The Source - February 8, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady on all sizes but 88s and smaller remain firm. Lower grade reds remain limited in all sizes and most shippers are subbing up in grade esp. on larger quantities. Most suppliers continue to peak on 72/80/88 reds. Golden delicious are steady on all sizes and grades but the lower grade fruit remains 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 but are short on 125's and smaller as well. 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 80/88/100'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 to slightly due to light supplies. Golden delicious are steady but strong due to lighter supplies and 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. Jonagolds are finishing up and 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 to higher and firm. 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.

Even with the colder weather that they had last week in the Caborca growing region, the market did not react. Supplies are still above normal. Although there were some delays this weekend crossing the border. Quality is really nice from Mexico. Peruvian asparagus is in limited supplies and looks to gap until Mid March.

Good supplies are crossing into the US even with the cut back most shippers have done for the post Super Bowl demand. 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.

Demand is moderate to good but supply continues to be a challenge as weather over the recent weeks in Mexico slowed production and also increased quality issues. Transfers from Mexico continue to be delayed and arrivals into coolers are often changed or delayed as well. There is more fruit arriving into McAllen and we should see more on the west coast by mid-week.

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.

Peak Seasons:
Peak of Chilean blueberry season.

Demand is good and supply is somewhat limited due to disrupted production and delays with transfers coming from Mexico. Overall, quality has improved over recent weeks.

Strawberry availability remains limited in all growing/loading regions as demand for Valentine's Day berries is keeping us in a demand exceeds supply situation. Cold/cool weather along with rain showers and thunderstorms over recent weeks slowed production in both Southern California and Central Florida. Warmer and clear weather is forecasted for Southern CA this week. Some high winds forecasted as the Santa Ana winds return to Southern CA. Florida remains cool but forecast does show clearing. 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:
Strawberry availability remains limited in all growing/loading regions as demand for Valentine's Day berries is keeping us in a demand exceeds supply situation.

Supplies remain abundant from all growing regions and prices are still very competitive. Excellent quality as well with nice green color and tight beads. Several growing regions are currently harvesting broccoli. Salinas has also started production as well.

Increased supplies from Mexico and lack of demand have caused a decline in the market. Sizing is still small to medium. Jumbo size is still in limited quantities. Quality has also improved. And the processors with new packs of shredded to whole product are readily available.

Cooler weather in growing area has really slowed growth on the new crop coming out of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys of California. Carrots are very small and yields are extremely light on Jumbo size carrots. Weather is warming, but it will take 3 to 4 week for size to come. Supplies of medium size and baby peeled carrots are is good.

Alerts:
Jumbo size carrots from California are extremely limited in availability. Look to be this way for 3 to 4 weeks.

The cauliflower market has taken a turn upward. Limited supplies this week from all growing regions. The continuous cycle of plenty of supplies to minimal supplies will continue through transition to Salinas. Quality remains good with nice white color and limited spreading. Salinas early estimates of starting are by the end of February.

Alerts:
Limited Supplies this week and the market is trending much higher

The celery market is lower in Florida. The quality has been reported as good out of this region. Defects on celery in Oxnard and Yuma continue. Some of these issues are bowing, leafy tops, and pith. Warm temperatures are expected in all the growing regions throughout the week. Large sizing is much more readily available in Yuma and Oxnard. Smaller sizing is commanding a higher price.

The cilantro market is steady with good supplies for the front side of this week. Quality remains the same with some lots showing yellowing to black slimy leaves.

The desert crop is done for their season. The central valley crop is 42% harvested and the Ventura crop has just begun. With the desert done, this will create greater demand on these other 2 areas. Demand remains very strong.

The lime market is higher right now on 175ct-230ct while it's steady for now on the 110ct and 150ct. Demand is decent on all sizes while supplies of all sizes smaller than 150ct are dropping . 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 for 10 days. Inventories will are building on 72's and larger. but with 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.

The green seedless grape market is easing off. We see this mostly as a reaction to the red grape market declining. Supplies are still relatively tight and will continue to be light for the next few weeks. Longer term we are seeing hope for the green grape supply to improve around the first week of March. We should be breaking into the next growing region about this time. Quality is generally good with sizing running heavily to the 700 code fruit.

The red seedless grape market is settling down to lower levels this week. Demand is light and supplies are gradually improving on both the East and West Coasts. We expect this trend to continue for the short term as buyers clean up on expensive inventory. Once the buyers clean up we should see a steadying out of the market. The longer term outlook is for this trend to continue into the last week of February when we should see some tightening of supplies. Quality is generally reported as good on both coasts.

Alerts:
Red seedless grape market easing off.

The green onion market has stabilized. Though supplies on jumbo iced & iceless green onions are limited. Quality is also improving with better weather from Mexico. Quality remains sporadic with some arrival issues with yellow to brown discoloration of the tops.

Kale supplies for the front side of this week fell short of suppliers estimates. This has created a small increase to the market. Quality is still excellent with nice dark green color with little dehydration.

The market has is stronger with most suppliers to start the week. The desert region will have higher temps this week and this will likely cause the market to adjust. Warmer temperatures are expected throughout the week. No rain is in the forecast. Defects on lettuce continue. 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 until the middle of the week, minimum.

This market is steady, overall. There is a pricing gap of a few dollars depending on the shipper. Warm temperatures will exist throughout the week in Yuma and Southern California. Blister and peel will continue on romaine. These defects will continue through February at a minimum. Quality is suffering with all leafy greens as well. Blister and peel has been reported. Although this issue is not as extensive as romaine, it is still out there. The weights on romaine have been averaging 26-32 pounds , while green leaf has been approximately 20-23 pounds. The market is expected to be stronger by the middle of the week.

Overall cantaloupe supplies are lightening up and look to do so for the next two weeks due to the transitioning of growing regions. The quality is good overall with some lots being exceptionally nice. The peak size is currently 9ct with 6ct and 5ct sized lopes being packed. 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. There are very few 15ct lopes being packed and zero 18ct being packed.

Demand is good on all sizes and supplies are good also. The peak size for the offshore is 5ct and the small amount of Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct. The small sizes are becoming available in a small way. 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 steady across the board.

Idaho - Demand is fairly light with good supplies of Jumbo Yellows the start of this week. Most other sizes and colors have moderate supplies with a steady market. Quality has been reported as good with a occasional lot showing transparency in the outer layers of the Onions. The transparency will become more common as the season moves on. Storage onion season will start to wind down early than last year with some of the smaller supplier winding down in March and the larger growers going to the middle of April. The last couple of years some of the storages made into May.
Washington - Demand is fairly light with a steady market. Sizing Yellow onions is peaking on Jumbo's and smaller with few to no colossal. Most growers have been struggling with quality of their storage Red onions. The main issue has external with staining, sunburn, decay and mold being the main issue. Look for this only to get worse as the season moves on.
Mexico - Demand is very good within Mexico which has slowed supplies coming into the U.S.. Market has increased slightly out of this area. Only Yellow and White onions have been crossing into the U.S.. Red onions supplies should start crossing next week. Quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington is having quality issues with their Storage Red Onions

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady on all sizes. 110-size and smaller are firm due to strong demand and all sizes of the fancy grade are short. D'anjous are still peaking on US#1 70/80/90s. 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 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. The market is steady.

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

Demand is fairly light on all sizes and packs out of all growing areas (Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin). Quality is still being reported as good. I do not see the market changing much the balance of this month.
Peepers could start to appear as we get into Spring-time. As the temperatures warm up the potatoes coming from storages will start to change. The tubers are dormant while in storages 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 peepers.
To inhibit peepers 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 peepers has to break the surface of the skin to be effective. When that happens the inhibitor will retard the growth of the peepers and it will not elongate. If the inhibitor is working the peeper will have the appearance of a head of Cauliflower with a black dot in the center.

Bakersfield, California - all colors are steady and continue to peak on A-size. Premium/baker reds and golds supplies have improved and both sizes are available in both colors. 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 both colors.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady to slightly higher due to lighter supplies. Both colors continue are still peaking 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 still are not available. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - Golds are steady on all sizes while reds are steady to lower with some volume deals available. Both are peaking on size A and have limited availability in premium and baker size. The quality has been good.
S. Florida - all colors are steady but remain relatively high due to generally light supplies. The reds and golds are peaking on A-size while the whites are heavier to B's.

The stone fruit markets are generally easier this week as supplies of all (peaches, plums and nectarines) improve.
Sizing is also moving more to the larger 40 & 50 series packs as we move deeper into the season. This scenario should continue into March when we will see much more promotable volumes available. Quality is generally reported as good.

Alerts:
Stone fruit availability improving.

Rounds - The market is steady. Florida continues to see lighter supplies due to past, and present, weather conditions. Yields continue to be lower, and will continue, possibly through the remainder of the winter season. Mexico is slowly increasing supplies, with production increasing on larger sizes. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Weather also continues to effect production and yields in Florida. As with rounds, supplies look to continue to be lighter through the winter season. Mexico looking to increase supplies, with additional production. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is higher. Weather has created shortages in all areas. Production and yields continue to be slim-to-none, with supplies day-to-day. Look for this to continue throughtout the remaining winter season. Demand is extremely active. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is higher. Rains and colder temps also creating very tight supplies on the grapes. Lighter supplies will also continue to be lighter through winter season. Out west, colder temps have also cut production and yields. Demand on the stronger side in all areas. Quality is Good.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies out of Mexico continues to get a little better. The increase in production should continue, with a small boost next week. Most product available at the moment is with larger sizes. East continues to see lighter supplies, with weather conditions effecting production and yields. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies also looking a bit better out of Mexico on roma's. Look for production and yields to increase over the next week. However, the East continues to see lighter supplies due to the rains and colder temps this winter season. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is higher. Production and yields continue to be very short in all regions. Look for product to continue to be a struggle through the remaining winter season. Supplies are day-to-day in all areas, with little relief in the near future. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is higher. Supplies continue to be tight, due to weather conditions. Production and yields are off in all areas in Mexico. East also dealing with weather conditions tightening supplies. Demand continues to be strong. Quality is Good.