The Source - March 29, 2017

Washington - reds are steady on most sizes and they continue to peak on larger fruit. 113 and smaller red supplies are still relatively short. Golden delicious are steady to higher and strong due to increased demand. The fruit is still peaking on 72/80/88s so supplies of the smaller sizes are short. Granny-smith are also steady on all sizes. The fruit is still peaking on 72/80/88's so small fruit is extremely tight. 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 and Pink Lady's.
Michigan--McIntosh and Empires remain steady but strong due to light supplies and strong demand. Golden delicious are steady to higher due to increased demand from other areas. Jonathans, Galas, and Fujis are all fairly steady even though supplies are fairly light. Red Delicious are steady on all sizes but the demand from other areas has increased. 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---the Empire and McIntosh remain high and strong due to light supplies. Red delicious, Galas, Fujis, and Red Romes are also steady to higher due to light supplies as well. All varieties are currently producing mostly large fruit! The quality has been good.
Pennsylvania---they will pack the last of their red delicious, golden delicious, Red Romes, Fujis, and a few Cameos and then they will be finished for the season.

Alerts:
Washington is still extremely short of all grades of Granny-smith 100-size and smaller.

New York has mostly larger apples right now in all varieties.

Transitions:
Pennsylvania will pack this week and possibly a couple days next week and then they will be finished for the season.

Idaho is on its final floor-count with red delicious and a few Pink ladys and then they will be finished for the season.

Peak Seasons:
Washington is in the peak of his seasons for red delicious, golden delicious, Galas, Fuji's, and granny-smith apples.

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

The Asparagus market remains steady out of Mexico. Although quality is fair at best. We are seeing dehydration, spreading and seeding of the tips. California on the other hand has excellent quality but is limited in supply. It is also commanding a price premium compared to Mexico. The market for both growing regions is ready to get active. As Mexico slowly decreases their supplies and finishes their season, California will not have the supplies to handle demand.

Alerts:
The market is getting active due to poor quality from Mexico. This is putting pressure on supplies out of California.

Weather in Caborca, Mexico has remained warm which is causing more fields to close due to dehydration, seeding, and spreading in the tips. The market has remained the same, but should firm up next week with Easter AD's starting up. California is seeing come cooler weather which has slowed production and raised the market.

Alerts:
West Coast: Quality on Mexican asparagus is fair due to warm weather in the growing region.

East Coast: Peru will be delayed 1-2 weeks due to recent rains and flooding.

California is now harvesting useable volume. We are expecting to see 7 to 10 million pound this week and continue to build as we move through April to close to 10 million pounds per week in harvest.

Mexico's shipments remain stable at around 37 million pounds. Past weeks have shown strong volume, but we are still expecting longer term volume projection to settle to around 30 million pounds a week moving into April. 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 dropped in supply especially on off grade large sizes. prices have increased and will continue for the near future. larger sizes on number one grade peaking.

Colored Bells ( Red, Yellow and Orange) has had a dramatic decrease in supply, both blocky and elongated varieties. Good quality and condition will continue, supply will remain limited for the near future. market and demand are much improved. Packing 25# 15# and 11# units. Both number one and number two grade.

Blackberry supplies are improving. Mexico production has been consistent and will continue to improve through April. Oxnard and Santa Maria is harvesting light volumes, but the recent weather will help advance growth and yields. Salinas and Watsonville production is expected to begin in 4-6 weeks. Quality has been very strong. Market prices have started to decrease as volume improves.

Transitions:
Oxnard and Santa Maria production is ramping up. Salinas is expected to start in 4-6 weeks.

Blueberry supplies continue to be limited. California production is very light but will improve over the next 2-3 weeks. Florida experienced some cold weather which has slowed down harvest. Mexico has been consistent, but light volume. The Chilean season has ended. Market prices have been high and firm. Quality is being reported as strong on Mexican and domestic fruit. We expect California harvest to improve in April with better availability by mid month.

Alerts:
Supplies will continue to be limited for the next 2-3 weeks.

Transitions:
California production will improve mid April.

Raspberries remain limited in availability. Mexico production is consistent but light. Santa Maria and Oxnard is harvesting light numbers, but will start to improve over the next 2-3 weeks and we will see volume really ramp up by late April. Salinas is expected to start in 4-6 weeks. Quality has been strong and market prices have been very escalated. Once harvest improves, we will see some flex in price.

Alerts:
Supplies remain very limited. Volume will begin to improve over the next 2-3 weeks.

Transitions:
Santa Maria and Oxnard production is improving over the next 2-3 weeks. Salinas is expected to start in 4-6 weeks.

California strawberry production is increasing. The weather in Oxnard and Santa Maria has been favorable this week, warm days and cool nights have increased yields and improved quality. We expect good volume of quality fruit over the next 2 weeks. Mexico production continues to slow down. We expect the Mexican season to finish over the next 4-6 weeks. Florida has now finished fresh production. Orders loading in Florida will be filled with transfer product from Mexico. Salinas production is getting started with very light volume, but will increase over the next 3-4 weeks. Markets have been fairly steady, but will begin to come down as volume increases.

Transitions:
Florida season has ended. Salinas has started with very light volume, but will increase over the next 2 weeks. Mexico will finish in 4-6 weeks.

As Yuma finishes the season, pressure has been put on Salinas, Santa Maria, and Mexico. Overall supplies are decreasing as we head into another supply gap. Look for this market to trend much higher as processors will be looking for acreage. The yields are diminishing in Yuma and Salinas is still hurting from previous wet weather. Although quality out of Mexico is much better and even their market is trending higher.

Alerts:
Decreased supplies in Mexico, coupled with the Yuma season finishing has created a turn in the market. Quality is also a main factor as well.

The main concern here is quality out of Mexico. We have seen arrival issues stemming from previous heat in the growing region of Mexico. Yellowing and browning of the sprouts, coupled with some decay have been the main problem areas. This has caused the market to trend higher. Also look for this trend as we head into April. Oxnard does not have the acreage to meet demand, but we do have better quality from that growing region.

Alerts:
We have seen a drop in quality out of Mexico causing a spike in the market.

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

Although the market is decreasing, supplies out of Salinas and Santa Maria remain the same. Once demand picks up the market will trend much higher. But for now demand is weak creating a downward trend. Quality is still hit and miss. We are seeing brown to black discoloration, coupled with bruising upon arrivals.

The celery market is mixed. Some shippers are showing lighter supplies due to quality issues (pith) and excessive volume of smaller sizes. Other shippers are showing an improvement in sizing (more 2 dozen) and better quality. Overall, we feel the market will continue to be strong at current levels with some shippers raising prices off of the bottom of the range. Most all other growing regions are finished or finishing and the volume in Oxnard is relatively unchanged.

Pablano - Excellent size and Quality will continue with improved supply.

Tomatillo-Much lighter supply and just fair quality, both peeled and husked. Sizing is only fair. 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.

Supplies seem to vary as well as the market from shipper to shipper. Quality remains suspect as we are still seeing rain damage from previous weather. Demand is really strong causing the market to increase with most suppliers. Heat in Mexico is also causing quality issues and decreasing supplies as well.

Alerts:
We have supplies decreasing with quality issues from heat and rain in the growing regions of Mexico, Santa Maria, and Oxnard causing the market to trend much higher than normal.

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. March and April are traditionally associated with high prices and volatility but so far it's not too terribly out of control this month. April is next week so we shall see if the current downward trend on the market continues. The market is lower.

Good export demand is driving the shipments and this along with reduced harvest from rains at the end of last week has deplete bin inventory for this week. Availability on all sizes and grade this week has been very limited. We still have some rains coming this weekend and another small storm in the forecast for mid next week, that will slow harvest again.

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 are continuing to climb higher and at a faster pace than the red grapes. 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 a steady upward market. Lesser quality varieties are 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 higher and looks to keep progressing upwards.

Green onion supplies look good for the week. There have been minimal delays in the crossing from Mexico. The market has remained fairly steady on both iced and iceless green onions. Quality has ben hit and miss though with some arrivals showing yellow to brown tops. But overall quality is good.

We continue t have steady supplies from all growing regions. This is keeping the market steady. Overall quality is good with minimal problems of yellowing and dehydration. The transition back to Salinas will be seamless.

Transitions:
We will be transitioning over the next 2 weeks from Yuma to Salinas

The iceberg lettuce market continues to be strong with light supplies and good demand. The Yuma deal is rapidly winding down with the Huron area starting in a limited fashion. Both regions are showing some quality issues with mildew, dehydration and weak tip in Yuma. The Huron area is running with lighter weights and some live insect pressure affecting yields. The market will continue to be strong as Yuma finishes and harvest numbers in the northern districts will be light.

Alerts:
The Iceberg lettuce in all regions is showing a variety of issues. Burn, mildew and insect pressure being felt.

Transitions:
Iceberg lettuce is finishing in Yuma and starting in Huron.

The market on all leaf lettuce (green, red and romaine) is demand exceeds limited supplies. The desert regions are finishing rapidly as the recent heat has brought fields on ahead of schedule. The same heat has caused a variety of quality defects that have reduced yields. Seeders, discoloration, fringe/tip burn are a few of the more prominent defects growers are dealing with. At the same time the Salinas, Santa Maria and Huron districts are starting slowly. The last winter's rains are making themselves felt with planting gaps, reduced yields due to poor growing conditions and insect pressure. We expect to see the current demand exceeds supply situation maintain through the next few weeks.

Alerts:
Leaf lettuce and romaine showing the affects of the recent wet winter as we transition north.

Transitions:
All leaf lettuces finishing in the desert regions and moving to Santa Maria, Huron and Salinas.

Cantaloupes are active due to continued light supplies which looks to continue for the next week or two. Quality is probably 95% excellent with a few problems such as softness. We are peaking on 9's and the other sizes are really short. The weather has been ideal for growing in all regions and this trend looks to continue. The market is higher for now.

Honeydews continue to cruise right along. The supplies are adequate 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. Larger sizes such as 5's and 6's are more available than smaller 8's. The market is steady at this time.

Quality and condition are only fair on conventional seedless. Personal seedless are available in limited supply peaking on smaller sizes. Sonora spring crop has started and volume will grow by the end of the month. Sugar is only fair but will improve as weather continues to warm. Good demand on larger fruit. mostly bins available and cartons being packed to order.

Market is steady with moderate demand on all colors and sizes. Supplies are being shipped out of Idaho, Washington and Texas. The market trend should continue into the middle to end of next month. Quality of the late storage onions out of Idaho will be the main factor that could change the market conditions. Currently quality is still good with an occasional lot showing up with light Translucently in the out layers. The smaller shippers in Idaho will start to wind down for the season over the next two weeks with the larger one going into the end of April start of May. Texas supplies are building. Quality is being reported as good. Southern California is still scheduled to start the third week of April. Quality and size is being reported as good.

Transitions:
Southern California is scheduled to start the third week of April as Idaho is slowing winding down

Washington -- D'anjou pears are steady on all sizes and they 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. Most shippers are finished packing Bosc so what they have in C.A. is it. The quality has been good. Red pears are steady and they are still peaking on US#1 50-size half cartons. The quality has been good.

Chile - Chilean Bartlett pears are steady 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:
Small D'anjou pears are still limited.

Transitions:
Washington will finish shipping Bosc pears in approximately 2 weeks.

Peak Seasons:
Washington is 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 is moderate with a steady market on all sizes and packs. Quality out of Idaho has improved with other areas still being reported as good. Idaho has been battling lots with moderate to heavy internal bruising and occasional hollow heart and light soft rot. All shipping (Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin) points still have good supplies of storage potatoes to get through to new crop as long as the quality holds up. Planting for next year storage crop will start in the next couple of weeks. Look for the markets to stay steady around current levels into the middle of next month.

Bakersfield California -- they have started packing a few new-crop desert whites and reds, the market is slightly higher. We will have new-crop golds next week but can still get storage product this week. The quality is good.
Idaho - old-crop 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 peaking on As. The quality has been good.
Western Washington - they have finished for the season.
North Dakota - old-crop red and gold potatoes are mostly steady and both are still peaking on A size. most suppliers will flex their pricing to compete with other areas. The quality has been good.
Florida - they continue to pack reds, whites, and golds. Red #1s are steady while red #2s are higher. White and Gold #1s are steady to lower while #2s are steady with only light supplies available. All colors continue to peak on A-size and the quality has been good.
Canada - a few old-crop reds, golds, and whites remain but the availability is fairly light. The quality has been good.

Transitions:
Bakersfield has started packing a few new-crop reds and whites and they will have golds next week.

Peak Seasons:
South Florida is in the peak of its season for all colors.

North Dakota and Idaho are in the peak of their red and gold potato seasons.

Yellow Squash and Italian Squash has transitioned to Sonora. The Quality has improve 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 are days away 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 due to low demand.

Transitions:
Start dates for the CA stone fruit season look to be normal, see below. The dates are rough estimates and could be pushed back by 5 days or so.

Apricot: 5/1
Yellow Peach: 4/22
Yellow Nectarine: 4/22
White Peach: 4/22
White Nectarine:5/4
Black Plum: 5/17
Red Plum: 5/21

The market is steady to higher this week with less volume available overall. Cooler temperatures have slowed tomato growth on the vine causing production to dip as anticipated this week. Both Immokalee and Palmetto/Ruskin districts are harvesting fruit and picking tomatoes before any real size can come on putting larger size rounds short on supply. Overall quality is good with some signs of wind scar. Heavy supply from Mexico has been helping stabilize pricing however demand for eastern fruit has finally found some strength this week. Grape and Cherry varieties are stronger and volume will improve over the next few weeks with more fields producing from Central Florida.

Mexican supply is steady with heavy volumes continuing to cross Nogales and McAllen . The market is slightly stronger on bigger fruit. Quality continues to be good at this time from all areas. Roma supply continues to be good with better quality coming out of Florida. Cherry and grape tomatoes are also steady with a slight uptick in the market as Mexico shippers try for more money while Florida's volumes have been reduced due to weather. Quality continues to vary with stiffer pricing for better fruit.