The Source - March 28, 2016

Weather Update

A fairly dry low pressure trough will move into California today and slowly drift south and west off the coast of Southern California by mid week. A few showers are possible as the system moves through however most of the precipitation will remain in the Sierra Mountains. This system will bring a cool down and strong winds (25-45mph) to California and the Desert regions through the week as it slowly moves south. Late this week the system slides east into Northern Baja with a slight chance of rain in these regions. A weak high pressure system keeps Central Mexico dry with seasonal temperatures through the week. A slow moving front will move into Florida today with scattered showers early this week followed by another system the latter part of the week.

Freight Update

California and Arizona trucks are still tightened up due to the Easter pull. Washington and Idaho potato trucks remain tightened up as well. Idaho onion trucks remain tighter than normal. The National Average for diesel is on the rise again and is currently at 2.121/gallon. A difference of $0.703 from this time last year. California prices are up as well and have jumped up to 2.425 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is now $39.33 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

Washington - red delicious are steady on all grades and sizes and they continue to peak on 72/80/88s. Lower grade reds remain limited and most suppliers are having to sub up to cover orders. Golden delicious are steady on all sizes and grades. Goldens continue to peak on Wash-Extra 100/113s and most suppliers don't have much larger than an 88-size. Granny-smith are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on 88-113s. Most suppliers still don't have much larger than an 88 or smaller than a 125. Galas are steady on all sizes and grades but the market is firm due to strong demand. Most Gala suppliers still don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are steady on all sizes but the market is firm due to light supplies as well. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. Honeycrisp supplies are in few hands. A few Jonagolds are savailable but supplies are limited. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes but there is some volume flex on 100s and larger. Reds continue to peak on 80/88s. McIntosh are steady on all sizes but supplies are light. Galas are steady to higher on all sizes but supplies remain very light. Golden delicious are steady but the market is firm due to light supplies. The Goldens are still peaking on 125/138s. Jonathans are steady to on all sizes due to lighter supplies. Jonathans are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Fujis are steady to higher due to light supplies. Red Romes are steady on all sizes but supplies are low on them as well.
New York - Red delicious, Red Romes, and Empires are all steady. Gala supplies are light and the market is firm. Empire volume is hit and miss but there are occasional deals. The quality has been good on all varieties.

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

Asparagus supplies are slowly decreasing. This is causing the market to firm up some. All sizes are still available with asparagus from California commanding a premium. Quality is still excellent with minimal seeding/spreading of the tips.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Caborca, Mexico Steady/Higher Excellent
Salinas Valley, CA Steady/Higher Excellent
San Joaquin Valley, CA Steady/Higher Excellent
Avocado (California)

California harvest picked up a bit last week and looks to be consistent this week. Volume looks to build through April. We still continue to see smaller fruit than we would typically would see this time of year. Fruit is just not sizing up as growers had hoped due to the lack of water in the southern growing area.

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

Volume from Mexico last week crossing into the US dip down with the limited Easter holiday work week schedules in Mexico. This dip in volume has tighten supplies just slightly this week, and will rebound for next week. The size curve continues to be an issue with larger fruit being plentiful, and smaller fruit at a relative premium.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady/Higher Excellent
Bell Peppers (Western)

Green bell pepper production is dropping as the crop finishes in Sinaloa and transitions to Hermosillo. Sizes are running medium to small as growers clean the balance from last of the crop.
Red and yellow remain good Quality and size with many growers getting less than full color ( product showing Green) the product will color but warmer weather is needed. Sizing is very good offering mostly X large ,Large and Jumbo sizes. Very few number two product being offered.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Berries (Blackberries) Alert

Demand is exceeding supply. Rain, wind and thunderstorms affected production in Central Mexico in recent weeks. Damaging hail was also reported at some ranches. This is a big concern for un-hooped acreage as it caused significant setbacks, some ranch estimates dropped by 50%. Along with this, cold weather hit soon after and even brought snow in some of the higher elevations. Supply will be tight for the next 2-3 weeks. As far as quality, watch for broken fruit, red cell and soft berries. Lack of labor and transportation last week (due to Holy Week in Mexico and Easter) slowed production and transportation of fruit to the US to begin this week.


- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand is exceeding supply and looks to remain short throughout this week.

Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Steady/Higher Fair
Berries (Blueberries) Alert

Chile has ended major blueberry production for the season. Central Mexico and Baja are still in steady production and FL and CA are beginning to produce on a small scale. Supplies will continue to be short over the next 2-3 weeks at least and markets continue to get stronger. Supplies are very limited, demand exceeding. Domestic production is not coming on quick enough to avoid a supply gap.




- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies are very limited, demand exceeding. Domestic production is not coming on quick enough to avoid a supply gap.

Growing Region Market Quality
Southern Chile Higher Fair
Baja California, Mexico Higher Good
Central Mexico Higher Good
Central Florida Higher Good
Oxnard, CA Higher Good
Berries (Raspberries)

Central Mexico is still the largest production region, followed by CA. We should begin to see more CA production coming from Santa Maria, Watsonville and Salinas shortly as we head into April and May. Supplies have been consistent over the past several weeks but we are seeing some minor setbacks from recent weather and now lower production and labor shortages due to Holy Week in Mexico and Easter over the past weekend. Supply within the pipelines should begin to recover by the end of this week as more transfers of berries arrive.








- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Oxnard, CA Steady/Higher Good
Berries (Strawberries)

Demand remains very good this week. We are not seeing the typical post-holiday doldrums. Temperatures along CA's coastal growing regions have cooled off and will remain cooler throughout the week. Highs expected in the mid 60s and lows in the 40s-50s. We are also experiencing high winds, exceeding 40 mph along the coastal and valley growing regions. We are likely to see some browning in the calyx and bruising from the plants and berries being whipped around. Green tips, white shoulders and bronzing are still being reported in some packs as well. Sizing is considerably larger in Santa Maria (12-16cnt) versus Oxnard (18-26cnt.) Salinas and Watsonville have started production in a smaller way, focusing on cleaning up the plants and getting ready for full production. FL has ended major production for the season. Baja and Central Mexico are still producing and some ranches will try to go into May, others have discontinued shipping to the US for the season.


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

The market has stabilized with several growing regions still packing. Supplies are also steady as well. Quality is really nice with tights beads and limited yellowing. Demand is also fallen off creating more supplies than the shippers expected with transition.

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

Brussel Sprouts continue to be in extremely short supply coming from Mexico. The market also remains active because of these limited supplies. Domestic Brussel Sprouts are not set to start in Salinas until mid to late June. Quality issues still exist with some black decay and pale in color, more light green than dark.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Extremely Limited Supplies due to previous heat in Mexico.

Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady/Higher Fair
Carrots

Size is coming back very slowly on the crop coming out of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys of California. Carrots are still small, and yields are showing some improvement, but not what was hoped for on Jumbo size carrots. Jumbo size still very tight, and still looks like it will be awhile before any real improvement of size is seen. Supplies of medium size and baby peeled carrots are is good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Excellent
Cauliflower

As we left off last week there was a feel that the market was going to stay active. But demand fell off and prices fell. Supplies remain steady with a lack luster demand. Quality is good with nice white color and little to no bruising.

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

This market has remained unchanged like the previous week. All sizing is available. Demand is light. Oxnard, Yuma as well as Florida are the current loading locations. The quality continues to be strong in all the growing regions. Suppliers are competitive in pricing, and this looks to continue throughout the week. Yuma will have production for approximately one to two more weeks. Supplies look to be steady throughout the week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Belle Glade, FL Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Yuma, AZ Steady Good
Chili Peppers

Jalapeno; Very good size and condition on limited supply, sizing is dropping slightly as some growers finish some fields and look to new acreage.

Serrano; Some growers are finishing and supply has dropped. Quality remains good with better demand.

Anaheim; Sizing and quality remain good, more product being offered.

Pablano; Slightly lighter supply, good quality and condition expected to continue.

Tomatillo; Very good supply with very large sizes. This will continue well into the spring.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady Good
Cilantro

The market is relatively flat with decent supplies. All three growing regions are still in full swing. Some quality issues upon arrival have been minimal yellowing of the leaves to some black slimy decay as well.

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

The central valley and the Ventura crops are going and both are peaking on 140s and smaller size fruit. Larger sized fruit is tight and strong demand for 165s has them cleaning up daily. Demand remains very strong.

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

The lime market is higher on all sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. The peak sizes are shifting towards smaller sizes now. This is the time of year where overall supplies are low and will remain at lower levels until the first or second week of May. The overall long term upward market trend will likely continue with the lower supplies through to first part of May. Quality is excellent overall. Supplies are extremely short for the week due to Easter Holiday and periods of adverse weather in the growing region.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Veracruz, Mexico Higher Excellent
Citrus (Oranges)

Good picking last week, and looks good for this week. Shippers have good in inventory. Eating excellent and look beautiful, with peak sizing on 72s/56s/88s. Demand is back up on 113s/138s as school demand begins to come back in for these smaller sizes.

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

Supply on cucumber is improving slightly. More supply from the northern district. Quality is better on all sizes and pack styles.
Color is good with very few quality defects Many euro cucumbers are available with large volume and good availability.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady Fair
Eggplant (Western)

Eggplant will continue with lighter supply from both central and northern Mexico. Excellent color and condition will continue
with many number two product being offered. Many growers in the south are finishing and supply will lighten.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Grapes (Green)

Green grape supplies will remain steady this week, but as expected, the market price is starting to edge up slightly. Some of the weaker quality fruit may be offered at cheaper prices or moved to the central valley and repacked. The stronger fruit will hold firm on price and supplies will be a little more limited. As we move forward and approach the storage crop period, we are expecting market prices to continue to climb.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coquimbo/Valaparaiso/Santiago/Rancagua, Chile Steady/Higher Good
Grapes (Red)

Red grape supplies continue to improve as we get closer to the storage crop period. New arrivals of quality fruit are expected to remain steady and market prices have come down slightly. Quality has been reported as strong on Crimsons and grapes are showing good size. We expect little change in supply or quality over the next week. Volume opportunities are available on both the East and West coasts.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coquimbo/Valaparaiso/Santiago/Rancagua, Chile Steady Good
Green Onions

Even with the Easter Holiday, it looks like we came out ok with supplies. The market remains steady but does vary from shipper to shipper. Some quality issues have been yellow to brown tops.

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

The kale market is steady at lower levels and will remain that way for the week. Supplies are really good from both growing regions. Also there doesn't look to be a gap once we transition to Salinas. Quality is excellent with little dehydration.

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

This market continues to be flat. Harvesting of lettuce is currently occurring in Santa Maria, Yuma and Huron. Warm temperatures continue to be excessive in the Yuma region. Defects include mechanical damage, misshapen heads and insect damage in Yuma. Huron and Santa Maria lettuce has some similar defects as well. The weights on wrap are averaging 39-45 pounds pending on the shipper. Expect Yuma to finish up within two weeks.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Huron, CA Steady Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Yuma, AZ Steady Fair
Lettuce Leaf

Supplies exceed demand by plenty. Production on leaf items are coming out of Yuma, Salinas and Santa Maria/Oxnard and Huron. Most shippers are willing to deal on volume type orders so please be aware. All leaf items are good to promote for the week. Some defects continue to exists. These defects include slight ribbing, dehydration, discoloration, tip burn and insect damage. The weights are averaging 32-36 pounds on romaine while red and green leaf are averaging 21-24 pounds.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Huron, CA Steady Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Yuma, AZ Steady Fair
Melon (Cantaloupe)

Cantaloupe supplies are returning to more normal levels and demand has returned to normal for this time of year. The quality is good overall with some lots being exceptionally nice. The peak size is currently 9ct. The current market is steady on all sizes due to the lighter supplies. There are 15ct lopes being packed now and virtually zero 18ct coming over.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Choluteca, Honduras Steady Excellent
Zacapa, Guatemala Steady Excellent
Melon (Honeydew)

Demand continues to be low on honeydews but supplies have lightened up. The peak size for the offshore is 6ct and the small amount of Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct. All sizes are available now. Honduran and Guatemalan grown honeydews are really good. Mexican dews continue to ship out of Nogales AZ and the volume is light. The Mexican dews are also very nice. The market is steady across the board. Prices on small sizes have gotten low enough that the offshore growers are not sending them to our market.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Choluteca, Honduras Steady Excellent
Zacapa, Guatemala Steady Excellent
Caborca, Mexico Steady Excellent
Melon (Watermelon)

The spring crop has finally arrived and product is now being shipped from southern Sonora Mexico. The supply has increased and the availability will be increasing everyday. Shippers will look to promote and increase the movement. Quality condition and brix are all very good.

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

Washington - supplies of yellows and reds are fairly light but the market is steady for both colors. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
Idaho-Oregon - they are also steady on all sizes in both colors although some suppliers indicate stronger demand on the jumbo yellows. The quality has ranged from poor to good.
Texas/Mexico - they are more limited on supplies starting the week off but that will improve as the week goes on. Yellows, reds, and whites are all slightly lower. The quality has been good on colors although some suppliers have more greening in their whites than others.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Ontario, OR to Nampa, ID Steady Fair
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Fair
Tampico/Sonara, Mexico Lower/Steady Good
McAllen/Uvalde, TX Lower/Steady Good
Pears

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady and they are still peaking on US#1 70/80s. 110-count and smaller remain short along with all sizes of the fancy grade. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s. Bosc still have better availability of the smaller sizes in the US#1 grade but all sizes of fancy grade are short. Bosc will finish up in mid-April. Red pears are steady on all sizes and they are peaking on half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s, but supplies are light. The red [ears will also finish in mid April. The quality on domestic D'anjous, Bosc, and red pears has been good.
Chile - Chilean Bartlett pears are finished coming in and supplies are limted. Packhams are steady and continue to produce US#1 80/90/100s. Argentinian Bartletts are steady and are peaking on US#1 100/110s but only 100-size and larger are available here in the U.S. The quality on all of 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

Demand has drop this week after a very good Easter pull. We are back to a more normal demand for the lighter, but steady supplies that we have. Still looking for supplies start to come back as we move through April.

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

Washington - they are steady on all sizes of norkotahs. Most suppliers have better availability in 80s and smaller. The quality has been good.
Idaho - Burbanks are up slightly on 70s and larger while 80s and smaller are steady. Norkotahs are being quoted steady to slightly higher but very few shippers are still packing them. The quality for the both has been mostly good.
Colorado - they are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on 40 and 50-count. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - they are also steady on all sizes and have had good quality.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Steady/Higher Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Eastern Colorado Steady Good
Monte Vista, CO Steady Good
Potatoes (colored)

Bakersfield, California - reds and golds are steady to higher and continue to peak on A-size. Supplies are limited on all sizes. The quality on both colors has ranged from good to fair.
Western Washington - The remaining reds and golds are steady and both are peaking on A size, but supplies are limited. Their season will finish at the end of this week.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady to higher and the supplies remain light. Both colors continue to peak on A-size. One Idaho supplier will pack through march and the other two will go through April. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are both steady and they continue to peak on A-size but supplies are limited. Suppliers here continue to buy bulk from N.D. and repack it. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
North Dakota - Reds and gold's are steady to higher and the market remains firm due to light supplies. Some suppliers have finished with golds. Both colors are peaking on A-size. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
S. Florida - reds and gold's are steady but the market remains firm due to light supplies. Whites are not available this week. Poor yields are keeping the Florida market up on all colors. Both reds and golds are peaking on A-size.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Mount Vernon, WA Steady/Higher Fair
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady/Higher Fair
Plover, WI Steady Fair
Red River Valley, ND Steady/Higher Fair
Imokollee/Palm City/Punta Gorda, FL Steady Good
Squash (Western)

Hard Squash will continue to lighten in supply. Acorn and butternut are becoming more scarce. Spaghetti is abundant and Kabocha is becoming less available.

Yellow squash supply is very limited and many lots are showing Quality and condition issues. Italian squash is being harvested with large volume and deals being offered, great quality on most volume from all growers.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady Good
Stone Fruit

Not much change on Chilean tree fruit. Supplies, quality and markets have remained steady. Most of the late season fruit fall into the larger size profiles. Domestic tree fruit is expected to begin mid April with early variety peaches, nectarines and apricots. Cherries will follow shortly after. Markets on Chilean fruit is expected to remain steady and advance prices are being offered for early domestic fruit.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coquimbo, Valaparaiso, Santiago and Rancagua, Chile Steady Good
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Rounds - The market is steady. Floridac continues to be lighter on supplies. Little has changed with volume, until Ruskin/Palmetto gets harvesting in about 2-3weeks. Mexico is beginning to see smaller sizes. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Similar to the rounds, the roma's continue to be lighter for the next 2-3weeks, until Ruskin/Palmetto begins harvesting. Mexico supplies should be steady with Obregone harvesting. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Steady. Supplies in the east continue to be looking better. Mexico looks to be a lighter, however, should begin to see better numbers. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is higher. Supplies continue to be very tight, due to lower yields. Demand still strong. Mexico is also very light due to production. Quality is Good / Fair.

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

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies are looking a bit better in Mexico. Sizing continues to get better, with more smalls available. Florida continues to be lighter, and should continue over the next 2-3weeks. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies should begin to ge steady, with production transitioning to Obregone. Back east, Florida continues to be lighter, and should continue over the next 2-3weeks. Qiality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Steady. Supplies in Mexico continues to be a bit lighter. Look for supplies to continue to be light for a bit longer. However, Florida looks to be increasing volume. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is higher. Supplies continue to be very light, due to prodcution and yields. Baja has begun harvesting, so, supplies should begin to look better. Florida also looking very light, and should continue for a few more weeks. Demand continues to be strong in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Central Sonora, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Northern Baja California Sur, Mexico Steady/Higher Good

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blackberries)
Demand is exceeding supply and looks to remain short throughout this week.

Berries (Blueberries)
Supplies are very limited, demand exceeding. Domestic production is not coming on quick enough to avoid a supply gap.

Brussels Sprouts
Extremely Limited Supplies due to previous heat in Mexico.

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