The Source - May 5, 2016

Washington - Red Delicious remain fairly steady and continue to peak on 72/80/88s. Most suppliers are still subbing up to the extra-fancy grades to cover volume orders of the fancy grade, especially in the smaller sizes. Golden Delicious are also steady on all sizes and grades, continuing to peak 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 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 on all sizes and grades. The market remains firm. Most Gala suppliers still don't have much fruit larger than an 88. Fujis are steady for now on all sizes, but the market is firm due to light supplies. The Fuji market continues to slowly rise as the end of the season approaches. Washington Fujis continue to peak on extra-fancy 80-100's. Pink Lady's are steady but firm due to very strong demand. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes, but supplies are limited especially on smaller fruit. Reds continue to peak on 80/88s. McIntosh are steady to higher and supplies remain very short with most shippers finishing soon. Galas are steady to higher on all sizes due to light supplies, but most suppliers are close to finishing. Jonathan supplies are light, but the market is steady. Red Rome supplies are very light and they are almost finished. The quality for all varieties has been good.
New York - Red delicious, Empires, and McIntosh are steady to higher and small fruit remains very short. The remaining McIntosh are large. Empires are nearly finished for the season. The fruit quality has been good for all.
Chile - There are a few Chilean Galas on both coasts and the markets are steady on both sides of the country. Both coasts have 100-size and larger.

Not much change from Monday's source as temperatures remain cold in the California growing regions. Washington asparagus has decent volume still with competitive pricing. Peruvian asparagus has started to come in on the East Coast, but mostly standard and large sizes with limited availability of jumbo and extra large. California does have availability on jumbo and extra large. Quality from all areas is excellent with little dehydration and spreading of the tips. The market is firm in California mainly due to the colder temperatures.

California has ramped up harvest and we are in peak harvesting season. We are now seeing good volume coming into the packing houses. Demand for California fruit has picked up as supplies for Mexico drop. We still continue to see more smaller fruit than we would typically would see this time of year.

Mexico is rising their field price and holding back on volume coming to the States and forcing a supply shortage. We are seeing a 30-40% reduction in volume this week arriving to the US. The US shippers are raising their price and trying to get the volume back up, but it will take a week or so to get the supply chain back in line.

Alerts:
Mexico is rising their field price and holding back on volume coming to the States and forcing a supply shortage.

Green bell peppers continue to improve with heavy supply. Product is mostly large and extra large. Most growers in Mexico are finishing in the south and are starting production in the north with California shipping as well.

Red bell peppers are becoming less and less available every week. Quality with mostly number one product being offered in both the blocky and elongated variety. Many shippers winding down on volume. Mixed color issues are due to cool weather.

Yellow bell pepper volume is lightening with some growers finishing. Quality and condition are good on both number one and number two product.

Mexican production has already passed peak for this season and will begin to decrease in volume over the next several weeks. California production will not begin until later May or early June. We will begin to see lighter availability over the next few weeks as we transition from Mexico to California. Quality has improved and we're seeing less red cell and soft berries.

Transitions:
Mexican production has already passed peak for this season and will begin to decrease in volume over the next several weeks. California production will not begin until later May or early June. We will begin to see lighter availability over the next few weeks as we transition from Mexico to California.

Domestic production is increasing with good availability out of California, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and many of the smaller (regional) areas as well. Good volumes are reported this week. Central Mexico and Baja also continue to produce steadily. Availability has improved overall and quality has remained good in all areas. Promotional opportunity is available.

Peak Seasons:
Florida and Georgia are in peak production!

Central Mexico continues to be the largest production area. California is increasing production as we move into May. We have had some issues with availability, as forecasted volume estimates have decreased. Some issues with mold have also decreased pack outs. Quality has been good and fairly consistent with the fruit that makes the pack, but availability looks to remain limited and will continue to be short until California production comes on more steadily.

Alerts:
Availability remains limited and expected to be tight until California production picks up later in May/June.

California strawberry production is expected to increase over the next several weeks. Quality has improved (and should continue to improve) as more time passes and quality issues from the April rains begin to clear. Weather forecast was favorable this week, although a little cool. The next chance of rain is coming Friday and Saturday. Demand has slowed down as we pass mid-week and the Mother's Day pull winds down for this season.

The market has leveled out with demand falling off. Lighter supplies in the Salinas Valley are approaching next week. The recent cold weather has hampered growth. Santa Maria still has decent supplies, but that could change as well. Mexico is still showing hallow core from the heat in their growing region. Look for the market to increase as the week progresses.

The Brussel Sprout market has declined to lower levels, but not due to supplies. Demand has fallen off. Quality issues are still present with insect pressure and black decay. Sizing has also been irregular and sporadic.

We are in the final weeks of the Coachella and Imperial Valley crop production. We expect to start the Bakersfield crop by mid May and be in full production by early June. Jumbo size are still very tight, but we expect this to start to change as we get into June. Supply of baby peeled carrots are good.

The mid-week supplies vary from shipper to shipper. There is such a wide spread in the market with deals loading in Santa Maria. Quality issues upon arrival have been minimal. Weights have been reported in the 25 - 35 pound range. Supplies and the market look to remain the same going into the weekend.

This market is steady. Small sizing continues to command a higher price in the marketplace. Supplies continue to be good on large sizes, twenty-four count sizing in particular. Seeder is not as big an issue as in past weeks. Quality is strong overall in all the growing regions. Production in Florida is steady, as well as pricing. Demand is moderate. Oxnard and Santa Maria are the main growing areas for this commodity.

Cherry supplies have been fairly consistent on smaller sizes with occasional opportunities on large fruit. Shippers are expecting increased volume for the weekend, but everything is dependent upon the weather. As of today, reports are indicating a 70-80% chance of rain on Thursday and Friday and a 50% chance of rain on Saturday. If the rain does hit, this will have a major impact on availability and market prices next week. Although shippers are setting market prices today based off of current inventory and the anticipation of increased volume, things could change rapidly.

Alerts:
70-80% chance of rain is being reported in the valley growing regions. If the rain hits Thursday and Friday, it could have a major impact on availability and market price for next week.

Transitions:
Starting harvest in the Fresno / Visalia areas.

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.

Jalapeño - New fields and good supply have started in northern México.

Plenty of supplies from all growing regions for this week. The market varies from growing region though. There are more deals out of the Oxnard area. Quality on cilantro is nice with the occasional dehydration and yellowing of the leaves.

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.

The lime market remains high on all sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. The peak size has shifted back towards smaller sizes. This is the time of year where overall supplies are low and will remain at lower levels until the second week of May. The overall long term upward market trend will likely continue with the lower supplies through to middle of May. Quality is good overall. The overall supplies have decreased a lot and remain low. Demand exceeds supply still. There has been off and on rains in the growing area which are supposed to have ended, so supplies have been cut back. The market is higher on limes.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply.

California Navel demand has pick up as Texas and Florida winds down on their crop. Shippers have good supplies of large sizes with crop peaking on 72s/56s/88s. Smaller Navel sizes (113s/138s) are getting very tight. Some shippers have been packing new crop Valencia oranges for export and will begin packing some small size Valencia oranges for domestic use to help fill in the short fall of Navels.

Supply on cucumbers has increased. There is more supply from the northern district. Quality is better on all sizes and pack styles, peaking on Super Select and Select. The color is good. Euro cucumbers are available with limited supply in number one and number two pack styles.

Eggplant will continue with lighter supply from both Central and Northern Mexico. Excellent color and condition will continue
with many number two product being offered. Many growers in the south are finishing and supply will lighten. New crop has started in Southern California with good quality and limited availability.

Mexican green grapes are still light in volume. Harvest started this week and is slowing increasing. Fruit is only available to load in Nogales at this point. Quality has been reported as very good. Market prices are still expensive and have remained steady. No major changes are expected through the weekend, but next week volume is expected to ramp up with options of loading transferred grapes in the valley. Coachella green grapes will start the week of the 16th.

Chilean red grapes (Crimsons) are available in limited amounts on both the East and West coats. The quality of the remaining Chilean crop is being reported as good and market prices have remained steady. Shippers are expecting to have limited availability of Chilean crop through next week. Californian red grapes (Flames) are moving along well out of the Coachella growing regions. All sizes are available, quality is very strong and market prices have dropped slightly throughout the week. Volume of California grapes will continue to increase next week. Mexican red grapes (Flames) have started with very low numbers, but harvest is expected to ramp up over the weekend with better availability starting Monday. Mexican reds will load out of Nogales and market prices will be in line with California product.

Alerts:
Chilean red grapes are coming to an end and supplies are becoming more limited on both East and West coasts. Shippers are expecting the remaining product to last through next week.

Transitions:
Coachella is up and going in full production. Mexico has just started with very light volume this week, but is expected to increase next week.

There are plenty of supplies of iced and iceless green onions this week. Mexico has great production right now. We have had minimal quality issues upon arrival. Some reports have been brown to yellowing of the tops. The market is steady with offers for volume orders.

The kale market is remains steady. Supplies are plentiful from all growing regions. There have been little quality reports to mention. And there have been minimal problems with yellowing and dehydration.

This market is firm. A few suppliers are sold out for the rest of the week. The Mother's day pull is over for the most part. However suppliers are gapping in production. Defects continue with this commodity. Defects on this commodity include pale color, misshapen heads, lightweights, and insect damage. These defects are occurring in Santa Maria and Salinas. The weights are averaging 38- 42 pounds on palletized. Production in Salinas and Santa Maria is going to be light for the rest of the week. Better supplies are expected next week.

Demand will exceed supplies all week. Fringe burn is industry wide. Other defects include tip burn, insect damage, mildew, and lightweights on all leaf items. Salinas and Santa Maria have very similar issues with one another . Expect pricing to be active all week. Rain , winds, and high heats are weather factors that have been a direct cause to these crops having multiple issues. On romaine, the outer leaves are not holding up well. There continues to be sporadic complaints on chopped romaine. All leaf items including romaine hearts will be tight in all growing regions for the entire week.

The quality is good overall with some lots being overripe. The peak size is currently 9ct. The current market is steady on all sizes. Demand has leveled and supplies are steady, so the market is trading sideways for now. There are very few 15ct cantaloupes are being packed now and virtually zero 18ct are coming over. Mexico has started shipping light supplies of cantaloupes. The offshore supplies will be finished by the middle of this month. The desert has started to pack a few cantaloupes this week and volumes will slowly increase.

Alerts:
Offshore cantaloupes are winding down for the season and will be finished by the 3rd week of this month.

Transitions:
The desert has started shipping lopes in a small way with volume to increase soon.

Demand is steady on honeydews and supplies have decreased causing the market to come up a little more. The peak size for the offshore is 5ct. Very few 8ct are available. The Mexican honeydews are peaking on 8ct. Honduran and Guatemalan grown honeydews are good. Mexican honeydews shipping out of Nogales, Arizona continue to slowly pick up in volume, but still not enough to effect the market. The Mexican honeydews are also very nice. The market is a little higher across the board than it was the first part of the week. The offshore honeydews are going to finish by the middle of this month and supplies are drying up, especially on the West Coast.

Alerts:
Offshore honeydews are a few weeks away from finishing.

Transitions:
The desert is starting soon.

Product is now being shipped from both southern and northern Sonora, Mexico. The supply has increased along with the demand. Cool weather has slowed production. Shippers are promoting to increase the movement. 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.

New crop onions are coming out of Texas and California. Quality is very good. Washington only has a few shippers left with late storage onions, which should finish up in about a week. Quality of these late storage onions is fair with some transparency showing up in the out layers. Idaho has finally finished for the season. Look for the market to be fairly stable for the next couple weeks depending on weather. New Mexico and Central California onions growers will slowly start harvesting in late May with some overlap with Southern California. Quality out of these areas is being reported as good. Demand is moderate the middle of this week.

Washington - D'anjou pears are higher on all sizes, especially 110's and smaller. The fruit continues to peak on US#1 70/80/90's. Most suppliers have very limited supplies of fancy grade D'anjous. Controlled atmosphere (C.A.) rooms have what limited supply in them, so expect small pears to get tighter and tighter. Bosc pears are steady to higher, but supplies are short and they are cleaning up quickly. Most Bosc packers are close to finishing for the season. The quality on domestic D'anjous has been good.
Chile - Argentinian Bartletts are steady and continue to peak on US#1 70-100s. Chilean Packhams are steady and continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s, but there is still some smaller fruit on the West Coast. Chilean Bosc are also steady and they are peaking on 100-size and larger. The quality on all of the imported varieties has been good.

We are now seeing some shippers back off on supply increases until later in May. Supplies from these shipper are beginning to tighten back up. Other shippers will see some increased supplies in May.

Potatoes coming out of all growing areas (Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin) are still coming out of storages. The quality of these late storage potatoes are rougher then most years. Shippers are having to run more potatoes to get enough #1's for the cartons and retail bags. We still feel that all areas should have enough potatoes to make until new crop potatoes start in late summer. Pricing and demand on smaller-sized potatoes, 80-120 count, remain steady. Demand and pricing for the larger-sized (70-40 count) potatoes are on the rise out of all areas. Overall quality that is making it in the cartons and bags is still being reported as good.

Bakersfield, California - New crop red potatoes are steady while golds and whites are steady to lower. Golds and whites are peaking on A-size while the reds are heavier to Bs. Many suppliers still have limited supplies of red As, red Premiums, and red Bakers, but we have a few larger golds. The new-crop quality has been good.
Phoenix, Arizona - Red potatoes are steady and are still peaking on A-size. Gold supplies are light, but has been packed is also peaking on As. The quality has been good.
Idaho - Reds and golds are steady to higher and supplies remain very short. Both colors continue to peak on A-size. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
North Dakota - Reds and gold supplies are very light and getting into fewer and fewer hands.
South Florida - Reds are steady on all sizes, but the availability is light as the transition to the north continues. Some shippers are finished with reds and the rest are close while most have finished with golds and whites. All colors are still peaking on A-size. The quality has ranged from good to fair.
North Florida - Supplies of new-crop reds remain fairly short and most shippers are peaking between A and B-size. A couple shippers have started packing whites and golds and the rest will start at the end of the week. The quality is reported as good.
Pearsall, Texas - They should start packing later this week.

Hard Squash will continue to lighten in supply. Spaghetti and Kabocha are becoming less available. Yellow and Italian squash are being harvested with good volume and deals being offered with good quality on most volume from all growers. Some lots of yellow squash are showing scarring on arrival.

Not much change on Peaches and Nectarines. Supplies are consistent on the smaller sizes, peaking at 70/72. Larger size fruit is still limited. Quality is excellent and market prices have been consistent this week with aggressive opportunities on small volume fill fruit. Apricot volumes have increased this week with good availability of a wide range of sizes. Shippers are looking for school business opportunities and are willing to get aggressive on pricing. Red plums are now available to load with a just a couple shippers in light numbers. Volume will increase next week. Black Plums and Pluots will be starting by 5/16.

Rounds - The market is steady. Plenty of heavy volume coming out of the east. Florida is expeiencing a little rain; however, there are plenty of supplies on the market, even if harvest has curtailed a bit. Mexico continues to harvest is multiple locations with plenty crossing. Quality is good.
Roma - The market is steady/lower. Florida and Mexico continue to have plenty of supplies. The market is a bit flat with all the supplies. There is a wide range of quality from good to fair.
Cherry - The market is steady. Florida continues to see good supplies,with FOB's lower than West Coast product. Mexico is crossing supplies, but has higher FOB's. Quality ranges from good to fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Florida continues to see plenty of supplies. Mexico also has good supplies with Baja in production. Culican, Mexico has finished its season. Quality is good to fair.

Rounds - The market is steady. Mexico continues to see good supplies with multiple areas in production. There is plenty of volume out of Florida as well, although the east is experiencing a little rain. FOB's are a bit lower out west versus the east market. Quality is good.
Roma - The market is steady/lower. There is still plenty of supplies crossing from Mexico. Florida also has plenty of volume as well. The market is a bit flat with all roma's available in all areas. Wide range in quality from good to fair.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies on the West Coast continue to look better with higher FOB's versus East Coast product. Florida has plenty of supplies with lower FOB's. Wide range of quality on cherry's as well, from good to fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to look strong in all areas. Florida and Mexico have good supplies. Culican, Mexico has finished their season and Baja is on-line with production. Quality is good.