The Source - January 28, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady on all sizes but 88s and smaller are firm due to strong demand. Lower grade reds remain short in all sizes. Most suppliers continue to peak on 72/80/88s. 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 also limited 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 higher as storage supplies start to dwindle. Golden delicious are steady but the market has risen due to lighter supplies. Golden delicious are 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. Galas and Golden delicious are available but supplies are light and both markets are steady to higher and strong. 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.

The asparagus market on the West Coast is now promotable with favorable prices. There are good supplies of all size Mexican Asparagus. Also 28/1# asparagus packs will start sometime this week. Peruvian Asparagus also in better shape as far as supplies and has followed the market trend of the Mexican product. Quality is excellent from Mexican and better from Peru.

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 which. There are very limited availability on the smaller sizes of 60s/70s and as customers move up to 48s, we are see 48s becoming very tight and a real issue for shippers.

Blackberry supplies continue to be very tight. Production in Central Mexico has been limited and the recent wet and cold weather has had a big impact on the overall quality. Fruit has been arriving wet, leaky and showing some red cell. Inbound fruit loads continue to be delayed, making availability very sporadic. With the warmer weather this week in Mexico, shippers are expecting better supplies next week.

Alerts:
Supplies remain very limited due to limited production and delayed shipments to the US.

Production has been steady, but delays in arrivals has been our biggest challenge on the Blueberries. Both the offshore fruit coming in vessels and product crossing the boarders has been sporadic with several delays in arrival dates. This week we experienced some set backs mid week, but fruit is expected to be available by the weekend. Next week, with increased production in Baja, I expect supply to be more consistent.

Raspberries have been very limited all week. Production out of Central Mexico continues to be light and the quality is still suffering from the recent rain and unfavorable weather. Soft, broken fruit continues to be reported upon arrival. Supply is expected to remain very limited for the next several weeks.

Alerts:
Supply continues to be very limited and quality has been fair. Shortages are expected for the next several weeks.

Strawberry supplies continue to be very limited in all growing regions and we remain in a demand exceeds supply situation. Southern California has seen some clear skies and slightly warmer weather, but harvest has still been sporadic and light. Growers are anticipating some increased harvest numbers for Friday and the weekend, but there is a chance of rain again by early next week. FL has continues to see cool weather with occasional showers and product has remained limited. Mexican production remains steady with some product becoming available in Texas. Production will continue to be limited and supplies are expected to remain limited throughout the Valentine's Day pull. Better supplies are anticipated by mid February.

Alerts:
Supply continues to be extremely limited in all regions.

The broccoli supplies from all growing regions are finally good enough to fill the pipeline. The markets are aggressive for promotion this week. Quality is decent from most growing regions, but product from Santa Maria is still showing signs of Pin rot from the rains. This market will remain aggressive all week.

Brussel Sprout supplies are looking better to end this week. Prices are still all over the board and well above normal levels. Sizing is still small to medium from Mexico. And we will continue to see the market decrease into next week.

Colder 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.

Cauliflower supplies this week look to be stable and the market remaining at current levels. There are deals made with volume behind it but varies from shipper to shipper. Quality has improved with nice white color. Although some lots have show some brown discoloration upon arrival.

The celery has softened with most suppliers. Shippers have excess inventories due primarily to bad weather on the East Coast. Defects on celery continue in the Oxnard region. Issues include pith, which are soft spots on the stock, epidermal peel bowing, and leafy tops. These defects are a direct cause of past cool temperatures and rains in the growing regions. Yuma production is stronger than in past weeks. Florida has light production. Large sizing is much more readily available in Yuma and Oxnard.

Cilantro supplies are getting better from all growing regions. Better weather in Mexico, Yuma, and Oxnard have helped in the increased supplies. Although supplies have increased, quality is still fair at best. Yellowing will be in most packs and you will see some black slimy leaves.

All 3 growing areas are being harvested. The desert is 76% harvested and will finish much earlier this year compared to normal. The central valley crop is 35% 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 strong and with size peaking on 140s and larger fruit from all areas; 165s and smaller fruit remaining tight, but meeting demand.

The lime market is steady right now on the smaller sizes and slightly lower on the large sizes such as 110ct and 150ct. Demand is decent and supplies are increasing right now on the large sizes. The peak sizes are 110's and 150's currently with fewer small sized limes being harvested. Quality is excellent overvall.

California Navel growing area received good rains Friday and Saturday and has created some real issues with picking fruit. No more rains are predicted until the end of this week, but heavy fog is expected every morning, which will hold picking crews off until late morning to pick. Inventories are very low and shipper will need extended period of clearing truly build inventories back up. Demand is stronger on the 113s/138s and markets are beginning to be very active on these sizes.

The green seedless grape market is steady with light supplies. Demand is light due to the recent storms on the East Coast and historically high prices. We should see supplies improve slightly for the coming week but we do not anticipate any real change in the markets. Quality is generally good.

Although the supply situation on red seedless grapes has improved slightly the market is steady. Demand is about steady and adequate to keep the fruit cleaned up with most shippers. We are anticipating a gradual improvement in supply and a softening on price weekly through to the end of February. One caveat to this is the recent rains in Chile. We are waiting to see if the recent rain event will impact quality or volume of shipments in the coming week. If the rain damage is severe enough we could see another round of tighter supplies the second to third week of February.

Alerts:
Heavy rains in Chile.

The Green Onion market has continued to fall. Supplies of both iced and iceless green onions are finally at a normal pace to end the week. Quality still is suspect and arrivals are still showing brown to yellow discoloration of the tops.

The Kale market and supplies remain stable. Excellent supplies in Yuma, Oxnard, and Santa Maria. Nice dark green color with minimal yellowing. Prices will vary from each growing region.

The market is softer as suppliers are listening to offers. Cold , stormy weather on the east coast has slowed down business dramatically. No rain is expected in the Yuma region for the entire week. Ideal temperatures all of next week in the Yuma region will keep this commodity in high production. Issues continue on quality. These issues include light color, misshapen and ribby heads, peeling epidermis, blister and growth crack. The weights are averaging 39-44 pounds. This is a good time to promote this commodity.

Alerts:
Blister still an issue on lettuce.

This market is softer. Although the weather has been good in the Yuma region, blister and peel continues to be an issue on romaine. These defects will continue throughout the month of January. Quality is suffering with all leafy greens, not just romaine. Butter supplies are much better. The weights on romaine have been averaging 26-33 pounds , while green leaf has been approximately 20-23 pounds. Expect competitive pricing throughout the week as shippers try to move product as quickly as possible due to the shorter shelf life of these commodities.

Alerts:
Blister still seen in all leaf items.

Overall cantaloupe supplies are steady at current levels. West coast supplies continue to build slowly and with the increase in supplies we are seeing better availability. The quality is very good overall with a very occasional quality issue. 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 a bit 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 6ct and the small amount of Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct . 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 remains steady to higher on all dews.

Mexico - has started to cross light number of Yellow Mexican sweet and white onions this week. Quality is being reported as good. Red onions will start about the middle of February. Demand and Market is steady. Remember, that once you make the switch to fresh run onions, the skins are thin and don't look like the storage onions you are use receiving.
Idaho- Demand is moderate with a steady market on all sizes and colors. Quality is still being reported as good with an occasional lot showing some light outer ring transparency. The transparency will only become more prevalent as this season moves on. Most growers/shippers are feeling they will have supplies till around the middle of April.
Washington - Market and demand is steady. Quality is still being reported as good.

Transitions:
Mexico is just starting to break ground this week.

Washington - Bartletts are steady on all sizes but the market remains high and strong due to light supplies. Bartlett continue to peak on 90/100/110s and the larger sizes remain limited. Washington will finish packing Bartletts in three to four weeks. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Fancy bosc are short on all sizes. D'anjou pears are steady on all sizes but 110s and smaller market is strong due to increased demand. D'anjous are peaking on US#1 70/80/90s and all sizes of the fancy grade are limited. 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. The D'anjou, Bosc, and red pears have been good.

Transitions:
Chilean Bartlett pears will be available on the west coast next week.

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

Idaho - Demand is light on most sizes and packs the middle of this week which has eased pricing on some sizes. Quality is good. More and more shippers are moving to Burbanks as their main variety which demand a premium over the Norkotahs. Burbank sizing this year is slightly smaller than Norkotahs and are peaking on 70 count and smaller. Look for the markets to stay fairly steady through the middle of February.
Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin have light to moderate demand with steady markets. Quality is being reported as good with a good mix of sizing available.

Bakersfield, California - reds and whites are steady while golds are lower, and all are peaking on A-size. Premium and baker reds and golds remain short. The quality on all colors has been good.
Western Washington - reds and golds are steady and both continue to peak on A size. There are a few storage whites and they are steady as well. 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 stronger as they packers 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 colors continue to peak on size A and premium and baker size potatoes are limited in both colors. The quality has been good.

The current market on all stone fruit is steady with light supplies. We are currently very limited on all varieties of stone fruit with more coming off the vessels this weekend. Quality is generally good with sizing consistently in the 50-60's tray pack.

Rounds - The market is steady/higher. Rains continue in the Florida area, causing production and yields to come up short. Out west, Mexico continues to cross better numbers, however, demand is still strong and prices on the higher side. Look for supplies to continue to be short in the east for a least a couple more weeks. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is higher. Weather looks to have turned prices upward again, with supplies on the tighter side, due to rains. Out west, Mexico production is also down, creating supplies to come up short again. Demand on the stronger side due to supplies. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is steady/higher. Weather continues to hurt production in Florida. And in the west, Mexico production is lower due to cooler temps. Demand on the stronger side. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady/higher. Supplies continue to be tight in Florida, also due to rains and cooler temps. Mexico continues to cross product, however, not enough to keep up with demand. Demand very strong in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.

Rounds - The market is steady/higher. Supplies continue to a bit on the tighter side. Mexico is crossing additional supplies, however, east is coming up well short due to weather conditions. Demand consistent for west coast produce, due to the shorter supplies back east. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is higher. Mexico production and yields coming up short again, due to cooler temps. Back east, rains continue to hurt production and yields. Demand is very strong due to the shorter supplies in all areas. Look for prices to continue to increase through the week, at a minimum. Quality is Good / fair.
Cherry - The market is steady/higher. Supplies continue to be lighter. Production and yields coming up short. Back east, rains have also hampered supplies, causing demand to increase. Look for the market to contiue to increase over the next week or so, at a minimum. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady/higher. Weather conditions continue to create havoc in the west. Rains and cooler temps shortening production and yields. Back east, rains in Florida also hurting supplies. Demand stronger in all areas, and should continue through the week. Quality is Good / Fair.