Weather Update
A couple of cold fronts move into California this week keeping temperatures 5-10 degrees below average along with an increased marine layer near the coast. There is a slight chance of showers possible along with strong winds (20--35mph) as these system pass through early this week with slight warming expected late this week.
Baja and Northern Mexico will see cooler temperatures and gusty winds as these systems pass well to the north.
increasing moisture from the Gulf will bring scattered showers and slight cooling to Central Mexico through the week.
A weak frontal boundary stalls over South Florida bringing isolated showers and thunderstorms to the region as high pressure to the north keeps these regions dry into the weekend.
Freight Update
California trucks remain tight due to the Memorial Day holiday pull. Washington and Idaho potato trucks remain steady. The National Average for diesel is currently at 2.357 per gallon, an increase of .06 from last week. A difference of .557 from this time last year. California prices are up as well and are currently at 2.673 per gallon. Crude oil rose remained steady and is now at 48.11 per barrel.
Commodity Updates (Click row for summary)
Washington - Red delicious are steady to higher on most sizes but especially 113s and smaller. Most shippers are still peaking on extra-fancy 72/80/88s. Most shippers are subbing up to the extra-fancy grades to cover volume orders of the fancy grade especially in the smaller sizes. Golden Delicious are steady on all sizes and grades and are still peaking on Wash-Extra 100/113s. Most suppliers don't have much larger than an 88-size Golden. Granny Smith are also steady on all sizes and they continue to peak on 88-113s. Most suppliers still don't have much larger than an 88 or smaller than a 125. Galas are steady to slightly higher and firm due to light supplies. The market will continue to slowly rise until the end of the season. Most Gala suppliers still don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are also steady to slightly higher on all sizes and firm due to light supplies. The Fuji market will also continue to slowly climb until the end of the season. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. Pink Lady's remain steady but firm due to very strong demand. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady to higher and supplies remain limited for all sizes. Reds continue to peak on 80/88s. McIntosh, Galas, Jonathans, and Red Rome are still available but supplies are extremely short. The quality for all varieties has been good.
New York - Red delicious, McIntosh, and red Romes are all steady but supplies are very limited. Small fruit remains very short in all varietys. The remaining McIntosh are very large. The fruit quality has been good.
Chile - Chilean Galas are steady to slightly lower on both sides of the country. Imported Galas peaking on 100-size and larger, the quality has been good. Imported Braeburns and Pink Lady's will be available at the end of this week.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Coopersville/Belding/Sparta, MI | Steady/Higher | Good |
Hudson/Pleasant Valley/Red Hook, NY | Steady | Good |
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR | Steady/Higher | Good |
Chile | Steady | Good |
Volume from California is slowing down. Washington, Peru, and New Jersey are still strong. Markets are steady.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Salinas Valley, CA | Higher | Good |
San Joaquin Valley, CA | Higher | Good |
Yakima, WA | Steady | Good |
Ica, Peru to Trujillo | Steady | Good |
New Jersey | Steady | Good |
California will be peaking over the next few weeks with good volume. Size is skewed to small fruit, creating a supply hole for the mid-sized and large fruit. Demand is exceeding supplies with Mexico's short fall in supplies.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Oxnard/Ventura, CA | Steady/Higher | Good |
Temecula/Escondido, CA | Steady/Higher | Good |
Mexico's shipments to the US has stabilized some, but is still down nearly 40% from what it was just a few weeks ago. The avocado industry still has a big hole in the supply line, but we are seeing some signs that they are staring to catch up. Supplies are still very tight on the key sizes of 40s/48s/60's, but markets are starting to stabilize. We are still looking at late June to the beginning of July when Mexico starts their Flor Loca crop, before any real volume increase is expected.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Michoacan, Mexico | Steady/Higher | Good |
Green bell pepper- Most growers in Mexico are finished. Southern California is shipping good size and quality, volume is improving with very good demand.
Red bell peppers- Mexico is winding way down with most shippers finished. Quality is fair only with some product being discounted.
Yellow bell pepper- Most growers in Mexico have finished. California has started with good quality and all sizes being offered.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Coachella Valley, CA | Steady | Good |
Mexican production has already passed peak for this season and has begun to decrease in volume. California production out of Watsonville has started in a light way. Quality has improved, fewer reports of red cell and soft berries. Earlier reports of a possible gap period seem to have diminished. It now looks as if CA production will ramp up just in time to replace the diminishing volume out of Mexico.
Transitions:
California production is increasing out of Watsonville area.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Central Mexico | Steady | Good |
Watsonville, CA | Steady | Good |
Domestic production is increasing with good availability out of California, Georgia, Carolinas and many of the smaller (regional) areas as well. With higher volumes, more shippers are packing into larger clamshells of pints, 18oz, 1# and 2#. FL production has slowed down. Overall, good volumes are reported again this week. Mexico continues to produce steadily. Availability and quality remain good in all areas. Promotional opportunity is available. Memorial Day ads are increasing demand this week and should continue with better demand into the first of June.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
North Carolina | Steady | Good |
Georgia | Steady | Good |
Central Valley, CA | Steady | Good |
Central Mexico | Lower/Steady | Good |
Central Mexico production is beginning to decrease but California production is beginning to increase out of Watsonville and Santa Maria. Oxnard is also producing raspberries. Quality has been good out of all areas. Minimal reports of mold on the Mexican raspberries.
Transitions:
Santa Maria and Watsonville production will continue to increase over the next several weeks as Central Mexico winds down for the season.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Central Mexico | Steady | Good |
Santa Maria, CA | Steady | Good |
Watsonville, CA | Steady | Good |
Oxnard, CA | Steady | Good |
California strawberry production continues to increase in Watsonville and Salinas. Santa Maria has passed peak production and some shippers are diverting some ranches into freezer/processing due to weaker demand and weaker markets over the past few weeks following Mother's Day and the high volume production out of the northern districts. Demand has increased some to begin this week as Memorial Day ads and retail demand increase through the first of June. Quality has been good out of all areas. Salinas and Watsonville sizing in the low-mid teens and Santa Maria sizing in the mid-upper teens per 1 pound clamshell.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Salinas Valley, CA | Steady | Good |
Watsonville, CA | Steady | Good |
Santa Maria, CA | Steady | Good |
Broccoli supplies vary form shipper to shipper as well as growing regions. There are steady supplies from Mexico but they are continuing to see hallow heart. Quality is still very nice out of Salinas and Santa Maria with dark green color and minimal yellowing. The market on the other hand has strengthened. Also it looks as if that the market will start to increase as the week progresses.
Alerts:
Limited supplies this week and the market is trending higher.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Salinas Valley, CA | Higher | Good |
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA | Higher | Good |
Celaya Guanjuato Mexico | Steady/Higher | Fair |
Supplies have been increasing weekly out of Mexico. Oxnard is right around the corner for the domestic crop. The market is finally getting to reasonable prices. Quality is still fair out of Mexico with inconsistent sizing, black to brown discoloration, and mechanical damage.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico | Lower/Steady | Fair |
The Coachella and Imperial Valley crop is done. The Bakersfield crop has begun and picking up in production. Growth rate is also showing some improvement and starting to yield a better percentage of Jumbo size, still a low percent, but improving. Supply of baby peeled carrots are good.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Bakersfield/Santa Maria, CA | Steady | Excellent |
The cauliflower market remains at high levels. Supplies are sporadic form all shippers. And at the same time I feel the market has reached its peak. There have been quality issues upon arrivals such as bruising and brown discoloration. Most suppliers are quoting light supplies for the week.
Alerts:
We still have limited supplies and elevated markets.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Salinas Valley, CA | Steady/Higher | Fair |
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA | Steady/Higher | Fair |
Demand has picked up and the market is slightly stronger. Production in Salinas will be delayed a few days. Expect some production by the end of this week. Supplies continue to be strong on large sizing in Oxnard and Santa Maria. Small sizes have tightened up, and demanding a higher price. Good quality is being reported from all shippers. Michigan is in production and this region is packing heavier to large sizing.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Michigan | Steady | Good |
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA | Higher | Good |
For the most part, the California cherry season has come to an end. With the exception of just a few houses packing today to cover Memorial Day ad commitments, the majority of shippers have finished their production. It is now time to transition to the North West. Washington will start this week with very light numbers. Availability will be extremely limited as demand far exceeds supplies. Although production is expected to increase as we move into June, harvest numbers are estimated to be on the light side until July. Market prices are escalated and are expected to remain firm all next week.
Alerts:
Very limited harvest starting in Washington. California has come to an end.
Transitions:
Washington is getting started this week with limited numbers. Production is expected to increase in June, but volume will remain light until July.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Yakima, WA | Higher | Good |
Serrano - Some growers are finishing and others are starting new fields. Quality remains good with better demand.
Anaheim - Sizing and quality remain good. More product being offered. Excellent size and color.
Pablano - Slightly lighter supply with some growers finishing. Good quality and condition expected to continue.
Tomatillo - Very good supply and quality. Extra large sizes available.
Jalapeno - good quality and condition are available with excellent size.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Northern Sonora, Mexico | Steady | Good |
Cilantro supplies remain steady from the Salinas Valley, Santa Maria, Oxnard, and Mexico. The market varies from shipper to shipper depending on the loading area. Quality reports have been minimal yellowing, dehydration, and black leaves.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Salinas, CA | Steady | Good |
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA | Steady | Good |
Baja, MX | Steady | Good |
The central valley crop is winding down their season and the Ventura crop is our main supplier. Demand is very strong and continues to build. We are seeing 140s/165s/200s supplies clean up daily and many shippers sold out for the week by mid week.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Merced/Bakersfield, CA | Higher | Good |
Oxnard/Ventura, CA | Higher | Good |
The lime market remains high on the 110 & 150ct but they are coming down a bit. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. The peak size has remained in the smaller sizes such as 250ct and 230ct. This is the time of year where overall supplies are low and will remain at lower levels until the third or fourth week of May. The overall long term upward market trend has broken and lower prices are happening. Quality is good overall. The overall supplies are now increasing. The market is lower on the 175 - 250ct limes.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Veracruz, Mexico | Lower | Excellent |
Shippers have good supplies of large sizes with crop peaking on 72s/56s. Smaller sizes (88s/113s/138s) have reached demand exceed supply. Some shippers have been packing new crop Valencia oranges for export and have began packing some small sizes for domestic use, but availability is very limited until more shippers come on line.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Merced to Bakersfield, CA | Steady | Good |
Riverside, CA | Steady | Good |
Supply on cucumbers has decreased as the season comes to an end in Mexico. There are less supply from the northern district. Quality is only fair all sizes and pack styles, peaking on Select. The color is good. Euro cucumbers are available with limited supply in number one and number two pack styles.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico | Steady | Fair |
Eggplant has finished in Mexico and is now being harvested in Southern California Excellent color and condition on new crop product. Not to many growers offering product.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Southern CA | Steady | Good |
Green grape supplies remain consistent. Loading in Coachella, Nogales and LA. Market prices have come down slightly again today and are expected to remain steady for the remainder of the week. Quality has been strong in all locations. Perls, Sugarone and Early Sweets are available to load in Nogales and LA. Coachella is offering Perls and Sugarone.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Sonora, Mexico | Lower/Steady | Good |
Coachella Valley, CA | Lower/Steady | Good |
Red grape supplies and quality continue to remain strong in both locations. Nogales has plenty of product available and prices are set a few dollars lower than the CA fruit. Coachella also has plenty of good quality red grapes, but market prices remain slightly higher than MX. All sizes are available, but fruit is peaking in the Large range.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Sonora, Mexico | Lower | Good |
Coachella Valley, CA | Lower/Steady | Good |
As we enter this week, there continues to be plenty of supplies of iced and iceless green onions. The market is flat with deals for volume orders. Quality is really nice with little yellowing of the tops.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Mexicali, Baja | Steady | Good |
kale remains the staple of the super food trend. And with that more acreage has been devoted to this commodity. Supplies remain stable and the market varies from each supplier. Quality has been excellent with good sizing, little yellowing, and dehydration.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Salinas, CA | Steady | Excellent |
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA | Steady | Excellent |
Baja, MX | Steady | Excellent |
This market is steady with most suppliers to begin the week. There is flexing on large orders from a few shippers. Minimal rain and overall good weather temperatures has allowed this commodity to be more abundant. Demand has fallen off. Some defects on lettuce continues. Expect to see defects like irregular size heads, puffy, ribby and slight insect damage. The weights are averaging 41-45 pounds on wrap. Expect this market to be competitive on pricing at least until the middle of the week.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA | Steady | Fair |
Salinas Valley, CA | Steady | Fair |
Lighter demand has forced shippers to come off on pricing on all leaf items. Yields are lower than expected, but the availability of product is enough to fill all orders. Issues continue on all leaf items. These issues include fringe burn, insect damage and slight mildew. Salinas and Santa Maria are the main growing regions for these items. Oxnard is an option as well, although supplies are less than the previous mentioned growing areas. The romaine heart production continues to be on the light side. Escalated pricing continues on romaine and romaine hearts.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA | Lower | Fair |
Salinas Valley, CA | Lower | Fair |
The offshore melons are done being harvested now and the last supplies are being cleaned up this week. The desert has been shipping for a few weeks now and supplies are continuing to increase. Quality out of the desert is very nice while the remaining offshore supplies are acceptable in quality. The market is steady currently for domestic supplies and lower to steady for the offshore supplies.
Transitions:
Offshore melons are done and the desert is our source now. The San Joaquin Valley starts the first week of July.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Yuma, AZ | Steady | Excellent |
Maricopa, AZ | Steady | Excellent |
Zacapa, Guatemala | Lower/Steady | Fair |
The desert started shipping honeydews a few weeks ago. Supplies are increasing as the offshore supplies finish up this week. Mexico has good supplies and quality. The desert quality is good also. Offshore quality is acceptable. The market is lower on all sizes.
Transitions:
Offshore harvesting ended and will finish shipping this week here in the states. The desert has dews and volume is increasing.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Maricopa, AZ | Lower | Excellent |
Yuma, AZ | Lower | Excellent |
Hermosillo, Mexico | Lower | Excellent |
Zacapa, Guatemala | Lower | Fair |
Product is now being shipped from Northern Mexico, Western Arizona and Southern California The supply has increased along with the demand. Warm weather has increased production. Shippers are promoting to increase the movement for the Memorial Holiday. Quality condition and brix are all very good. All sizes being offered in both bins and cartons, peaking on larger fruit (36s, 45s, and some 60s). Personal watermelons are being offered in all sizes with good quality and condition being reported.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Northern Sonora, Mexico | Lower/Steady | Good |
Main shipping area for onions this week is Southern California. Quality is still being reported as good. Weather is very hot, so the grower need to keep the onions shipping. Market is firm. Central California onions growers will start to break ground on their Yellow onions the middle of this week with Red and White next week. New Mexico will start to break ground next week in a small way. Heavy rains in New Mexico growing region late last week has push the start up date by a few days. Growers in Uvalde, Texas will start shipping onions the middle of this week. Their crop is peaking on Mediums. Quality out of this area will show some light staining for the first week or so from rains from last week. Look for the market to stay active and firm into the middle of next week.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Calipatria/El Centro, CA | Higher | Good |
Huron/Metler, CA | Higher | Good |
McAllen/Uvalde, TX | Higher | Good |
Washington - D'anjou pears are steady to higher. Supplies of 110-size and smaller are still extremely limited. The remaining C.A. fruit is peaking on US#1 70/80/90's so expect small pears to remain limited until the end of the season. The quality on domestic D'anjous has been good.
Chile - Argentinian Bartletts remain steady but are cleaning up. Chilean Packhams are steady and continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s, but there is some smaller fruit on the West Coast. Chilean Bosc & Argentinian Bosc are also steady and continue to peak on 70-100s but there is some smaller fruit on the west coast. The quality on all of the imported varieties has been good.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR | Steady/Higher | Good |
Chile | Steady | Good |
Supplies are good for most shippers, but still tight for others that are still hoping to see better volume in a couple of weeks.
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 |
Large carton potatoes (40-70 count) are limited out of all shipping ( Idaho, Colorado and Wisconsin) areas except Washington. Markets are firm on these sizes and are taking a couple of days to fill orders. Quality is still being reported as good out of most growing areas. Idaho is starting to show internal bruising and occasional lot starting to show some light peepers. Market on 90 count and smaller are steady out of all growing areas. Look for the market to continue to get stronger on the large cartons.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Hamer/Rupert, ID | Higher | Good |
Quincy/Hermiston, WA | Steady/Higher | Good |
Eastern Colorado | Higher | Good |
Plover/Bancroft, WI | Higher | Good |
Bakersfield, California - all colors are slightly lower. Golds, reds, and whites are all peaking on A-size and the availability is good. The new-crop quality has been good.
Phoenix, Arizona - Both red and gold potatoes are steady and both colors are still peaking on A-size. One supplier has finished for the season. The quality has been good.
Idaho - they are essentially finished for the season.
North Florida - reds, whites, and gold potatoes are steady to lower on most sizes. There are a few holes but the availability is generally good on all sizes. The quality has been good.
Pearsall, Texas - The red market is lower and the availability is good. The quality has been reported as good.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Bakersfield, CA | Lower/Steady | Good |
Phoenix, AZ | Steady | Good |
Hastings/Bunnell/East Palatka, FL | Lower/Steady | Good |
Pearsall, TX | Lower/Steady | Good |
Hard Squash is finishing in Mexico and is transitioning to southern California. Yellow and Italian squash are being harvested with limited supply as they are also winding down to a finish in Mexico. Some lots of yellow squash are showing condition issues with Italian squash being mostly larger sizes. Mexico will finish shipping very soon. California is just getting started with good Quality and supply.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Santa Maria, CA | Steady | Good |
Excellent supplies of all stone fruit. A wide range of sizes are available for both Tray Pack and Volume Fill peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums. Quality has been very strong. Markets continue to adjust lower as more varieties and volume becomes available. Aggressive promotional opportunities are being offered for future ads as well as daily spot buys. Plutos are just getting started. More varieties are expected to become available as we move forward.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Madera south to Arvin, CA | Lower/Steady | Excellent |
Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies still looking good in the east, with Palmetto/Ruskin shippers strong numbers. Rains look like it didn't slow things up to much, however, there may be a slight issue with quality, but for now, quantity and quality are good. Mexico continues production with the Western mainland, central mexico, and baja areas. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies on the Roma's also continue to look good in the east. Look for numbers to continue over the next few weeks. Mexico also looks to be in good supplies, with the 3 areas in production. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is steady. Florida continues to see volume on cherry's, but should tighten up due to the weather. Look for demand to get stronger, as well as prices. Mexico continues to see lighter numbers, with Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is steady. Grapes in Florida are on the downhill slide in Florida, but will be up and going in Sout Carolina next week. Aside from hothouse, growers look to be finishing up in Mexico. Look for Torreon and Baja to start to pick up. Quality is Good.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Northern Florida | Steady | Good |
Southern Florida | Steady | Good |
Rounds - The market is steady. Rounds look to be coming on in three main areas - Western mainland, central mexico, and baja. Mainland looks to be winding down. Back east, Palmetto/Ruskin continues to see solid numbers. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Much like the rounds, roma's are also in production in the three areas. Back east, Florida also looking good with supplies, and should continue over the next several weeks. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is steady. Few cherry's out of Mexico, with higher FOB's. Back east, supplies continue to be strong. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is steady. Aside from a few hothouses, growers look to be finishing up on grapes. However, look for Torreon and Baja to pick up he pace. Florida about done back east, but, South Carolina should begin production next week. Quality is Good.
Growing Region | Market | Quality |
---|---|---|
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico | Steady | Good |
Southern Baja California Sur, Mexico | Steady | Good |
Central Sonora, Mexico | Steady | Good |
Things You Should Know
Broccoli
Limited supplies this week and the market is trending higher.
Cauliflower
We still have limited supplies and elevated markets.
Cherries
Very limited harvest starting in Washington. California has come to an end.
Transitions and Temperatures
Cherries
Washington is getting started this week with limited numbers. Production is expected to increase in June, but volume will remain light until July.
Melon (Honeydew)
Offshore harvesting ended and will finish shipping this week here in the states. The desert has dews and volume is increasing.
Berries (Blackberries)
California production is increasing out of Watsonville area.
Berries (Raspberries)
Santa Maria and Watsonville production will continue to increase over the next several weeks as Central Mexico winds down for the season.
Melon (Cantaloupe)
Offshore melons are done and the desert is our source now. The San Joaquin Valley starts the first week of July.