The Source - November 15, 2017

Washington – Red Delicious are steady on all sizes with good availability. Red Delicious are still peaking on 80/88/100/113s. Golden Delicious are steady with good availability and are peaking on premium grade 100/113s. Granny Smiths are steady on all sizes with mostly small fruit. 88s and larger Granny-smith are limited and remain premium priced. Galas are steady on larger fruit and slightly higher on 113s and smaller. Fujis are steady to lower with good availability. Fujis are still peaking on the 88/100s. Honeycrisp are steady on all sizes with good availability. They continue to peak on large fruit. Jonagolds are steady and still producing mostly 72/80/88s. Braeburns are steady and peaking on 88/100s. The quality of all varieties has been good.

Idaho – They are still shipping Jonathans, Jonagolds, Golden delicious, Red Romes, Red delicious, and Granny-smith from inventory. Granny's and Jonagolds are peaking on 80/88/100s and the others are peaking on 88/100/113s. Most varietys are reasonably priced and have good color. All markets are being quoted steady but they are cleaning up for the holiday week so supplies are dwindling. The quality has been good.

Michigan – Michigan continues to pack Galas, Honeycrisps, McIntosh, Jonathans, Jonamacs, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Cortlands, Empires, Fujis, red Romes, Ida Reds, and Jonagolds. Most markets are strong due the good quality and color and generally light supplies compared to last year. Most suppliers have substantially less fruit than last year due to a spring freeze during their blossom. We hear that many shippers will finish early this year between mid march and mid April. The quality has been good.

Pennsylvania -- Galas, Fujis, red delicious, and Golden Delicious are all steady. Red delicious are still peaking on 88/100s, while the golds, Galas, and Fujis are heavier to 100/113s. The demand has been light due to other local apples. The quality has been good.

New York – they continue packing Cortlands, Galas, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Fujis, Snap Dragons, Golden delicious, Jonagolds, Red Romes, Macouns, Pink ladys, Staymen Winesaps, and Empires. Most fruit is large so New York hasn't been much a factor in foodservice this year. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington is still short on large Granny-smith apples.

Michigan volume is way down this year due to a freeze during their bloom last year. Most shippers expect to finish between mid March and mid April!

Peak Seasons:
Washington, Michigan, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and New York are all in the peak of their seasons.

Southern Baja volume is decreasing day by day due to seasonality. Central Mexico (Cuidad Obregon) has just begun their season with low volume but we should see an increase in volume with more fields opening up in the next couple of weeks. Southern Peru (ICA), and Northern Peru (Trujillo) both have good volume with favorable weather in both regions. Overall markets are better with the Thanksgiving pull in full swing.

Mexico's shipments to the US continue with good volume. Good supplies exist at shipping points. We are seeing good supplies on 60s/70s and improving supplies on 48s/40s as growers are size picking for these sizes.

Bell pepper supplies are very tight, Georgia is well over it's peak and there is no volume coming in Florida until after Thanksgiving. Yields were reduced in Georgia from white fly and hurricane Irma, Florida was hurt by Irma as well, delaying planting by about two weeks. Both states had planted less acreage for the fall to begin with, all that combined has created a gap in supply that could get worse later this week and next.

Alerts:
Very tight supplies will continue through Thanksgiving.

Peak Seasons:
Green Bell Pepper is out of peak availability

Blackberry supplies have improved this week. Central Mexico harvest has increased and more fruit has been available to load in Santa Maria, Oxnard, Yuma and Texas. Light production continues in Santa Maria and Lompoc. Demand has been steady. Quality has been good with occasional red cell being reported. Markets have been flat with more aggressive prices being offered in Texas. Florida will be an option for mixed berries next week, but fruit will be transferred, so please plan in advance.

Transitions:
Florida will be a loading option next week with advance orders.

Blueberry supplies continue to be very limited this week. The main growing regions at this time are Peru, Argentina and Central Mexico. Both Peru and Argentina have past their peak production periods and gradually trending down. Mexico is expected to increase in production moving forward, but volumes have been light. Chilean arrivals have been delayed 10-14 days due to weather, but we expect to have improved availability once this fruit arrives (late November). Quality has been reported as very good on all import fruit. Demand has been strong. Market prices have been higher as supplies are limited. We expect better availability as we look toward December.

Transitions:
Chilean arrivals have been delayed, but are expected by late November.

Raspberry supplies have been steady this week. Most of the fruit is coming from Central Mexico with small amounts in Santa Maria and Lompoc. Demand has been steady. Quality is strong. We have loading opportunities in Oxnard, Santa Maria, Yuma and Texas. Florida will be open for mixed berry orders next week, but we will need to transfer product, so please plan in advance. Markets have been steady with some opportunity buys in Texas.

Transitions:
We can plan on loading mixed berries in Florida next week with advanced orders.

Strawberry supplies are very limited this week. Production in the Salinas / Watsonville areas is very light. Due to recent rains and the tail end of the season, many shippers are done with harvest in this area. As a result, more pressure is being placed on the Oxnard and Santa Maria areas to fill demand. Unfortunately, the weather has been cool in these regions, slowing production and lowering yields. Mexico is producing on a daily basis, but volume is not heavy enough to make a difference in overall supplies. As an industry, strawberry demand is stronger than supply and we are beginning to feel the pinch in availability. Florida growers are expected to start with light harvest next week, this will hopefully relieve some of the pressure on the west coast and open up some fruit. Quality overall has been good from the southern growing regions. The cooler weather is helping firm up berries, but we may see some lighter color. Market prices are higher and firm.

Alerts:
Supplies are becoming limited and prices are higher

Transitions:
Florida is expected to start next week with light volume.

We now have four growing regions harvesting broccoli. The has increased supplies and the market is trending lower. Quality has also improved from all regions with bigger crown size, little dehydration, minimal yellowing, and improved weights.

Transitions:
We have now transition to Yuma Arizona. Although the other growing regions are still harvesting broccoli.

Brussel sprout supplies continue to steadily increase. Even with the Thanksgiving day holiday pull, the market is trending lower due to the increase in supplies. Quality is really good with dark green color, a mixture of sizes, and minimal insect damage that creates holes in the sprout itself.

The new crop of carrots has started in the last week. Supplies of both jumbo and rainbow carrots have started to come back in. We should be coming off the 12 week averages for jumbos in the next 10 days. Quality is excellent. Supplies of most all carrots is good.

Cauliflower supplies have drastically increased. As the Thanksgiving day pull hasn't proved to be that big. Therefore the market is trending much lower. Quality has improved as well. We are seeing sizing improve with 9 count and 12 count cauliflower being the majority of supplies.

Transitions:
We have transition to Yuma Arizona. Although the Salinas and Santa Maria growing regions are still harvesting.

This market is stronger, especially on large sizing. Supplies out of Salinas is moderate to light. Southern California has moderate availability at best in Santa Maria and Oxnard. The overall quality continues to be strong. Expect this market to be inching upward throughout this week. Early reports indicate sizing will be heavier to small sizing.

Cilantro supplies remain abundant from all growing regions. The market has also remained competitive. Quality has improved with full bunches, minimal yellowing or browning of the leaves, and vibrant green color.

The Desert crop is 32% harvest and in full production. This year's Desert crop is 20% lighter in volume compared to last years crop. The crop is currently peaking on 165s/200s/140s and heavier to the fancy grade and the larger sizes of 95s/115s are limited in availability. The Central Valley crop has just begun to harvest and pack. Demand is good and market is show some activity.

Lime supplies have become slightly more limited this week. Mexican growers are shipping a large portion of available fruit to other countries with the expectation of larger returns. As a result, less fruit is coming into the US and making for more active markets and lighter supplies. Demand has been steady. Quality is holding strong. Supplies will remain limited over the next week. Market prices are higher.

Alerts:
Lighter supplies and higher markets are expected for the next week.

California Navel crop is now in full production and packing good volume. Pack outs are clean with good color resulting in grade ratio of 85% Fancy fruit, leaving much less choice fruit than there is demand for the choice grade. Choice market remains active and short..

Cucumbers are transitioning south to central and south Florida. Georgia has very good quality but most shippers are finished for the season and cold weather is forecast for the weekend that could end what is left. Central Florida is picking up in volume and southwest Florida is getting started. Growers in southeast Florida will start light volume later this week and the first Hondurans of the season will land early next week. Quality in Florida has gotten better over the last week with cooler shorter days.

Transitions:
Cucumbers are transitioning to Florida.

Eggplant supply has been relegated to Georgia and South Carolina, both regions are well over their peak. Central Florida has started light volume but only a few shippers that even planted for the fall. Southwest and Southeast Florida will nor start until Mid-December. This is traditionally the time of year when Florida would start with some volume but because of hurricane Irma planting was delayed about two weeks.

Alerts:
Eggplant supplies are tight and could get tighter next week.

Peak Seasons:
Eggplant is out of peak availability.

Good supplies of green grapes continue through the month. Growers are starting to store grapes for December and trying to push the market up. Prices remain steady and quality is very good still. Deals can be found on load volume. Import grapes have started to show up in light volumes. Full production of imports should be going by mid-December.

Red grapes also continue on much like green grapes. Quality is nice and is expected to continue. Growers are also starting to hold product in storage for December. Red import grapes have started to show up in light volumes also. Full production of imports should be going by mid-December.

We continue to see ample supplies from Mexico. This has kept the market competitive on both iced and iceless green onions. Quality is really nice with vibrant white tips, green tops, and minimal brown to yellow discoloration.

There will be no disruption in supplies are we currently transition to Yuma Arizona. Quality remains excellent with full bunches, dark green color, and minimal yellowing or dehydration. The market remains steady at competitive levels from all growing regions.

Transitions:
We are currently transitioning to Yuma Arizona

Flat markets continue on this commodity. Huron will continue to have production through this week. Salinas is finished for the most part. Yuma is in full production and with demand off, shippers are flexing for volume type orders so please be aware. In Huron, reports show irregular size heads, mechanical and ribbing. Overall quality is fair. In Yuma, the defects are similar but more minimal. Weights are averaging in all areas 42-46 pounds in all areas of production. Expect steady markets on this commodity throughout the week.

Romaine as well as all leaf items has remained unchanged from the previous week. Demand continues to be minimal. Yuma production is stronger. Salinas, as well as Santa Maria, have moderate to good availability. The overall quality has changed. More reports of mechanical, insects, and ribbing has been reported out of all the growing regions. Yuma seems to have less reporting of these defects but they are there. Romaine heart production has picked up and this market is softer.

We have seen an improvement on the supplies of all tender leaf items from both the Salinas Valley and Yuma Arizona. Quality has improved as well with minimal yellowing, wetness in some packs, to decay. As we transition to Yuma this week, we will not see any interruption in supplies.

Domestic cantaloupe harvest is starting to wrap up. Light supplies are finishing in Northern California with desert supplies coming out of Southern California and Arizona. Production should be finished by the end of November/December. Supplies are plentiful resulting in lower markets. Quality is good. Great deals can be found on load volume. Offshore production is starting to hit. We will be in full offshore production by the end of the month.

Transitions:
Offshore production will be starting next week.

Peak Seasons:
Domestic production will be ending by the end of November.

Domestic honeydew harvest is starting to wrap up. Light supplies are also finishing in Northern California with desert supplies coming out of Southern California and Arizona. Production should be finished by the end of November/December. As with cantaloupes are plentiful resulting in lower markets. Quality is good. Great deals can be found on load volume. Offshore production is starting to hit. We will be in full offshore production by the end of the month.

Transitions:
Offshore honeydews will start next week.

Peak Seasons:
Domestic season will be ending over the next few weeks.

Markets continue to stay fairly steady on all sizes and packs. Quality is still out standing. Sizing of this year storage crop is being reported as peaking on jumbo's and smaller. Colossal and Super Colossal onions will be limited this year and will come in waves as the shippers switch storages. The first of the holidays hits next week so stay ahead on inventories into the new year. Transportation is extremely tight and only getting tighter as Christmas tree season has started. No one in the industry that I know has ever seen the transportation so limited in the northwest with no light in sight.

Alerts:
Transportation or I should say what transportation

Peak Seasons:
Northwest is in peak season of storage onions

Washington – Bartlett pears are steady on all sizes. Supplies of small fruit and the fancy grade remain limited. Bartlett pears are still peaking on US#1 80/90/100s. The D'anjou market is steady on all sizes. D'anjous are peaking on US#1 80/90 sizes. Small fruit and the fancy grade are still short. The Bosc market is steady on all sizes. Bosc are peaking on US#1 80/90 sizes. Small fruit and the fancy grade are still short. Red Bartletts/Red Sensations remain steady on all sizes and continue to peak on 45/50 half cartons. The quality for all has been good.

New York – they are packing Bosc bins but supplies are light but the market is steady. They will finish right after Thanksgiving. The quality is reported as good.

Alerts:
Smaller Bartletts, D'anjous, and Bosc remain limited.

Peak Seasons:
Washington continues in the peak of its Bartlett, D'anjou, Bosc, and red pear seasons.

We continue to see good supplies coming in for the tropics. Expect good supplies as we move through November. Size is peaking on 5ct/6ct with the smaller sizes limited.

Markets out of all growing areas are steady on most sizes and packs. Quality is also very nice. The biggest issue is the lack of transportation not only including trucks but rail cars are very limited which is making matters worse. Shippers floors are full, with some sheds having to shut down do to no room. Next week is the first of the holiday weeks and most sheds will be shut down Thursday through the weekend. Stay ahead on inventories.

Alerts:
Transportation

Peak Seasons:
Northwest storage crop is in full swing out of all shipping points

Western Washington – reds, whites, and golds are all steady with good availability. All colors are peaking A size and have good quality.

Bakersfield, California – red, white, and gold potatoes are all steady. The availability is good but transportation has been more challenging so we could see some inventory issues. The quality has been good.

Idaho – red and gold potatoes are steady with good availability. There have been some volume deals. Both colors are heavy to A size and have had good quality.

Wisconsin – reds and golds are steady on all sizes and both are heavier to A size. Trucks are slightly easier here than North Dakota. The quality has been good.

North Dakota – red and gold potatoes are steady to slightly lower with good availability. Transportation has been the toughest thing to find. The quality has been good.

Peak Seasons:
North Dakota, Idaho, and Wisconsin continue in the peak of their red and gold potato seasons.

Western Washington continues in the peak of its red, white, and gold potato season.

There are good supplies of squash on the east coast, Georgia is still shipping good quality but winding down. Cold weather this weekend could finish the season for Georgia growers. Central and South Florida have started with good supplies and good quality. Good supplies from Mexico have been putting a lot of pressure on eastern markets. Good supplies will continue out of Florida through the weekend.

Transitions:
Squash is Transitioning to Florida.

Peak Seasons:
Squash is in peak season

Plum harvests are wrapping up and supplies are dwindling. Expect to have them for a few more weeks. It will be hit and miss heading into December. Some growers are completely finished while others may not have both red and black plums. Pomegranates, persimmons, Asian/apple pears, and kiwi are available now to fill in for the traditional stone fruit that has finished up.

The tomato market remains short leaving buyers struggling to find inventory. The current demand exceeds supply scenario is holding prices high with little change from last week. Florida is the only area in the nation harvesting somewhere between 30% and 40% of the planted production area as a result of Hurricane Irma storm damage. Florida Roma tomatoes are very difficult to source with nearly all product being imported from Mexico. Grape tomatoes remain extremely limited with supply for the season being the shortest experienced in years. 20lb bulk, FOB shipping point markets are holding near the $50 mark and selling out daily. Additionally, Cherry tomato prices have crept up from last week as more demand carries over from grapes tomatoes into the cherry category as a substitute. Cherry market prices are essentially the same in the east and west at this time. Overall, Florida tomato quality is good at this time, however there is just not enough volume to sustain a regular market driving prices higher each week.

Alerts:
There is a shortage of Tomatoes across North America with expectation for relief when winter crops begin in mid December

California has finished harvesting for the season leaving Florida the only domestic growing area to service the nations demand. Baja and Mexico are both helping supply with Vine ripened crops but also struggling to find tremendous yields with cool weather trends experienced during the growing cycle. Nearly all roma tomatoes currently are imports with reasonable pricing for the season. Grape and cherry tomatoes are in a period of transition between fields with supply improving slightly week over week, however there has been no realization of relief in the market with demand from contracts and holiday adds pressing markets upward. Until winter production gets underway in December, extreme markets are expected to be the scenario for the next several weeks.

Alerts:
There is a shortage of Tomatoes across North America with expectation for relief when winter crops begin in mid December