The Source - February 22, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady on all sizes but the 88 and smaller market remains strong. All sizes of the lower grade reds are short and most shippers are subbing up to higher grades to cover orders. Most suppliers continue to peak on 72-88s. Golden delicious are steady on all sizes and grades but the lower grade remains firm. Golden delicious are still peaking on Wash-Extra 100/113s and most shippers don't have much larger than an 88-size. Granny-smith are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on 88-113s. Most Granny shippers still don't have much larger than an 88 or smaller than a 125. Galas are steady on all sizes and grades but the market is strong due to increased demand. Most Gala shippers don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are also steady but strong on all sizes. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. Honeycrisp are mostly steady and the market remains high and strong due to light supplies. Jonagolds and Braeburns are still available but supplies are limited. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on 80/88s. Most Michigan shippers have less small fruit than large. McIntosh are steady and are still heavier to 125/138s but supplies are light. Galas are steady on all sizes but supplies are light. Golden delicious are steady but strong due to light supplies and they continue to peak on 125/138s. Jonathans are steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Jonathans are still the low-price leader for small fruit in Michigan. Fujis are steady and they are peaking on 125/138s. Red Romes are steady but most shippers will deal on volume orders. Braeburn supplies are getting light.
New York - Red delicious, Macs, Cameos, Romes, Crispins, and Empires are all steady. Gala and Golden delicious supplies are light and both markets are steady but firm. Red Rome volume is good and some shippers will flex for volume on the smaller sizes. Empire volume is hit and miss but thee are deals when they are available. The quality has been good on all varieties.

The Asparagus market is extremely promotable with plenty of supplies. Coupled with the start of asparagus in California, we have 2 regions harvesting product. Quality is excellent out of both areas. Suppliers are also packing 28/1# packs as well as 11/1#.

Transitions:
Asparagus has started in the Salinas Valley

Peak Seasons:
We are currently in Peak Season for asparagus in Caborca Mexico.

Good supplies are crossing into the US even with the cut back most shippers have done. The size curve continues to be a real mismatch for the demand and has shippers upside down. The size curve which is running heavy to the 32s/36s/40s is still causing supplies issues on 48s/60s/70s, but there are signs of some normality returning.

Bell peppers,

Weather related conditions have effected yields s on current crop harvest. Short supplies on all colors Green, Red and yellow product. Quality is mostly good with many number 2 product being offered,

Pricing is very high and expected to continue for the near future.

Production from Central Mexico has been steady. Overall, we've had good availability with Mexican fruit being transferred into the US over the past week. Some delays with transfer trucks have caused hang-ups at the coolers. Demand has been moderate. Quality has been good overall with a few issues reported on older lots of blackberries. Production should begin to increase moderately through April.

Demand is moderate and supply is very good. Southern Chile is coming off of peak production but still shipping ample amounts of fruit to the US to cover demand. Some higher pricing for blueberries sent via air shipments versus ocean vessel. Volume deals are available with promotable pricing, especially on the east coast. Central Mexico is also coming off of peak production but Baja Mexico is increasing and will peak around April. We have good supplies of blueberries with good quality overall.

Peak Seasons:
Southern Chile and Central Mexico are both coming off of peak production.

Raspberries are still in limited supplies. Central Mexico is seeing some of the affects from freezes that occurred in January. Fruit is smaller with some miss-shaped and splits in the berries. Oxnard is producing some smaller volumes as well as Baja but Central Mexico is the main production region for the majority of our suppliers in this season. With more limited production and more quality issues present, availability will be a challenge over the next several weeks.

Alerts:
Production will be limited and supplies will remain short for the next several weeks.

Many of the post-holiday deals have dried up and volume is beginning to catch up with demand as more retail ads break with better availability and pricing industry wide. FL remains the biggest player for high volume and lower priced deals. MX is winding down with many shippers discontinuing large volume shipments to the US due to weaker markets. They will keep more fruit for their national market and divert some fruit to processor for juice/freezer markets. Oxnard and Santa Maria are producing in CA and supply has increased with more favorable weather in both regions. New crop Santa Maria fruit is available and will be increasing over the coming weeks, some split pricing for new crop. Overall, quality has been good in all regions. We're still seeing some white shoulders and green tips. Berry sizing has improved with new crop Santa Maria quoted in the mid-teens per 1 pound clamshell.

Transitions:
Santa Maria new crop strawberries are increasing in production with more favorable weather in this growing region.

new crop Santa Maria strawberries

The broccoli market is unchanged. Plenty of supplies from all growing regions. The market will remain flat for the rest of the week. Aggressive prices are available to promote. Quality is really good from all growing regions as well with dark green color and tight beads. Crown size is also favorable.

We have finally hit peak season on Brussel sprouts from Mexico. the market is extremely favorable with plenty of supplies. All sizes available as well. Quality is excellent with little to no black leaves.

Peak Seasons:
We are currently starting peak season for Mexican Brussel Sprouts

Weather in growing area is warming and size is coming back slowly on the crop coming out of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys of California. Carrots are still small, but growing and yields are showing some improvement on Jumbo size carrots. Jumbo size still very tight, and still looks like a few weeks for a good percentage size to come. Supplies of medium size and baby peeled carrots are is good.

The cauliflower market is following the same pattern as broccoli. Plenty of supplies and promotable markets out of all growing regions. Quality is really good, although we have seen some arrivals with minimal bruising.

The celery market is steady in all the growing regions. All sizing is available. Supplies will be moderate to light for the entire week. The quality continues to be strong, overall. Light weights are minimal compared to last week. The growing regions include Florida, Yuma and Oxnard. Expect moderate supplies next week with good demand in the forecast. Pricing is competitive as gaps are minimal in the industry.

Hot Peppers,

Jalapeno; Very strong demand with market going higher. Quality and sizing is very good ,mostly large and xtra Large.

Serrano ; Demand exceed supply with limited availability good color and condition.

Anaheim ; good supply with market softer. Quality and size are good and getting better.

Pasilla ; Continued good supply with quality and condition improving.

Tomatillo ; Increased heavy supply and excellent quality continues to keep the market at low levels, very good sizing and condition.

Generally good supplies from all growing regions. The market continues to be favorable but it will vary from supplier to supplier. Quality is good with some arrivals with dehydration and some yellow leaves.

The central valley and the Ventura crops are going and both are peaking on 140s and smaller size fruit. Larger sized fruit is tight now that the Desert crop has finished their season. Demand remains very strong.

The lime market is coming down on all sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board but supplies have bumped up over previous levels. The peak sizes are 110's and 150's currently with fewer small sized limes being harvested. This is the time of year where overall supplies are low and will remain at lower levels until the first or second week of May. The overall long term upward market trend will likely continue with the lower supplies through to first part of May. Quality is excellent overall.

Clear and warm weather has all houses packing. Eating excellent and look beautiful, with peak sizing on 72s/56s/88s. We are seeing fruit size up, and a dropping in percentage of small size fruit 113s/138s. Demand is stronger on the 113s/138s and markets are firming and beginning to be very active on these sizes.

Cucumber
Heavy harvest currently due to warmer weather, Product is very good quality with all sizes and grades available. The market is steady with volume deals being offered.

Eggplant,

Steady supply with strong market will continue. Quality is very good. Many number 2 product being offered. Mostly large sizes.

The green grape market is about steady to lower with improved supplies and good demand. Quality is generally good with only occasional complaints of weak berries and off color. Supplies should continue to improve now through the end of the month.

The red seedless grape marked is about steady with some lower prices. Volumes arriving have improved on all sizes with most shippers heavy to the medium & medium large fruit. Quality has become more of an issue on the early Flames due to the rains of the past month. We continue to suffer with high humidity resulting in wet and sticky berries, splits and some breakdown. New crop Crimsons are now available but are commanding a premium based on better quality.

Alerts:
Red grapes exhibiting some quality issues.

The current supply situation with green onions varies from supplier to supplier. Shipments crossing the border have been sporadic. There are more supplies of iced green onions versus iceless green onions. The market coincidentally depends on each suppliers access to truck crossings and varied supplies from Mexico. Quality is better with minimal brown to yellow discoloration of the tops.

The market on kale has a wide range depending on supplier and growing region. Kale size has been small to medium and some arrivals of half filled boxes are appearing. Quality is still really good even with the size problems. Good green color and little dehydration.

The market is steady. The growing region in Yuma has been warm and product is coming on. Suppliers are looking to keep clean to begin the week, and offers are being listened to. There continues to be a issues were noting. These issues include light color, misshapen and ribby heads, peeling epidermis, blister and growth crack. The weights are averaging 37-44 pounds. There continues to be a pricing gap in the industry for this commodity.

The market is steady. High temperatures in all the growing regions has made the product high in availability. Offers are available as shippers push to keep product moving. The desert region will have high temperatures throughout the week. There continues to be defects worth noting. These defects include light color, misshapen and ribby heads, peeling epidermis, blister and growth crack on romaine as well as all leaf items. The weights are averaging 37-44 pounds on romaine.

Cantaloupe supplies are adequate for the current demand. We have lighter supplies and lighter demand right now. The quality is good overall with some lots being exceptionally nice. The peak size is currently 9ct with 6ct sized lopes being packed. The current market is steady on all sizes. There are very few 15ct lopes being packed and even fewer 18ct being packed.

Demand is still low on honeydews right now. The peak size for the offshore is 5ct and the small amount of Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct. The small sizes aren't as available as the larger ones. Honduran grown honeydews have been arriving for several weeks in Florida and the west coast and their quality is really good. Mexican dews continue to ship out of Nogales AZ and the volume is light. The Mexican dews are very nice also. The market is slightly lower across the board.

Weather has curtailed volume for most of the winter season shipping from Colima and Jalisco, availability is getting better with good quality and condition.

Most product available is being offered in cartons with some bins, peak sizes are 5s followed by 6s with a few 4s.

Some personal seedless are available with a run of sizes from 8s-11s. Condition and quality are very good.

Idaho- Demand is fairly light on most sizes of Yellows and Reds onions with a steady to slightly weaker market. White onions are close to being finished for the season. Quality is still being reported as good. We will start to see some of the smaller growers finish for season on all colors. The larger growers should go through the middle of April.
Washington - Supplies are still peaking on Jumbo's on both Yellow and Red with very few Colossal. Market is steady with light to moderate demand. Quality is still being reported as good.
Mexico - Supplies are building as each week moves on. They have all colors and sizes available with the market being steady. Demand is moderate. Quality is very nice.

Washington - D'anjous pears continue to peak on US#1 70/80s. Limited pack-time and larger fruit-size isn't helping satisfy the strong demand for 110s and smaller. The Washington D'anjous are clean so the fancy grade is higher and short on all sizes. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s but they have better availability on small fruit. Fancy grade bosc are also short. Bartletts supplies are very light and most shippers are already finished. Those that still have Bartlett pears will finish this week or next. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are still producing mostly half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s, but supplies are light. The quality on D'anjous, Bosc, and red pears has been good.
Chile - Bartlett pears are available on both coasts now and are still peaking on 100/110s. A few Packhams are starting to come in. The market is steady to higher and the demand is strong.

Pineapple supplies are in a light, but steady supply period that is expected to go through Easter.

Demand is fairly light out of all areas which is keeping the market steady on most sizes and packs. Quality is good. Burbanks are the main variety being packed in Idaho with only handful of growers still packing Norkotah's. Potatoes are still being packed in Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin. Look for the markets to stay at current levels into the middle of this next month.

Bakersfield, California - all colors are steady and continue to peak on A-size. The White market remains strong due to light supplies. The quality has ranged from good to fair. Some red lots have darker color and some are light.
Western Washington - reds and golds are steady and both continue to peak on A size. Supplies are getting into fewer hands. The quality has been good on all sizes and both colors.
Idaho - reds and golds are both steady but supplies are in fewer hands and there are manifest holes depending on the supplier. Both colors are speaking on A-size and the quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are both steady but the market remains firm as the shippers battle storage quality. Reds and golds are peaking on A-size. Premiums and bakers are still not available in either color nor are, gold Cs. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - Reds and golds are steady on all sizes but the volume red volume deals are still available in both the #1s and #2s. Both colors are peaking on size A and have only limited availability in the premiums and bakers. The quality has been good.
S. Florida - all colors are steady. The reds and golds are peaking on A-size while the whites are heavier to B's. The white market is firm and many suppliers are sold-out of White As this week due to strong demand.

Squash,

Good weather has increase production. Italian squash is in heavy supply with the market at the bottom. Yellow squash production has increased also with the market dropping as well.

Quality and condition are very good on both items. Hard Squash supplies are steady with a strong market. Quality and condition will continue to be good for the near future.

All Chilean stone fruit supplies are improving with a wide range of sizing now available. Quality is reported as good on all. Currently available on both coasts: yellow and white peaches and nectarines, red and black plums as well as pluots. We are approaching the peak season on Chilean stone fruit. Demand is good on all and the market is steady.

Rounds - The market is steady. Weather in the east continues to hamper production and yields. Forecast calling for addtional severe weather. Look for the market to continue as is, through the week at a minimum. Sizing out of Mexico continues to be on the larger size. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Yields and production continue to be an issue in Florida. Strong weather conditions forecasted over the next few days. Market remains consistent, and possibly ticking up again a bit over the next few days. Volume out of Mexico is down a bit. Quality is Good / fair.
Cherry - The market is higher. Supplies continue to be very tight. Demand higher in all areas. Product out of Mexico is also tight, with limited production and yields. Look for the market to continue to be strong. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is Steady. Supplies continue to be tight, due to previous and current weather conditions. Weather creating much lower yields in the east. Mexico looking to increase volume a bit this week. Quality is Good / Fair.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies looking to be a bit lighter this week. Sizing out of Mexico continues to be on the larger side. Back east, supplies continue to be a struggle, due to weather conditions, and additional severe weather forecasted over the next couple days. Look for the market to be steady, and possibly a bit higher. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies also a bit tighter out of Mexico, similar to rounds. In Florida, supplies continue to be tight due to weather conditions. Look for the market to continue to be steady, if not a bit higher as the week moves on. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is higher. Supplies are still very short. Back east, supplies also very tight. Market continues to be strong, and should continue through the week. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies out of Mexico improving a bit, with a couple areas coming on. Back east however, supplies continue to be a struggle. Weather hampering yields in Florida. Look for Mexico to continue to increase volume, slowly. Demand is consistent. Quality is Good / Fair.