The Source - February 25, 2016

Washington - red delicious remain steady on all sizes but the 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 suppliers 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 remains strong due. Most Gala shippers don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are steady 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 are peaking on 125/138s. Jonathans are steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Fujis are steady and they are peaking on 125/138s but supplies are limited. Red Romes are steady but most shippers will deal on volume orders. Braeburns have .
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 is still running heavy to the 32s/36s/40s and still causing supplies issues on 48s/60s/70s, but there are signs of some normality returning.

Improved weather in Culiacan is improving supply on bell peppers, More product is being offered with better quality and size showing on current crossings. Reds and golds are still limited with greens improving in quality. More number one grade is being offered in 25 and 15 lb. units.

Production from Central Mexico has been steady. Overall, we have good availability with Mexican fruit being transferred into the US. 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 good. Southern Chile is coming off of peak production but still shipping ample amounts of fruit to the US to cover demand. 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:
Both Southern Chile and Central Mexico have past their production peak. Baja will most likely peak around April.

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 continue to be a challenge over the next several weeks.

Alerts:
Supplies remain limited and the current shortage is likely for another 2-3 weeks.

Availability has improved with favorable weather in California. Oxnard is producing steadily and Santa Maria new crop is coming on quickly as well. Some summer planted strawberries are still being picked in Santa Maria and there's split-level pricing for old and new crop. New crop sizing in the mid-teens per 1 pound clamshell. Salinas and Watsonville have also seen favorable weather and some ranches are already getting ripe red fruit in very small quantities for local sales - not yet producing at a commercial level. Many Mexican growers have backed off volume being sent to the US. After the post-Valentine's Day market and demand decline, they are keeping more of their fruit in country for the national market or diverting older fields to freezer or juicing. Florida received rain on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning which slowed down some of the harvesting mid-week. However, there have still been steady supplies to cover demand. With the lower markets, more retailers will begin to promote fresh strawberries again and some of the additional volumes from the pervious weeks will be re-directed to cover this demand. Quality has been good overall, out of all growing regions. Fruit has been firm with good color. Fewer reports of white shoulders and green tips than in previous weeks.

Transitions:
Santa Maria new crop is increasing production!

Inspected in Oxnard 2/24

The broccoli market is steady with supplies available in all growing regions. The Salinas Valley is ramping up supplies this week with unseasonably warm weather bringing broccoli harvest on ahead of schedule. This market looks to remain unchanged well into next week. Quality is generally good in all growing regions.

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.

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 steady with good supplies and light demand. Select shippers are quoting stronger on 9's and 12's as they have gotten ahead of supplies and sizing for them is now running to 16's. Quality is reported as good from all regions.

Supplies have tightened up on small sizing, thirty-six counts in particular. Larger sizing is much more readily available. This market is steady, overall. Pricing gaps are going to be seen amongst the different suppliers. Temperatures will remain high all week in all the growing regions. Production in Florida is moderate to light. Yuma and Oxnard have decent supplies and this should continue throughout the week. There is slight flexing in Yuma and Oxnard with a few shippers. Overall pricing is competitive. The quality has been reported as strong in all the growing regions. Very slight bowing and sometimes light color has really been the only reports on this commodity.

Jalapeno; Very strong demand with limited supply. Quality and sizing is very good ,mostly large and extra Large.

Serrano ; Demand exceed on limited supply with good condition and quality, sizing is mostly medium.

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 supply and excellent quality continue, very good sizing and condition.

The cilantro market remains promotable with excellent supplies from most shippers. Quality is generally good with a few suppliers still reporting some yellowing and black 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.

Better weather in Culiacan is improving volume and creating deals . excellent
color, quality and condition. Peaking on Selects and Supers and all size cartons are being offered 24,36,42s.

Better weather is increasing production. Condition and quality are improving also. More number one product being offered and less scaring and misshapen. Sizing is improving with better color and finish.

The green seedless market is about steady with only average demand and adequate supplies. Sizing continues to be skewed towards the large and extra large fruit. Quality is generally reported as good with only an occasional report of color and early breakdown.

The red seedless grape market has adjusted down as supplies have increased over the last week. Volume is still weighted heavily to the medium and medium large fruit. Consequently, the larger code fruit is commanding a premium in the market place. Quality continues to be an issue due to rain damage and humidity in the Chilean growing regions. We are seeing splits, wet and sticky berries and some early decay. Most of the issues are showing up in the early Flames with the new crop Crimsons maintaining a premium in price due to superior quality.

The green onion market is about steady. Supplies have improved but many shippers continue to struggle with sizing and inconsistent supplies. Quality overall is better and generally good.

The kale market is steady with excellent supplies, good quality and light demand. Full green color, healthy and plenty available for the foreseeable future.

This market is unchanged. Suppliers continue to offer bulk deals as supplies get stronger. Warm temperatures has accelerated growth on this commodity. Some defect have been seen with most shippers. These defects include mechanical damage, puffiness, slight mildew and misshapen heads. The weights on this commodity has been ranging from 42-50 pounds. Gaps in pricing will continue throughout the week and will vary from two - three dollars, depending on the supplier. Expect good availability all week and lighter supplies by the middle of next week.

Shippers have excellent supplies all week and are looking to promote all leaf items. Deals are being offered for large, volume type orders. Aside from some slight mechanical damage and twisting, the romaine has been strong in quality. Warm temps has created a growth spurt for this commodity. Green and red leaf, as well as butter also shows strong quality. Expect heavy supplies all week for all leaf items. Fringe and tip burn is likely to be reported next week due to the warm temperatures in the growing regions. The desert region will have high temperatures throughout the week. The weights are averaging 35-38 pounds while red and green leaf are averaging 21-23 pounds.

Cantaloupe supplies are more than adequate for the current demand. We have increasing 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 lower 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.

Seedless Watermelon,

Weather has curtailed volume for most of the winter season shipping from Colima and Jalisco, availability is improving every week with better weather in the growing region. Quality and condition are much improved. Sugar and pleasure are testing well with good fruit for cutting.

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

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

Idaho - Demand is fairly light. Yellow and Red onion markets are steady to slightly weaker. White onions are very limited with a firm market. Supplies of onions are slowly winding down for the season. The larger growers will have supplies of yellows and reds into the middle of April. The smaller growers will slowly finish up in March. Over all quality is still good. We are starting to see some transparency showing up in the out layers of the late storage onions which will only get worse as the season moves on.
Washington - Demand is fairly light with steady markets on all colors and sizes. Sizing out of this growing area is peaking on Jumbo's with limited supplies colossal and larger. Quality is being reported as good on the Yellows with some issues showing up in the Red onions. The main is issue with the red onions is surface mold and occasional internal stem decay.
Mexico - Demand is moderate with building supplies which has this market slightly lower on all colors and sizes. Quality is very nice.
Texas- Growing area is about two weeks away from starting. Some of the growing areas were hit with heavy hail and rain which could effect supplies. Growers are still assessing the damage. Will update everyone as we get more information.

Alerts:
Texas- hit with heavy thunderstorms in some of the onion growing areas.

Washington - D'anjous pears continue to peak on US#1 70/80s. The larger fruit-size isn't yielding much fruit smaller than a 110 so 120s and smaller are very short. The Washington D'anjous are clean so the fancy grade is limited 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. Bartlett pears have finished for the season. Red pears remain steady on all sizes and they are peaking on 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 steady on all sizes and continue to peak on 100/110s on both coasts. 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.

Idaho - Demand is fairly light on 70 counts and smaller with moderate to good demand on 60 count and larger. Quality is still being reported as good. Burbank are packing out between 40 - 60% # 1's. This is pretty typical for this time of the year.
Washington - Demand is very good on all packs and sizes with a slightly firmer market. Most growers are peaking on 80 count and smaller with limited supplies of 70 count and larger. Quality is hit and miss. Main issues showing up is air checking which looks like a finger nail cut on the skin of the potatoes.
Colorado/Wisconsin - Very light retail demand has most shippers only running limited hours. Supplies of cartons are very limited due to lack of retail business. Quality is still being reported as good.

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 while others are lighter.
Western Washington - reds and golds are steady and both continue to peak on A size. Their season will finish between the middle and the end of March. The quality has ranged from fair to good on both colors.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady but supplies are in fewer hands as we approach the end of the season. Both colors are speaking on A-size and some suppliers will flex for volume on the red As. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are both steady but firm and are peaking on A-size, Most shippers continue to battle storage quality. Premiums and bakers in both colors and gold Cs are still not available. The quality has been fair to 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 again.

Better weather has improved production and quality on both yellow and Italian squash. All sizes and grades are available. Excellent color on Italian. Yellow is showing scaring on some lots.

Hard Squash is steady supply with good demand. Mostly medium sizes with some large.

The Chilean stone fruit deal is approaching peak season on all varieties of fruit. We currently have good supplies of yellow and white peaches, red and black plums; as well as a variety of colors in the pluots. Quality is reported as good on all. The market is about steady on all with select sizes easier than others on price and availability.

Peak Seasons:
Chilean stone fruit moving towards peak season in March.

Rounds - The market is steady. Weather conditions continue to hamper production and yields in Florida. Storms in the pan handle have caused delays in plantings. Warmer weather in Mexico should help with the sizing situation, moving forward. Demand is consistent in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies in the east continue to be a struggle. However, Mexico is crossing good supplies, with the better weather conditions. Quality is Good / Fair, with pricing a bit higher on the better quality.
Cherry - The market is high. Supplies continue to be very tight in all areas. Demand continues to be strong. Look for the market to continue through the week, at minimum. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is lower. Florida is looking better supply-wise. Mexico is also crossing better supplies. Demand a bit off, with better supplies in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies still looking a little tighter on the smaller sizes. Larger sizes are more abundant, with better pricing. Back east, storms continue to hamper production and yields. Warmer weather conditions should help with the sizing situation out of Mexico. Demand is consistent in all areas. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies out of Mexico looking better. Better weather conditions have helped with crossings. Back east, supplies continue to be a struggle. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is high. Supplies continue to be short in the west and east. Look for the market to continue to be strong in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is lower. Supplies out of Mexico continues to get better. Better weather conditions have help crossings. Back east, supplies also look to be getting better. Demand lower, due to additional supplies in all areas. Quality is Good / fair.