The Source - May 17, 2017

Washington - red delicious are steady to slightly higher on all sizes. Most fruit is peaking between 72/80 size still. Golden delicious are steady but strong due to light supplies esp. on the smaller sizes. Goldens are still peaking on 72/80/88s and supplies of 100s and smaller are very light. Granny-smith are steady to higher on all sizes do to light supplies and strong demand. The fruit is still peaking on 72/80/88's. The availability of 88s and smaller is extremely light and most suppliers are still subbing up in size and grade on anything smaller than a 72/80 size. Galas are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on 80/88/100/72s. Fuji's are steady to higher on all sizes and are still peaking on 72/80/88s. Fuji supplies are generally light currently. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan--Red Delicious are steady on the larger fruit and steady to higher on the smaller sizes. Reds will continue into mid to late June. Most other variety's have finished for the season. The quality has been good.
New York---The McIntosh market is high and strong due to extremely light supplies. Red delicious are steady to higher on the larger fruit and mostly higher on the smaller sizes due to light supplies. New York should continue packing into June. Most of the remaining fruit is large. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington supplies of Granny-smith and Golden delicious are down significantly from last year so expect them to remain strong for the balance of the season.

Peak Seasons:
Michigan is still in the peak of its red delicious apple season.

Washington is still in the peak of its red and golden delicious, Granny-smith, and Gala apple season.

In Central Mexico the warm weather continues in this growing region which is affecting quality, and shelf life. We are seeing spreading of the tips. The California growing region is experiencing good growing weather which is helping the production. Quality remains really nice with all sizes available. In Washington the cool weather has slowed production this week, and we should see less from this region until the start of next week when warmer weather is expected. In Peru the asparagus volume has started to increase with both growing regions having good growing weather. We’re still seeing spreading and seeding in the tips due to warm weather over the last month. Michigan – has just started production, although cooler night time weather has slowed growth and supplies.

Transitions:
Michigan has started their local production. Quality is excellent and standard sizing is the trend.

California growers continue to harvest good steady volumes and size continues to peak on 60s/48s/70s. Demand remains strong for all sizes and still outpacing the supplies of 48s and larger with these sizes bring a premium on the market.

Mexico's shipments this week look to stay steady is comparison with the last couple of weeks. The industry still projects a slow weekly drop is volume into June when the volume is expected to make a fairly significant weekly drop off. There still remains the concern that Mexico has over harvested and leaving some kind of gap in supply in June.

The pepper market is very strong. Supply is concentrated in very few hands in Plant City and south Georgia. The Plant City region does not have a lot of acreage of bell pepper planted and South Georgia just started this week with a few shippers. Most shippers in Georgia will not start until next week and the western regions do not have enough volume to put pressure on eastern markets. The quality in both Florida and Georgia is very good, the forecast is for warm. sunny and dry conditions through the weekend so that trend should continue. Demand for green pepper is very good and there is not much pressure from competing regions, so look for the market to be strong through the weekend and into the first of the next week.

Alerts:
Light Supplies. Market higher.

Transitions:
Plant City is going with light to steady volume and Georgia is starting this week.

Green bell Pepper are steady in supply with good quality shipping from Nogales Az. and Coachella Ca. Mostly choice grade in Nogales and mostly number one larger sizes on New crop in California.

Colored Bells ( Red, Yellow and Orange) are finishing in Nogales this week. Good quality and condition have started in Coachella Ca, . Market and demand are much better Packing 25# 15# units. Both number one and number two grade.

Transitions:
Bell pepper (all colors) are transitioning from Nogales Arizona to Coachella California, Cool temperature have curtailed volume on new crop.

Blackberries supplies remain consistent but are still limited in the major loading areas. A majority of the fruit is still being supplied by Mexico. Once it crosses the border, it is being dispersed across the country to different loading locations. This make it difficult to accurately gauge the availability and market conditions. Although fruit may be limited in Santa Maria or Salinas with our regular berry vendors, there may be a broker or import house who has good availability in another part of the state or country. This will continue to be the case until our major grower / shippers start their California harvest. Due to the cooler weather, production continues to get pushed back. However, with the warmer temps expected later this week and into next week, we expect to see Salinas / Watsonville areas start harvest by the end of May. Santa Maria will follow in the front part of June with better production.

Transitions:
Salinas / Watsonville is expected to start by the end of May. Santa Maria will start new harvest in 2-4 weeks.

Blueberry production has slowed down this week. Central California new crop has started off much slower than expected. The cooler weather last week and the beginning of this week has delayed harvest. The weather is expected to warm up by the weekend which will help push product along and we expect to have better supplies by next week. Florida has finished up a majority of it's harvest with very light volume remaining. Georgia is still producing fruit and the weather has been warm. We expect fruit to be available from Georgia into June. Mexico harvest started to decline with little fruit available in the market. We will continue to see Mexico taper off moving forward. North Carolina will start with light harvest next week. Markets have been firm as supplies have lighten up. As California new harvest ramps up, we will see better availability and some flex in price.

Transitions:
Central California harvest is expected to increase over the next 2 weeks. North Carolina will start harvest next week.

Raspberry supplies remain limited throughout the industry. Mexico continues to be the predominant supplier of raspberries with Santa Maria production being very light. Salinas / Watsonville are expected to start by the end of the month if the weather warms up as predicted. Quality has been excellent and demand is strong. Market prices have been steady, but will remain expensive and firm until we see better supplies out of California.

Alerts:
Supplies remain limited.

Transitions:
Salinas / Watsonville are expected to start by the end of May.

Strawberry supplies continue to be strong in Santa Maria, Salinas and Watsonville. Oxnard is now done for the season. Quality is strong in all areas, but Salinas is producing bigger fruit. Santa Maria will continue with good production for another 4-6 weeks. Salinas / Watsonville will continue to increase harvest as we move into summer.

Santa Maria - The weather has been consistent and mild all week with warmer temps expected by the weekend. Production is expected to continue to increase through the weekend and into next week. Then we will see harvest begin to gradually taper off as we start June. Quality has been very nice with counts in the 18-20 range. Markets have been steady with plenty of spot buy opportunities.

Salinas / Watsonville - This week started off with cooler temps and overcast skies, but the forecast calls for sunny days and highs in the 80's by Thursday. Production has been a bit slower in this area, but again, the warmer weather this weekend will bring on a spike in harvest. Quality has been excellent with sizes in the 14-16 range. Markets have been a little firmer in this area, but look for more aggressive offers by the weekend. Production will continue to increase moving forward.

Transitions:
Oxnard is done. Santa Maria is expected to last through June. Salinas and Watsonville production continues to increase.

The broccoli supplies out of Salinas are keeping that market at a higher level than Santa Maria or Mexico. The more competitive prices are out of those loading areas. Quality is excellent out of all areas with decent broccoli crown size, minimal yellowing, and little dehydration. We will see supplies increase as we enter into next week.

We have seen our supplies out of Mexico diminish dramatically. The rain that was experienced one week ago, coupled with the much cooler than normal temperatures the past week have decreased supplies. The market has reacted to this supply shortage and looks to remain that way for the next 2 to 3 weeks. Quality has also taken a tumble with much smaller size profiles, to yellowing, and some decay upon arrivals.

Alerts:
The previous week's weather has taken its toll on supplies. We have seen the market trend much higher as a result.

California carrots remain in very good supply and quality on Jumbos, cellos and value added product.

We have seen an influx of better supplies that will continue through the week. The market has also adjusted itself to normal levels. We have seen very nice quality with vibrant white color and minimal bruising. We have received reports of case weights in the 24 to 27 pound range.

This celery market continues to gain strength in the marketplace. Demand clearly exceeds supplies and this will continue for two weeks, minimum. Production in Michigan will not begin until late June. Salinas is expected to begin production the first week of June. Seeders continues to be the major issue all suppliers are dealing with. This will continue for a few weeks. Large sizing continues to be the most difficult pack for growers as thirty and thirty six counts are the main sizes available at this time. Along with seeder, there has been a few reports of insect damage, as well as leaf blight. Escalated pricing is in effect.

Alerts:
Seeder is a major issue all suppliers are dealing with.

Pablano - Excellent size and Quality will continue with new crop in Baja California.

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 supply dropping. Many number 2s are being shipped.

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

This is a tale of loading locations. We have seen difficulty with supplies and much higher markets out of the Salinas area. Although the Santa Maria and Oxnard loading locations have had better supplies. The market is much more competitive out of these areas. Quality has been hit and miss with our share of yellow leaves, some black slimy decay, and dehydration in the iceless packs.

California's Central Valley crop is winding down to it's end and the Ventura crop is in full swing. Size growth of fruit has 165s/200s/235s both grades well short for the demand of these sizes. This short fall looks to last through the summer and into the fall. The finishing of the Central Valley crop, which was peaking an the large sizes of 95s/115s, has these sizes tight on availability.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supplies on 165s/200s/235s all grades.

Limes continue to peak on smaller sizes such as 230's and 250's while the larger sizes remain snug to unavailable. 110's through 175's are extremely tight with 110's being virtually unavailable. New crop limes are smaller in size and due to the lack of rain and hot temperatures they look to remain peaking on the small sizes for several more weeks. Quality has been excellent on the limes over the past several weeks and looks to keep this trend. The market is currently steady on the larger sizes and lower on the smaller sizes.

California's Navel season is quickly come to an end. Many shippers are already done and others will be done by the end of the month. Demand for them is still strong, availability is mostly on the lagers sizes and almost non-existent on the small sizes. We are now moving into this season's Valencia crop. The crop is much smaller than last years crop and already peaking almost 1 size larger at the start than in years past. Shippers will adjust their harvest numbers slightly to try to make the crop last through September. We expect to see size grow of the fruit through the summer, which will leave the small sizes 113s/138s very limit when we get to August and September.

The cucumber market is very strong. Light supplies in central Florida and south Georgia are not enough to satisfy demand. Quality is good in booth regions, Plant City does not have a lot of acreage planted and Georgia is working acreage that went through the freeze in March. Yields are low and most shippers have not started for the season, with warmer weather and more shippers coming onboard later this week volume should pickup. The pipeline is fairly empty and there are not a lot of competing regions around the country, so look for the cucumber market to stay solid through the weekend.

Transitions:
Plant City has steady volume and Georgia is getting started.

Peak Seasons:
Moving into peak availability next week.

Limited supply on cucumber coming out of Nogales Mexico, product has also started crossing in Baja California. Excellent color, quality and condition on all grades, sizes and pack styles. Supply has dropped on Euro cucumber as well, #1and #2 both single layer and bushel boxes.

The eggplant market is very strong. Most of the supply is concentrated with a few shippers. Cooler temperatures two weeks ago have slowed production slightly. Volume should pickup this weekend with very warm and sunny weather this week and through the weekend. Demand is good as the weather is clearing this week up the entire east coast. Light volume in Nogales and California will keep the Florida market very steady through the week. Georgia will not start until the last week of May, and then with only light supply. Expect a solid eggplant market for the next 2 weeks.

Peak Seasons:
Peak supply in Plant City should begin next week.

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. Supply from Mexico will wind down and Coachella Valley has started shipping. Cool weather has limited current supply.

Green grapes are still high priced but look to be on the verge of coming down. Supplies are light due to Chile being finished for the season. The Mexican and domestic grown desert grapes are available in light volumes which are building. Quality is being reported as very nice. Cooler than normal temperatures in the new growing areas ahs been keeping volume down. The market is steady.

Transitions:
Mexican and domestic grapes are being harvested now and the offshore crop is finished for the season.

Red grapes are in a steady to lower market. Offshore supplies are depleted nearly 100%. Grapes from Mexico are going now with building volumes. The desert started in a small way this past weekend and is also building volume. Sizing on the new crop is mainly Medium Large. Quality is being reported as very nice.

Transitions:
Red grapes are being harvested from Mexico and the Coachella valley now. Offshore grapes are basically done for the season now.

We have had plenty of crossings from Mexico on both iced and iceless green onions. The market remains relatively competitive. Quality has improved as we have seen our share of yellow to brown discoloration of the tops.

There continues to be plenty of supplies of kale from all growing regions. The market though does vary by loading location. Quality has been excellent with minimal yellowing or dehydration. There have been full cartons with vibrant green color.

Good availability will continue on this commodity for the entire week. Some shippers have firmed up their pricing but overall this market is steady. The quality issues have been minimal. Aside from occasional mechanical, and slight puffiness, good quality has been reported from inspectors. Weights are averaging 42-46 pounds on liner product. Santa Maria production is stronger, but the bulk of lettuce is coming out of the Salinas Valley. Pricing is competitive.

Good availability will continue on romaine as well as all leaf items for the week. The holiday pull is over and supplies are very good. Shippers are flexing on romaine with decent size orders. There continues to be some fringe and tip burn issues associated with this commodity. The weights on romaine are averaging 31-36 pounds with 10-13 inches in length. Romaine hearts have strong availability. Green and red leaf will be plentiful throughout the week. Defects on leaf that have been seen upon arrivals include fringe burn, and mechanical damage. Santa Maria will have moderate production with fair quality.

Cantaloupes are increasing in volume over the next week. Demand has been pretty good for a while now and looks to possibly increase then taper off after schools get out towards the end of May and the beginning of June. Quality continues to be excellent with a few problems such as softness showing up. We have good volume on 9's, 12's and 15's. The weather has been ideal for growing in all regions and this trend looks to continue. Mexico has started packing lopes and the desert has started with small volume. Domestic lopes are being packed in the desert now with volumes that will continue to increase. Offshore supplies are past their peak now and some shippers are finished for the season. The market is currently lower to .

Transitions:
Domestic melons and Mexican melons are being packed. Some offshore shippers are done for the season.

Honeydews are in an oversupply situation for the next week or so. Mexico has started with their honeydews and they are very nice too. Mexican dews are peaking on 5's and 6's which has brought down the market to promotable levels. The desert has started in a small way and is building volume. Quality has been very nice for offshore dews with almost 99% of them arriving in excellent condition. Weather is ideal for growing honeydews in all areas. The market is lower to steady.

Transitions:
Domestic and Mexican dews are being packed and shipped while offshore supplies are winding down with some shippers being finished for the season.

Quality and condition and conventional seedless continue to be good. Personal seedless are available in limited supply peaking on smaller sizes. Sonora spring crop continues to be good,cooler weather has slowed production slightly. Sugar has improved . Good demand on all sizes, peaking on larger fruit. mostly bins available and cartons being packed to order.

Onions are still shipping out of storage in Idaho and Washington. Supplies will finish up in the next week or so out of Idaho. Quality is surprising good for this late in the season. Market is steady on both yellow and red onions with very light demand. Washington shippers have about 3 to 4 weeks left before they will finish for the season. Quality is also very nice. Market is steady. New crop supplies are shipping out of Southern California, Winter Garden, Texas, New Mexico, Northern Mexico, and Georgia. Quality and sizing is being reported as good out of most of these areas. Winter Garden, Texas is the only area that is struggling with sizing only peaking on Medium/Jumbo's. Sizing is suppose to improve late next week. Market is steady. Growers in the Northwest were able to get next years storage crop into the ground. It is now into the hands of mother nature. Weather has been cool which was good for the plantings. The forecast is finally calling for a warming trend which will help the crop grow. We will keep you posted as condition change. Look for the markets to stay steady at lower levels for the foreseeable future.

Washington -- D'anjou pears are steady on all sizes and still peaking on US#1 80/90/100s. Small sizes remain very short esp. now that the packing ahs finished. The quality has been good. Red pears are steady and they are still peaking on US#1 50-size half cartons but supplies remain light. The quality has been good.

Chile - Argentinian Bartletts are steady and remain large with 100-size and larger fruit only. Chilean Packhams are steady and they are heavier to larger fruit but all sizes are available on the west coast. Both Argentinian and Chilean Bosc pears are steady and heavy to 100 size and larger. Chilean Forelles are steady and they are still peaking on smaller fruit. The quality for all has been good.

Transitions:
California is scheduled to start packing new-crop Bartlett pears on July 6-10 approximately.

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

Supplies from the tropic's are very strong and look to stay good through June.

Supplies of large cartons potatoes (40- 70 count) out of Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin continue to be in shorter supply. Small potatoes (90 count and smaller) continue with ample supply as do 6oz #2's. This trend could continue as we progress through the end of this year storage crop. Market's have settled in for a gradual upward trend. Quality is good/fair with a few lots still showing some light internal bruising, hollow heart and occasional soft rot. Light retail demand for the non-A bags has some shippers only running short days which is helping keep supplies of the cartons tighter. I would recommend to stay a head on supplies as orders with large counts are taking a couple of extra days to get loaded. Growers have been able to get next years crop into the ground and it is now in the hands of mother nature. We will keep you posted as weather condition change that could affect this crop.

Bakersfield California -- golds, whites, and reds are steady to slightly lower on all sizes. All colors are peaking on A size. Premium/Bakers and C-size remain short for all colors. The quality is good with minimal skinning.
Phoenix, Arizona -- Red and gold potatoes are steady on all cartons and all are peaking on A size. Gold supplies are limited this week. The quality is good.
South Florida -- most shippers are finished with all colors but a couple suppliers are still packing and the market is steady to lower. The quality has been good.
North, Florida -- red, white, and gold potatoes are steady to lower with increased supplies of all colors. Number two product is relatively limited in all colors. All colors are peaking on A-size and the quality is good.

Alerts:
B size reds are limited in most areas while A size is plentiful.

Peak Seasons:
Florida and Bakersfield are in the peak of their respective seasons.

The squash market is very steady. Demand has been very good with lack of supply from western regions. Central Florida has steady supplies of good quality fruit. South Georgia has started but the yields are low on the acreage growers are working now due to the freeze they experienced in March. With the warm sunny forecast this week and more growers starting for the season, volume should increase this weekend and next week. South Carolina will start with light supplies this week, there is not much acreage planted in the state but it will take some of the pressure off the market. We expect demand to stay strong through the week.

Transitions:
Plant City has steady supplies and Georgia supplies will start to pick up next week.

Peak Seasons:
Squash is moving to peak availability next week. Quality and supply should be good this weekend.

Yellow Squash and Italian Squash are winding down shipping from Sonora. Yellow squash is in very short supply and Italian is also limited. Cool weather has slowed the new crop in California. 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.

Transitions:
Squash is transitioning from Nogales Arizona to Central California, there is a gap in production caused by cooler than normal temperatures.

The import stone fruit season is finished. 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. Stone Fruit harvesting has started slowly in the San Joaquin Valley. Nectarines, peaches and apricots are being packed. Plums are coming later this week. Cool temperatures in the new growing areas has held back harvesting in volumes as the fruit slowly matures. The market is lower on what is being harvested

Transitions:
Domestic production is under way. Cool temperatures have kept he volume down and delayed start dates but the weather is warming up now.

Tomato supplies in Florida have curtailed since south Florida transitioned to central growing districts where plantings have been reduced by as much as 1500 acres as a result of cheap markets cutting into grower earnings in the first part of the year. Hot, dry weather has reduced yields amongst 2nd and 3rd picks further causing a supply shortage for the first time this year with markets rising dollars this week. Markets are expected to remain tight into the first part of June until South Carolina gets started. Demand for Florida grown grape tomatoes has risen with yields being reduced in the west. Cherry tomatoes have followed suit firming up this week as buyers look to Florida where quality in general is superior to its western counterpart. Overall supply will be short through the rest of the month until the Quincy and Beaufort programs begin in the first part of June.

Nogales is finishing up sooner than anticipated with poor quality yields from crops that weren’t tended to due to low markets in previous months. New growing areas out of Baja have began production where yields are marginal this time of year. Roma tomatoes are currently short out of Baja and are expected to come into better production this week helping the transition of western supply. Grape tomatoes have also transitioned to Baja where cherry tomatoes are available in limited numbers. Western re-packers will have the option to reduce their weekly pulls from Florida offsetting their freight cost to keep price competitive in the rising market.