The Source - November 3, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady on 88's and larger with good availability. Red 125s and smaller are steady but supplies remain limited. Most packers continue to peak on extra-fancy 88 and larger reds. Golden delicious are peaking on 88s and larger and are steady but strong due to lighter volume in Washington. Small Golden delicious supplies remain very short, with very few if any 125 size and smaller. New-crop Granny-smith are steady and continue to produce mostly 88's and larger. 100 size and smaller Grannys are available but limited and most shippers have fruit in the wash extra-fancy grades. 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. Honey Crisp are mostly steady on all sizes and still peaking on 48/56/64s. 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.
California - apples are cleaning up for the season. The quality 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, Honey Crisp, red Romes, and red delicious are available and all are steady although some suppliers are slightly higher or lower. 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 Honeycrisp 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 lower grade fruit and some bitter pit.

Alerts:
Small apples are generally short in Washington but small Golden delicious are really tight! Volume orders of 125 size and smaller will need to be subbed up to a 100 or 113 size.

Weather is still good in the growing areas in Mexico, steady market and volume, sizing is good.

Weather in northern Peru is good. Southern Peru (Ica) is a little cooler than usual resulting in lighter volume. The market is slightly higher.

Mexico has been harvesting steadily now for over 2 weeks, and fruit is getting to forward shipping points across the country almost daily. Inventories are good on 60s/70s/84s, but the industry is still limited on 48s and larger sizes. Mexico's harvest is skewed heavier the smaller sizes and see the market easy off on these sizes. The 48s/40s size remains an issue, and pricing is still firm and may be a couple of weeks still before we start catching up on them. This is new crop fruit and takes longer for them to ripen and fruit is remaining green when ripe.

Green Bells Have 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 and production will continue to uptrend over the coming weeks. 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 although some areas have begun to reduce their air shipments as prices have fallen. Quality has been good on all imported product thus far.

Raspberry supplies are steady with good production volumes 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 over the coming weeks. This is a great time to promote raspberries!

Demand is exceeding supply. The industry is increasingly limited as recent weather in CA coupled with the annual crop transition is leaving us severely short of strawberries for fresh market. After another round of rain this past weekend, Watsonville and Salinas are all but finished for the season. Santa Maria harvests will be limited this week as plants are being cleaned-up and stripped of water damaged fruit. Oxnard has begun in a light way but production is not ramping up as expected due to the cool and wet weather in that region. With the current challenges in all California growing regions, we are expecting a significant shortage for at least 2-3 weeks and will not see much relief until Mexican production has ramped up and with the start of Florida production at the end of November.

Alerts:
Strawberry supply is extremely limited and demand is exceeding.

Transitions:
Central Mexico production should ramp up in the next 2-3 weeks. Florida production is estimated to begin around the end of November.

Fruit is stripped from plants

Water damaged unripe fruit

The market remains steady with plenty of supplies from all growing regions. Quality is really good with minimal yellowing and dehydration.

Transitions:
Broccoli will transition to Yuma AZ the week of November 21st

Supplies are plentiful from the Salinas Valley. Mexico is producing some volume but the quality is fair. The market is still aggressive but will trend higher next week when the Thanksgiving pull starts. Quality from the Salinas Valley is excellent with all sizes available and dark green color.

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 cauliflower market is trending lower as we finish the week. Demand has fallen with an increase of supplies. But next week the market will react when the Thanksgiving Day ads start pulling. Quality is really good with minimal bruising and white color.

Transitions:
Cauliflower will transition to Yuma AZ the week of November 21st

This market is active and this will likely continue as we head into the holidays. Small sizing is the tightest in terms of availability. Oxnard has begun production and more suppliers are expected to begin next week and the week after. Production in Salinas is scheduled to continue until approximately the third week in November. Santa Maria will continue to have production.

Jalapeno- Good size and strong color on peppers coming into Nogales, Arizona. Mostly large and Extra Large size available with few medium size. Good quality and condition with steady supply.

Pasilla- Good quality and condition with a steady supply and market. Mostly large size .

Husk Tomatillo- Supply of Husk Tomatillo has started in Nogales, Arizona this week. First shipments showing fresh green husks with consistent sizing. Supplies are light.

The cilantro market is steady as we finish the week. Supplies are still plentiful from all growing regions. Quality reports have been nice with minimal yellowing and dehydration.

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, but will not reach good volume until mid November. 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.

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 a touch lower on the larger sizes and steady on the smaller ones with a tone of stability in it. An increasing market is beginning to form on the smaller limes due to a shift in the size profile and the previously low markets which growers curtailed harvests.

This season's Valencia crop is nearing it's end. There are only a few houses still packing, and will be finishing this week.
New crop Navels have started for most shippers and more coming on line next week. There are a good range in sizes and initial sizing looks to be small with 113s/138s/88s peak and heavy to fancy grade. Quality is good.

Good supply and quality in Nogales, Arizona. Demand has remained steady along with supply. Market has also remained steady.

Eggplant has now started to cross from Sonora, Mexico in through Nogales, Arizona. Showing good quality and condition. Great dark color and bright green cylix. Good demand and steady supply.

Domestic green grape supplies will continue to get more limited as we move forward. Most shippers have transitioned to storage crop, which is holding strong on quality. However, as we get later into the season not only will supplies drop, but quality may become an issue as some of the late harvest endured some light rain. Prices are climbing and expected to keep increasing as we move along. Peruvian green grapes are available now on the east coast. Prices a slightly higher than domestic, but with the California storage crop prices on the rise, it may be a better option if you can load in New Jersey. Chilean fruit is expected to arrive on the west coast late December.

Alerts:
Domestic green grape prices are climbing and supplies will continue to drop as we move forward.

Transitions:
Peruvian green grapes now available to load on the east coast. Chilean fruit expected by late December on the west coast.

Domestic red grape supplies remain consistent. We did not see any change in market price this week. Quality continue to be good. Harvest is expected to last a couple more weeks before all shippers transition to storage crop for the remainder of the season. Prices will gradually increase as we move forward. Peruvian red seedless grapes arrived this week in New Jersey in limited amounts. Market prices for the Peruvian grapes are much higher than the domestic crop, but as more volume arrives over the next 2 weeks, we can expect prices to be more in line with California. Chilean red grapes will arrive by Christmas on the west coast.

Transitions:
Peruvian red seedless grapes arrived in New Jersey this week. Volumes are expected to increase moving forward.

Supplies remain plentiful to finish the week. The market is aggressive for both iced and iceless. Quality is nice with minimal yellowing of the tops.

The kale market remains unchanged at current price levels. Supplies are abundant with minimal quality complaints. Quality has been excellent with full cartons and dark green color.

Salinas production is all but finished. The quality is average, but some customers still want to load in Salinas to close the week out. The better lettuce is in Huron. Aside from some slight misshapen heads, and slight insects the overall quality has been clean. Weights are averaging 41-43 pounds. Yuma production is getting better and more suppliers will be loading next week out of this region. Weights are averaging 39-42 pounds on palletized in Santa Maria.

This market has stabilized. Shippers are looking for business. Quality issues in northern and southern California on romaine, romaine hearts, as well as all leaf items have been reported. The continued issues include sclerotinia, mildew, twisting, some insect damage, fringe and tip burn. These defects are industry wide. The shelf life is shorter so please be aware. The weights on romaine average 28-33 pounds. Red, green and butter leaf have had lighter weights reported. Yuma production has begun and more suppliers will have product by the end of next week. Early reports indicate seeder of 3-4 inches on romaine in Yuma.

Demand is has picked up a little since the beginning of the 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 four weeks ago with a few lopes crossing over from Mexico. The market is higher on all sizes. The quality is excellent in the desert.

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 four 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 lower 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 moderate supplies out of all growing areas. Quality is being reported as good. Market is slightly weaker on Jumbo Yellows and larger with deal being made on Super Colossal and Colossal on load volume. Red and White onions are steady with limited supplies of mediums. Trucks are starting to tighten due to the Christmas Tree growers paying good money.

California - there are still a few Bartlett and Bosc left but red pears have finished for the season. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
Washington - Bartletts are steady and they continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s. There is still some volume flex on the larger sizes. D'anjou pears are steady and are also peaking on US#1 90/100s. Most shippers will flex on volume orders of 100s and larger. Bosc pears are also steady and are peaking on US#1 80/90s. Red pears are steady as well and are peaking on US#1 40/45/50 half cartons. The quality for all varieties pears has been good.

Alerts:
120 size and smaller Bartlett and D'anjou pears are extremely short. Like the apples, the ideal growing conditions in Washington this year has produced more larger fruit.

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

Demand is light to moderate on all sizes cartons which keeping the market steady at low levels. I don't see this changing before the first of the year. Retail demand on non size A bags is good for the Thanksgiving holiday. Quality is good. All growing areas Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin are in the same boat with good supplies and great quality potatoes. The main issue will be transportation tightening up as the holidays and Christmas tree season comes upon us.

Bakersfield California - white, red, and gold potatoes are steady and all are still peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.
Idaho - reds and gold potatoes are steady and both are peaking on size A. The quality is good.
Western Washington - reds & gold potatoes are steady on all sizes and remain heavier to size A. Whites are steady but limited with only the larger sizes available. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - both gold and red potatoes are steady on all sizes and continue to peak on A size. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are steady on all sizes and both colors are peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.
Canada - they are steady on all colors but they only pack bags, no cartons. 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.

Black plums are now finished for the season and we are left with just limited availability on the remaining red plum inventory. Quality on the red plums seems to be holding strong with no arrival problems to mention. Supplies are expected to last another 1-2 weeks. Price will be firm. The Chilean stone fruit season is expected to start with normal volumes by mid January.

Alerts:
Black plums are now done. Red plums are expected to last another 1-2 weeks.

Transitions:
Chilean stone fruit season is expected to start mid January with normal volumes of peaches, nectarines and plums.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies are looking a bit bitter, although larger fruit continues to be a struggle. Florida areas, such as Palmetto and Ruskin are beginning. Quincy area also is shipping product. Out west, Northern California growers are still producing. Southern Caifornia and Mexico are all shipping vine ripes. Although quality in the west may have a range from good to fair, depending on the rains.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be a bit lighter. Florida has started, but with light numbers and still about a week or so out from better production. Out west, supplies are coming across from mexico, but with lighter numbers due to recent rains. Demand for roma's continue to be stronger in all areas. Quality looks to be good.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies in the east continue to be very light. Not much has changed from last week. In the west, supplies look be improving, but not enough to effect the market much. 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. Northern California growers are still producing. Southern California and Mexico are all shipping vine ripes. Although quality in the west may have a range from good to fair, depending on the rains. Florida areas, such as Palmetto and Ruskin are beginning. Quincy area also is shipping product.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies are coming across from mexico, but with lighter numbers due to recent rains. Demand for roma's continue to be stronger in all areas. Quality looks to be good. Florida has started, but with light numbers and still about a week or so out from better production.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies look to be improving, but not enough to effect the market much. Supplies in the east continue to be very light. Not much has changed from last week. 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.