The Source - February 7, 2018

Washington – Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Galas, and Fujis, are mostly steady with some flex on the smaller fruit. Honeycrisp are steady to higher as supplies are slightly lower. The rising star varietals have also been mostly steady with a few volume deals on the smaller sizes. The quality has been good for all. Most varieties have been peaking on the smaller sizes. Transportation has been the hardest thing to find in the northwest.

Idaho – Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Pink Ladies are still available. Fujis have finished for the season. Grannys are still peaking on 80/88/100s while the reds are peaking on 88/100/113s, and the Pinks and Goldens are heavier to 113/125s. The availability remains very light for all variety's as their packing has been light. 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. Michigan still has good quality and color. The quality has been good.

Pennsylvania – Fujis, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Cameos, Empires, Red Romes, and Pink Ladies are all steady. Red Delicious and Pink Ladies are still peaking on 88/100s, while the rest are peaking on 100/113s. Demand has been steady. 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 still being packed. Most of their fruit has been large this year. All markets have been steady to slightly higher. The McIntosh and Red Delicious have been producing more small fruit lately. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington is still short on large Granny Smith apples.

Michigan is still expecting an early finish to their season which could bring a much earlier shift to Washington for many eastern receivers.

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

Caborca and San Luis Mexico have started their peak production. This peak should continue for the next 2-4 weeks with weather being excellent in both regions. Domestic asparagus has started 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. Both regions in Peru have wrapped with the last shipments arriving this week. Markets are overall lower due to an increase in production from Mexico.

Transitions:
Domestic asparagus from Gonzales, California has started.

Peak Seasons:
Asparagus from Caborca, and San Luis Mexico is moving into it's peak production.

Mexico's harvest remains steady with good volume arriving to the states. Size curve is peaking on 48's/40's with a larger percentage of #2 fruit coming out of the harvest. The smaller fruit 60's/70's still a lighter percentage of what is being packed.

Bell pepper supplies are steady with warmer weather, growers have started some new fields. Jumbo is the predominate size with Large, Medium and Choice in tighter supply. South Florida has been extremely windy and some product id showing some scar and bruising. Look for the market to stay steady through the week with a few deals with some of the larger shippers.

Peak Seasons:
Bell Pepper is in peak availability.

Not much change this week in Blackberries. Central Mexico production remains steady with fruit available in all loading locations. Quality has been strong with good color, size, and flavor. Demand has been good, and market prices have been steady. We expect to see southern California growing regions start to pick up harvest over the next 3-5 weeks.

Transitions:
Southern California growing are expected to pick up production over the next 3-5 weeks.

Blueberries have been steady. We have good availability of Chilean fruit on both coasts. 6oz, Pints and 18oz packs are available. Quality has been good, but we did see some reports of inconsistent sizing. Mexico / Baja production has been consistent but remains light. Quality is being reported as very strong. Market prices are slightly higher. Demand has been consistent. We expect good availability and steady prices for the next several weeks. Domestic production is expected to start with light supplies over the next 3-5 weeks in Florida, followed by Georgia. California has started with light supplies of Organic.

Transitions:
Domestic production is expected to start over the next 3-5 weeks.

Raspberry supplies continue to be light but consistent. Mexico is still in low production and Baja has been steady. Quality has been reported as very good. Demand has been steady, and market prices have been firm. We do not expect to see much change over the next 2-3 weeks until Mexico picks up production and Santa Maria / Oxnard start with some light spring production.

Transitions:
We expect southern California production to begin over the next 4-5 weeks.

Strawberry supplies have been consistent, but demand is very high this week. We are in the middle of Valentine's Day pull, and availability will be limited through the weekend as shippers struggle to keep up with increased orders. California, Texas, and Florida will all be in similar situations this week. Market prices have started to firm up for the rest of this week. However, as the holiday demand will drop off quickly, we expect to see some aggressive deals by next week. The weather has been ideal, and new spring harvest is coming on quickly in Santa Maria. We expect to see a flush of fruit over the next 2-3 weeks with an overlap in growing regions. Quality has been very strong.

Transitions:
Santa Maria will start soon with new spring harvest.

Broccoli supplies are abundant from all growing regions. The market, as a result, is steady at low levels. The quality is really nice with dark green color, decent crown size, and minimal yellowing.

Brussel sprout supplies remain abundant. This has kept the market extremely competitive. Quality is really nice out of Oxnard and Mexico. We have seen a full range of sizes, dark green color, and no decay.

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

The cauliflower supplies are abundant. The market is also steady at lower levels. The quality has improved with little bruising/brown spotting, weights in the 25 to 29-pound level, and minimal cream to off-white color.

There have been a few shippers that are lighter in supplies, but overall there is plenty of this commodity to fill all orders. There is a small gap in pricing in the marketplace. All sizing is available in Yuma and Santa Maria/ Oxnard. With demand being moderate at best, expect steady pricing for the week. Yuma production continues to demand a higher fob price compared to southern California. There are reports of bowing, yellow leaves and insect damage, but these defects are minimal. Good overall quality is expected for the week in all growing regions.

The cilantro market is back to normal levels. This is due to all growing areas getting back to normal supplies. We have seen nice quality with full bunches, minimal yellow to brown leaves, and vibrant green color.

The lemon market is steady. Sizing continues to run to the larger fruit with 165's and smaller in a short supply situation. Quality is generally good with few quality issues reported.

Lime supplies continue to be lighter than normal due to the effects of the rain last week. Delayed arrivals from Mexico have had the largest impact on availability. Market prices increased last week and have remained fairly firm this week . Quality is showing some light colors and occasional blanching. Demand is steady. LTL deliveries are still limited, but gradually improving.

The market on Navel oranges continues to be driven by a historic shortage of small fruit (113's and smaller); as well as the heavy percentage of fancy grade fruit being harvested. Demand exceeds supply on all grades of 113 and smaller. This tight market will continue throughout the balance of the Navel season. This sizing and grade profile is essentially true for the Cara Cara's and Blood oranges as well; with a large proportion of all fruit coming in the larger size profiles and fancy grade.

Alerts:
Small Navel Oranges, 113's and smaller, are in an extreme supply shortage situation.

All of the import shippers are in peak volume and supply is plentiful, with markets showing the effects. There is a wide range in quality and shippers are especially struggling with off-grade cucumbers. Weather in Honduras has been very good and fields are producing a lot of fruit. We expect the market to stay steady at lower levels this week but prices won't stay this way long, shippers will import as much product at these levels.

Alerts:
Very good supply

Peak Seasons:
Cucumbers are in good supply.

There is better supply of eggplant in south Florida with newer fields that started a few weeks ago starting to produce higher volume of fruit. More supply coming in from Mexico is also putting pressure on the market. There is a wide range in quality with both newer and older fields being harvested. Expect the market to stay steady through the week.

Alerts:
Wide range of quality in eggplant from shipper to shipper.

Peak Seasons:
Eggplant is in peak supply.

The green grape market is steady with light supplies and demand. Volumes are increasing steadily, and there is product available in storage. The green market has eased slightly and will remain steady for the coming week. There is a wide variety of sizes available with Thompsons running smaller than the Sugarone's. Quality is being reported as good.

Supplies on red grapes have been consistent, and the market has been slightly soft. Quality has been reported as hit or miss, with more problems such as splits and decay on orders that are priced below the mid mostly. The sizing is spread evenly from medium/large to extra large fruit. We expect to see the market remain steady through the coming week.

The green onion market is finally back to normal levels. Supplies have increased from all growing regions. The overall quality has been nice, although there has been sporadic arrival with brown to yellow tops.

The kale market is steady with good supplies from all growing regions. Quality is also excellent with full bunches, dark green color, and minimal yellowing or dehydration.

Lack of demand and excess inventories continue to be issues that all suppliers are dealing with. Nothing has changed in the marketplace, like the previous weeks. Supplies continue to exceed demand. This will continue thru the middle of the week, minimum. The weights on liner have been averaging 44-47 pounds. Defects include puffiness, mechanical and some growth crack. Heats in Yuma will be in the 90s this week. The quality looks to be average.

This market has remained flat, and this will likely continue for the entire week. Defects on romaine as well as all leaf items include blister due to high heats in the growing regions, ribbiness, slight insect damage and mechanical. Supplies continue to far exceed demand. Romaine hearts will continue to be in good production with multiple suppliers. With the temps expected to be in the 90s in the Yuma region this week, quality looks to be average. Shorter shelf life will be an issue on commodity leaf packs as well as value added items.

The tender leaf market is steady with plenty of supplies of conventional and organic items. We have seen some minor quality issues of wetness, yellowing, but the overall quality is really nice.

The cantaloupe market is mostly steady on all sizes. There is still some discounting for volume on all sizes depending on the shipper; some shippers have more small fruit while some have more large. South Florida has the best availability while the east coast, Houston, and Los Angeles have decent supplies with more holes in the manifests. We expect sizing to remain steady. The quality has been good.

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

The Honeydew market is mostly steady on both coasts with 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 have some but are more limited. The quality has been good.

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

Market is steady to slightly weaker depending on size and color out of all shipping points. Idaho/Oregon, Quality is still being reported as good with very few issues being reported. Super Colossal and Colossal Yellow onions out of the Northwest are limited but with light demand has kept these market stable. Washington and Colorado are still in good quality storage onions. Mexico is shipping good quality fresh onions out of McAllen, Texas. Supplies are building with all colors available. Storage supplies out of the Northwest should finish up just in time as Southern California looks to be early. Could see supplies coming out of California by the first week of April. Time will tell. Transportation has gotten better with rates still higher than usual.

Washington – Bartlett pears are steady but remain high priced as the end of the season is a couple of weeks away for the shippers that still have fruit. The fruit is still mostly large with only limited supplies of the smaller sizes. The remaining suppliers expect to be finished by mid-February. D'anjous are steady on the larger fruit and steady to higher on 110s and smaller. Smaller D'anjou supplies remain very short. Bosc pears are steady on the larger fruit and steady to higher on 110s and smaller. Bosc are still peaking on US#1 80/90s. Supplies of small Bosc are also short. The Red D'anjou market is steady on all sizes. They are peaking on 40/45/50 half cartons. The quality for all has been good.

Chilean – we now fruit on both coasts but the demand has been strong and the vessels have been delayed. The market is steady to slightly lower on all sizes. They are still peaking on 90/100 size. The quality has been good with some scarring.

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

Tropical volume is good and we expect that to last through February. The quality has been good.

Markets out of all areas are steady with minimal changes. Six-ounce number two potatoes and 90 count and smaller are the only items that are slightly weaker with light demand. Quality overall is still very nice. Shipper are having to run more potatoes over the lines to get good potatoes in the box. This is typical for this time of the year. Transportation has improved with rate coming off slightly.

Western Washington – red and gold potatoes are steady on all sizes. A-size is still the bulk of the production for both colors. The quality has been good.

Eastern Washington – red 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 a few sizes lower. Whites are steady but supplies are tightening up. Reds, golds, and whites are all heavy to A-size. The quality has been good.

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

Wisconsin – red and gold potatoes are steady although there has been some flex on number-two reds. 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 two reds. The quality has been good for both colors.

South Florida – they have started packing new-crop red and gold potatoes, and the markets for both are steady. Both colors are peaking on A size. The quality for both has been good with minimal skinning.

Peak Seasons:
Bakersfield is still in the peak of its red and gold potato season.

Idaho, North Dakota, and western Washington are in the peak of their red and gold potato seasons.

Squash production has been good with the warmer weather, but squash supplies tend to cycle, and now we are on a downward slide. Excessive wind in south Florida is affecting yields and quality as well. There are reports from Mexico supplies getting much tighter which will put even more pressure on eastern supplies. The markets haven't reflected lighter supplies yet but expect that to change as we get closer to the weekend.

Alerts:
Supplies are going to get tighter

Peak Seasons:
Squash is not 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.