The Source - November 29, 2017

Washington – Red Delicious are steady on all sizes with good availability. They continue to peak on extra fancy fruit in the medium size range. Golden Delicious are steady with good availability and are peaking on premium grade 100/113s. Lower grade golden delicious are limited this year. Granny Smith are steady on all sizes with mostly small fruit. 88 and larger Granny-smith remain short and are still higher priced. Galas are steady on all sizes and are peaking on 100/113s. Gala demand is strong and steady so the smaller fruit isn't as available as it was early in the season. Fuji's are steady with good availability and they are peaking on the 88/100s. Honeycrisp are steady on all sizes with good availability but they are peaking on larger fruit. Jonagolds are steady and are heavier to 72/80/88s. Braeburns are steady and peaking on 88/100s. The quality of all has been good.

Idaho – Jonagolds, Golden Delicious, Red Romes, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji's, and Pink Ladies are all steady. Granny's and Jonagolds are still peaking on 80/88/100s while the others are one size smaller. The quality has been good.

Michigan – Michigan continues to pack Galas, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Jonathans, Jonamacs, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Cortlands, Empires, Fujis, red Romes, Ida Reds, and Jonagolds. All markets remain steady. They continue to have great 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 – Fujis, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Cameos, and Pink Ladies are all steady. Galas are available, but the volume is winding down. Red Delicious and Pink Ladies are peaking on 88/100s, while the Goldens, Galas, Fujis, Cameos, and Grannys are heavier to 100/113s. The demand has been light. The quality has been good.

New York – they are packing Cortlands, Galas, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Fujis, Snap Dragons, Golden Delicious, Jonagolds, Red Romes, Macouns, Pink Ladies, Staymen Winesaps, and Empires. They have mostly large fruit so they haven't been much of a factor in foodservice this year. There have been a few small Macs. The quality has been good.

Alerts:
Washington still has limited availability of larger Granny Smith.

Michigan volume is down and they expect an early finish.

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

Central Mexico (Ciudad Obregon) weather has not changed from last week, mid 80's during the day, and 60's during the evening. Production is at its peak with the weather cooperating. Southern Peru (ICA), and Northern Peru (Trujillo) are also experiencing great growing weather. Larger sizes are at their peak from the south of Peru. Overall markets are lower due to after Thanksgiving movement being slow.

Mexico's shipments eased off some at the end of last week, and many municipalities are shutting down for the balance of the week in efforts to get markets up and a higher field price. We still have good volume in the states, but look for supplies to begin to tighten by the weekend and into next week. Markets are already beginning to react.

Alerts:
Many of Mexico's municipalities are not harvesting for the balance of the week to get markets to firm up. Look to see supplies to tighten by this weekend and into next week.

Green bell pepper supplies are still tight with most Georgia shippers finished for the season, and Florida Growers still are not getting much volume. Even with light supplies, the market seems to be peaking with more supplies in the west and Florida growers set to hit more volume next week. Demand is off after the Thanksgiving holiday. Quality is very good on the supplies that are available.

Alerts:
Supplies are still tight in the east.

Transitions:
Green Bell Pepper is transitioning to Florida

Peak Seasons:
Green Bell Pepper is not in Peak season.

Blackberry supplies continue to be steady with good production coming from Central Mexico and Oxnard. We expect to see increased production from Mexico for the next 3-4 weeks. Market prices have been fairly steady. However, I do expect to see some aggressive prices being offered as availability increases. Quality has been fair. We continue to see soft wet berries upon arrival. The vibration from partial pallets and warm temperature are the biggest concerns on long trips.

Alerts:
Supplies are strong, but quality has been fair. Berries have been soft and bruise easily.

Blueberry supplies continue to be a moving target this week. We have multiple areas in production, but availability remains limited. Peruvian harvest is down trending, and the fruit size is small. Argentina has 3-4 more weeks of production with most of that fruit arriving in Miami. Chilean production is slow and limited amounts of fruit are arriving. We expect to see better supplies and more arrivals by boat come December. Central Mexico continues to have consistent production which is helping fill the pipeline on the west coast. We have seen a large percentage of fruit being packed in a 4.4oz clam due to size. Demand has been strong. Quality is good. Markets have remained steady.

Alerts:
Supplies remain limited and market prices are firm.

Transitions:
Chilean production is expected to improve over the next 2-3 weeks.

Raspberry supplies have become slightly limited this week. We expect overall production to dip in December as Salinas, Watsonville and Santa Maria harvest has ended. Central Mexico and light production in Oxnard will be the main sources of supply. We expect to see markets firm up and availability become increasingly limited over the next 3-4 weeks. At this time, we do not anticipate any disruption in order fulfillment, but open market product will get snug as we move forward. Quality has been good, and demand has been steady.

Alerts:
Supplies will decrease and market prices will increase over the next 3-4 weeks.

Strawberry supplies are improving this week. The weather in southern California looks to be ideal through the weekend and shippers are expecting increased yield and volume for the remainder of the week. In addition, Florida harvest continues to improve (nice fruit), opening more options for east coast customers and relieving some demand pressure on the west coast. Market prices have been firm, and demand has been strong up to this point. However, as more volume comes on, I expect market prices to start dropping quicker than anticipated. Depending on the shipper and their volume, I am projecting we will see some aggressive prices being offered this week. Quality has been fair but is improving with the warmer weather and cool nights.

Alerts:
We expect the market on CA fruit to decrease this week.

Transitions:
Florida is picking up harvest with better volume expected moving forward.

We have seen an abundance of supply of broccoli from all growing regions. We have seen sporadic quality issues from different regions as well. We have seen some brown bead and hollow core from the regions that have experienced heat in the early growing season. But suppliers are doing their best to bypass the poor quality. And with the little demand currently, we have seen competitive prices from all regions.

The brussel sprout market has leveled off even after the Thanksgiving day pull. Demand is steady which has kept the market at current levels. Supplies are steady as well. Quality is really nice with all size profiles available, minimal spotting or holes in the individual sprout itself, and vibrant green color.

Carrots continue on at a steady pace now since the new crop has arrived. The averages on jumbos have been lifted. Rainbow carrots are back in also. Organic carrot juice has been tight the last few weeks but should be in normal supplies now as the new crop of organic carrots has started. We should have normal supplies and good quality going forward for the next several weeks.

We are experiencing ample supplies of cauliflower this week. The little demand has created a surplus of inventories. Suppliers are very competitive with their prices to move volume. Quality is really nice with weights in the 28 to 30 pound range, minimal brown spotting, and vibrant white color.

Celery supplies are moderate to good with most suppliers. This market is soft. Supplies are expected to be strong throughout this week. Salinas and Santa Maria/Oxnard has production that will be ample to fill all orders. 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.

We are finally seeing good supplies of cilantro from all growing regions. Quality is much improved with minimal yellowing or brown to black discoloration. We have seen full bunches and vibrant green color. The market remains competitive.

The lemon market is very active. With this year's Desert crop much lighter in volume, shippers are seeing production starting to fall off. The Central Valley crop has just begun to harvest and pack limited volume, mostly fancy grade. Demand remains very good and is exceeding supplies.

Alerts:
Demand exceed supplies.

Limes are stable at the moment. Supplies have improved this week. Demand has been steady, but shippers are expecting a push through the holidays. Quality is being reported as strong and sizes are consistent. Market prices have come down slightly this week. With improving supplies expected over the next 2-3 weeks, we may see this market become a little more active.

We are seeing a size shift in the Navel crop, the percentage of 113s/138s is falling quickly and the percentage of 72s and larger increasing. Pack outs are clean with good color resulting in grade ratio of 85% to 90% of Fancy fruit, leaving much less choice fruit than there is demand for of the choice grade. Choice market remains active and short. We are looking at peaking 72s/88s/56s for the balance of the navel season. Small fruit will be in short supply all season long.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supplies on 88s and smaller choice grade fruit.

Central Florida is still producing good quality cucumbers, the east coast is going strong, and the first Hondurans are showing up this week. Quality is good, growers have had ideal weather this month. There was some rain this past weekend that slowed harvest for two days, but there will be no long-term effects. The first Honduran cucumbers arrived in South Florida early this week, and quality looks good. Most Honduran shippers will not start until December 15th.

Alerts:
Plenty of options to buy cucumbers

Transitions:
Honduras is starting, but Florida is still in full swing

Peak Seasons:
Cucumbers are in peak availability

Eggplant supplies are still tight with Georgia growers finishing for the season and light volume in Florida. Florida eggplant acreage has decreased over the past few years, so we don't expect a huge supply starting anytime soon. Demand started dropping just before the Thanksgiving holiday and more supplies are starting to cross from Mexico putting pressure on eastern markets. Quality is still good in most places, with a few issues on choice and the Georgia product is showing signs of age.

Alerts:
Light supplies

Transitions:
Eggplant are transitioning to Florida

Peak Seasons:
Eggplant is not in peak season.

No major changes for green grapes in quality or market. Supplies should carry well into December. Some light rain in California over the last few days should not have an impact on quality or markets. Expect more of the same over the next few weeks for domestic grapes. Import green grapes should start arriving later in December.

Red grapes are still hand in hand with green grapes as far as markets and quality. Supplies should also carry well into December. Light rain in California over the last few days should not have an impact on quality or markets. No major changes over the next few weeks are expected. Offshore red grapes should start arriving around early to mid-December.

We are seeing a steady supply of both iced and iceless green onions from Mexico. This has kept the market very competitive. Quality is really nice with green tops, vibrant white tips, and minimal yellowing.

As we have transitioned to Yuma we have seen no disruption in supplies. Thus we are experiencing competitive markets. Quality is excellent with full bunches, dark green color, and minimal dehydration.

This market has remained flat. Expect this to continue for the entire week. Supplies exceed demand with most suppliers. Yuma production is plentiful. Aside from some mechanical and puffiness being reported, the overall quality is good. Weights on wrap lettuce have been averaging 38-42 pounds. Santa Maria has moderate production. Quality has been reported good overall as well. Expect heavy supplies throughout this week.

Romaine, as well as all leaf items, are flat in the marketplace. Supplies exceed demand. Shippers are flexing, as demand has slowed down. Yuma production, as well as Santa Maria and Oxnard, are all growing areas that will have heavy availability throughout this week. Aside from some slight ribbing and insects, the quality overall is good. Romaine heart production is strong as well.

Spring mix, baby spinach, cello spinach, and arugula supplies are plentiful. We have seen little yellowing, bruising, or wetness upon arrival. Most components are experiencing optimal growing conditions. The market is steady with little disruption for the next two weeks.

Cantaloupe supplies from both domestic and imported growers have started to grow with demand down right now. Quality for both has been fairly good with a few problems popping up here and there. Markets have adjusted downward as a result of the surplus in quantities. Supplies out of the Arizona desert should last another 4-6 weeks depending on markets and quality.

Honeydew supplies are paralleling the situation with cantaloupes. Quality for both areas has also been fairly good. Markets also have adjusted downward as a result of the surplus in quantities. Honeydew supplies out of the Arizona desert will also continue for another 4-6 weeks depending on weather, quality, and markets.

The market continues 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. By 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 tuned. Transportation has gotten a little better the start of this week but look for this to tighten right back up as we get closer to the next set of holidays. Stay ahead on inventories.

Washington – Bartlett pears are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on US#1 80/90/100s. Supplies of small fruit and the fancy grade remain limited. The D'anjou market is steady on all sizes, but the availability for small fruit and the fancy grade remain very short. D'anjous continue to peak on US#1 80/90s. Bosc are steady on all sizes, but small fruit is also tight in addition to all sizes in 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, and the market is steady, but supplies are light. They expect to finish this week or next. The quality is good.

Alerts:
Washington remains short on small Bartlett, D'anjou, and Bosc pears.

Bartlett numbers are down this year and we expect an early finish around mid-February to March 1.

Peak Seasons:
Washington continues in the peak of it's pear season.

We continue to see good supplies coming in for the tropics. Expect good supplies as we move into December. Size is peaking on 5ct/6ct.

Potato markets out of all growing areas are unchanged on all sizing and packs. Quality out of all shipping points is being reported as good. Transportation has gotten slightly better the start of this week but look for it to tighten up as we get closer to the holidays. I can not say it enough but stay ahead of your inventories through the first of the new year.

Western Washington – all colors are all steady with good availability. A size is the peak size for all, and the quality has been good.

Eastern Washington– reds and golds are both steady, and they are also peaking on A size. The quality is good.

Bakersfield, California – reds, whites, and golds are all steady. The availability is good, and the tighter truck market hasn't hampered availability really. The quality is good.

Idaho – red and gold potatoes are steady on all sizes. Expect heavier packing this week and improved availability as the week goes on. 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. Some suppliers here are finished with their better quality potatoes and will begin to source bulk from other states to repack. 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 in North Dakota. The quality has been good.

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

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

There are ample squash supplies coming from Florida, the weather has been excellent for growing and all the major growing areas from Central Florida south to Homestead are in good production. Both green and yellow squash are reasonably priced. Quality is good and getting better after some rain this past weekend that caused a few issues. The air has been dry and temperatures are warm producing better quality fruit.

Alerts:
Good supplies

Transitions:
Squash is moving to South Florida.

Peak Seasons:
Squash is in peak season

California had some rain over the weekend and Monday. It's not expected to have any impact on quality or harvests. Things remain fairly steady on both markets and quality. Plum availability should continue into mid-December barring any weather or quality issues. We're still pushing pomegranates, persimmons, apple pears and kiwi for any holiday promotions or gift basket orders. Chilean cherries are coming in now in volume. They can be loaded out of Miami or Los Angeles & Harvest Sensations.

Transitions:
Cherries from Chile are arriving with availability out of Los Angeles and Miami.

As the close of November approaches, supplies are tapering off as fields begin transitioning to southern regions which are not expected to be in full production until mid-December. For the time being, the entire nation is looking to Florida fulfill orders 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 larger sizes selling at a premium as vines in the ground finish their life cycle. Roma tomatoes are finished in Florida and the gap during transition has put upward pressure on prices this week. Grape tomatoes are continuing their downward trend speculated to be below the $30 mark FOB next week. 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

Transitions:
Palmetto and Ruskin growing regions in Florida are starting to transition further south to Immokalee where quality reports are forecasted to be good at this time.

With Florida finishing up, the rounds out of Mexico are firming up on price to meet demand. Quality has been very good and looks to remain favorable for coming weeks with prices forecasted to loosen up by mid December when Florida completes transition. As roma availability slows to a halt in the east, fobs have lifted off the price floor by a few dollars this week out of Baja and Mexico. Quality and condition is mixed with older fruit mixed into the supply channel. Grape tomatoes are improving from eastern Mexico and Baja helping the market settle and continue a slide as we move into December. 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.