The Source - October 12, 2015

Weather Update

High pressure builds out west this week with warming temperatures from California to Northern Mexico. The low pressure system that brought light rain to Southern California over the weekend and heavier precipitation to Central Arizona yesterday looks to retrograde over Northern Mexico and then move off the Baja coast early next week. This unusual pattern may bring another round of rain to the region early next week.
The Southeast continues to dry out today after the extremely wet pattern recently. Another cold front moves down through the region late this week with up to 1 inch of rain possible from North Carolina into Georgia Friday and Saturday. Mostly dry conditions are then forecast for early next week.

Freight Update

California trucks remain steady but look to tighten on Friday. Washington and Idaho trucks look to remain steady for the week. The national average will come on Tuesday due to Monday being Columbus Day. The National average was at $2.492 per gallon last week. A difference of $1.248 from this time last year. California prices were at 2.803 per gallon. Crude oil remains steady and is at 47.35 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

California - there are a few Granny-smiths, Braeburns, and Fujis left but supplies are light and the shippers are looking to clean-up for the season. Pink Ladys are available now but only light supplies. The quality has been good.
Washington - light supplies of C.A. Red Delicious remain. New-crop Red Delicious remain steady and heavy to large fruit. Most suppliers are peaking on 72/80/88s and have very few 125s and smaller. Golden delicious are steady and still producing mostly premium grade 100/113/88s. Granny smiths are steady and peaking on 88/100/113s. Most Granny packers don't have much size larger than an 88. Galas are steady on the smaller sizes and are higher on the larger. Most Gala shippers are still peaking on 100/113/125s and don't much available larger than a 100-sze. Fujis are heavier to large fruit but the market is steady to lower as inventories are starting to build. Honeycrisp are steady to lower and are peaking on 64/72s. Volume Honeycrisp deals are available in the lower grades. Jonagolds and Braeburns are available but supplies are light. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - McIntosh are peaking on the larger sizes and the market is steady. Galas are steady on all sizes due to steady demand. Golden delicious are peaking on 113-138s and the market is steady. Honeycrisp are peaking on 100's and larger and the market is steady to lower as inventories build. Jonathans, Cortlands, Jonamacs, and Empires are all steady and the sizing is heavier to the smaller fruit. Some suppliers will deal on volume orders of small Jonathans and Empires.
New York - Red delicious, Macs, Galas, Honeycrisp, Macouns, Empires, and Golden delicious are all being quoted steady. McIntosh volume is good and some shippers will flex on certain sizes and grades. Some will flex on Empires as well. The Macs are peaking on 100s, the galas are heavier to 100/113s and the Gingergolds are peaking on 56-88s. A few cortlands are available.. The quality has been good on all varieties.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Good
Coopersville/Belding/Sparta, MI Lower/Steady Good
Hudson/Pleasant Valley/Red Hook, NY Steady Fair
Stockton, CA Steady Good
Asparagus

This market has remained unchanged, overall. Good supplies of Peruvian product continues to enter the US. Southern Baja has picked up in production numbers. The best availability is with the standard size packs. Jumbo continue to be light in availability. Good quality continues to be reported as good in all the growing regions. Jumbo sizing continues to be on the scarce side as well.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Ica, Peru to Trujillo Steady Good
Southern Baja, MX Steady Good
Avocado (Mexican)

Mexico is beginning to harvest this years new crop. Production of the Flor Loca is starting to lighten. Supplies crossing look to remain steady with good volumes. Stating to see improvement in the range of sizes, but still heavier to 48's and larger fruit. Limited volume on #2 fruit as quality is very good. The fruit is still low in its maturity, but is coming in with better oil content and breaking better. 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.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady Good
Berries (Blackberries) Alert

Demand exceeds supply of fresh blackberries in all California growing regions. Production has slowed down considerably and quality continues to be more of a concern. The current crops have past peak for this season and the recent heat accelerated quality issues with soft fruit, red cell and juicing. Labor is also an issue as more pickers are focusing on culling fruit and controlling quality for the limited harvests. Projections show a shortage of blackberries all the way through October until the Mexican blackberries come on with more volume and begin crossing the border into the United States with better volumes. Some shippers will struggle with volume and availability until the end of October / beginning of November when Mexican fruit will be in full swing. Shippers are becoming increasingly more particular about where they will ship their limited quantities of fruit. Quality expectations should be adjusted to what is currently available. More Mexican blackberries are crossing and have been available in Los Angeles, CA and McAllen, TX which has supplemented shortages out of CA.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply. Production is gapping as we transition from California fruit to Mexican fruit.

Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Higher Fair
Santa Maria, CA Higher Fair
Oxnard, CA Higher Fair
Central Mexico Higher Good
Berries (Blueberries) Alert

Demand exceeds supply. Most all domestic (PNW and MI) commercial production has ended. Any remaining storage fruit will likely show shrivel, aging, soft and some mold. Pricing is continuing to climb upward as we move into October. As the domestic fruit has ended, demand has continually increased for the short supply of offshore fruit arriving into US ports from Uruguay, Argentina, Peru and Mexico. The volume of offshore fruit is very low to start but we expect it to increase later in October and even more so when Chile starts in November. This new product is also demanding a premium price. Some light color being reported along with damage from rain in the early growing season. Shippers are anticipating weekly shortages throughout October until more import fruit arrives into the US.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply. The offshore arrivals are not enough volume to cover the current demand. Continuous challenges with rain and weather across South America's growing regions have severely affected volumes being sent to the US.

Growing Region Market Quality
Buenos Aires, Argentina Higher Good
Salto, Uruguay Higher Good
Trujillo, Peru Higher Good
Central Mexico Higher Good
Berries (Raspberries)

Quality and availability of California fruit has improved over recent weeks. The first arrivals of Mexican raspberries began crossing into McAllen, TX last week as well. Some arrivals have been delayed due to inspection but the limited quantities that have arrived have been excellent quality.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Steady Fair
Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Oxnard, CA Steady Fair
Central Mexico Steady/Higher Excellent
Berries (Strawberries) Alert

DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY. Availability is very limited and production is continuing to decline out of Salinas/Watsonville putting more pressure on production out of Santa Maria and Oxnard. We are short fruit in all areas for the week and moving in a demand exceeds supply situation. The Salinas/Watsonville growing region's quality has improved some over recent weeks but wet and dry bruising, ripe red to overripe, decay and some mildew are still being reported. These plants are tired and fruit is weak. The early onset of the Spring crop in the northern district is also causing an earlier decline at the end of the season. Typically production will continue throughout October and even into November/December (in recent dry years) but this year looks to end sooner than normal. Santa Maria fruit has been stronger overall, the berries have been larger and more firm than out of the north although they are continuing to size down after the recent heat. There are still some soft spots being reported along with white/green tips and shoulders and occasional sunburn. Oxnard fruit is measuring small to begin their season which is typical. Overall quality has been good with firmer fruit. Special packs are limited to non-existent out of all areas. Long stems, pints, 2#, 3#, 4# are labor intensive and are omitted from packing schedules as availability and quality are more limited.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply in all California production regions.

Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Fair
Watsonville, CA Higher Fair
Santa Maria, CA Higher Good
Oxnard, CA Higher Good
Broccoli

This market continues to gain strength. Crowns are very tight. The quality has been up and down. California production is moderate at best. Defects on this commodity include yellow beading, light color, as well as a rubbery texture. Theses defects are a direct result of past warm temperatures. The main production continues to be out of the Salinas Valley. The Southern California production is moderate at best. There is availability out of Mexico as well as McAllen.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
McAllen, TX Higher Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Fair
Celaya Guanjuato Mexico Higher Fair
Carrots

Bakersfield crop is in full production. Size in the fields is good and the percentage of jumbo size carrots is much better. Quality is good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield/Santa Maria, CA Steady Excellent
Cauliflower

This market is very active. A few suppliers are sold out to begin the week. Demand is stronger. Escalated pricing is in effect. The overall quality is good. Warm temperatures are expected again over this next week. The best availability is coming in the sixteen counts while twelve counts remain tight.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Good
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Good
Celery

This market is active. Michigan has finished up for the most part and California production is in high demand. Large sizing is tighter in availability. Santa Maria's production is moderate to light. Production in Salinas is very light. The quality continues to be reported as strong in all the growing regions.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Good
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Good
Cilantro

This market is soft and shippers are looking to deal on this commodity. Pricing is very competitive. The Baja region of Mexico as well as Southern California has increased production. Warm temperatures continue to exists in all of the growing regions. Expect good supplies throughout the week. The overall quality is reported as being clean.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, MX Lower Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Lower Good
Salinas, CA Lower Good
Citrus (Lemons) Alert

Demand remains very high. We are to see better availability on 140s and larger fruit, but still seeing demand exceeding supplies on 165s and smaller fruit coming from the new crop in the desert. Expect this shortage on smaller fruit to continue through the month.

- pa_admin

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

Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella, CA / Yuma, AZ Steady Good
Citrus (Limes)

The lime market is lower. The old crop is finishing up and the new crop volume is picking up nicely and is filling the volume decreases from the old crop finishing. The overall quality is very good on the new crop. The old crop limes are average to below average in quality and they are tired now and nearly finished for this season. Stylar breakdown is the main defect some lots of old crop and yellowing also may be found. We continue to have good demand on limes. The old crop looks to be finished by mid October.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Veracruz, Mexico Lower/Steady Excellent
Citrus (Oranges) Alert

California Valencia oranges supplies are very short on all sizes and are in a extreme demand exceeds supply situation. Most shippers have finished or will be finishing this week on the Valencia crop, this is much sooner than many expected. Some shippers will begin California Navels this week in limited volume and others over the next couple of week. Start up will be slow, but should come on quickly if weather cooperates.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
California Valencia oranges on all sizes have reached an extreme demand exceed supplies as this season comes to an early end.

Growing Region Market Quality
Merced to Bakersfield, CA Steady Fair
Riverside, CA Steady Fair
Grapes (Green)

The green seedless grape market remains unchanged. Quality and supplies are good. Demand is steady with no indication of any change for the near term.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Arvin, CA Steady Good
Delano, CA Steady Excellent
Fresno, CA Steady Excellent
Madera, CA Steady Excellent
Grapes (Red)

The red seedless market is about steady although we are feeling some weakening in the smaller medium large Crimsons. This is causing a split in the market that makes the smaller grapes a relative bargain when compared to the large and extra large Vintage and Scarlet varieties.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Arvin, CA Steady Good
Delano, CA Steady Excellent
Fresno, CA Steady Excellent
Madera, CA Steady Excellent
Green Onions

This market is up with most suppliers. Light supplies out of Mexico will be the call for the entire week. Past heats followed by heavy rainfalls has hindered the production of this crop. Demand is up. Production in Salinas will be very light. The main sizing continues to be in small and some medium packs.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Mexicali, Baja Higher Good
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Good
Kale

This market is unchanged. There are no production issues at this time. Pricing continues to be competitive. The Baja region as well as California continue to be the main growing regions at this time. The overall quality is good with most shippers.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, MX Steady Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas, CA Steady Good
Lettuce Iceberg

This market is steady. There are quality issues that need to be addressed. These issues include small and irregular head size, large seeder, puffiness, insect damage and internal burn. The defects are directly related to past and current high temperatures. These defects are industry wide and will continue throughout the month. The weights on palletized are averaging 38-46 pounds. Salinas and Santa Maria continue to be the two main growing areas at this time.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Fair
Lettuce Leaf

This market is active on romaine and all leaf items. Again, warm temperatures in all the growing regions is causing havoc to growers throughout California. The quality continues to be fair at best. Issues on quality will include fringe burn, small and irregular sizing, insects, dehydration, seeder and internal burn. The weights on romaine cartons are averaging 26-34 pounds. Green and red leaf markets are stronger. Fringe burn, mildew damage, internal burn and insect pressure continue to be defects associated with these commodities. Expect moderate to light supplies for the entire week. There will be gaps in pricing amongst the different shippers.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Fair
Melon (Cantaloupe)

The West Side is producing less volumes of all sizes. The peak size at the moment is 12ct. The 9ct are available again and volumes of them are increasing nicely. The West Side has good quality but green cast is prevalent in all but a few growers lots. Some melons are cutting with more green in them than normal, this will continue until the West Side is finished in October. The current market on all sizes is steady to lower right now. We are experiencing good demand for cantaloupes at this time. The desert started two weeks ago in Maricopa Arizona and is now producing decent volume with 9ct and 12ct as the peak sizes and few 15ct showing up. Momentum is building down in the desert and the quality is good too.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Lower/Steady Good
Mendota, CA Lower/Steady Good
Maricopa, AZ Lower/Steady Excellent
Melon (Honeydew)

The peak size is currently 6ct. The quality and sugar contents continue to be good and this looks to continue. Our honeydew market is steady on all sizes currently. Honeydews are also past their peak production now and Mexico will begin towards the end of October. The desert has started packing very light volumes of dews in Maricopa two weeks ago with Jumbo 4ct and 5ct being the peak sizes with 6ct being the smallest coming in. We continue to experience good demand across the board.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Steady Excellent
Mendota, CA Steady Excellent
Maricopa, AZ Steady Excellent
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Excellent
Onions

Washington - the market is steady on yellows and they are up slightly on reds. The yellows are still heavy to mediums and jumbos. The yellows are a touch smaller than normal this year. The reds are producing more mediums than normal and yields are off so the market is artificially high. The quality for both colors has been good.
Idaho/Oregon - they are steady on medium and jumbo yellows and have good size. Some suppliers are lower on Colossal and Super yellows. Reds are steady to higher due to strong demand. The quality has been good

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Ontario, OR to Nampa, ID Steady Good
Pears

California - there are a few pears left but most shippers are cleaning up their remaining Bosc, Bartletts, red pears. The quality has ranged from fair to poor.
Washington - Bartletts continue to peak on 110/120s and the market is steady. Some suppliers will flex for volume orders of the smaller sizes and the larger sizes remain short. Washington Bosc are steady and they are still peaking on 90/100s. D'anjou pears are also steady and continue to peak on 100s. Most shippers have limited supplies of 80's and larger. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are peaking on half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s. The quality has been good on all Washington pears.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Stockton, CA Steady Good
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Good
Potatoes

Washington - they are a steady on all counts and are still peaking on 80-count and smaller. Large counts are shorter. The quality has been good.
Idaho - The market is higher on all sizes and both varieties. They have large Norkotahs and Burbanks while the smaller counts are in very short-supply. Most shippers are focusing on storing their potatoes right now so the availability is lower than normal. The quality has ranged from excellent to poor due to potatoes that were ran fresh and/or not having gone through "the sweat".
Colorado - the market is steady and the sizing is evenly spread. They do have a few 40/50 counts available in volume. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - they are also steady and have an even size distribution from large to small. The quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Higher Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Monte Vista, CO Steady Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Steady Good
Potatoes (colored)

Bakersfield, California---they are bringing in all colors from Stockton and Washington. The market is steady.
Stockton, California - All colors are steady and remain heavy to A-size. The quality has been good on all colors. Stockton will ship through this Wednesday.
Western Washington - all colors are steady and still peaking on A-size. The quality for all colors has been good.
Central/Eastern Idaho - Reds and golds are steady and both colors are heavy to A-size. Gold supplies are more limited than reds. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - Reds and golds are steady to higher on As and Bs. Both colors are peaking on A-size. Premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs are still short. The quality is good.
North Dakota - reds and golds are steady and both are heavy to A-size. Gold supplies are light this week but will be better next week. Premium and baker size remain very short for both colors. The quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Stockton, CA Steady Good
Mount Vernon, WA Steady Good
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady Good
Plover, WI Steady/Higher Good
Red River Valley, ND Steady Good
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Rounds - The market is unchanged .. Steady. The weather has slowed the volume coming out of the east greatly. This weather, together with California finishing up on their season, has put the pressure on Northern Florida to begin harvesting. Although Northern Florida will not be ready for another 2 weeks. Mexico is currently seeing good volume. With only one real player in the game expect rounds of all sizes to be hard to come by in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Roma - The market is steady/rise. The East was hit with heavy rains while the local programs were already on the decline toward their seasons end. Mexico will see increased volumes in a couple weeks so look for the Roma market to struggle until then. Quality is good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market is unchanged ... Steady. Still low volumes out of all regions. The Cherry market will not see a change until both Mexico finishes transition and the Northern Florida begins to harvest. Until then the market will remain elevated. Grape market remains unchanged as well. Quality has been poor due to weather. Mexico volume cannot cover over all demand. Market will remain strong until Northern Florida comes into play. Quality is fair

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Florida Steady Good
Charleston, SC Steady Good
Cedarville/Hammonton, VA Steady Good
Benton Harbor/Byron Center, MI Steady Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Rounds - The market is unchanged ... Steady. Supplies coming out of Mexico are good and the California season has ended. The East was hit with heavy rains and slowed their already diminishing supplies. Florida looks to be about 2 weeks out so all the pressure is on Mexico to cover demand. Mexico is currently seeing good volume. Expect rounds of all sizes to be hard to come by in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Roma - The market is steady/rise. The demand for Roma's will rely mostly on Mexico. Bad weather in the east has slowed the already declining volumes. Mexico will see increased volumes in a couple weeks so look for the Roma market to struggle until then. Quality is good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market is unchanged. All regions have very low volumes. Will not see a change until both Mexico finishes transition and Northern Florida begins to harvest. Until then the market will remain elevated. Grape market remains unchanged as well. Mexico is supplying some volume but will not cover all the demand, plus quality is an issue. Market will remain strong until Northern Florida comes into play. Quality is fair

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Southern San Joaquin Valley, CA Steady Good
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Good
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady Good

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blackberries)
Demand exceeds supply. Production is gapping as we transition from California fruit to Mexican fruit.

Berries (Blueberries)
Demand exceeds supply. The offshore arrivals are not enough volume to cover the current demand. Continuous challenges with rain and weather across South America's growing regions have severely affected volumes being sent to the US.

Berries (Strawberries)
Demand exceeds supply in all California production regions.

Citrus (Lemons)
Demand exceeds supply on the smaller sized fruit 165s/200s/235s. Expect shortages to go through the month

Citrus (Oranges)
California Valencia oranges on all sizes have reached an extreme demand exceed supplies as this season comes to an early end.

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