The Source - November 22, 2017

Washington – Red Delicious are steady on all sizes with good availability. They continue to peak on extra fancy 80/88/100/113s. Golden Delicious are steady with good availability and continue to peak on premium grade 100/113s. Granny Smiths are steady on all sizes with mostly small fruit. 88s and larger Granny-smith remain short and are still priced at a premium. Galas are steady on all sizes. Galas are still peaking on 100/113s. Fujis are with good availability and they continue to peak 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 is good.

Idaho -- Jonathans, Jonagolds, Golden delicious, Red Romes, Red delicious, Granny-smith, Fuji's, and Pink lady's are all steady. Granny's and Jonagolds are peaking on 80/88/100s and the others are peaking on 88/100/113s. 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 remain strong due to their good quality and color. Most suppliers have substantially less fruit than last year due to a spring freeze during their blossom so we could see an early finish. 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. 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. They have mostly large fruit so they haven't been much of a factor in foodservice this year. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington has limited supplies of Granny-smith 88 size and larger.

Michigan lost a substantial portion of their crop due to a freeze last spring during the bloom so we could see an early finish with some suppliers.

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

Central Mexico (Cuidad Obregon) is experiencing warm days, and cool nights which is helping production. There is less big sizing in this region due to their season just starting up. Southern Peru (ICA), and Northern Peru (Trujillo) regions are experiencing good growing weather which is helping both volume, and sizing. Overall markets are sluggish with the Thanksgiving pull finished.

Mexico's shipments to the US continue with good volume. Good volume exist at shipping points. We are seeing good supplies on 60s/70s and continued improving supplies on 48s/40s. Demand and movement is beginning to pick up as retailers gain confidence in the supply and are beginning to promote avocados.

Bell Pepper supplies are tight and will continue to be tight through this week. Georgia is winding down for the season and Florida is only shipping very light volume with most growers behind schedule because of hurricane Irma.

Alerts:
very tight supplies

Transitions:
Bell Pepper is transitioning to Florida

Peak Seasons:
Bell pepper in not in peak season.

Blackberry supplies remain consistent this week. We have production from Central Mexico, Santa Maria and Oxnard. Market prices have been steady with some better buys in Texas. Quality has not been very strong. We continue to see reports of red cell and soft berries. We are expecting the quality to improve as the weather stabilizes for the winter months. Florida will be a loading option next week, we will need orders in advance as product will be transferred.

Alerts:
Quality continues to be a challenge with blackberries as weather conditions have caused red cell and soft fruit.

Transitions:
Florida will be open for mixed berry orders next week, but we need to place orders in advance.

No change in blueberry supply situation this week. Supplies continue to be very limited. 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 had been delayed, but we expect better availability starting next week. Quality has been reported as very good on all import fruit. Demand has been strong. Market prices have remained firm this week as supplies are limited. We expect better availability as we look toward December.

Alerts:
Supplies remain limited as we wait for Chilean production to increase.

Raspberry supplies continue to be steady this week. We have production from Central Mexico, Lompoc and Santa Maria. 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:
Florida will be open for mixed berry orders next week, but we need to place orders in advance.

Not much change on strawberry supplies this week. We remain very limited. Production in the Salinas / Watsonville areas is very light, but some fruit is available (quality is marginal). Oxnard and Santa Maria harvest has been consistent, but volume is light. Quality has been fair with soft berries being reported. Market prices have been higher and firm. Central Mexico is producing light numbers, quality is good. Fruit is available to load in Texas. Florida has started this week with light volume. Quality is good, but sizing is small. Market prices are in line with west coast fruit. Production is expected to double week over week for the next 3-4 weeks as ramp up toward peak season. As the Florida harvest increases and more orders get loaded on the east coast, I expect more fruit to become available on the west coast. Market prices will remain steady for the next week.

Alerts:
Supplies remain limited and markets are firm.

Transitions:
Florida has started and volume is expected to increase week over week.

We are currently experiencing broccoli supplies from multiple growing regions. This has kept the market at competitive levels. The quality has been really nice with dark green color, decent crown size, minimal yellowing or dehydration. Although we have seen some lots in Yuma and Mexico with hollow core.

The brussel sprout market is steady at current levels. Supplies out of California are steady as well. Even though the Thanksgiving day pull is over, the market hasn't adjusted to lower levels. Demand has kept a steady pace. The quality is real nice with a mix of all sizes, dark green color, and minimal insect damage from previous weather conditions in the Salinas Valley.

Carrot supplies are fairly normal. We should see 12 week averages being lifted after this week if not sooner. Quality is good. Expect supplies and qualities to be good barring any weather impact.

We continue to have plenty of supplies of cauliflower. We still have cauliflower in the Salinas growing regions, coupled with Santa Maria and Yuma as well. This has kept the market very competitive. The quality has been really nice from all growing regions with minimal bruising / brown spotting, little creamy to yellow color, and decent weights.

The holiday pull is over and celery has become softer in the marketplace. Salinas and Santa Maria/Oxnard is producing ample supplies to meet all demands. Supplies out of Salinas is moderate to light. Southern California continues to have moderate availability. All sizing is available. The overall quality is good with most suppliers. Expect demand to be minimal for the rest of the week. Loading in Yuma is an option, but will come with a transfer fee added to the FOB price.

The transition to Yuma Arizona has been a smooth one with supplies of cilantro remaining abundant. The Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Mexico growing regions have ample supplies as well. The market although varies depending on where you are loading. The quality has improved with minimal yellowing, or brown spotting, full bunches, and little dehydration.

The Desert crop is full production. This year's Desert crop which projected to be 20% lighter in volume compared to last years crop is now picking out 30% lighter. 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 showing some activity.

Supplies have improved this week as Mexico has increased their shipments into the U.S. Once we pass the holiday, looking into next week, we expect more crossings to arrive early. Supplies will be strong and I expect market prices to come down slightly next week. Quality has been nice with good color and consistent sizing. Demand remains consistent.

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. Size structure is expected to change by mid December to peaking on 72s/88s/56s for the balance of the navel season. Small fruit will be in short supply all season long.

Alerts:
Demand for choice grade fruit exceeds supplies.

Cucumbers are in good supply with most Florida shippers starting on the east and west coast. The first Honduran cucumbers will show up this weekend with the bigger volume to start mid-December. Quality has been good, demand has been weaker with a lot of pressure coming from Mexico

Transitions:
Cucumber are transitioning to Florida

Peak Seasons:
Cucumbers are moving into Peak season.

The demand for eggplant has decreased even though supplies in the east are not much higher than they were a week ago, there is more pressure coming from Mexican product crossing in Nogales. Georgia is all but done and Florida shippers are starting to see more volume with good quality product. Over all in the east supplies are not much better then they were a week ago but demand has gone down as it traditionally does during Thanksgiving Holiday.

Transitions:
Eggplant is transitioning to Flordia

Peak Seasons:
Eggplant is moving out of Peak supply

Green grapes report is going hand in hand along with red grapes. Supplies are still good despite shippers holding inventory back in anticipation of the season ending and for the end of the year holidays Quality remains good as well. Markets have been holding steady. No immediate change is seen unless weather becomes a factor but the forecast for the next 10 days is very nice weather coming.

Not a lot of excitement on red grapes. Supplies are still good despite shippers holding inventory back in anticipation of the season ending and for the end of the year holidays Quality remains good. Markets have been holding steady. No immediate change is seen unless weather becomes a factor but the forecast for the next 10 days is very nice weather coming.

We have plenty of supplies of green onions coming from Mexico. We have seen little disruption with crossings at the border. The market is extremely competitive on iced green onions. While the iceless packs have commanded a premium. The quality is real nice with white tips and vibrant green tops.

The transition to Yuma has been a smooth one with little disruption in kale supplies. The market is competitive as the processors have helped with increased acreage to cover the multiple salad blends they have created. Quality is really nice with full bunches, dark green color, and no dehydration.

This market has little to no demand. Supplies exceed demand and this will continue throughout the week. Shippers are flexing. Yuma is in full production. Huron is finished. Santa Maria has moderate production. All regions are reporting good quality with only minor mechanical, insects and ribbing. Weights are averaging in all areas 42-46 pounds. Expect heavy supplies throughout this week, minimum. The weather will be ideal all week in all growing regions.

Romaine as well as all leaf items are softer in the marketplace. Shippers are flexing, as demand has slowed down now that the holiday pull is over. Yuma production as well as Santa Maria and Oxnard is plentiful. The quality overall is good with only minimal ribbing and insects being reported. Romaine heart production is good and shippers are flexing on this commodity as well. Expect strong supplies for the rest of the week in all growing regions on all romaine and leaf items.

As we have made the final transition to Yuma Arizona, we have experienced no interruptions in supplies. Spring mix, baby spinach, and arugula quality is really nice with little arrival issues. The typical moisture and wetness in packs has declined tremendously. As well as yellowing in arugula. The market will be steady as supplies are abundant.

Import cantaloupes have begun to hit Florida with other ports expecting to start in the next two weeks. Supplies thus far have been good with no surprises. Quality also has been nice. Domestic cantaloupes will continue over the next two week with an expected end date around the first or second week of December. Domestic quality also remains nice. Markets on imports are beginning to adjust downward and domestic markets are steady.

Transitions:
Import cantaloupes will be hitting full swing over the next two weeks.

Import honeydews are pretty much the mirror image of cantaloupes. They also have begun to hit Florida with other ports expecting to start in the next two weeks. Supplies are also good with no surprises. Quality has been nice. Domestic honeydews will also continue over the next two week with an expected end date around the first or second week of December. Domestic quality remains nice. Markets on imports are beginning to adjust downward and domestic markets are steady.

Transitions:
Import honeydews are starting with more ports expected to start in the next two weeks.

Market continue to stay unchanged on all sizes and packs. Great quality being reported out of all shipping points. Colossal and Super Colossal onions will be limited this storage season. All shipping points are all reporting the smaller sizing. Looking for pricing to stay fairly steady at current levels through the holiday season. The New Year we should see pricing on Onions firm up even more than current levels which will all be dependent on supplies out of Mexico which typically start crossing in February. So stay tune. Transportation is still the main story with being very limited with much higher rates then normal. Christmas tree season has just started so I do not an light in sight. Stay ahead on inventories.

Alerts:
Transportation is still the main issue or lack of

Washington – Bartlett pears are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s. Supplies of small fruit and the fancy grade remain very short. We expect the Bartlett market for small fruit to go up next week. The D'anjou market is steady on all sizes but the availability for small fruit is very light. D'anjous are still peaking on US#1 80/90s. Small fruit and the fancy grade are also very limited. The Bosc market is steady on all sizes but small fruit is also tight as are all sizes of the fancy grade. Bosc are peaking on US#1 80/90s. 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 still packing a few Bosc bins but supplies are light and the market is steady. They will finish right after Thanksgiving. The quality is good.

Alerts:
Small Bartlett, D'anjou, and Bosc pears remain very short.

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

Potato markets out of all growing areas are unchanged on all sizing and packs. The Main story continues to be the lack of Trucks and Rail cars which is hindering movement. There is no light in sight, so stay ahead on inventories. Christmas Tree season just started making transportation that much tighter. Quality out of all shipping points is being reported as good. A lot with some light immaturity and or mold is showing up in some occasional packs. I can not say it enough but stay ahead of your inventories.

Alerts:
Lack of Transportation

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

Eastern Washington -- reds and golds are both steady and they are peaking on A size but supplies are light. They will pack heavier next week. The quality is good.

Bakersfield, California – red, white, and gold potatoes are all steady. The availability is good but transportation down continues to be tough. The quality has been good.

Idaho – red and gold potatoes are steady but the availability is light. Expect heavier packing next week. Both colors are peaking on A size and have had good quality.

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

North Dakota – red and gold potatoes are steady with good availability. Transportation continues to be the hardest thing to find. The quality has been good.

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

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

Florida is in peak supply of squash with supplies from central Florida to Homestead and on both coast. Quality is generally good with a few issues from product not selling quick enough. Green and Yellow squash have seen weak markets over the past three weeks Green squash is steady at low prices, Yellow squash prices are starting to creep up as supplies get tighter due to cooler temperatures. Supplies from Mexico have put pressure on eastern markets this past month but over the last two weeks Florida has had plenty of it's own product.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Transitions:
Squash is Transitioning to Florida.

Peak Seasons:
Squash is in Peak availability.

Light supplies of plums remain available. The prevalent color is red but a few blacks can still be found. Plums will be winding up in early December if not sooner. Kiwi, persimmons, pomegranates and apple pears continue with quality very good and pricing steady. Promotable volumes are available also. We do have Chilean cherries out of Miami starting up also. If you plan on promoting for Christmas or New Year's as much advance notice is best.

Transitions:
Chilean cherries are arriving and available out of Miami.

Peak Seasons:
Plums are still available but will start to end by early December.

Uncertain demand amongst high markets have prices adjusting downward to keep product moving through the Holliday. Furthermore, as November gets closer to the end of the month, supplies will taper off as fields begin transitioning to southern regions which are not expected to be in full production until mid December. In the time being, the entire nation is looking to Florida fulfill order for domestic grown product. Still reeling in the loss of acreage from Hurricane Irma, Florida is producing at roughly 30% - 40% of planned production providing for an exceedingly demand driven marketplace. Mature greens are steady at this time with only few days of picking in the schedule this week between scattered showers in the forecast and Thanksgiving. There is an abundant volume of Roma tomatoes coming from Mexico driving prices down a couple dollars for domestic supply. Grape tomatoes have also softened $5 to $10 in price this week with talk of growers pushing price too high in rent weeks. Cherry tomatoes remain steady with little available overall. Markets are forecasted to improve further when Central Florida transitions to Southern growing areas by mid December helping overall supply pending further disruption of any significant weather events. Between now and then, production may begin to taper off limiting what is available from the US further until Winter production gets underway.

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

California is completely finished for the season leaving Florida as the only growing region domestically for tomatoes. Vine Ripe tomatoes have adjusted downward in price by $5 or more at CA and TX shipping points with more availability coming from Baja and Mexico to help meet the National demand for round tomatoes. Quality has been very good and looks to remain favorable for coming weeks. With Eastbound Trucking difficult to find coming out of the West over the holiday, roma prices have fallen to mandated minimums to keep product moving. Quality and condition is mixed with older fruit mixed into the supply channel. Grape tomatoes remain tight and similar to eastern markets at this time, but cheaper by a few dollars to capture buyers attention. Cherry tomatoes remain mirroring their Florida grown counterpart with volume building as winter crops get underway and more product becomes available out of Nogales in the next 1 to 2 weeks.