The Source - February 14, 2018

Washington – Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Galas, and Fujis, are mostly steady but most suppliers will flex on smaller fruit. Honeycrisp are steady but the market has a stronger feel due to lighter supplies. The rising star varietals are mostly steady with a few volume deals on the smaller sizes. The quality has been good for all. Most varieties have been peaking on small fruit. Transportation is a little easier but rates are still high.

Idaho – Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Pink Ladies are still available. Fujis have finished for the season. Grannys are peaking on 72/80/88s, reds are peaking on 113/125s, and the Pinks and Goldens are heavier to 113/125/138s. The availability remains light for most variety's due to light packing. The quality has been good.

Michigan – Galas, McIntosh, Jonathans, Jonamacs, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Empires, Fujis, red Romes, Ida Reds, and Jonagolds are all steady. The quality has been good.

Pennsylvania – Fujis, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Cameos, Empires, Red Romes, and Pink Ladies remain steady but the demand has been light. Red Delicious and Pink Ladies are still peaking on 88/100s while the others are peaking on 100/113s. The quality has been good.

New York – Cortlands, Galas, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Fujis, Snap Dragons, Golden Delicious, Red Romes, Macouns, Pink Ladies, Empires, and Ruby Frost are all still available. Most of their fruit has been large this year. Most of the extra-fancy grade fruit has been steady but the lower grade US#1's are up due to increased juice-grade demand. Red Delicious have been producing more small fruit lately. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Michigan is still going to finish earlier than normal between mid March and the end of May depending on the supplier.

Peak Seasons:
All areas are in the peak of their respective apple seasons.

Caborca and San Luis Mexico are still in their peak production. This peak should continue for the next 2-4 weeks with the weather warming up in both regions. Domestic asparagus has started with multiple shippers in Gonzales, California. We should see asparagus in this region through the beginning of July, with their peak from the middle of March through the beginning of May. Markets are overall lower due to an increase in production from Mexico, and California.

Mexico's harvest has dropped off some post Super Bowl. Markets have firmed upward with the lighter shipments to the states. Expectations are that Mexico's harvest and shipments will pick back up over the next couple of week. Currently 48s and larger sizes are on the tight side and the percentage of #2 fruit is beginning to lessen.

Green Bell Pepper in in peak availability with excellent growing weather and all regions harvesting good volume. Most of the peppers are trending to the jumbo and extra large size with less volume of large and choice. The overall marker has a weaker undertone with demand slowing down after the Valentines Day pull.

Alerts:
Good supplies

Peak Seasons:
Bell pepper is in Peak availability.

Blackberry supplies have been limited this week. Shippers have had to substitute organic for conventional to fill demand. Mexico's harvest has been consistent but light, with better availability in Texas. Quality has been good with occasional red cell being reported. Market prices have been steady. We expect new domestic harvest to start in California over the next 4-6 weeks, followed by Georgia production in week 20.

Transitions:
We expect new domestic harvest to start in California over the next 4-6 weeks, followed by Georgia production in week 20.

Blueberry supplies have improved this week with good availability of 6oz Chilean fruit in California and Mexican fruit in Texas. East coast supplies have been steady but lighter than west coast. Quality is being reported as strong in all areas. We have seen a split market this week as west coast supplies have been much stronger than east coast. Aggressive prices were available for volume deals loading in Oxnard and McAllen. We expect supplies and markets to level back out next week.
We will begin to see some domestic harvest start over the next 4-6 weeks. Florida and California will start with light volume by mid March, followed by Georgia in April. We may see some overlap in domestic and import production.

Transitions:
Florida and California will start with light volume by mid March, followed by Georgia in April. We may see some overlap in domestic and import production.

Raspberry supplies improved this week as Mexico's production was better than expected. Good supplies of raspberries are available in Oxnard, McAllen and Otay for the weekend. We did see the market prices adjust down slightly this week as a result to the increased production. Quality is being reported as excellent. We expect this to be a temporary increase as harvest is expected to level out again next week and remain steady until we start domestic production in California over the next 4-6 weeks.

Transitions:
California harvest will begin in 4-6 weeks.

Strawberry supplies are lighter than expected this week. California production has been slower due to cool temperatures in Oxnard. Additionally, demand has been very strong, this has left a bit of a supply gap on the west coast. The front part of the week was a challenge as retailers were looking to fill last minute demand. Although we do expect demand to drop off sharply later in the week, production volumes are not heavy enough to warrant any hustle to move product. We expect market prices to remain steady through the weekend with little fruit available in Oxnard. Central Mexico received some rain and slowed production. Supplies have remained limited this week with very little fruit being transferred to California. The majority of this Mexican fruit is being sold out of Texas and market prices have been steady this week. Again, light supplies are expected through the weekend. Florida production has been consistent this week with some fruit available. Demand has been strong on the east coast and market prices have been steady. We should see some spot buy opportunities in this area by the weekend.
We will see some new harvest areas start up in California over the next couple weeks. Santa Maria has started to scratch the surface with harvest this week and we expect volume to increase over the next 2-3 weeks as we transition into spring harvest. The weather in Watsonville has been warmer than normal, speeding up the growth cycles. We can expect to see very light harvest start here over the next 2 weeks and gradually improve, barring any major weather disruptions.

Transitions:
Santa Maria has started to scratch the surface with new harvest, production will increase over the next 2 weeks.

The continues to be plenty of supplies of broccoli from all growing regions. The market is competitive with minimal demand. Quality is excellent with vibrant green color, decent crown size, and minimal yellowing or dehydration.

We are still experiencing ample supplies of brussel sprouts. The market is aggressive and it is a good time to promote. Quality is excellent with a full range of sizes and dark green color.

Supplies are steady, still not much size coming from fields, so jumbo size are still short. Organic fresh carrot production is improving.

The cauliflower market varies from supplier to supplier. Supplies for the most part are steady but there is a couple that will decrease as the week progresses. Quality is still really nice with white color, weights in the 27 to 30 pound level, and minimal brown discoloration / bruising.

This market remains flat. All sizing is available in Yuma and Santa Maria/ Oxnard. Shippers continue to flex on pricing. The best availability comes in the twenty-four counts. Yuma production continues to demand a higher fob price compared to Santa Maria and Oxnard. The overall quality has been reported as good, with only minimal insect damage and bowing being reported. Expect good supplies all week in all growing regions.

Cilantro supplies remain steady from all growing regions. The market is also very competitive. Quality is very nice with minimal yellow to brown leaves, full bunches, and little dehydration.

The desert crop is wrapping up looks to finish by the in of this week. The Central Valley crop is in full production; sizing is large peaking 115s/95s/140s, mostly fancy grade. Ventura crop is beginning to gear up production and better production by the end for the month with estimates of peak sizing for 140s and smaller fruit. Demand is still keeping supplies on 165s and smaller fruit on the shorter side.

Lime supplies are limited this week as Veracruz continues to get hit with heavy rains. The weather has slowed production and delayed harvest. With the decreased production, shippers are being challenged to fill orders as they wait for arrivals from Mexico. Additionally, quality is being compromised with the heavy rains. Shippers are seeing better volume on the larger sizes and less availability of smaller limes. Demand has been consistent and market prices are climbing. The forecasts call for warmer weather as we move toward the weekend. We expect supplies to begin to improve mid to late next week.

Alerts:
Rains continue to slow production in Veracruz, Mexico. Supplies are limited and markets are higher.

Navel crop continues to peak on 72s/56s, and looks to through the season. 88s/113s/138s continue to be very slim in pack outs. Pack-outs remain clean with good color resulting in grade ratio of 80% to 85% of Fancy fruit, leaving very little choice fruit for the demand for of the choice grade. The market remains active on these smaller sizes.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supplies on 113s/138s.

The supply on cucumbers coming from Honduras is very heavy, especially on off grade product. Shippers are swimming in select cucumbers and carton 24ct, Super are moving better but the market is weaker. Truck supply in Nogales has gotten better and many buyers that were loading in the east during the Holidays have switched back out west now that they can find trucks. Heavy snow in the mid-west has slowed business in major markets and snow continues to be in the forecast. Supplies will have to slow down out of Honduras at these levels but the market won't change this week.

Alerts:
good supplies

Peak Seasons:
Cucumbers are in peak season.

Eggplant supply continues to get better but there is a wide range in quality as shippers are still harvesting some older fields, even the newer fields are showing some issues with heavy winds in south Florida for the past few weeks. There is a lot choice product being packed due to scaring and bruising. Growers that have protected there fields with rye strips are seeing better quality and getting high prices for their product.

Alerts:
wide range in quality

Peak Seasons:
eggplant is not in peak season.

The green grape market is strengthening with light supplies. Volume is steady with some product available in storage. There is a wide variety of sizes available with Thompsons running smaller than the Sugarone's. Quality will be consistently good as Chile switches growing regions from the South to the North.

Supplies on red grapes have been consistent, and the market is starting to strengthen. Chile is switching growing regions from South to North, and we will see better overall quality and stronger markets. The sizing is spread evenly form medium/large to extra large fruit.

We continue to benefit from good supplies of green onion crossing from Mexico. The market has settled back to normal competitive levels. The overall quality is really nice with white tips, green tops, and minimal yellow to brown discoloration.

Kale supplies remain abundant with little disruption for the next few weeks. Quality is excellent with dark green color, full bunches, and minimal dehydration or yellowing. The market is also very competitive.

This market continues to be flat for the eighth straight week. Demand is minimal and shippers continue to flex on most orders. The hopes of a stronger market simply never happened. Supplies continue to exceed demand. The weights on liner have been averaging 43-47 pounds. Some common issues reported on this commodity include puffiness, mechanical and insect damage. Temperatures will drop to the low 70s for the week with a chance of rain by the middle of the week in Yuma. The quality will be average with most shippers. Supplies will be plentiful for the week.

Excessive inventories and flat markets continue to be the story for romaine as well as all leaf items. Although temperatures in the growing regions will subside this week compared to last week, the quality will be average. There is a possibility of some rain by the middle of the week. Issues of mechanical, insect damage and some tip burn have been reported from multiple suppliers. Expect heavy supplies of romaine hearts to be available all week.

As the weather in the Yuma growing region remain optimal, we have seen supplies flourish on both the conventional and organic tender leaf items. The market is at normal levels with suppliers looking to move volume. Besides the occasional arrival of wetness and bruising of individual leaves, the overall quality is really nice.

The cantaloupe market remains mostly steady. There is still some price-play for volume on all sizes depending on the supplier; some have more small fruit while others have more large fruit. South Florida has the best availability for all sizes. The east coast, Houston, and Los Angeles have more large fruit with only a couple suppliers that have small fruit. We expect sizing to remain similar to what it has been. The quality has been good.

Peak Seasons:
Honduras is in the peak of its Cantaloupe season.

Honeydews are mostly steady on both coasts. There is still some price-flex depending on the supplier. Some shippers have mostly 5's with a few 6s while others have more 8/9s. Florida still has the most fruit while the east coast, Houston, and Los Angeles are more limited. The quality has been good.

Peak Seasons:
Honduras is in the peak of its season.

Northwest Storage onion market is slightly weaker across all sizes and packs with light demand across most of the U.S.. Quality is good on the onions coming out of Cold Storage. There are some reports of the outer layers being translucent, most receivers think that it is freeze damage but it is from the late season storage onions. Currently this is mainly showing up in the Super Colossal and Colossal Yellow onions a few reports showing up in Jumbos. Storing your onions is rooms with lots a fans helps the translucent rings, in most cases go away. Mexico supplies of New Crop Onions continue to increase as each week moves on. Quality is very nice. Demand is good with a steady but firm market. Some growers in Idaho have started to plant next years crop this week. Look for the markets and supplies to stay fairly steady into the middle of March.

Washington – Bartlett pears are steady but remain high priced as the end of the season is close. The fruit is still mostly large with only limited supplies of the smaller sizes. D'anjous are steady on all sizes but most suppliers are extremely limited on 110-size and smaller especially in the fancy grade. Bosc pears are steady on the larger fruit and steady but strong on 110-size and smaller. Bosc are still peaking on US#1 80/90s. The Red D'anjou market is steady on all sizes and they continue to peak on 40/45/50 half cartons. The quality for all has been good.

Chilean – Bartlett availability has improved on both coasts. The fruit continues to peak on 90/100s. The demand has been strong but the vessels are coming more regularly now and the markets are slightly lower especially on the small fruit. The quality has been good but with some scarring.

Peak Seasons:
Washington is in the peak of its D'anjou, Bosc, and red D'anjou seasons.

Volume from the tropics is good and look to be so going forward through February.

Idaho - Market is soft across all sizes and packs with light to moderate demand. Quality is good. Just some general information on potatoes and sprouting that is starting to appear as we get into spring-time. As the temperatures warm up the potatoes coming from storage will start to change. The tubers are dormant while in storage and the respiration rate slows way down. As the temperatures begin to warm the potatoes will start to come back to life and begin to grow again, in the form of sprouts. To inhibit sprouting our suppliers take a few steps: Firstly they apply sprout inhibitors while in storage and secondly they apply them again during packing. The second application is what retards the growth the most as the sprouts has to break the surface of the skin to be effective. When that happens the inhibitor will retard the growth of sprouts and it will not elongate. If the inhibitor is working the sprout will have the appearance of a head of cauliflower with a black dot in the center. Once the growth has been stopped the peepers can be removed when the end-user washes the potato.
Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin - Market are steady. Quality is good.

Western Washington – red and gold potatoes are steady on all sizes. A-size is still the bulk of the production for both colors. Western Washington expects to pack until the end of March or possibly until the middle of April. The quality has been good.

Eastern Washington – red and gold potatoes are steady and are still peaking on A-size. The availability remains light. The quality has been good.

Bakersfield, California – reds, and golds are mostly steady with price-flex on a few sizes. Whites are steady for now but supplies are lower. All colors are peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.

Idaho – red and gold potatoes are mostly steady with some flex for volume on A size reds. Both colors are peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.

Wisconsin – red and gold potatoes are steady. Both colors are still peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.

North Dakota – red and gold potatoes are mostly steady although there has been some flex in A size number one and number two reds. The quality has been good for both colors.

South Florida – red potatoes, golds, and now whites are all mostly steady. Some of the red number-twos have price flex for volume. The quality for both has been good with minimal skinning.

Transitions:
Florida has started packing white potatoes.

Peak Seasons:
Western Washington, Bakersfield, Idaho, and North Dakota are all in the peak of their colored potato seasons.

Green squash is in good supply, yellow squash is in light supply due to heavy winds in south Florida. Many bruising and scaring issues are showing up in yellow squash. Temperatures in south Florida have been warm and conducive to good production. Better quality is arriving from Honduras but supplies are sporadic.

Alerts:
good supplies of green squash, light supplies of yellow squash. Quality issues in yellow squash

Peak Seasons:
Green squash id in peak availability.

Availability of Chilean peaches, nectarines, and plums continues to be light. Ship arrivals have been hit or miss. Sizing on peaches and nectarines are mostly in tray pack 48/50's and 54/56's with very few volume fill 60's and 70's. The market remains steady, but supplies are very slim until the next vessels arrive in the later part of the week. Plums market is consistent with decent supplies on both red and black 40/48, and 50/56 tray backs, with some 60 and 70 volume fills available. Quality on stone fruit is good.

Tomato markets remain near equal between Florida and Arizona shipping points. Favorable weather over Florida has helped to promote quality crops producing favorable yields across all varieties and sizes. Romas are mirroring Mexico minimums where there is an abundance of imports. Grape and cherry tomatoes are also similar to Mexico minimums but known to ship more consistent quality. With trucking slowing down sales, price may continue downward next week dipping below Mexico suspension agreement minimums.

Demand remains constant with imports crossing at mandated minimums. The market is steady with similar pricing between eastern and western shipping points this week with good supplies of all varieties coming from Mexico crossing Nogales. Roma tomatoes are widely available where quality is mixed varying between lots as shippers try to move older product through the supply channel. There is also plenty supply of Grape and cherry tomatoes coming out of the Culiacan growing region, however eastern counterparts remain the preferred source for quality amongst the bite size category. With the abundance of supply available at this time, it is plausible for Florida shippers to lower pricing further next week below Mexico minimums to keep product moving out of coolers.