The Source - March 22, 2017

Washington - reds are steady on most sizes and they continue to peak on larger size fruit. Smaller reds are still in shorter supply than the larger sizes. Golden delicious are steady but strong and they continue to peak on 72/80/88s. Small Goldens remain very short. Granny-smith are also steady on all sizes. The fruit is still peaking on 72/80/88's so small fruit extremely limited. Most shippers are still subbing up in size and grade on anything smaller than an 88. The Gala market is steady on all sizes. Galas are still peaking on 80/88/100/72s and they have good volume in the larger sizes. Gala 125/138 supplies remain short. Fuji's are steady to higher on all sizes and they are peaking on 72/80/88s. Fuji volume is generally light right now especially in 113s and smaller. Honeycrisp are steady but supplies are light and they continue to peak on 80/88/100s. Expect the Honeycrisp market to continue to slowly climb until the season ends in May. The quality has been good. There are some small lots of Braeburns and Jonagolds currently available.
Idaho---they have finished packing and are on their final floor counts with red delicious, Golden delicious, and Pink Lady's.
Michigan--McIntosh and Empires remain steady but strong due to light supplies and strong demand. Golden delicious, Jonathans, Galas, and Fujis are all fairly steady. Red Delicious are steady on the large sizes and higher on the 125/138s. The Galas and Jonathans are still peaking on smaller fruit while the Golden delicious, Red delicious, Fujis, and McIntosh are heavier to the medium sizes. The quality has been good.
New York---Empires and McIntosh are steady to higher but remain very strong due to light supplies and strong demand. Red delicious, Galas, Fujis, and Red Romes are also steady to higher due to light supplies. All varieties are peaking on larger fruit so 125/138s are very short! The quality has been good.
Pennsylvania---red delicious, golden delicious, Red Romes, Pink Ladys, Fujis, and Cameos are all steady and are all peaking on 80/88/100s. Small fruit is limited right now as most varieties are currently large. Pennsylvania should finish packing at the end of next week.

Alerts:
Washington is still extremely short on Granny-smith 100s and smaller.

New York is packing larger fruit right now so 100s and smaller in all variety's are short.

Transitions:
Idaho has finished packing and is on its final floor count of red delicious, Golden delicious, and Pink Lady's.

Pennsylvania will pack through next week and then will be finished for the season.

Michigan will pack Fujis this week and will then finish.

Peak Seasons:
Washington is in the peak of its season for red delicious, golden delicious, Granny-smith, Fuji's, Galas, and Honeycrisp.

Michigan is in the peak of its season for red delicious, golden delicious, Galas, Empires, and Jonagolds.

Weather in Caborca, Mexico has cooled off this week. This along with the warm weather Mexico had last week has forced many shippers to close fields which has in turn created a better market. California will see some rain this week which should lower yields and raise the California market.

Alerts:
Peru is seeing rain and flooding which will delay the start of their asparagus season.

Mexico's shipments remain steady around 30 to 35 million pounds. Still far less fruit than the industry needs for demand. Field prices remain high. The size cure has adjusted slightly, with fewer 48s and larger and a few more 60s and 70s coming in to the states.

Green bell Pepper has increased in supply especially on off grade large sizes. prices have dropped and will continue for the near future with larger sizes on number one grade being more limited.

Colored Bells ( Red, Yellow and Orange) continue with much improved supply on both blocky and elongated varieties. Good quality and condition will continue, supply will remain heavy. market and demand are still very flat. Packing 25# 15# and 11# units. Both number one and number two grade.

Supplies have been consistent this week. Mexico production is increasing and we expect good supplies moving forward. California harvest was delayed earlier this week because of the rain, but will bump up this weekend. We expect to have good availability next week and continuing into April. Promotional opportunities will be available.

Peak Seasons:
Mexico will be in peak season in 2-3 weeks.

Blueberry supplies are lighter this week as weather delayed harvest in California and Florida. Mexico has been consistent on harvest, but strong demand and limited availability has kept market prices high. Chilean fruit is still available, but quality is fair. Georgia was also effected by the cold weather in the south. We are waiting on the damage reports, but expect production to be pushed back a week. Taking into consideration all the weather delays, we expect blueberry supplies to continue to be limited next week and improve the front part of April.

Raspberries continue to be in a demand exceeds supply situation this week. Production in Mexico has been consistent but light and California harvest continues to be delayed due to weather. Limited availability and strong demand is keeping market prices escalated. Quality is being reported as good. Oxnard and Santa Maria will harvest light numbers at the end of this week and are expected to increase production moving forward. Mexico will continue to be steady next week. Supplies will remain light until April.

Alerts:
Raspberry supplies will remain limited until California increases production toward the front part of April.

California received some light showers in the front part of the week. This slowed down harvest on Tuesday, but luckily the rainfall was minimal and should not have a major impact on the remainder of the week. There is a slight chance of another storm system coming in Saturday, but we anticipate this storm to have little effect on this weekend's production. Next week, we expect to be back to normal production in Oxnard and Santa Maria. Florida experienced some unfavorable weather last week. This has advanced the end of the season and FL will be finishing production this week. Moving forward, all product will be transferred to Florida to fill orders. Mexico continues to decrease production, limited availability is expected to last through the front part of April. Salinas has started to scratch at harvest this week, but production is expected to ramp up over the next 3 weeks.

Transitions:
Florida will finish production this week. Mexico will last another 2-3 weeks. Salinas expected to ramp up over the next 3 weeks.

The broccoli market is trending lower even though supplies haven't increased. Yuma is finishing their season and we will be transitioning to Salinas. Salinas quality is still showing that purple cast and inconsistent crown size. Santa Maria quality is much better and they have adequate supplies. Mexico continues to be the best deal in town if you can load out of McAllen Texas. Demand has fallen tremendously, but with any increase this market will snap back quickly.

Alerts:
The Broccoli market is trending lower with decreased demand as a whole.

Transitions:
We are currently transitioning to Salinas as Yuma finishes for the season.

Brussel sprout supplies have decreased due to a cooling trend in the Mexican growing region. That being said the market has also firmed up due to this decrease in supplies. Quality remains really good with vibrant green color. We have had minimal complaints upon arrival.

Carrot supplies of jumbo, cello and value added product are very good and look continue to be so for a while.

The cauliflower market has reached its peak. Demand will fall off as the week progresses. Yuma quality is suffering due to the heat. Some arrivals of bruising and brown to black discoloration have been reported upon arrival. Quality has improved in Santa Maria. Although in Salinas the inconsistent sizing and cream to yellow color seem to be the main issue.

Alerts:
The market has reached it's peak as demand has dramatically fallen off.

Transitions:
We have transitioned back to Salinas and there are limited supplies left in Yuma.

This market is stronger with all suppliers. The Yuma season look to finish up in the next two- three week. Celery bins will continue to be extremely scarce until Salinas begins production in June. The celery market will get stronger weekly, as production in Oxnard/ Santa Maria has had low production yields due to past rains in Southern California. Defects on this commodity include translucency and waterlogged raw material.

Transitions:
Yuma will finish production in 2-3 weeks.

Pablano - Excellent size and Quality will continue with slightly lighter supply.

Tomatillo-Much lighter supply and just fair quality, both peeled and husked. Sizing is good. Color and condition will continue to be only fair.

Jalapeno- good quality on new crop pepper, Excellent Size color and condition with huge supplies. Many number 2s are being shipped.

Anaheim- good quality, condition and size are expected to continue as supply have improved.

Cilantro supplies have decreased as Yuma finishes the season. Baja Mexico has seen recent hot temperatures and caused rapid growth rates which in turn increased supplies last week. But we are feeling that supply struggle this week with decreased supplies. The market is now reacting. We still are struggling with quality out of Oxnard with some rain damage still present. Yuma quality is better but they have seen their share of hot temperatures as well.

The much needed rains this winter has brought fruit size growth to the lemon groves in California. We are seeing good volume of large size fruit 115s/95s/75s and limit supplies small fruit 140s/165s/200s. The 140s/165s/200s have reached demand demand exceed situation on small fruit that may last through the summer.

Alerts:
Demand is exceeding supplies on small lemons 140s/165s/200s.

Limes continue to peak on smaller sizes such as 230's and 250's although we are seeing an uptick in the supplies of larger sizes which is helping to ease supply issues. New crops limes have taken over production and are smaller in size. We have begun to see a slow but steady evening out of the size profile as volume picks up. Quality has been very nice on the limes over the past several weeks and looks to keep this trend. Weather overall has been very cooperative which will promote good growth and quality in time. Rain hit over the past week and delayed harvesting a little. March and April are traditionally associated with high prices and volatility but so far it's not out too terribly out of control this month. April is right around the corner so we shall see. The market is steady to lower.

Rains is growing areas will slowing picking through the week. Good export demand is driving the shipments and this along with reduced harvest will start the deplete bin inventory as we move through the week and into next week. This will tighten availability for next week.

lighter supply on cucumber coming out of Mexico, Excellent color, quality and condition on all grades, sizes and pack styles. Supply will improve for the next week.Euro cucumber is also available with very heavy supply, #1and #2 both single layer and bushel boxes.

Good quality and condition with good size are currently being shipped from Nogales, mostly 18 count followed by 24 count are available as volume drops slightly. Many number 2s being shipped showing some scarring and occasional internal discoloration.

Green grapes bottomed out two weeks ago and are continuing to climb higher. Supplies are lower and demand has ramped up. Problems are surfacing on a majority of the newly arriving grapes ranging from decay to nesting which has created an increasing market. Promotable volumes are not available right now on green grapes. The market is higher.

Red grapes are in an upward market. Lesser quality varieties such as flames are arriving in poor condition and thankfully they are almost finished shipping for the season. Crimsons and some of the other red varieties are commanding a higher price and are definitely worth it. Growing conditions are good for producing high quality grapes. The market is steady to higher as the higher prices make their way through the system.

We are currently having great supplies from Mexico. We have also had minimal delays from crossings as well. Quality has improved with minimal yellow to brown discoloration upon arrival. We will have good supplies of iced and iceless green onions going into next week.

The kale market varies depending on the loading location. We have a steady flow of supplies. Quality has been really good with minimal yellowing and dehydration.

With the warm temperatures in Yuma last week as well as this week, Yuma is beginning to wind down in production with this commodity. The desert is very warm with temperatures in the 90s. Huron has begun production and better supplies are expected by Monday. Yuma will continue for another two to three weeks. Currently issue in Yuma and Santa Maria include pink ribbing, discoloration, misshapen heads and mildew. These defects are industry wide. Insects will likely become an issue as the heats are strong in the desert. Overall quality in Huron is fair. There have been little to no issues currently with insects in Huron.

Transitions:
Huron has begun production, Yuma is finishing up.

This market continues to strengthen on most leaf items. Demand exceeds supplies on romaine, green leaf as well as butter. Red leaf has moderate supplies but little demand. Romaine hearts are extremely scarce. Huron will begin production by the end of this week lightly on leaf items, and then have better production on Monday. Salinas will start production on Monday as well in a light way. Yuma will begin finishing up likely by Tuesday to Thursday of next week. Production in Santa Maria is very light. The desert continues to have high temperatures in the 80s-90s and this will accelerate the end of the season in this region. Common defects continue to include blister and peel, twisting, discoloration as well as fringe and tip burn that is seen on romaine, as well as all leaf items. These defects are being announced from all shippers. This market will be very bumpy in terms of production and quality over the next three weeks, minimum.

Transitions:
Yuma is finishing up and production will start in Huron an Salinas next week.

Cantaloupes are a little more active due to lighter supplies. Quality is probably 90% excellent with a few problems such as softness. Supplies are available on the peak size 12 and 15 count melons while 9's are short from a number of growers. The weather has been ideal for growing in all regions and this trend looks to continue. The market is steady to higher for now.

Honeydews continue to cruise right along. The supplies are good and look to remain so for the rest of the offshore season. Quality has been very nice with almost 99% of them arriving in excellent condition. Weather is idea for growing honeydews and looks to be ideal for the remainder of the season. All sizes are available but supplies are slightly tighter than last week and shippers aren't in the promoting stance up to this point. The market is steady to higher at this time.

Production from Southern Mexico ( Jalisco/Colima) is finishing. Quality and condition are only fair. available in both bins and cartons are limited. Personal seedless is available in limited supply peaking on smaller sizes. Sonora spring crop will start this week and volume will grow by the end of the month.

Demand is moderate out of all growing areas. Market on Yellow Colossal is higher with all other sizes and colors steady. Quality is good over all with an occasional lot out of Idaho showing light translucently in the outer couple of layers of the onions. Idaho storage supplies will go into the end of April. Mexico supplies are winding down with Texas supplies building. Southern California will start up the middle to end of April.

Transitions:
Supplies will transition to Southern California and Texas in the two to four weeks

Washington -- large D'anjou pears are still the bulk of the production and they are steady with good supplies while the 110s and smaller are steady to higher with light availability. D'anjous continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s. The quality has been good. Bosc pears are mostly steady and are now peaking on US#1 90/100s. The quality has been good. Red pears are steady and they are still peaking on US#1 50-size half cartons but the availability remains very light. The quality has been good.

Chile - Chilean Bartlett pears are steady to lower on both coasts and they are still peaking on larger fruit with mostly 80/90/100s. The quality has been good. Argentinian Bartletts are steady and they are also heavier to large fruit but still only available on the west coast. The quality has been good. Chilean Forelles are steady and they are producing more smaller sized fruit. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington remains very short of D'anjou pear 110s and smaller

Transitions:
Washington will finish shipping Bosc pears in two weeks.

Peak Seasons:
Washington is still in the peak of its D'anjou season.

Supplies remain light and look to stay so into mid April when we expect to see them start to return back to some normality.

Demand on carton 40-80 count is good out of all shipping points. Market higher. Demand on bales continue to be light with a weak market. Quality out of Idaho is hit and miss. The main issue showing up is internal bruising with an occasional lot showing up with soft rot and light hollow heart. Shippers are slowing down and grading harder to keep these problems out of the box. Quality out of other areas (Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin) are being reported as good. Look for the market on the 40-80 count to continue to firm slightly over the next couple of weeks.

Bakersfield California - red and gold potatoes are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on A size. Whites are steady but firm due to light supplies. The California suppliers continue to source from Washington but will have new-crop desert reds and whites next Monday 3/27. The storage quality has been good.
Idaho - red and gold potatoes are steady but most suppliers will flex to match other areas. The reds are still split between A and B size while the golds are heavier to As. The quality has been good.
Western Washington - they will have a few reds and golds this week and will then be finished for the season.
North Dakota - red and gold potatoes are mostly steady and both are still peaking on A size. Some suppliers will flex their pricing to compete with other areas. The quality has been good.
Florida - they continue to pack reds, whites, and golds and all are steady. All colors are peaking on A-size and all are producing a high percentage of #1 product so #2s are generally limited with more A-size than Bs. The quality has been good.
Canada - reds, golds, and whites are mostly steady but the availability is light. The quality has been good.

Transitions:
Bakersfield California will start packing new crop desert reds and golds next week with whites the following week.

South Florida will finish around May 15 and North Florida will start packing around late April, so we expect a smooth transition with the overlap.

Western Washington will ship reds and golds this week and will then be finished.

Peak Seasons:
North Dakota, South Florida, and Idaho are still in the peak of their seasons.

Yellow Squash and Italian Squash are winding down in Sinaloa and just getting started in Sonora. The Quality has only been fair and supply has improved from the last 5-7 days, sizing is mostly medium followed by fancy and xfancy with some W/B being offered. Hard Squash is still being offered in good supply on Butternut followed by Spaghetti and Acorn. Very limited supply of Kabocha.

The import stone fruit season is coming to a close or has closed. Imported Peaches are done for the season. Imported Nectarines have another week or so before they are finished. Imported plums will arrive through April. Weather in California's San Joaquin Valley has been positive for good production. The wet winter and plenty of cold nights has growers expecting a great CA stone fruit season. The current market on imported stone fruit is steady to higher as volumes dry up and disappear.

Temperatures in the 30's swept over Florida last week causing a cold snap in Immokalee and freezing parts of Quincy and South Carolina's Summer crops. As a result, production has slowed out of Immokalee and Ruskin/Palmetto districts this week shrinking eastern supply however markets have not reacted and prices remain flat. Larger sized rounds are forecasted short with heavier supply of medium and small speced fruit until fresh crops begin out of Ruskin in the month of April. Overall quality is good with some signs of wind scar. Heavy supply from Mexico is keeping pricing steady with downward pressure.

Demand remains light and heavy volume continues to crossing Nogales and McAllen holding prices and mandated minimums again this week. Prices are forecasted to be steady through the next several weeks with rounds and romas showing steady. A slight uptick in price was realized this week for Grape tomatoes as Mexico struggles with quality and shelf light. Cherry tomatoes are also varying in quality forcing buyers to pay a premium for quality.