The Source - November 10, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady to lower on 88's and larger with good availability. Red 125s and smaller are steady but supplies remain very short. Most red packers continue to peak on extra-fancy 88s and larger. Golden delicious are peaking on 72/80/88s and are steady but strong due to lighter volume in Washington. Small Golden delicious supplies remain very short, with very few if any 125s and smaller. Granny-smith are peaking on 72/80/88's and the market for large fruit is steady. 100 size and smaller Grannys are steady to hgher with very light availability. The availability for higher grade Granny 125's and smaller is a little better but not much. The Gala market is steady on larger fruit with good availability and steady but firm on the smaller fruit with only light supplies. Galas are peaking on 80/88/100/72s. Honeycrisp are higher on all sizes with lighter supplies available. Honeycrisp are peaking on 80/88/100s now. Fuji's are steady on the small fruit with only light supplies and they are steady on 88s and larger with good supplies. The quality for red delicious, golden delicious, granny-smith, Galas, Fujis, and Honey Crisp has been good.
Idaho---red delicious, Golden delicious, Granny-smith, Fujis, and Red Romes are now peaking on extra-fancy 80/88/100's. The markets are all steady and the quality has been good.
Michigan--Macintosh, Golden delicious, Jonamacs, Jonathans, Galas, Cortlands, Empires, red Romes, Fujis, Honeycrisp, and red delicious are available and are all fairly steady. Some varietys are medium in size while some are heavier to small fruit. The quality has been mostly good in all varieties.
New York-- McIntosh, Cortlands, Empires, Jonamacs, Galas, Ginger Golds, and Macouns are all fairly steady. The sizing has been smaller than other areas with more 100/125/138 size fruit. The quality has been fair with more US#1 grade fruit showing stem-bowl russeting and more bitter pit than usual.

Transitions:
Granny-smith and Golden delicious 100-size and smaller are very short! Stay ahead as the supplies won't improve anytime soon.

Weather is still good in the growing areas in Mexico, volume is declining due to fields closing, market is slightly up on the larger sizes, and sizing is still good.

Weather is good in Peru. volume is good, market is slightly higher.

Mexico continues harvesting steadily. Last week they did slow down harvest volume, but shippers do have good supplies on hand of 60s/70s/84s, and decent supplies of 48s. Demand is slow as markets continue to move downward. This is new crop fruit and takes longer for them to ripen and fruit is remaining green when ripe.

More supply green bells started this week in Nogales, Arizona from Sonora, Mexico. Showing excellent quality and condition. Strong supply has stated from multiple shipper's keeping the market steady on all sizes . Red, Yellow ,and Orange have also started with pallet volume and also showing good quality and condition on all three colors.

Supply is steady with good production volume. Quality has been good overall with some reports of broken fruit, red cell. Blackberry sizing out of Mexico is large and has resulted in some damaged berries as they are packed into the clamshells.

Supply is steady with continued shipments from South America and Mexico. As production winds down out of Argentina, we may see supplies tighten somewhat but do not expect any shortages or supply gaps as Chilean production will be picking up as the Argentina season ends. Markets are likely to increase over the next few weeks as the number of air shipments decline and higher volume orders are placed on ocean going vessels to make the 3 week ride to US ports. About 3-4 weeks from now, we'll see increased volume back in the market places and pricing will begin to come off again in December. Quality has been good on all imported product thus far.

Transitions:
Argentina's growing season will be winding down but Chile will begin to increase production over the next several weeks.

Raspberry supplies are steady with good production volume out of Southern CA and Mexico. Production is peaking over the coming weeks. Quality has been good with only a few reports of wet, leaky fruit.

Peak Seasons:
Production is peaking.

Demand is exceeding supply. California production volume remains limited as crops transition for the winter and supply is gapping between regions. Oxnard winter crop will begin in late November and increase through December. Mexico is producing in a light way but volume making it to the US is still limited. Berry sizing is very small from Mexico, mid 30s per 1 pound clamshell. Florida is still 3-4 weeks away from steady production but some ranches will begin to walk fields and pick the initial "mud crop" in the weeks ahead. Weather has been clear in all regions however days are getting shorter and temperatures are beginning to cool down. This is the time of year where weather is always a factor and can change production abruptly throughout the growing regions. Keep in mind that we are at the end of the season for many of the CA growing regions and they have already experienced 2 major rain events this season. Quality issues range from soft, overripe and bruised to white shoulder, green tips and misshapen. Fruit will not last as long as you are used to. Quality and shelf life expectation must be adjusted based on what is currently available in the industry.

Alerts:
Demand is exceeding supply.

Transitions:
Oxnard winter production will begin around the last week of November and slowly increase through December.
Mexican production is slightly increasing and will continue to increase week over week.
Florida production will begin around the end of November and increase through December.

Peak Seasons:
Oxnard and Santa Maria fall crops have passed peak production.

There continues to be plenty of supplies from all growing regions. This has kept the markets competitive. Quality is really good with dark green color and minimal yellowing.

Transitions:
Broccoli has started harvesting in a small way this week and will increase supplies moving forward.

The market remains steady as we finish the week. Supplies are abundant. Quality on the other hand has been fair at best from Mexico with black spotting of the leaves. There have also been some of the same quality issues from California product as well but on a sporadic basis.

The Bakersfield crop is in full production. Growth is good and producing good percentage of Jumbo size and supplies are good. Supply of baby peeled carrots are good.

The demand for cauliflower has remained steady even in the midst of the Thanksgiving Day pull. And with Yuma starting production today, it adds another growing region. Thus we have a flat market. Quality has been relatively good despite a few arrivals with black spotting.

Transitions:
We will transition to Yuma AZ the week of November 21st. Supplies will still be available in Salinas and Santa Maria.

This market is still active. Demand exceeds supplies. Small sizing continues to have the least availability, but all sizing is tight. Oxnard production has picked up. Production in Salinas is scheduled to continue until approximately the third week in November. Santa Maria will continue to have production throughout the month. Shippers are transferring product to Yuma for a fee. Suppliers are looking to help minimize truck stops to the best of their ability.

Chilean cherries are now available to load on the east and west coasts. Volume of fruit is increasing and we are starting to see some flex in price. Quality is being reported as excellent. Markets have been firm to this point, but are starting to decline as more fruit arrives.

Pablano - Good quality and condition expecting in Nogales.

Tomatillo- Current conditions have improved on Tomatillo, sizing is somewhat small, supply is improving.

Jalapeno- good quality on new crop pepper, mostly large sizing with good color.

Anaheim- good quality,condition and size are expected to continue as Mexico improves production.

Supplies are abundant in all growing regions. Thus keeping this market steady at last week's price levels. Sporadic arrivals of yellowing of the leaves have been reported but overall quality is really nice.

The Ventura crop is 99% harvested of their old crop. The Desert crop is picking up in volume and will continue to increase through the month. The Central Valley crop is now beginning some limited picking and packing of their new season crop. Mexican fruit is available and supplies are good.

Meyer Lemon season is in full swing.

Limes are now priced within a few dollars of each other across the board. Demand is good on all sizes of limes. Quality is improving overall with less and less leaf shading (yellow color) showing up and some skin breakdown is showing up from packing limes while they have moisture on the skins. New crop limes are being harvested and all sizes are coming in so quality is 100% better. The market is steady on the larger sizes and higher on the smaller ones. An increasing market has formed and is in force on the smaller limes due to a shift in the size profile and the previously low markets which growers curtailed harvests.

New crop Navels are going with most shippers and production is nearing full swing with packing houses. There are a good range in sizes and initial sizing looks to be small with 113s/138s/88s peak and heavy to fancy grade. Flavor and internal color are very good.

Good condition and quality in Nogales, Arizona. Stronger demand for Super Select and Select sizes. Market has started to creep up on cucumbers

Quality and condition on eggplant will continue to improve. Production will continue to be limited starting in the Coachella Valley with fresh crop. Product has started in Nogales this week with excellent quality and condition. Supply will increase as we move into next week.

Domestic green grapes are getting very tight. All fruit is being shipped from storage and inventories are limited. Quality has been holding strong. Market prices jumped up again this week and are expected to continue to increase as we move forward. Be prepared for limited supplies and very active markets from now until the Chilean import fruit starts late December. Peruvian green grapes are now available on the east coast and supplies are getting better. Prices are still higher than California fruit, but will level out quickly as the domestic fruit supplies lighten.

Alerts:
Domestic green grapes are becoming very limited. Market prices are climbing quickly.

Transitions:
Peruvian green grapes are now available on the east coast. Chilean green grapes are expected to arrive on the west late December.

Domestic red grape supplies continue to be in good shape. We will be in storage crops beginning next week. However, the inventories of M/L and L storage red grapes look to be adequate to fill demand until we transition into storage crop by late December. Market prices have stayed flat this week and are expected to remain stable next week as well. Quality on the remaining domestic fruit is expected to hold strong. Peruvian red seedless grapes are now available to load on the east coast, but prices are much higher than California. Prices are expected to remain elevated until more vessels arrive. Chilean red grapes are expected to arrive on the west coast by Christmas.

Alerts:
Domestic red grapes remain steady in supply and price.

Transitions:
Peruvian red grapes now available on the east coast. Chilean red grapes are expected on the west by Christmas.

Abundant supplies from Mexico continue to arrive weekly. There is also availability on domestic green onions as well. The market is competitive with both iced and iceless available. Quality has been good with minimal arrival issues of yellowing of the tops.

The kale market is steady from all growing regions. As supplies continue to meet demands expectations, we will transferring to the Yuma growing region in 2 weeks. Quality is excellent with full cartons, minimal yellowing, and little dehydration.

Huron and Yuma are the main growing regions for this commodity. A few misshapen heads, discoloration and sporadic weights have been reported, but nothing too drastic. High temperatures and past rains has caused this commodity to develop defects seen in the industry. Weights are being reported averaging 41-44 pounds in Huron, while Yuma has been 40-44 pounds. Production in Santa Maria is moderate at best.

This market is steady. Production is occurring in in Salinas, Huron, southern California as well as Yuma. Quality issues in northern and southern California on romaine, romaine hearts, as well as all leaf items continue. These issues include mildew, brown spotting, twisting, seeder, some insect damage, fringe and tip burn. These defects are reported from multiple shippers. The weights on romaine average 27-34 pounds. Red, green and butter leaf have decent weights reported. Similar defects are being seen in Huron and Yuma as well.

Demand is has picked up a little since last week. Supplies on 9ct are very short and 12's continue to get increased demand due to substitution for 9ct. The 15ct are also experiencing some added buying pressure. The Westside is finished now for the season. The desert started a little over five weeks ago with a few lopes crossing over from Mexico. Offshore supplies are scheduled to arrive this weekend in small volumes. The market is steady to higher on all sizes. The quality is excellent in the desert and from Mexico.

Supplies of honeydews are steady and we can continue to expect adequate supplies and good quality to be the pattern for a while longer with a moderate range of up and down movement. The desert started over five weeks ago and supplies are beginning to taper off. The Westside is done packing for the season. Mexico is exporting honeydews up to us now and their volume is quickly taking over the dwindling domestic supply. The market is currently steady to higher on all sizes. Quality is excellent in the desert.

Good supply of watermelon has started from Sonora, Mexico. Supply has exceeded demand driving the market lower. Good quality and condition.

Demand is light with good supplies out of growing areas. Pricing remains stable at low levels. All colors of small onions are limited with firm pricing. Look for this trend to continue into the New Year. Quality is good out of all areas. Trucks are limited with higher rates.

Alerts:
Trucks are limited out of the Northwest

California - there are still a few Bartlett and Bosc pears but most suppliers are finished for the season. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
Washington - C.A. Bartletts are steady and still peaking on US#1 70/80/90s. Many suppliers will flex pricing for volume in the larger sizes. D'anjou pears are also steady and are still peaking on US#1 80/90/100s. Most shippers will flex on volume orders of 100s and larger. Bosc pears are steady and are peaking on US#1 80/90/100s. Red pears are steady as well and are peaking on US#1 45/50 half cartons. The quality for all varieties pears has been good.

Supplies are good, and are still improving through the month.

Russet potato market is steady on most sizes cartons out all areas. Demand is very good on retail bags, with the Thanksgiving Holiday right around the corner. This has tighten the availability of 90 count and smaller as these sizes get diverted into the bags. Quality is very nice. Trucks are starting to be the biggest issues as the Christmas Tree season has started. Look for the markets to stay steady at these lower levels into the first of the year.

Bakersfield California - white, red, and gold potatoes are steady and all are peaking on As. The quality has been good.
Idaho - red and gold potatoes are steady but they are now heavier to B size. Some shippers will flex on volume orders of A size reds. The quality is good.
Western Washington - reds, whites, and gold potatoes are steady on all sizes and remain heavier to size A. Whites are limited to B size and larger due to the recent wet weather. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - red and gold potatoes are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on A size. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are steady and both colors are peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.
Canada - reds, golds, and whites are steady on all sizes. Sacks are more available while cartons are limited for all colors. The quality has been good.

Supply on Italian squash and Yellow S/N out of the Santa Maria is finishing. quality and condition have gone from good to fair, Italian and Yellow S/N have now started in Nogales, Arizona with increased supply every week.

We are at the end of the domestic stone fruit season. Red plums are all that is left. Selections are limited and supplies will be finishing up quickly. Chilean plums, peaches and nectarines are expected to start by January.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies in the east and west continues to see better numbers. Although XL product still thougher to come by. Palmetto - Ruskin and Naples growers are experiencing stronger quality product. Out west, California is now cleaned up for the season. Demand looks to be typical for this time of year. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Volume continues to be lighter in the east. FOB's are a bit higher than the west. Mexico continues to see improved supplies, although numbers are coming on slowly. Look for supplies to continue down this same path over the next couple weeks. Quality is good.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies looking to see a little better numbers, demand for cherry's continues to be stronger. In the east, weather conditions are looking better, which should bring on better supplies. Out west, Mexico is looking to begin to see better numbers as well, with better weather forecasted. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to improve with the grapes, in all areas. All shipping areas have supplies and quality looks good across the board.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies are looking to see better numbers. Although XL fruit continues to be lighter, with higer FOB's. Back east, Palmetto-Ruskin and Naples are seeing better numbers, with stonger quality fruit. Quality of product good in all areas.
Roma - The market is steady. Volume continues to be a bit lighter. Market is steady across the board. Look for Mexico to cross additional product, with the Mexican National Market down a bit. Central California is done for the season. Back east, supplies look to be a bit lighter, but, should see better numbers over the next couple weeks. Quality is good in all areas.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies looking to be a bit better, with better yields. Out west, supplies should continue to see better numbers, with better weather forecasted. Weather back east continue to be better, which should also help to improve supplies. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies continue to improve with the grapes, in all areas. All shipping areas have supplies and quality looks good across the board.