The Source - March 3, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady on all sizes but the market remains firm and strong. All sizes of the lower grade reds are limited and most suppliers are having to sub up to the higher grades to cover orders. Most shippers are peaking on 72/80/88s. Golden delicious are steady on all sizes and grades but the lower grade remains firm. Golden delicious are still peaking on Wash-Extra 100/113s and most shippers 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 remains strong due. Most Gala shippers don't have much fruit larger than an 88. There are occasional volume deals of smaller Galas. Fujis are steady on all sizes. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. Honeycrisp are mostly steady and the market remains high and strong due to light supplies. Jonagolds are still available but supplies are limited. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on 80/88s. Most Michigan shippers have less small fruit than large. McIntosh are steady and are still heavier to 125/138s but supplies are light. Galas are steady on all sizes but supplies are light. Golden delicious are steady but strong due to light supplies and they are peaking on 125/138s. Jonathans are steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Fujis are steady and they are peaking on 125/138s but supplies are limited. Red Romes are steady but most shippers will deal on volume orders. Braeburns have .
New York - Red delicious, Macs, Cameos, Romes, Crispins, and Empires are all steady. Gala and Golden delicious supplies are light and both markets are steady but firm. Red Rome volume is good and some shippers will flex for volume on the smaller sizes. Empire volume is hit and miss but thee are deals when they are available. The quality has been good on all varieties.

Excellent supplies from Mexico and California for this week. The market is aggressive with opportunities for ads. All sizes are available. Quality is excellent with full green color and little spreading of the tips.

California growers are harvesting some light, but useable volume. Volume will build through March. The overall crop estimated has been reduced based on the fruit not sizing due to the lack of water. It now looks like California may have a higher than normal percentage of smaller fruit.

Volume from Mexico has declined slightly, but supplies remain good crossing into the US. The size curve continues to be an issue with larger fruit being plentiful, and smaller fruit at a relative premium.

Good growing conditions in Culiacan continues to improve supply on bell peppers, More product is being offered with better quality. Reds and golds are being offered in all grades and sizes. More number one grade is being offered in 25 and 15 lb. units.

Green pepper has been short but supply and quality are improving. offering mostly number one grad and very light supply of number two.

Production from Central Mexico has been steady. Overall, we have good availability with Mexican fruit being transferred into the US. Some delays with transfer trucks have caused hang-ups at the coolers. Demand has been moderate. Quality has been good overall with a few issues reported on older lots of blackberries. Production should begin to increase moderately through April.

Demand is moderate and supply is good. Southern Chile is coming off of peak production but still shipping ample amounts of fruit to the US to cover demand. Volume deals are available with promotable pricing, especially on the east coast. Central Mexico is also coming off of peak production but Baja Mexico is increasing and will peak around April. We have good supplies of blueberries with good quality overall.

Raspberries are still in limited supplies. Central Mexico is seeing some of the affects from freezes that occurred in January. Fruit is smaller with some miss-shaped and splits in the berries. Oxnard is producing some smaller volumes as well as Baja but Central Mexico is the main production region for the majority of our suppliers in this season. With more limited production and more quality issues present, availability will continue to be a challenge throughout this week.

We have steady supplies of strawberries in both California and Florida this week. Quality is good overall, some reports of light color, bruising. There is a significant change in the weather forecast as we move into the weekend. Several rain systems will begin to hit California's coastal growing regions in both the north and the south. There is potential for several inches of rain along with strong winds into next week.

Broccoli supplies are plentiful. Five different growing areas are currently harvesting broccoli. Thus keeping this market flat. Quality is excellent from all growing regions. Although there have been arrival issues with dehydration.

The market on Brussel sprouts is unchanged from last week. Plenty of supplies and favorable pricing. All sizes available as well. Quality is excellent with little to no black leaves.

Weather in growing area is warming and size is coming back slowly on the crop coming out of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys of California. Carrots are still small, but growing and yields are showing some improvement on Jumbo size carrots. Jumbo size still very tight, and still looks like a few weeks for a good percentage size to come. Supplies of medium size and baby peeled carrots are is good.

Supplies vary from shipper to shipper this week. With 9 count cauliflower being the shortest in supplies. This market has firmed up with some shippers and others still have offers to give out. Quality is fair to good depending on the growing region. Occasional bruising in some lots that shows brow to black discoloration upon arrival.

This market is firm in all the growing regions. Pricing gaps have been ranging from two- three dollars depending on the supplier. Moderate availability is expected throughout the week with this commodity out of Yuma and Oxnard. Heavy rains will occur in southern California starting Friday and going thru the weekend. Production in Florida is moderate, overall. Overall pricing is competitive. The quality has been reported as good in all the growing regions.

Jalapeno; Very strong demand with limited supply. Quality and sizing is very good ,mostly large and extra Large.

Serrano ; Demand exceed on limited supply with good condition and quality, sizing is mostly medium ,some scarring and misshapen.

Anaheim ; good supply. Quality and size are running good with excellent color and shape.

Pasilla ; Continued good supply with quality and condition improving.

The cilantro market remains flat with plenty of supplies from Mexico and the Oxnard growing regions. Quality has been hit and miss with some arrivals showing yellow leaves in the bunches.

The central valley and the Ventura crops are going and both are peaking on 140s and smaller size fruit. Larger sized fruit is tight now that the Desert crop has finished their season. Demand remains very strong.

The lime market is coming down on all sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board but supplies have bumped up over previous levels. The peak sizes are 110's and 150's currently with fewer small sized limes being harvested. 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.

Clear and warm weather has all houses packing. Rain is projected for the end of the week and next week. Rain will slow or halt picking, but bin inventory should carry us through the week. Eating excellent and look beautiful, with peak sizing on 72s/56s/88s. We are seeing fruit size up, and a dropping in percentage of small size fruit 113s/138s. Demand is very good on the 113s/138s and markets are firm but steady on them.

Production is now getting lighter from Culiacan, the peak harvest is over, demand has improved and market is stronger . Quality continues to be good with some limited condition issues.
Expecting lighter supply. Size is dropping some.

Better weather is increasing production. Condition and quality are improved. More number one product being offered and less scaring and misshapen. Sizing is improving with better color and finish.

The green seedless grape market is steady. Supplies continue to be light but adequate to meet current demand. We are still seeing some lots showing off color and the occasional wet and sticky berry. Overall quality is generally reported as good. We see no change in this market through next week.

The red grape market is steady with some quotes lower due to quality and size issues. The Flame Seedless still predominate with the Crimson supplies gradually improving. We see no change in this market through the end of this week.

Sporadic supplies from Mexico on iceless green onions continues to be the story here. Supplies of iced green onions also vary from supplier to supplier. The market also has a wide range depending on availability. Quality is still hit and miss with some arrivals showing brow to yellow tops.

Supplies are steady for this week in all growing regions. We have product in Santa Maria, Oxnard, and Yuma. The market varies also with the growing region. Quality is excellent with dark green color and little dehydration. There have been sporadic arrivals with less than full cartons and little bunches, but this is temporary.

This market is flat. Suppliers are begging for orders as supplies are plentiful. Deals are out there for large, quantity type orders so don't be shy. Warm temperatures will continue in the Yuma region all week with temperatures ranging from 85-90 degrees. Common issues on quality include mechanical damage, puffiness, slight mildew and misshapen heads. The weights on this commodity has been ranging from 38-44 pounds on wrap. Early updates has Huron production beginning the third week in March.

Strong supplies continue on all leaf items. Shippers will have good inventories throughout the week. Defects have been minimal. Mechanical damage and twisting have been light with romaine. Warm temps will exists all week in all growing regions. Green and red leaf, as well as butter also shows strong quality. The weights are averaging 32-36 pounds on romaine while red and green leaf are averaging 21-23 pounds. Competitive pricing is expected all week as shippers are asking for help. Huron is expected to harvest leaf items the third to fourth week of March.

Cantaloupe supplies are more than adequate for the current demand. We have increasing supplies and lighter demand right now. The quality is good overall with some lots being exceptionally nice. The peak size is currently 9ct with 6ct sized lopes being packed. The current market is lower on all sizes. There are more 15ct lopes being packed now and a few18ct too.

Demand is still low on honeydews right now. The peak size for the offshore is 5ct and the small amount of Mexican dews are peaking on 6ct. The small sizes are available now. Honduran grown honeydews are really good. Mexican dews continue to ship out of Nogales AZ and the volume is light. The Mexican dews are very nice. The market is slightly lower across the board.

Weather has improved volume shipping from Colima and Jalisco, availability is improving every week with better weather in the growing region. Quality and condition are much improved. many more growers offering supply. Sugar and pressure are testing well with good fruit for cutting. Most product available is being offered in cartons with some bins, There is now load volume to offer. peak sizes are 5s followed by 6s with a few 4s.Supply should remain steady until spring crop gets started.

Some personal seedless are available with a run of sizes from 8s-11s. Peaking on larger sizes. Condition and quality are very good.

Market out of all areas on Yellow and Red onions is steady to slightly weaker depending on shipper and growing area. White onions are finished with most shipper out of the northwest with Mexico supplies increase. Market is steady but firm. Smaller suppliers out of the Idaho area will finish up for the season in the next couple of weeks. The large shippers out of Idaho and Washington should have supplies till the middle to end of April demanding on demand and quality. Quality is good for the most part out of the Northwest with a few lots starting to show some translucency in the outer layers of the onions which is typical for this time of the year.

Washington - D'anjou pears are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on US#1 70/80s. The larger size isn't yielding much fruit smaller than a 110 so 120s and smaller remain limited. The Washington D'anjous are clean so the fancy grade is also limited on all sizes. Bosc pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 90/100/110s but they have better availability of the smaller sizes. Fancy grade bosc are also limited. 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 quality on D'anjous, Bosc, and red pears has been good.
Chile - Bartlett pears are steady to lower on all sizes and they are still peaking on 100/110s on both coasts. Some suppliers will flex for volume on 120s and 135s. Packhams are steady and continue to peak on US#1 80/90s. Domestic D'Anjous, Bosc, and Red pear quality has been good. The Imported Bartlett and Packham quality has been good as well.

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

Demand out of all areas is fair at best. (Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin) Markets are steady on 70 count and smaller with a few deals being made on load volume of the smaller counts. 60 count are larger steady to slightly firmer with most supplies having limited supplies. Quality is being reported as good. There are occasional lots out of Idaho showing some internal bruising. Most shippers are trying to move through these storages now as later in the season we get the worst the bruising will get.

Bakersfield, California - reds and golds are steady and continue to peak on A-size. Whites are somewhere between sold and out and super tight due to strong demand and light supplies. The quality has ranged from good to fair on the reds with some lots having darker color and some lighter, the golds and whites have been good.
Western Washington - reds and golds are steady and both continue to peak on A size. Their season will finish between the middle and the end of March. The quality has ranged from fair to good on both colors.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady but supplies are in fewer hands as we approach the end of the season. Both colors are speaking on A-size and some suppliers will flex for volume on the red As. The quality has been good. Idaho will also pack until somewhere between the middle and the end of March.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are both steady but firm and they continue to peak on A-size, Most shippers are still battling storage quality. Premiums and bakers in both colors and gold Cs are still not available. The quality has been fair to good.
North Dakota - Reds and golds are steady on all sizes. Some red volume deals are still available in both the #1s and #2s. Both colors are peaking on size A and have only limited availability in the premiums and bakers. The quality has been good.
S. Florida - whites and golds are steady on all sizes. Reds are slightly higher due to light supplies. Both reds and golds are peaking on A-size while the whites are heavier to B's. The white market remains firm and many suppliers are still sold-out of A-size. The quality has been good on all colors.

Hard Squash,

Spaghetti, Acorn, Butternut ,and Kabocha continue with steady supply and sizes mostly large and medium.

Italian and yellow squash have lighter supply as the winter crop winds down and waiting for the spring crop .Condition on both remains good with some scarring and light wind damage.

The market on all (peaches, plums and nectarines) is steady. We are currently experiencing spot shortages of fruit on the West Coast due to several late vessels. This is only temporary with adequate supplies projected for next week. Quality is generally reported as good on all.

Rounds - The market is steady. Weather conditions continue to lower production and yields. Look for supplies to continue to be lighter. Out west, smaller sized product is still short. Mexico has moved from colder weather to extreme heat, with a wide range of quality. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies out of the east continue to be lighter. Weather conditions continue to hamper yields. The east should continue this pattern, with lighter supplies. Mexico also dealing with weather, however, temps are on the warmer side. Product has gone from very cold weather, to very warm weather, creating a range of quality. Fairly wide range of pricing out there, in all areas. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Steady. With lower production, caused by weather conditions, the market continues to be strong. Few growers have any type of supplies. Out west, supplies continue to be tight, with the market steady as well. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to look better in Florida and Mexico. However, much like other products, there is a wide range of quality. Demand looks to bit up a bit, for the higher quality product, however, product is still available at the lower prices, with lower quality. Quality is Good / Fair.

Rounds - The market is steady. Smaller sized product continues to be tight. Mexico seeing much warmer temps than normal. With the heat, comes a wide range of quality. Florida volumes continue to be light, and should continue the trend through the winter season. Pricing looks to have a wide range, based on the wide range of quality. Quality is Good / Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Weather continues to be warmer in Mexico, which is also creating a wide range of quality. With the range of quality, comes a range of pricing out in the market. Back East, supplies continue to be lighter due to weather conditions. Quality is Good / Fair.
Cherry - The market is Steady. Supplies continue to be tighter than normal. The market is steady, however, prices look to be leveling due to demand. Market, like other products, have a range of pricing. Back east, weather continues to shorten production and yields. Quality is Good / Fair.
Grape - The market is Steady. Availability continues to increase in all areas.
However, with the range of weather, quality also has a wide range. Looks for supplies to continue to get better. Quality is Good / Fair.