The Source - May 23, 2018

Weather Update

A strong late season upper-level low-pressure system moves into California late this week with light rain and drizzle expected across the Central Coast along with a deepening marine layer influencing most of coastal California. This cooler pattern with coastal drizzle looks to continue into next week. High pressure strengthens over Central Mexico with a few isolated showers and warmer conditions into next week. Regions to the north will continue with seasonably warm and dry conditions into next week. Florida and the southeast will continue to be impacted by heavy rains as a slow-moving tropical disturbance moves into the Gulf of Mexico. We will continue to monitor this system for possible intensification over the few days.

Freight Update

California trucks have been adequate early in the week but seem to tighten up as the week progresses. Look for trucks to tighten up next week as drivers stay home for the Memorial Day holiday. Freight rates continue to increase. Washington apple truck supply is steady. Idaho potato trucks remain steady as well. The national average on diesel remained steady this week and is currently at 3.277 per gallon. An increase of .738 from this time last year. California prices increased as well and are now at 3.973 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is currently at 72.13 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

Washington Red Delicious and Red Varietal Apple market have started to stabilize as school finish. Export demand continues to be good. Fuji supplies are winding down quickly and are only in a few hands with other red varietals to follow. Granny Smith supplies are good with moderate demand. Sizing is peaking on 100/113/125. Braeburn and Jonagold will be the first to finish up for the season. Gold Delicious movement is steady to good with sizing peaking on Prem/Waxf #1 80-100s. Regional shippers in Michigan and Pennsylvania are finished for the season which has put more pressure on Washington. New York has limited supplies of reds. Quality on all flavors has been good with few reports of issues.

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

Ciudad Obregon, Mexico will probably be wrapped up next week due to seasonality. Guanajuato, Mexico is starting with light volume this week but should be increasing volume over the next few weeks. Gonzales, CA still has decent volume with their weather pattern remaining unchanged, volume should start to decrease in the next 2-3 weeks as their season wraps up during the first week in July. Washington State weather remains unchanged, and volume should be similar to last week. Volume in both Ica, and Trujillo, Peru also remains unchanged from last week. Airfreight from Peru is starting to drop as many exporters are moving their transportation needs to maritime. Markets on both coasts are lower due to the Memorial Day holiday next week and local supplies.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Michigan has started with light volume.

Growing Region Market Quality
Ica, Peru to Trujillo Lower/Steady Good
Gonzales, CA Lower/Steady Good
Yakima, WA Steady Good
Cuidad Obregon, Mexico Lower/Steady Fair
Guanajuato, Mexico Lower/Steady Good
Avocado (California)

California production was steady last week and looks to stay at this level through the month before ramping back up early in June. Export demand remains strong. The crop is currently peaking on 48s & 60s. Fruit is ripening well and has good flavor.

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

Mexico's harvest volumes are beginning to dip this week as the Mexican crop is beginning to wind down to its seasonal end of their normal crop toward the end of May / mid-June. We anticipate levels to dip to around 20 to 25 million pounds through the month. Demand is strong, and we are still seeing tighter supply situation on 48s & 60s #1 fruit.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady Good
Bell Peppers (Eastern) Alert

Bell pepper supply is getting better as growers in Georgia are starting. Continuous rain in Florida has slowed harvest for the past two weeks, and some quality issues are starting to show up. All reports from Georgia are of good quality product with good size and color. Volume is light but will pick up by next week. Florida will continue through the end of the month.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Heavy rain in Florida is making harvest difficult.

Transitions:
Bell Pepper is transitioning to Georgia.

Growing Region Market Quality
Hillsborough / Western Collier County, FL Lower/Steady Good
Lee / Grady County, GA Steady Excellent
Bell Peppers (Western)

Green Bell Peppers - Very light supplies in Nogales, from Mexico. The market remains very strong, demand is high, especially on retail packs ( x-large and large ). Pricing has increased considerably. Coachella’s harvest is producing a lower volume of green bells, as weather conditions a few weeks ago are now affecting the sizing of the fruit from older fields. Quality has mostly been very good. Supplies in Coachella will be available through May when there will be a transition to Bakersfield and California Coastal areas for Bell Pepper production.

Red Bell Peppers – lower supplies in Nogales continues to be the trend. However, fewer trucks are going to Nogales for mixed loads of vegetables, and demand has slowed a bit. Quality is mostly fair in Nogales; some growers are still packing a nice red pepper. The market remains strong. Coachella now has good supplies of red bells to offer; pricing is higher than peppers being sold from Mexico. Quality in Coachella has been good. Light supplies also available to load out of San Diego with hothouse peppers being grown in Baja California

Yellow Bell Peppers – light supply in Nogales as season winds down. Mostly hothouse varieties available. Quality is mostly fair with some growers still packing high-quality fruit in Nogales. Coachella now has yellow bell pepper to offer. Light supply also available to load in San Diego, from Baja California.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Southern Sonora, Mexico Steady Fair
Southern Sinaloa/Nayarit, Mexico Steady Fair
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Good
Berries (Blackberries)

Not much change to report on blackberries this week. Supplies are gradually increasing. Domestic harvest is improving, and we have an overlap of Mexico production. Santa Maria is slowly ramping up, and Salinas / Watsonville are expected to start by the beginning of June. Georgia continues with steady volume. Quality in all areas is good. Market prices have been segmented by area. New domestic harvest is higher and has been steady whereas Mexican fruit being sold out of Texas has seen some decline in market price. Moving forward, we expect Mexico to phase out over the next two weeks as California and Georgia production increases.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Central Mexico Lower/Steady Good
Alma, GA Steady Good
Berries (Blueberries) Alert

Blueberry supplies remain limited this week. Unfortunately, rain continues to affect all the southeast growing region, prolonging harvest delays and effecting yields. Florida is done with fresh harvest, and Georgia volumes are far below expected. In large part due to the recent wet and cold weather, but all varieties are being affected by early season freeze. We expect supplies to remain limited in Georgia for the next week. North Carolina has begun with light volumes this week and is expected to gradually ramp up production next week and start peak harvest the beginning of June. California production is finally increasing this week with fruit available in the central valley. We expect supplies to improve week over week moving forward. Quality on California fruit is being reported as strong with firm berries and good color. Market prices remain high this week with little movement due to limited supplies. We expect to see a very gradual decline over the next two weeks as more fruit becomes available.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies are still limited and prices remain higher.

Peak Seasons:
North Carolina will slowly ramp up over the next two weeks and is expected to start peak harvest the first week of June. California is slowly increasing production with peak harvest expected to begin the second week of June.

Growing Region Market Quality
Central Valley, CA Steady/Higher Good
Georgia Steady/Higher Fair
North Carolina Higher Good
Berries (Raspberries)

Raspberry supplies continue to improve as domestic harvest increases. Santa Maria continues to see improved volumes, and Salinas / Watsonville has started to scratch the surface with harvest this week. Also, we have an overlap of Mexican harvest that is gradually winding down. Quality is being reported as strong in all areas, and market prices have been fairly steady. Most shippers have open fruit available to ship this week and are expecting better supplies next week. We will see market prices slowly decline.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Santa Maria, CA Lower/Steady Good
Salinas, CA Lower/Steady Good
Central Mexico Lower/Steady Good
Berries (Strawberries)

Strawberry supplies continue to be good this week, but volumes are light are market prices are firmer. Most shippers have decided to focus harvest efforts in Salinas and Watsonville and use the Santa Maria fruit for freezer or juice. This is the result of a depressed market and overabundance of supplies. By diverting a large portion of fruit to processing, the fresh cut supplies are more in line with demand and help to stabilize markets. That being said, certain shippers continue to have good quality fruit available in Santa Maria, if that is a more convenient loading location for your truck. Market prices are starting to increase slowly. Salinas and Watsonville are stronger than Santa Maria, but shippers will simply not harvest for a loss. I expect to see some cheaper residual fruit from last week floating around the markets front part of this week and fade out by Wednesday. Moving forward, we expect to have consistent supplies, good quality, and stable markets.

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

The broccoli market has seen its peak. Demand has fallen, and it seems as if there will be a decline in prices from all growing regions. Supplies have increased as well. Quality has remained good through this small supply gap with minimal dehydration, yellowing, or decay.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Steady/Higher Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Good
McAllen, TX Steady/Higher Good
Brussels Sprouts Alert

We have seen a steady decline of supplies from Mexico. Also, there are now quality reports on the product from Mexico arriving with decay, black discoloration, and yellowing. The market is extremely active and looks to continue to rise through next week. Supplies out of Oxnard are minimal and not enough to support the decrease in supplies from Mexico.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies out of Mexico are extremely limited with the market trending much higher.

Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Higher Fair
Oxnard, CA Higher Good
Carrots

California carrot supplies are good on value-added packs and medium-size carrot. We are now seeing a better percentage of jumbo sizes coming out of the fields of the Coachella Valley.

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

The cauliflower market varies from shipper to shipper. Although it has been on a steady decline. Quality has improved with increased weights in the 27 to 30-pound level, less yellow to cream color, and minimal brown to black spotting. Supplies have also increased, putting pressure on suppliers to move excess product.

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

This market is steady to start the week. Large sizing is more readily available, but all orders for the most part are being filled to its entirety. Salinas will begin production in about two weeks in a light way then increase substantially the following weeks. The best deals continue to be on twenty-four counts. Flexing continues for orders with volume. Orders loading in Salinas continues to have a transfer fee that is added to the fob price.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Chili Peppers

Jalapeño – Supplies to remain consistent for the next few weeks in Nogales. Quality is mostly fair in Nogales; the market feels stronger. Jalapeno is now being harvested in Baja, with most fruit going directly to the L.A market. Light supplies also available in Coachella.

Pasilla – Lighter supplies available in Nogales. Some labels are showing quality defects on arrival due to high heat in the growing area. Supplies to remain lighter through the end of the crop. Light supplies also available in Coachella.

Anaheim – Lighter supplies available in Nogales. Demand is strong; quality is fair to good. The market feels stronger, demand exceeds. Light supplies also available in Coachella.

Tomatillo – Lighter supplies available on both husked and peeled tomatillos in Nogales. The market is lower but steady. Quality in Nogales is fair at best. Baja has begun to harvest for the summer, quality is good, most Baja fruit will be going directly to the L.A market.

Serrano – Light supplies are still available to load in Nogales. The market remains steady, the quality in Nogales is just fair.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central Sonora, Mexico Steady Fair
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Good
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady Good
Cilantro

We continue to see steady supplies of cilantro from all growing regions. The market has also remained fairly competitive. The quality has been nice with full bunches, minimal yellow to brown leaves, and little slimy decay.

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

The Central Valley crop is near its seasonal end toward the end of June. Fruit in this are peaking on 115s and larger sizes. The Ventura/Oxnard areas are becoming the main growing area and is also peaking on 115s and larger sizes. Demand is improving, especially on the smaller sizes of 162s/200s. These smaller sizes are beginning to sell out daily, and supplies are tight.

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

Lime supplies continue to improve across all sizes. Quality is being reported as good, and market prices are adjusting down as supplies increase. The weather forecast is calling for ranges between high 80's to low 90's over the next ten days. Shippers expect supplies to be consistent and larger fruit to become more available. This week, smaller size limes are seeing more aggressive prices as the volume continues to be greater than larger sizes. As we move forward, we will see promotable volumes on all sizes.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Veracruz, Mexico Lower Good
Citrus (Oranges)

Navel crop is winding down with only 4 or 5 shippers still packing, and supplies are very limited. Demand remains strong and market firm for Navels. Size structure is mostly large sizes 72s/56s/48s. California Valencia harvest is increasing, and available is improving. The Valencia's are very nice and peaking on 88s/72s/113s.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Merced to Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Riverside, CA Steady Good
Cucumbers (Eastern) Alert

There are good supplies of selects, tighter supplies of supers. Florida is still harvesting although the excessive rain is slowing harvest and taking its toll on quality. Georgia has started decent supplies with good quality and color. Volume will pick up towards the end of the month. There is a wide range of pricing with between selects and supers.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Good quality and supply of selects. Less supply of supers.

Transitions:
Transitioning to Georgia.

Peak Seasons:
Cucumbers are in peak season.

Growing Region Market Quality
Hillsborough / Western Collier County, FL Steady Good
Lee / Grady County, GA Steady Good
Cucumbers (Western)

Cucumber volume is beginning to decline in Nogales. Quality ranges from mostly fair to good. Supplies will continue to be available to load in Nogales through May. Cucumbers are also available in San Diego, from Baja California. The San Diego crop will produce through the summer. High volume is expected out of Baja. The market is steady. Pricing is higher in San Diego in Comparison to Nogales.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sonora, Mexico Lower/Steady Fair
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Eggplant (Eastern) Alert

Eggplant supplies are plentiful in Central Florida with the market being very weak. Quality is hit and miss with all the rain in the region. Georgia is late due to the cool spring. We look for a gap in the eggplant supply coming at the end of May.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Good pricing on eggplant this week. Look for supplies to tighten next week.

Peak Seasons:
Eggplant is in peak season.

Growing Region Market Quality
Hillsborough / Western Collier County, FL Lower/Steady Good
Eggplant (Western)

Eggplant supplies in Nogales continue to decline, as the season winds down. Quality remains fair with some hothouse varieties/labels still packing good fruit. The market remains steady. Coachella has begun their spring crop. Pricing is higher in Coachella. Quality in Coachella remains good. Low volume is projected for the Coachella crop this year.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico Steady Fair
Coachella, CA Steady Good
Grapes (Green)

Green grape numbers are starting to improve. Nogales has a good supply, and the quality is being reported as excellent. Coachella has finally started, with limited supplies, but it is the first domestic product of the year. Quality is also being reported as excellent.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Excellent
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Excellent
Grapes (Red)

Red grapes are finally done out of Chile, with the last of the East Coast orders having been shipped. Nogales has a steady supply coming out of Mexico, and the quality is being reported as excellent. The Coachella season is beginning to ramp up, and supplies are becoming more consistent. Quality is also being reported as excellent.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Excellent
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Good
Green Onions

Mexico has not skipped a beat with supplies of green onions crossing into the states. The market is competitive on both iced and iceless green onions. Quality is nice with green tops, white tips, and minimal yellow to brown discoloration.

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

Kale supplies are abundant in the Salinas Valley, Santa Maria, and Oxnard growing regions. The market is also very competitive. Quality is excellent with dark green color, minimal yellowing or dehydration.

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

Good supplies out of Salinas and Santa Maria continues. Slight mechanical and puffiness are the defects being reported, but minimally with most shippers. Weights on liner are averaging 41-44 pounds. Expect steady production numbers in northern and southern California for the rest of the week. Pricing will be competitive with flexing going on for large, volume type orders.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Lower/Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Lower/Steady Good
Lettuce Leaf

Romaine continues to be plentiful. This market is flat. All other leaf items are softer, and shippers are listening to offers. Romaine hearts will have strong supplies throughout the week, and multiple shippers are flexing. Production in Santa Maria will be moderate to good throughout the week. Common defects include wind damage, mechanical and a bit of mildew. Most suppliers are passing on rougher product so that the quality being shipped will have a good consistency. Weights continue to be good on all romaine and leaf products.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Lower/Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Lower/Steady Good
Lettuce Tender Leaf

Spring mix, baby spinach, and arugula both conventional and organic supplies have remained steady. The market is also steady. Optimal growing conditions in the Salinas Valley have opted well for the quality of tender leaf as well. We have seen minimal excessive wetness, slimy decay, or yellowing in arugula. Look for this to be the trend for the next couple weeks.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Melon (Cantaloupe)

As we have finished the offshore season as well as finishing the Mexico season as well, supplies have decreased significantly this week. The market is active on 9ct cantaloupes with heavier supplies of 12ct and 15ct. Quality is really nice with good sugar levels and no other defect.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Maricopa, AZ Higher Good
Brawley, CA Higher Good
Melon (Honeydew)

Honeydew supplies remain steady as we have started harvesting in Arizona and California. This coupled with supplies still coming from Mexico have kept the market steady. Quality has been nice with good sugar levels and minimal defects.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Good
Maricopa, AZ Steady Good
Brawley, CA Steady Good
Melon (Watermelon)

Seedless watermelon production from Mexico has now transitioned back north, to the state of Sonora. The spring crop is producing high volume, but sizing has remained smaller throughout the crop. Volume will continue to decline as the spring crop winds down. Grower estimates for supplies from Bakersfield are still in the planning stages. We will have more information as we get closer to transition out of Mexican fruit.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central Sonora, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Onions

Onions are still in an oversupply situation with a low but steady market on all sizes and colors. I don't see this changing anytime soon. New crop supplies are coming out of California, Texas, Mexico and New Mexico which just started this week. Quality is good with only a few issues being reported. Washington is still shipping good quality yellow coming out of storage. They will finish up in the next couple of weeks.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
New Mexico has just started packing yellow onions in a light way with reds to follow.

Growing Region Market Quality
Calipatria/El Centro, CA Steady Good
McAllen/Uvalde, TX Steady Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Las Cruces, NM Steady Good
Pears

Washington pear supplies are in only a few hands and are all being repacked due to quality. Sizing is 70/80/90's with only handfuls of smaller sizes. Demand on pears is very good.

On the import front, we have a few Packham and Bosc which are mostly in the 100 and larger.

Expect small pears to be much tighter than they have been. The only relief is California Bartlett pears, but it's too early to tell what size they will be, and at this point due to cooler than normal temperatures they won't be available until mid-July.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady/Higher Good
Chile Steady Excellent
Pineapples

Pineapple volume coming from the tropics remains good, but we are soon to see a small seasonal decline during the summer. This is planed production drop as summer time a period of good availability of other fruit types which compete with pineapples. Size peaking on 6s/7s.

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

The market is steady with moderate demand on most size cartons. Retail bales have light demand as the pull for the Memorial is over. Quality is still good out of all areas. Small/moderate size growers in Washington, Colorado, and Wisconsin have finished for the seasons putting extra demand on the remaining grower/shippers in those States with some buyers moving their business to Idaho. Look for markets to stay fairly steady on most sizes into the end of this month. Markets will start to firm slowly as we get into June.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Steady Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady/Higher Good
Eastern Colorado Steady/Higher Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Steady/Higher Good
Potatoes (colored)

Markets are steady with moderate demand. Florida, California, Idaho and Minnesota/North Dakota are the main shipping points. Arizona supplies are slowly building with Red and gold potatoes. Idaho supplies will slowly start to wind down Idaho. Quality overall is being reported as good. Minnesota/North Dakota have plenty of supplies of Reds. Look for the Red and Gold markets to stay steady at current levels into the middle of next month.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield, CA Steady Excellent
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady Good
Hastings/Bunnell/East Palatka, FL Steady/Higher Good
Red River Valley, ND Steady Excellent
Squash (Eastern) Alert

More shippers are starting in Georgia with good supplies and good quality. Florida shippers are still shipping from the central part of the state with decent quality even with all the rain. The market is steady on green; yellow is cheaper with more supply than demand.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Good Supplies of Squash

Transitions:
Squash is transitioning to Georgia

Peak Seasons:
Squash is in peak season

Growing Region Market Quality
Hillsborough / Sarasota County, FL Steady Good
Lee/Grady/Echols County, GA Steady Good
Squash (Western)

Mostly #2 Quality crossing through Nogales on both Italian and Yellow S/N. Nogales should be finishing up with squash within the next week. Santa Maria has begun harvesting Italian and Yellow S/N in light supply. Quality is good out of California.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Sonora, Mexico Lower/Steady Fair
Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Stone Fruit

Stone Fruit has picked up out of California and has seen better sizing and quantities. Peaches and Nectarines are more readily available, but plums have barely just started with very limited supply but should improve over the next few weeks. Quality on all stone fruit is being reported as good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Madera south to Arvin, CA Steady Good
Tomatoes (Eastern) Alert

Lessening supplies are pressing markets upwards as Florida faces repeated rain at the close of their growing season. There is pressure for northern Florida to start production on new crop but harvests are still a week or two away before beginning. With more showers in the schedule, quality and availability are a concern while fruit is left to sit on the vine exposed to the elements. Round tomatoes are being quoted daily with an increase of a couple more dollars from last week. Similarly, a lighter supply of Roma tomatoes are firming up prices on what is available, but the bulk of Roma demand will remain in Mexico for now. Cherry and grape tomatoes have also increased by $5 or more as supplies slow to an early seasonal end. Bulk grape tomatoes have surpassed the $30 FOB rising to meet buyer demand. With Quincy Florida on deck for mid-June harvest, the transition to North Florida may prove to be a rocky when with a supply gap occurring the first half of June as Central Florida wraps up early from the rain.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Florida rain may end the Palmetto-Ruskin season early creating a brief supply gap the first two weeks of June until Quincy and South Carolina break ground in Mid June

Growing Region Market Quality
Southern Florida Steady/Higher Fair
Tomatoes (Western)

Mexico’s imports are helping supply while Florida programs begin to transition north. There is a wide spectrum of fruit on the Mexican market with pricing equally representing what is paid for. It is not hard to find quotes for product listed at mandated minimums, but it is not priced without quality being factored in. Better product is selling for premiums a few dollars higher this week as Florida begins to slow down and buyers take into account the cost of freight against regional FOBS. Normally this time of May, Baja has supplies of romas to help meet demand but has been set back from weather and disease that has compromised crops. It is reasonable to expect FOBs to slowly climb each week while supply shrinks until the middle of June when both California and Florida break ground in new fields. Until then, the roma market has also begun to lift off, climbing a couple of dollars since last week. Quality is reported as sporadic with size varying widely between shippers. There is also a considerable variance in the quality of grape tomato crops as operations begin transitioning and shippers pick between fields. Markets are forecasted to go higher through the begging of June as supply grows limited

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Southern Nayarit/Sinaloa, Mexico Steady/Higher Fair

Things You Should Know

Bell Peppers (Eastern)
Heavy rain in Florida is making harvest difficult.

Berries (Blueberries)
Supplies are still limited and prices remain higher.

Brussels Sprouts
Supplies out of Mexico are extremely limited with the market trending much higher.

Cucumbers (Eastern)
Good quality and supply of selects. Less supply of supers.

Eggplant (Eastern)
Good pricing on eggplant this week. Look for supplies to tighten next week.

Squash (Eastern)
Good Supplies of Squash

Tomatoes (Eastern)
Florida rain may end the Palmetto-Ruskin season early creating a brief supply gap the first two weeks of June until Quincy and South Carolina break ground in Mid June

Transitions and Temperatures

Onions
New Mexico has just started packing yellow onions in a light way with reds to follow.

Squash (Eastern)
Squash is transitioning to Georgia

Cucumbers (Eastern)
Transitioning to Georgia.

Bell Peppers (Eastern)
Bell Pepper is transitioning to Georgia.

Asparagus
Michigan has started with light volume.

A Peak at Peak Seasons

Squash (Eastern)
Squash is in peak season

Eggplant (Eastern)
Eggplant is in peak season.

Cucumbers (Eastern)
Cucumbers are in peak season.

Berries (Blueberries)
North Carolina will slowly ramp up over the next two weeks and is expected to start peak harvest the first week of June. California is slowly increasing production with peak harvest expected to begin the second week of June.

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