The Source - February 4, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady on all sizes but 88s and smaller remain firm due to strong demand. The lower grade reds remain limited in all sizes and most shippers are subbing up in grade esp. on larger orders of small fruit. Most suppliers continue to peak on 72/80/88 reds. Golden delicious are steady on all sizes and grades but the market for lower grade fruit is firm. Golden delicious are still peaking on Wash-Extra 100/113s. Most suppliers still don't have much larger than an 88-size. The Granny-smith market is steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on 88/100/113s. Most Granny shippers still don't have much larger than an 88 and are still short on 125's and smaller. 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 due a demand shift from the east coast. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80/88/100'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 they do large. McIntosh are steady and are still heavier to 125/138s but supplies are light. Galas are steady but firm due to light supplies. Golden delicious are steady but strong due to lighter supplies. Golden delicious are still peaking 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 in Michigan. Fujis are steady and they are peaking on 125/138s. Red Romes are steady but most shippers will deal on volume orders. Jonagolds are all still available but supplies are limited.
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 to higher. Empire and Red Rome volume is good and some shippers will flex for volume on the smaller sizes. The quality has been good on all varieties.

As there has been a surge of retail ad driven demand, supplies going into the end of the week and all of next week are starting to tighten up. The market will slowly increase into next week. Shippers are packing 28/1# Mexican Asparagus currently and now the 11/1# Asparagus will become limited. So make sure to get your orders in to get them covered. Quality is excellent on product from Mexico. Peruvian quality has improved.

Alerts:
Retail Ad driven demand has created and upward rend in the market.

The size curve coming from the groves 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 causing supplies issues on 48s/60s/70s, but there are signs of some normality returning.

Demand is moderate to good but supply continues to be a challenge as recent weather in Mexico slowed production and also increased likelihood for quality issues. Transfers from Mexico continue to be delayed and arrivals into coolers are often changed or delayed as well.

As production in Chile and Mexico increase and more shipments are arriving into the US, adequate supplies have been available and should continue through the coming weeks. Quality has improved with the new shipments and is good overall. Demand has been moderate but is increasing for higher quality fruit.

Demand is good and supply has been better than recent weeks but some quality issues are being reported. Wet, soft, broken berries and some mold and overripe have been reported. Recent weather in Mexico has created challenges with production. Delays with production and logistics have led to subsequent delays at coolers and cross-docking facilities.

Strawberries remain extremely limited in all growing/loading regions and demand for Valentine's Day berries is keeping us in a demand exceeds supply situation. Cold/cool weather along with rain showers and thunderstorms have continued to slow production in both Southern California and Central Florida. Central Mexico is forecasting a significant warming trend that could bring temperatures into harmful highs and affect quality and further disrupt supply in the coming weeks. The current supply situation does not appear that it will recover until mid-late February at the earliest. Although demand will typically come off considerably in the middle of the week prior to Valentine's Day, the current supply/production gaps will likely last throughout the month of February.

Alerts:
Strawberries remain extremely limited in all growing/loading regions and demand for Valentine's Day berries is keeping us in a demand exceeds supply situation.

Broccoli Supplies are abundant and prices are extremely aggressive. there are several growing regions currently harvesting. And now to add to the mix, Salinas has started harvesting in limited quantities. Quality is really nice from all growing regions. Look for supplies and markets to remain the same for the week. Santa Maria is showing some Pin Rot from the recent rains.

Brussel Sprout supplies are slowly getting better. As a result of better supplies the market is finally decreasing to lower levels. Sizing is still in the small to medium range. Quality has improved as well. Large to Jumbo sizes are extremely limited.

Cooler weather continues to hamper size growth in the carrot crop. Jumbo size carrots coming out of fields remain at a very low percent, and demand is very good on them. Supplies of medium size and value added is good.

Alerts:
Cold temps are affecting size and availability. Market is adjusting upwards.

Cauliflower supplies have caught up with demand. Look for prices to start that uphill climb and limited supplies of 9count cauliflower to start with. Overall Quality is still fairly good. But there has been some arrivals with spreading and some yellow cast to the cauliflower.

Alerts:
Overall supplies are decreasing and the market is on the rise.

The celery market is steady. There is an improvement on supplies in Yuma and Florida. The quality has been reported as good out of the Florida region. Defects on celery continue in the Oxnard region as well as Yuma. Some of these issues are bowing, pith which are soft spots and leafy tops. Cold temperatures in the Yuma region has delayed harvesting with all shippers. Large sizing is much more readily available in Yuma and Oxnard.

Alerts:
Ice causing delays in harvesting in the Yuma region.

The Cilantro Market has finally settled to a normal level. Good supplies will be available all week. Also with that being said quality has improved with nice green color and minimal yellowing.

All 3 growing areas are being harvested. The desert is 88% harvested and will finish much earlier this year compared to normal. The central valley crop is 37% and both areas are heavy to 140s and larger fruit. The harvest of the Ventura crop has just begun, and it too is looking to be peaking on 140s and larger fruit. Lemon demand is very good.

The lime market is steady right now on all sizes. Demand is decent and supporting the current market. The peak sizes are 110's and 150's currently with fewer small sized limes being harvested. Quality is excellent overvall.

After some much needed rains in the California Navel growing area, picking has began once again for most growers. No more rains are predicted until the end of this week. Inventories are very low and shippers will need extended period of clearing truly build inventories back up. Shippers are also starting to see fruit size up, with plenty of large sizes and a dropping in small sizes. Demand is stronger on the 113s/138s and markets are beginning to be very active on these sizes.

The green seedless grape market is about steady. We are seeing some adjustment downward as a result of the pressure of a declining red grape market. Volume of green grapes is slightly improved but continues to be light. This scenario should remain the same through to the end of February. Quality is generally good with a few weaker lots showing some early decay and discoloration.

The red seedless grape market is adjusting downward as volume increases and demand remains flat. We expect that this will continue for the next one to two weeks. The last week of February promises to improve as supplies are projected to decline about that time. Quality is generally reported as good.

The market has finally returned to a normal level. The only problem we have now is with the iceless green onion supplies still with crossings from the border being difficult. The iced green onion supplies are plentiful. Quality is still fair with arrivals showing brown to yellow discoloration of the tops.

As we all know the demand for this super food has created growers to plant an abundance of acres. The result is a stable market with good supplies. Quality is excellent as well with nice dark green color.

The market has remained unchanged. Low temperatures in the Yuma region will hit in mid 30s to low 40s with highs only in the low 60s throughout the week. Ground temperatures will obviously drop. Warmer temperatures will begin by the middle of next week. Expect harvesting delays throughout this week. Rain is not expected in the Yuma region for the entire week. Expect defects to this commodity to be accelerated due to the cold temperatures. These defects include light color, misshapen and ribby heads, peeling epidermis, blister and growth crack. The weights are averaging 39-44 pounds. Expect pricing to get stronger by the end of the week.

Alerts:
Freezing temperatures in the Yuma region will delay harvesting.

This market is steady.There are very good supplies on all leaf items. As expected, freezing temperatures in Southern California as well as Yuma has started. Delays in harvesting are expected. Blister and peel will be accelerated throughout the week on romaine. These defects will continue through mid- February at a minimum. Quality is suffering with all leafy greens, not just romaine. The weights on romaine have been averaging 26-32 pounds , while green leaf has been approximately 20-23 pounds. The market looks to be stronger next week.

Alerts:
Freezing temperatures causing delays in the harvesting of all leaf items.

Overall cantaloupe supplies are lighter than earlier in the week. The quality is good overall with some lots being bad lately as growers finish up arrivals of the Zacapa region of Guatemala. The peak size shifted to larger sized fruit and is currently 9ct. We are experiencing decent demand on the cantaloupes that are arriving. The current market is higher on 9ct and higher on what is available on 12ct and 15ct.

Demand is good on all sizes. The peak size for the offshore is 5ct and the small amount of Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct. The small sizes are staying scarce. Honduran grown honeydews are arriving 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 very light. The Mexican dews are very nice also. The market is on all dews is steady on the large sizes and higher on the small ones.

Idaho - Demand is fairly light with a steady market on most sizes and colors. Quality is good. White onions are getting into fewer hands which has caused a firm but steady. We are getting late in the season where Transparency is the outer layers of the onions become transparent. The Transparency looks like the onions have been exposed to freezing temperatures is the best way to describe is issue.
Washington - Demand is light with a steady market. Quality is good on Yellow Onions. Few lots of Reds Onions are showing issues with decay and mold. This could start to affect the Red onion market as supplies wind down quicker than expected.
Mexico - Demand and supply is light on yellow and whites onions with a steady market. Red onions should start to cross the middle of this month. Quality is being reported as good.

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady on all sizes but 110s and smaller are firm due to strong demand. D'anjous are still peaking on US#1 70/80/90s and all sizes of the fancy grade are limited. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Fancy bosc are short on all sizes. Bartletts are steady on all sizes but the market remains high and strong due to light supplies. Bartletts continue to peak on 90/100/110s and the larger sizes remain limited. Washington will finish packing Bartletts in two to three weeks. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are still producing mostly half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s. The quality on Bartlett pears has varied while the D'anjou, Bosc, and red pears have been good.
Chile - Bartlett pears are available on the west coast and are peaking on the smaller sizes.

Washington - The D'anjou size has shifted up to a 70/80 peak and pack days with some of the larger suppliers are limited this week. Between the shorter supplies from the larger size profile and limited packing, small D'anjous are really short right now. US#1 110-size and smaller are firm due to short supplies and strong demand and all sizes of the fancy grade are short. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Fancy grade bosc are also short. Bartletts are steady on all sizes but the market remains high and strong due to light supplies. Bartletts continue to peak on 90/100/110s but many suppliers will finish for the season next week or the following week. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are still producing mostly half carton 40/45/50s and full carton 90/100s, however the red pear availability is low. The D'anjou, Bosc, and red pear quality has been good.
Chile - Bartlett pears are available on the west coast and are peaking on the smaller sizes. The market is steady.

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

Idaho- Demand is light with a steady market on all sizes and packs. Quality is being reported as good. There is an occasional lot showing up with internal bruising. Market should stay steady through the balance of this month.
Washington - Demand is moderate on 80 count and smaller with light demand on 70 count and larger. Market is steady on the smaller cartons, with deals being offered on the larger cartons. Quality is being reported as good.
Colorado/Wisconsin - Demand is good on Cartons with light to no retail demand on Non A bags. Sheds are running short days due to light retail demand. Market is firm. Quality is good.

Bakersfield, California - all colors are steady and continue to peak on A-size. Premium and baker reds and golds remain short. The quality has been good.
Western Washington - reds and golds are steady and both continue to peak on A size. The quality has been good on all sizes and colors.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady. All colors continue to peak on A-size and the quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are both steady but the market is firm as the shippers battle storage quality. Both colors are still peaking on A-size. Premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs aren't available. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - Reds and golds are steady on all sizes. Both are peaking on size A and are limited on premium and baker size. The quality has been good.
S. Florida - reds are steady but remain relatively high due to light supplies. Whites and golds have started but supplies are light. The reds and golds are peaking on A-size while the whites are heavier to B's..

The market on all stone fruit is about steady. Peaches, plums and nectarines are generally light in supply. Sizing continues to run heavily to the 50,60 and 70 series tray pack or volume fill. Supplies are projected to remain light until we move into the month of March. Quality is generally reported as good.

Rounds - The market is steady. Rains and wind continue to curtail harvest in the Florida area. Lighter supplies will continue in the east. Mexico is crossing a bit more supplies, however, colder weather has effected yields. Demand still consistent in all areas. Quality is Good / fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Weather also continues to effect supplies on roma's in the east. Rains and cold weather slowing up production and yields. Out west, Mexico crossing some supplies, however, colder temps have effected yields as well. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is higher. Weather continues to create very tight supplies in the east. Rains and cold temps curtailing production in all areas. Demand very strong. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is higher. Supplies continue to be light in all areas. Weather is hampered production and yields. Mexico is dealing with similar weather conditions. Demand continues to be stronger. Quality is Good / Fair.

Rounds - The market is steady. Weather continues to slow up production and yields. Supplies a bit better, however, cold temps in the west continue to slow things up. Back east, rains and colder temps effecting supplies. Demand continues to be consistent in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies are looking a bit better in the west. However, colder temps have lowered yields in areas. Back east, rains and colder temps continue to shorten supplies in Florida. Quality is Good / Fair
Cherry - The market is higher. Production and yields continue to be very short in the west and east. Weather conditions continue to lower supplies. Look for lighter supplies to continue through the week, at a minimum. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is higher. Supplies continue to be tight, due to rains and colder temps in all areas. Rains and colder temps continue to shorten production and yields. Demand should continue to be strong, along with the cherry's. Quality is Good / Fair.