather curtailing harvest. Florida market also dealing with heavy rains, which is slowing up production. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is higher. Supplies continue to tighten up. Weather is wet and colder than typical. Florida market also higher due to weather patterns back east. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is higher. Mexico opening areas, but, production is slower. Florida seeing much lower supplies due to rains. Quality is Good.