The Source - November 30, 2015

Washington - Red Delicious are still big, most packers are peaking on 72/80/88's. All size reds are steady but the market is strong and the smaller sizes are very limited. Washington's red delicious volume is down by 30% from last year so expect a season-long strong market. Golden delicious are steady and still producing mostly premium grade 100/113s. Large Goldens are extremely short! Washington's golden delicious volume is down by 25% from last year so expect them to stay strong as well. Granny-smiths are steady to higher on all sizes and are still peaking on 88/100/113s. Most Granny shippers don't have much larger than an 88-size but are also short on 125's and smaller right now due to strong demand. Galas are steady on all sizes. Most Gala shippers are still peaking on 100/113s and don't have much available on 88's and larger. Fujis are steady and are peaking on extra-fancy 80/88/100's. Honeycrisp are steady but strong due the other states finishing up. Washington fruit is still peaking on 64/72s. Lower grade Honeycrisp are still relatively cheaper. Jonagolds and Braeburns are both steady and continue to peak on 72/80/88's. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Red delicious are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on 72/88s. Empires are steady on all sizes and still peaking on 125/138s. Some suppliers will finish with Empires in late November/early December. McIntosh are steady and they are heavier to 125/138s. Galas are lower on all sizes and are now heavy to 138s. Golden delicious are steady and they are still peaking on 125/138s. Honeycrisp are nearly finished for the season. Jonathans are steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on 150/138/125s. Fujis are steady to lower and they are also peaking on 125/138s. Red Romes, Ida-reds, and Jonamacs, are all still available.
New York - Red delicious, Macs, Galas, Macouns, Empires, Romes, Cortlands, and Golden delicious are all steady. Macoun and red delicious volume is good and some shippers will flex on certain sizes and grades, all other varieties have only limited supplies available. The Gala volume is light on all sizes. The quality has been good on all varieties.

Asparagus supplies will be steady for the week. Good Supplies of Peruvian Asparagus off the East Coast remain with limited demand. Steady supplies from Mexico this week as well. The only difference is out of Mexico Limited Supplies of Extra Large and Jumbo sizes. Extra Large and Jumbo asparagus is available off the East Coast. Quality has been Fair to Good upon arrival with some spreading in the tips of asparagus.

Mexican shipments to the U.S. was down just a little due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The pipeline to the forward warehouses have been filled and movement is currently sluggish after the holiday. We are seeing a more normal range of sizes, peaking on 40s/48s, but availability on 60s/70s continues to be an issue for some shippers. This new crop fruit is lower in maturity and will take longer to ripen and not darken as much when ripen. Ripe fruit could still be green in color as the skin isn't mature enough for it to darken. Color is not an indication of ripeness, pressure is.

The CA blackberry crop continues to decline in volume and should end major production by early December. Mexico is ramping up production weekly as we move further into their growing season. Quality issues with soft fruit, red cell and juicing have been reported in both CA and MX fruit.

Availability has improved over recent weeks with increased volume arriving on both the East and West coasts. South America and Mexico are shipping more fruit with the addition of more blueberries from Chile as their crop begins to ramp up and more shipments will be sent to the US in the coming weeks.

The CA raspberry crop continues to decline in production volume out of both the Northern and Southern growing districts but central Mexico is continually ramping up production. Between all production areas, we have adequate supply. Quality has suffered some with wet, leaky fruit being reported but current reports do show improvements over recent weeks.

California production volumes remain lower in Santa Maria and Oxnard. Cold weather and seasonal decline on the west coast have slowed production. Central Florida and central Mexico are both supplying more strawberries to help cover the overall demand. The tropical storm that hit Mexico dissipated quickly after making landfall and precipitation amounts were far less than originally predicted. Early reports are not showing major disruption in production in the berry growing regions.

Transitions:
Central Florida and central Mexico are both increasing in production volume as their seasons ramp up.

The broccoli market continues to be demand exceeds supply. Although we have seen a marginal improvement in supplies out of Mexico, demand still far outstrips our overall supplies. Quality is still fair to good with Santa Maria still showing some quality issues. We expect to see a strong market on broccoli for the next several weeks as supplies out of the desert are coming on slowly.

Transitions:
Mexico and the desert regions of California and Arizona coming on slowly.

Supplies from the Salinas Valley are still extremely limited due to the temperatures in the mid to low 30's at night. Supplies from Mexico are still not ready and they are experiencing cold weather in this particular growing region too. Look for the market to remain active all week with limited supplies.

Alerts:
Brussel Sprouts remain extremely limited in supply and the market remains active

Cooler weather in Bakersfield is still slowing growth and the sizing and tonnage is off. The percentage of jumbo size carrots is lower than normal and market is firm.

The cauliflower market is in a severe demand exceeds situation. The Salinas growing region has all but finished and the desert regions are starting in a very minimal way. Most desert growers will not have any more than marginal supplies through the month of December. The unusual weather patterns of the past months (rain, heat) have led us to this interruption in supplies. Quality from all regions is fair to good at best.

Alerts:
There is a severe shortage of cauliflower from all regions.

Transitions:
The Arizona and California desert regions are starting slowly

The market on celery, especially the larger 24's and 36's, is demand exceeds supply. The Fusarium Wilt outbreak in Oxnard continues to reduce the overall volume of celery at harvest. The wilt is dramatically affecting the amount of larger size celery as well. Most shippers are harvesting early to avoid losses. This has resulted in substantially more of the smaller 48 and 36 count celery as an overall percentage of the total harvest. With Oxnard the primary source for celery supplies over the next several weeks; we see no improvement in the current situation. Even with the desert set to start in a few weeks most shippers are predicting a demand exceeds market through the first of the year.

Alerts:
Fusarium Wilt continues to make it's presence felt.

Transitions:
Celery is finishing in Salinas with Oxnard coming on.

Supplies this week will be limited causing the market to get active. Colder weather in the Oxnard / Baja growing region will keep the market strong and supplies limited all week. Quality is still a problem with lots showing yellowing and black slimy leaves upon arrival.

Alerts:
Limited Supplies for the week on all packs of Cilantro

Demand remains very good. The Desert crop is 30% lighter in volume than last years crop and is 41% harvested. This crop is producing a larger proportion of fancy grade and is peaking on 140s and larger fruit, which is in good availability with market easing off a bit, but still leaving us in a demand exceed supplies on 165s and smaller fruit. Expect this shortage on smaller fruit to continue through January.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply on the smaller sized fruit 165s/200s/235s. Expect shortages to go through January.

The lime market is steady on all of the sizes. Bigger fruit is the result of previous rains in the growing areas. Holiday demand from Europe has started and they prefer smaller sized limes. The increased size of the fruit and increased demand is putting upward pressure on the small sized fruit. The overall quality is very good on the new crop. We continue to have good demand on limes.

Navel crop is peaking on 88s/113s/72s/138s. Cooler night time temps are bring on better natural color to the oranges and growers are able to drop gas times on the fruit down to 48 hours or less for some. This will help both quality and turn around of fruit. Volumes will continue to be steady, if weather cooperates.

The green seedless grape market is steady to higher as domestic storage grapes are cleaning up. We are currently seeing good quality Peruvian Sugarone's available on the East Coast. These are priced only marginally higher than the domestic grapes and provide a good value for quality. The Chilean deal is set to begin arriving on the East Coast in about two weeks. Quality on the domestic storage green's is generally just fair.

Transitions:
Peruvian grapes coming in with Chilean nearly ready

Peak Seasons:
Domestic grapes are finishing and now are primarily storage only

The red seedless grape market steady to higher with good demand and only fair to good quality. We are currently primarily using storage grapes on the domestic side. The Peruvian red seedless are coming on with better supplies but they still commanding a premium due to quality. The earliest eta we have on the Chilean red seedless is mid-December. We will continue with a mixed supply market until the first of the year; when Chile will become our main source of supply.

Transitions:
Peruvian red seedless available

The Green Onion market remains steady at higher prices. Supplies are still limited coming from Mexico. But we are starting to see better supplies of pencil/small sized green onions. The other sizes are limited and are commanding a higher market price. Iceless Green onions are also limited in supply and the market remains active. Over all quality is good with occasional yellowing in the tops.

Good supplies remain in both growing regions. The market has also remained stable. Quality is excellent with great color and minimal yellowing. Look for supplies and the market to remain steady for the week.

Cold temperatures in Yuma and the outlying areas of Yuma continue to play havoc to growers. Crews will again be delayed in harvesting and this will continue throughout the week. Ice is the major issue. Crews will not begin harvesting until mid morning. Expect trucks to be delayed. Demand exceeds supplies. Escalated pricing is in effect on contract cartons and value added items. Yuma lettuce is reported to have seeder, light weights, small and irregular head size, puffiness, and insect damage. These defects are industry wide. The weights on palletized lettuce continue to range from 32-39 pounds.

Alerts:
Ice delays for harvesting lettuce all week in Yuma and outside areas of Yuma.

The romaine supplies have tightened up with all suppliers. Delays in shipping at the beginning of the week will occur as frigid temperatures hit the Yuma region over the weekend. Harvesting crews will be delayed due to ice on the plants. Escalated pricing for this commodity continues on value added items as well as contracts on carton business. Defects continue to exist to this commodity. The defects include fringe burn, small and irregular sizing, insects, dehydration, seeder and internal burn. Green and red leaf as well as butter will continue to have issues as well. There are multiple defects associated with these items as well. These defects include fringe burn, mildew damage, internal burn and insect damage. This is industry wide. The Southern California region has the same issues on all leaf items. Supplies will be light all week. There will continue to be gaps in pricing among the different shippers on all leaf items throughout the week.

Alerts:
Ice over the weekend in Yuma will cause for delays for Monday loading in Yuma.

The desert finished packing lopes last week. Mexico is crossing very very small volumes of cantaloupes. Offshore melons are arriving in Florida and volumes will continue to increase weekly, however this week will be extremely short in supplies. Supplies are being eaten up now since the desert has finished packing. Offshore quality is good and the peak size is 9ct and 6ct with very few 12ct and even less 15ct. The 18ct sizes will not be available for several more days. The current market is up on all sizes. The large size fruit trend will continue for the near future. We are experiencing very good demand for the cantaloupes that are arriving. The offshore growing areas have experienced 4-6 inches of rain two weekends ago. Arrivals around December 7th could be affected by these heavy rains.

Alerts:
Supplies are extremely short this week.

Transitions:
Offshore melons will supply us until this summer.

The peak size is currently 6ct with more of all sizes coming in than previously. Honeydews are now finished in the West Side district. The desert has also finished harvesting. Mexican dews continue to ship out of Nogales AZ. Demand is good on all sizes. Offshore dews are arriving in small volumes in Florida with the peak size being 5ct. Offshore dews will arrive on the west coast mid December. The market is steady on Mexican dews and higher on offshore dews.

Transitions:
Offshore dews are increasing in volume but won't be in full swing for a number of weeks.

Washington - the market is steady on all sizes and all colors although most shippers have limited supplies of medium yellows. The quality is good on all colors.
Idaho/Oregon - the market is steady on all sizes colors. Demand is mixed depending on the supplier. The quality has been good on all colors.

Washington - Bartletts are steady on all sizes but the market is strong due to lighter supplies in storage. The fruit continues to peak on 110/120s and large size Bartletts are still short. Bosc are steady and continue to peak on 90/100/110s. D'anjou pears are also steady and continue to peak on 90/100s. Most shippers are short of D'anjou 80s and larger. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are still producing mostly half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s. The quality has ranged on the bartletts as some suppliers are between regular storage and C.A. The D'anjou, Bosc, and red pear quality is good.

Supplies have improved and look good for December. Exports to Europe has backed off and this is helping our supply issues we have seen over the last month.

Washington - cartons and number-twos are steady on all sizes even though the post-holiday availability is light. The norkotah quality has been good.
Idaho - the market is steady on all sizes in both varieties but several shippers cant pack today because of the cold temperatures. Expect the carton availability to be low this week unless the temperatures warm up. The quality for both varieties has been good.
Colorado - the carton market is steady on all sizes. The norkotah quality has been good.
Wisconsin - the market is steady on all sizes. Wisconsin still has an even size distribution. The norkotah quality has been good.

Bakersfield, California - all sizes and colors are steady except Gold As which are higher, and all continue to peak on size A. Premium size reds and golds remain short. The quality has been good.
Western Washington - reds and golds are steady and they are peaking on A size. The quality has been good on all colors.
Central/Eastern Idaho - Reds and golds are mostly steady although there are some volume deals available. All colors 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. Number-two Bs, premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs are all limited. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - Reds and golds are steady and still peaking on size A. US#1 and 2 Red B volume remains limited along with premiums and bakers in both colors. The quality has been good.

The import cherry season is picking up as the numbers out of Peru increase and Chilean shippers begin to ship. Quality has been reported as excellent with mostly 9.5 row to 10 row available. Supplies will improve through the month of December with numbers waning in January.

Transitions:
Peruvian and Chilean cherries

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be god in the east. Palmetto-Ruskin regions going strong. California is finished with their season and Mexico just getting going. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be up and down in the east. Mexico supplies also up and down due to weather conditions. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be good in the east. Mexico supplies still lighter due to production season. Quality is good.
Grape - The market is steady. Florida still seeing good supplies. Quality continues to be good.

Rounds - The market is steady. Weather out west continue to be a struggle. California finished with their season and Mexico just getting started. Florida continues to see good supplies. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be sporatic due to weather out west. Mexico cotinues to be behind their production due to weather conditions. Supplies a little better back east, however, numbers are inconsistant. Quality is Good.
Cherry - The market is steady. West seeing a bit more supplies. Although Mexico is not in their full production, supplies still steady. Supplies good back east. Quality is Good.
Grape - The market is steady. Mexico continues to cross good supplies. Florida continues to see good supplies as well. Quality is good.