The Source - June 6 2016

Weather Update

High pressure early this week out west gives way to a cold front moving into the Pacific Northwest midweek. this will cool temperatures to seasonal averages the latter half of the week. A strong marine layer will continue along the coast through the week. Baja and Northern Mexico will see a cool down to seasonal averages by mid week as the cold front passes to the north. In Central Mexico scattered showers and afternoon thunderstorms with near average temperatures will be on tap through the week.
the Southeast is preparing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Colin currently in the Gulf of Mexico. Colin is expected to make landfall Monday afternoon near Tampa Bay moving north-northeast across Florida and then moving up along the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas on Tuesday before heading into the Atlantic late Tuesday. Colin is forecast to remain a tropical storm with wind speeds in the 50mph range. Colin will contain ample moisture with 4+ inches possible as this relatively fast moving system rolls through.

Freight Update

California trucks are steady but look to tighten up at the end of the week due to the 72 hour safety check. Washington and Idaho potato trucks remain steady. The National Average for diesel is up slightly and is currently at 2.407 per gallon, an increase of .025 from last week. A difference of .477 from this time last year. California prices are up as well and are currently at 2.746 per gallon. Crude oil rose remained steady and is now at 49.74 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

Washington - Red delicious are steady but the market remains firm on all sizes. Most shippers are still peaking on extra-fancy 72-88s. Many suppliers are still subbing up to the extra-fancy grades to cover volume orders of the fancy grade. Golden Delicious are steady on all sizes and grades and are still peaking on Wash-Extra 100/113s. Most suppliers don't have much larger than an 88-size Golden. Granny Smith are also steady on all sizes and they continue to peak on 88-113s. Most suppliers still don't have much larger than an 88 or smaller than a 125. Galas are steady but firm due to light supplies. Expect the market to continue to slowly rise until the end of the season. Most Gala suppliers still don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are steady to slightly higher on all sizes and the market is firm due to light supplies. The Fuji market will also continue to slowly rise until the end of the season. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. Pink Lady's remain steady but firm due to very strong demand. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady but firm and supplies remain limited. One shipper has finished for the season. The remaining reds continue to peak on 80/88s. Galas are still available in limited quantities. McIntosh, Jonathans, and red Romes have finished for the season. The quality for red delicious and Galas has been good.
New York - Red delicious, McIntosh, and red Romes are all steady but supplies are very limited. Small fruit remains very short for all varietys. The remaining McIntosh are very large. The fruit quality has been good.
Chile - Chilean Galas are steady to slightly lower on both sides of the country. The Galas are peaking on 100-size and larger, the quality has been good. Imported Braeburns and Pink Lady's are steady and both are peaking on 90s and larger. Imported Granny-smith are steady and are peaking on 70/80s. Offshore Fuji's are steady and peaking on 70-100s.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coopersville/Belding/Sparta, MI Steady Good
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Good
Chile Steady Good
Hudson/Pleasant Valley/Red Hook, NY Steady Good
Asparagus

California and Washington are just about wrapped up. Peru and New Jersey are still heavy with volume.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Ica, Peru to Trujillo Steady Good
New Jersey Steady Good
Avocado (California)

California's harvest is at it's peak with good volume. Size is still skewed to the smaller size fruit and creating a supply issue for the mid-sized and large fruit. Demand and supply is steady.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Ventura, CA Steady Excellent
Temecula/Escondido, CA Steady Excellent
Avocado (Mexican)

Mexico's shipments to the US has stabilized, but is still down nearly 40% from what it was at the end of May. Demand has stabilized to match current supplies. Key sizes of 40s/48s remain tight. We are still looking at late June to the beginning of July when Mexico starts their Flor Loca crop, before any real volume increase is expected.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady Good
Bell Peppers (Western)

Green bell pepper. Southern California is shipping good size and quality, volume is improving with very good demand.

Red bell peppers- Southern California is shipping more volume every week. Quality and size has improved with all sizes available.

Yellow bell pepper-. California has started with good quality and limited supply Mostly large and medium size.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Good
Berries (Blackberries)

Mexican production continues to decline and could be finished by the end of this week. Some smaller growers have already ended production for the season. California production has begun in a light way out of Oxnard, Santa Maria and the Salinas/Watsonville regions. Quality has been good on CA product overall. There are a few reports of red cell and leaking berries on the Mexican product. Oregon is also just beginning with production this season. Fruit quality is excellent out of Oregon.




- pa_admin

Transitions:
MX season is winding down. Both CA and OR are beginning to produce and will increase as we move through June.

Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Steady Fair
Oxnard, CA Steady/Higher Good
Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Good
Watsonville, CA Steady/Higher Good
Salinas, CA Steady/Higher Good
Sheridan, OR Higher Excellent
Berries (Blueberries) Alert

Demand will exceed supply this week. Tropical Storm Colin has brought heavy rain and winds from the gulf into the Southeastern regions of the United States. Production will be severely affected in North Carolina, Georgia, etc. on Monday and Tuesday and growers will evaluate condition of the crop once the storm has passed, this Wednesday or Thursday. For now, production is at a standstill. California's Central Valley experienced extreme temperatures reaching around 110 degrees this past week and weekend. Growers went in to harvest Monday to find very soft berries that would not make the pack for fresh market. Current forecasts show temperatures above 100 degrees through Wednesday of this week and highs only cooling just below 100 degrees thereafter. Quality will remain in question out of the southeast until growers can get in to evaluate their crops. California quality will be suspect this week as berries will be very soft from the excessive heat. Oregon will begin with light volume by end of the week and this area will begin to help supplement current supply. Oregon quality is excellent on the initial pack out and reports.



- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies will be severely limited due to inclement weather from Tropical Storm Colin in the Southeastern United States and the affects of extreme heat in California's Central Valley.



Transitions:
Oregon production has started in a very light way and should be packing for fresh market with light volumes by the end of the week.

Growing Region Market Quality
Georgia Higher Good
North Carolina Higher Good
Oregon Higher Excellent
Central Valley, CA Higher Fair
Berries (Raspberries)

Mexican production continues to decline. California production continues in Oxnard and is increasing out of Santa Maria and the Salinas/Watsonville regions. Quality has been good overall.


- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Lower/Steady Good
Oxnard, CA Steady Good
Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Watsonville, CA Steady Good
Berries (Strawberries)

California strawberry production is steady out of Santa Maria, Salinas, Watsonville and Castroville. Demand remains steady as well. Quality has been good overall with only minor bruising (due to large size) and some white shoulders being reported out of all areas. Sizing is in the 12-18 count range from Santa Maria to the north.





- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Watsonville, CA Steady Good
Broccoli

The broccoli market is about steady with a split in pricing between bunch broccoli and crowns. Crown material is more plentiful and we are seeing some volume pricing being offered out. Bunch broccoli is lighter in supply and more readily able to maintain the current market. The recent warm weather is helping to bring on better supplies from all areas. Quality continues to be good in all the California growing regions. The quality on the Mexican product is mostly good with some suppliers quoting stems with hollow core.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Lower/Steady Good
Celaya Guanjuato Mexico Lower/Steady Good
Brussels Sprouts

Demand has fallen off for this commodity. Supplies are stronger. In essence this market is softer. There continue to be a pricing gap in this industry with this item. Oxnard is in production with Salinas expected to harvest at the end of June. Mexico production is moderate. The overall best quality continues to be produced in Mexico.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Lower Good
Oxnard, CA Steady Good
Carrots

The Bakersfield crop has begun and is picking up in production. Growth rate is also showing some improvement and starting to yield a better percentage of Jumbo size, will continue to improve. Supply of baby peeled carrots are good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield/Santa Maria, CA Steady Excellent
Cauliflower

The cauliflower continues to be demand exceeds very light supplies. The current supply gap is projected to continue through this week; with a slight improvement in supplies forecast for the following week. Quality continues to be fair to good with some light brown spotting and yellow cast showing up in all growing regions.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Celery

Production in Salinas has finally begun, with more suppliers expected next week as well. The best sizing continues to be in twenty-four counts. Shippers are listening to offers to large volume type orders and a few suppliers are flexing if loading out of Oxnard and Santa Maria. This market was expected to be stronger, but demand fizzled. Oxnard and Santa Maria continues to be the main growing region for this commodity. Good quality is being reported from all shippers. Michigan production is steady as well.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michigan Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Cherries

Cherry supplies remain limited in the Northwest. The dark sweet varieties are being harvested in light amounts and demand is strong. Quality has been reported as excellent and market prices have remained firm. Availability will continue to be limited until the end of June. Production is expected to increase the last week of June with promotable volume available the front part of July. Rainier cherries are also very light in production. Harvest is just now getting started and expected to ramp up toward the end of the month.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Yakima, WA Steady Excellent
Chili Peppers

Serrano - Quality remains good with better demand. Mostly medium to large size.

Anaheim - Sizing and quality remain good. More product being offered. Excellent size and color.

Pablano - Slightly lighter supply with some growers finishing. Good quality and condition expected to continue.

Tomatillo - Limited supplies on tomatillo due to transitioning from fields. Should see more availability mid-week.

Jalapeno - Improved supply is coming every week, mostly large and extra large sizes.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Good
Cilantro

This market has remained unchanged. There are good supplies available in all the growing regions. There have been a few issues of yellowing being seen upon arrivals but overall the quality has been good. Expect strong supplies and competitive pricing throughout the week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, MX Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas, CA Steady Good
Citrus (Lemons)

The central valley crop is 96% harvested and winding down their season and the Ventura crop is our main supplier. Demand is very strong and continues to build. We are seeing 140s/165s/200s supplies clean up daily and many shippers sold out for the week by mid week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Merced/Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Oxnard/Ventura, CA Steady Good
Citrus (Limes)

The lime market continues to remain high on the 110 & 150ct but they are slowly trending down a bit. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. The peak size has remained in the smaller sizes such as 250ct and 230ct. The overall long term upward market trend has broken and lower prices are happening. Quality is good overall. The overall supplies are now increasing. The market is lower on the 175 - 250ct limes.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Veracruz, Mexico Lower Good
Citrus (Oranges)

Shippers have good supplies of large sizes with crop peaking on 72s/56s. Smaller sizes (88s/113s/138s) are in better availability as demand drops with school demand fails away. Shippers are packing new crop Valencia oranges for export and domestic use, but availability is limited as they are working on finishing up the Navel crop. Labor to harvest fruit is an issue for some growers.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Merced to Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Riverside, CA Steady Good
Eggplant (Western)

Eggplants in S. California are showing excellent quality and condition on new crop product. Price is maintaining steady and maintaining good demand.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Southern CA Steady Good
Grapes (Green)

Green grapes continue to be in excellent supplies in both Nogales and Coachella. Quality is being reported as excellent in both locations. Market prices are comparable between the two loading regions, with Nogales being just slightly lower. Sizes range between M/L to XL. California fruit is peaking between M/L to L, where as Mexican fruit is sizing up to a L to XL.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella Valley, CA Lower/Steady Excellent
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Excellent
Grapes (Red)

We continue to have excellent supplies of red grapes available to load in Coachella and Nogales. Mexican fruit loading in Nogales ranges in sizes M/L to XL with a push to move M/L. We saw a drop in market prices again last week, but it seems to have leveled off this week and I expect it to remain steady. California fruit in Coachella is peaking in sizes M/L to L. Quality has been very strong and market prices have remained consistent. I expect to see little change this week in market prices on California fruit.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Excellent
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Excellent
Green Onions

The green onion market is steady with good demand and good supplies. Quality has been excellent with few reports of quality issues. Current supply projections are for this to be the case throughout the coming week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Mexicali, Baja Steady Excellent
Kale

The kale market is steady with excellent quality, good supplies and good demand. We are seeing few if any quality complaints and all indications are for this market to maintain during the coming week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Excellent
Salinas, CA Steady Excellent
Lettuce Iceberg

Early morning fog , coupled with daytime temperatures and cool evenings has caused for quality issues on this commodity. The major defects include insect and mechanical damage, and well as puffiness . All suppliers are having these issues. Demand at the beginning of this week has been moderate at best. The weights are averaging 41-45 pounds. The fact that school business will start to fade away after this week, has slowed demand. This market is steady for now, but weather conditions could change things by the middle of the week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Fair
Lettuce Leaf

This market is stronger on romaine. Along with romaine hearts, expect light supplies all week. Fringe and tip burn are defects that many shippers are having. Warm temperatures these past weeks has been a major cause to this. Insect damage and internal burn are issues as well. Green and red leaf as well as butter are having similar issues but not to the extent of romaine. Salinas and Santa Maria continue to be the main growing regions for these items. Lack of school business next week should start to slow down demand. Supplies look to be moderate at best throughout the week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Fair
Melon (Cantaloupe)

The offshore melons are finished for the season. The desert supplies are continuing to increase. Quality out of the desert is very nice. The market is lower to steady. Overall good weather for growing has been happening so supplies are abundant and demand has been lighter than normal. Recent hot weather may have an impact on the quality of the melons this week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Maricopa, AZ Lower/Steady Excellent
Yuma, AZ Lower/Steady Excellent
Melon (Honeydew)

The desert started shipping honeydews a few weeks ago. Offshore supplies are finished. Mexico has good supplies and quality. The desert quality is good also. The market is lower to steady on all sizes due to a lack of demand.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Maricopa, AZ Lower/Steady Excellent
Yuma, AZ Lower/Steady Excellent
Melon (Watermelon)

Product is now being shipped from Northern Mexico, Western Arizona and Southern California The supply has increased along with the demand. Warm weather has increased production. Quality condition and brix are all very good. All sizes being offered in both bins and cartons, peaking on larger fruit (36s, 45s, and some 60s). Personal watermelons are being offered in all sizes with good quality and condition being reported. Weather in Florida has increased demand from the west.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sonora, Mexico Steady Good
Onions

Onions are being harvested in Central California and New Mexico currently. The Central California fields are peaking on Jumbo Yellow with very few Super Colossal being packed this week. Reds are also peaking on Jumbo's with very few medium or colossal being packed. Market is slightly weaker on Jumbos with all other sizes steady. New Mexico has a good supply of most sizes from Super to Jumbos in both Yellow and reds. The market out of this area is following the California market with the Jumbos slightly weaker and all other sizes steady. The northwest crop is 100% planted and has ideal weather so far for growing.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Huron/Metler, CA Steady Good
Las Cruces, NM Steady Good
Pears

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady on all sizes and the market remains very strong due to light supplies. Small D'anjous remain very short! The remaining C.A. fruit is peaking on US#1 70-90s so expect the smaller sizes to remain limited until the season ends. The quality on D'anjous has been good.
Chile - Chilean Packhams are steady and they are peaking on US#1 80/90/100s. Chilean Bosc & Argentinian Bosc are also steady and both are peaking on 70-100s. The quality for all the imported varieties has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Good
Chile Steady Good
Pineapples

Supplies are beginning to drop off for shippers and now looks like June will be a tight supply period. Volume should be come back as we move into July.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
La Virgen, Costa Rica Steady/Higher Good
Heredia, Costa Rica Steady/Higher Good
Guapiles, Costa Rica Steady/Higher Good
La Cieba, Honduras Steady/Higher Good
Retalhuleu, Guatemala Steady/Higher Good
San Luis, Guatemala Steady/Higher Good
Potatoes

Supplies of large carton are still limited out of all storage areas (Idaho, Washington, Wisconsin and Colorado). Market continues to firm up on 40-80 count. Smaller cartons are steady with moderate to good supplies. Quality is good for the potatoes being in storage 8 months, some are starting to show their age with internal bruising, light sprouting, air checks and the occasional decay. Look for these market trends to continue into the end of this month.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Steady/Higher Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady/Higher Good
Eastern Colorado Steady/Higher Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Higher Good
Potatoes (colored) Alert

Bakersfield, California - reds, whites, and golds are all steady and the availability is good for all colors. Reds, whites, and Golds are still peaking on A-size. The new-crop quality has been good.
Phoenix, Arizona - red and gold potatoes are steady to slightly lower and both colors continue to peak on A-size. The quality has been good.
North Florida - Red potatoes are steady to lower while the whites and gold potatoes are steady to higher. The availability of reds is good for now but the tropical storm hitting Florida today could cause quality and availability issues. White and gold availability is generally low, in fact some suppliers are already finished for the season, while some are out of product. The storm that is hitting right now will not help for those that still have white and gold product to pack. The quality has been good but that could be changing.
Pearsall, Texas - The red market is steady for all reds and the shippers remain bullish. The quality has been reported as good.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
A tropical storm is hitting north Florida today and will affect the availability on colored potatoes especially whites and golds since they are already limited. Reds should still go until mid June.

Virginia & North Carolina were originally going to start their harvest of new-crop red, gold, and white potatoes the week of June 15th, so we would have a smooth transition from old crop to new. That has been pushed back to June 20th for whites and between the 24th and 27th for reds and golds, so we could see a gap between Florida and North Carolina/Virginia on all three colors.

Transitions:
Virginia & North Carolina are supposed to start packing white potatoes the week of June 20th with red and gold potatoes coming between June 24th and 27th.

Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield, CA Lower/Steady Good
Phoenix, AZ Lower/Steady Good
Hastings/Bunnell/East Palatka, FL Steady Good
Pearsall, TX Steady Good
Stone Fruit

We continue to see an over abundance of smaller fruit. Shippers are looking for orders and are willing to offer very aggressive prices on volume fill peaches, nectarines and plums. Quality has been excellent and the warmer weather has really increased sugar levels. Larger tray pack fruit has been more limited and has maintained a much stronger market price. Apricots are in good supply with excellent quality. All sizes are available and market prices have remained consistent.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Madera south to Arvin, CA Lower/Steady Excellent
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Palmetto/ Ruskin growers have began to wind down with Quincy and South Carolina getting underway this week. Quality has been fair to excellent however tropical storm Colin is bringing wind and rain through tomorrow with crop loss being a concern. There have been plenty of roma tomatoes in the pipeline but there may me an uptick in price this week with supply tightening up a bit. Stormy weather has delayed picking schedules for both cherry tomatoes and Grape varieties this week. Tomato yields overall are have been slowing as fields transition with more areas coming on in the summer months. As long as rain continues to hamper production this week we may see prices firm up until another injection of fruit is available..

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Florida Steady/Higher Good
Southern Florida Steady/Higher Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Mainland Mexico will continue to ship rounds and romas through mid June however quality is mixed and sizing is limited as they get closer to the end of crops. New areas in Eastern Mexico are starting production but crossing in very low volume because the US market has been lower than the mandated suspension minimum for selling Mexican fruit in the US. Romas are in transition between spring and summer plantings and will be slowing across the border this week as well. There are still plenty of roma and Grape tomatoes at this time but supply may dip depending on Tropical Storm Colin fitting Florida today. Cherry varieties can be found with a handful of shippers crossing in Texas and San Diego. National demand is down overall with schools closing for summer and poor weather from Texas working eastward, but a slight increase in the market can be expected with less coming out of felids this week in the east and Mexican fruit staying south of the boarder until the US market provides an incentive for farmers to send fruit into the states.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady Good

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blueberries)
Supplies will be severely limited due to inclement weather from Tropical Storm Colin in the Southeastern United States and the affects of extreme heat in California's Central Valley.



Potatoes (colored)
A tropical storm is hitting north Florida today and will affect the availability on colored potatoes especially whites and golds since they are already limited. Reds should still go until mid June.

Virginia & North Carolina were originally going to start their harvest of new-crop red, gold, and white potatoes the week of June 15th, so we would have a smooth transition from old crop to new. That has been pushed back to June 20th for whites and between the 24th and 27th for reds and golds, so we could see a gap between Florida and North Carolina/Virginia on all three colors.

Transitions and Temperatures

Berries (Blackberries)
MX season is winding down. Both CA and OR are beginning to produce and will increase as we move through June.

Berries (Blueberries)
Oregon production has started in a very light way and should be packing for fresh market with light volumes by the end of the week.

Potatoes (colored)
Virginia & North Carolina are supposed to start packing white potatoes the week of June 20th with red and gold potatoes coming between June 24th and 27th.

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