The Source - October 24, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady to lower with good availability on 88's and larger. Red 125s and smaller are steady but supplies are light. Most packers continue to peak on extra-fancy 64-88s. The Golden delicious market remains steady but strong due to lighter volume. Small Golden delicious supplies remain very short, in fact most shippers don't have any availability of 125's or smaller. New-crop Granny-smith are steady and continue to produce mostly 88's and larger. The Gala market is steady on larger fruit with good availability and steady but firm on the smaller fruit. Galas are peaking on 80/88/100/72s. Honey Crisp are 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 to lower 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 - Granny-Smith are steady on all sizes but the availability is very low. Pink Lady's are steady but supplies are also limited. The quality has been good.
Idaho---Gala's, red delicious, Golden delicious, Granny-smith, and Jonathans and are all peaking on Washington extra-fancy 88/100/113's. The markets are all steady and the quality has been good.
Michigan--McIntosh, Golden delicious, Jonamacs, Jonathans, Galas, Cortlands, Empires, Honey Crisp, red Romes, and red delicious are available and all are steady although some suppliers are lower. Some varietys are medium in size while some are heavier to small fruit. The quality has been good.
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.

Alerts:
Small Golden delicious apples are extremely short in Washington, in fact most shippers aren't quoting anything below a 113 and will ask to sub up on 125/138s.

All of the other Washington varieties are larger than normal so small fruit availability is light.

Weather is a bit cooler in Northern Baja, volume is down, market is up, sizing is good.

Weather in both Peruvian growing regions (ICA/Trujillo) is still good, volume is lighter at the end of the week due to some seeding issues in the field. Market is slightly higher.

Mexico has been harvesting now for a week and the first of this fruit forward shipping point across the country this weekend. More will be arriving daily, but the industry is still short of the needed supplies to fill the demand. This will be hard green fruit hitting these warehouses, preconditioned and ripe fruit order will be slow coming back in rotation in the ripe rooms. It will take time for inventories to fill as the pipeline is clean and these first arrivals will not go very far in filling the industry demand. It will be a slow process, and will take 2 to 3 weeks to fully fill the supply chain.

Alerts:
Mexico is harvesting, but US inventories are so low that it will take a minimum of 3 weeks of harvest to catch up with demand.

Green bells out of the California Central Valley are winding down in volume and will soon transition to Southern California. Supply is lightening and showing stronger pricing.

Red bells- Central California now showing lighter supply and good overall quality and condition. These will also transition to southern California.

Yellow bells- showing quality and condition issues with limited supply on field grown California.

Supply is steady. Demand has been fairly light. Increased production from Mexico has brought more volume into the industry and continued to fill demand. Reports of red cell and wet, leaky fruit have brought growers to cull and discard more fruit which is controlling some of the heavy volume that was coming in from Mexico over recent weeks.

Blueberry shipments from South America are increasing and we are seeing the pipelines begin to recover. There's significantly more fruit on the east coast and in the port areas. We are seeing some Mexican fruit in McAllen as well. California shipping points are still in shorter supply as fruit is not making it to the west coast as quickly as the other areas where it's being brought into country. Overall supply should continue to increase toward late October. Quality has been good on all of the imported blueberries up to this point and quality issues have been non-existent on the import product. A few shippers are still selling storage blues from the domestic crop and all are suspect for quality issues.

Raspberry availability is improving as production increases out of California's southern growing districts and Mexico. Fruit has been nice with limited reports of wet, leaky berries.

Peak Seasons:
Production is expected to peak by the second week of November.

Strawberries are extremely limited and demand is far exceeding supplies. Quality will be fair at best following the rain and heat experienced across California's growing regions last week. Another round of wet weather is heading for CA strawberry growing regions by mid-week, this event looks to bring heavier precipitation than the last rain event and could likely put some of the growing areas out of production for several days. Supply will be very light all week and continue into November.

Alerts:
Strawberries are extremely limited and demand is far exceeding supplies.

Good supplies to start the week is the story with this commodity. Demand is light and a few suppliers are flexing on pricing. The overall quality is good with very little yellowing being reported upon arrivals. Continue if possible to purchase iced product as temperatures have be up in the growing regions, both north and south.

This commodity has strong supplies available . Demand is off and many shippers are looking to make deals for regular size as well as jumbo sizing. The overall quality is very good.

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.

Good supplies and lack of demand begins the week with this commodity. Some shippers are flexing for volume type orders. Supplies are expected to be strong throughout the week. The quality is reported to be good in both color and texture.

This market is stronger. Michigan production has ended and this has put on added pressure for California growers to pick up the slack. Although supplies have tightened up on large sizing, twenty-four counts continue to have the best availability. Good quality continues to be reported in California. Oxnard is scheduled to begin production at the end of October. Production in Salinas is scheduled to continue until approximately the third week in November.

Pablano - Good quality and condition expecting in Nogales

Tomatillo- Current conditions have improved on Tomatillo, sizing is somewhat limited.

Jalapeno- good quality on new crop pepper, mostly large sizing with good color.

Anaheim- good quality,condition and size are expected to continue as Mexico improves production.

Good supplies exists with this commodity. Expect this pattern of production to continue throughout the week. The overall quality is much stronger compared to past weeks. Very few complaints on yellowing or dehydration has been reported.

The Ventura crop is winding down and dropping in volume with the last 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. Mexican fruit is available and supplies are good.

Limes continue on a path towards similar pricing on all sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. Limes are still peaking on the 230ct. Quality is improving overall with less and less leaf shading (yellow color) showing up and fewer stylar end breakdown showing up from weather. New crop limes are being harvested and all sizes are coming in so quality is 100% better. The market is lower on the larger sizes and steady on the smaller ones.

This season's Valencia crop is nearing it's end. There are only a few houses still packing, and will be finishing this week and next. Supplies of small size Valencia oranges, 113s and 138s both grades are very tight and getting tighter as shippers finish with their crop.

New crop Navels are starting this week for may 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.

Fair quality and condition on cucumbers coming out of Northern Baja coast. Fresh crop from Northern Mexico crossing through Nogales is now available, Quality will be improved as we move forward, supply is also improving.

Quality and condition on eggplant has remained good coming out of Fresno. Minimal cosmetic issues. Production will continue to be limited, soon to start in the Coachella Valley with fresh crop.

Green grape supplies will start to get snug over the next 2 weeks as smaller growers finish their programs. Domestic fruit is expected to be available until mid December, but volumes will be limited. Some shippers are reporting mildew issues resulting in decreased production. Market prices have been fairly stable, but we do expect a jump in price shortly as supplies thin out. Peruvian green grapes will be available on the east coast mid November. Chilean product is expected to arrive on the west coast late December.

Alerts:
Green grape supplies will start to decrease over the next 2 weeks as smaller shippers finish their programs.

Transitions:
Peruvian green grapes will be available on the east coast mid November.

Red grapes continue to maintain consistency throughout the market. Supplies are steady and quality is holding very strong. The weather has been cooperating and we have avoided any freeze or rain. Prices on the larger size red grapes have firmed up a bit, but M/L size grapes have been level. No major changes are expected this week. However, as the weather cools down and the possibility of rain becomes a reality, supply and markets can change quickly. Early predictions are calling for gradual decreases in volume and increases in price as we move closer to transition. Peruvian grapes will become available on the east coast mid November. Chilean grapes are expected to start by Christmas.

Transitions:
Peruvian red seedless grapes will be available on the east coast mid November.

The transportation of product from Mexico has been much better. The market is steady, with good supplies expected throughout the week. The quality is good with minimal yellow to brown discoloration.

Good supplies are expected throughout the week with this commodity. This market is steady. The quality is excellent with dark green color and full bunches.

Huron production is getting stronger. The quality aside from some slight misshapen heads, has been better quality compared to Salinas. Weights are averaging 41-43 pounds. Production in Salinas and Santa Maria continue. Some defects that have been reported for Salinas/ Santa Maria lettuce include lightweights, sclerotinia, slight mildew, pinking and some puffiness. Weights are averaging 37-42 pounds on palletized. Shippers industry wide are reporting these defects. Yuma is expected to begin production at the end of October to early November.

Transitions:
YUMA EXPECTED TO BEGIN PRODUCTION AT THE END OF OCTOBER. HURON WILL CONTINUE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 WEEKS.

This market has remained unchanged for the most part. Quality issue on romaine, romaine hearts, as well as all leaf items will continue for the rest of the Salinas season. The issues involved include sclerotinia, mildew, twisting, some insect damage, fringe and tip burn. These defects are industry wide. The weights on romaine average 28-33 pounds. Red, green and butter leaf have had lighter weights reported. Yuma will begin production approximately the second week in November. Value added items are expected to have shorter shelf lives so order closer to the numbers for the next two-three weeks, minimum.

Transitions:
Yuma production expected the second week in November.

Demand is steady right now. Supplies on 9ct are extremely short and 12's are getting increased demand due to substitution for 9ct. The 15ct are also feeling added buying pressure which is causing an increase in their price also. The Westside is basically finished now for the season. The desert started a little over three weeks ago. The market is higher on all sizes. The quality is excellent in the desert.

Alerts:
9ct melons are continuing to be extremely tight and this trend looks to continue through this week.

Supplies of honeydews are steady and we can 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 three weeks ago and supplies are filling in the decline of production from the Westside. The Westside is basically done packing for the season. Mexico is getting closer to exporting honeydews up to us. The market is currently steady on all sizes. Quality is excellent in the desert.

The current availability is improving with better sizing and offering fresh Product from Northern Mexico crossing in Nogales Az. All sizes being offered in load volume both bins and cartons, peaking on larger fruit 36/45 with brix exceeding 10%.Volume will continue to improve.

The market is steady on Jumbo and medium Yellow, Red and White Onions. Super Colossal and Colossal Yellow are in good supplies with light demand causing suppliers to deal to keep movement. Quality out of all areas (Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Utah) is being reported as good. Look for supplies to be heavy on large onions throughout the Northwest storage season. Growers in Mexico, Texas, New Mexico and Southern California are in the process of planting. Weather has been very nice so far.

California - they still have a few Bartlett, Bosc, and red pears but supplies are light. The quality has been fair to good.
Washington - Bartlett pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s. D'anjou pears are also steady and are peaking on US#1 90/100s. 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.

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

Demand is light out of all growing areas keeping the market steady at low levels. Quality is being reported and good. 95% of the crop is in storages with the balance finishing by the first week of November. Sizing peaked on 60/70 count out of Idaho with the other growing areas peaking 70 count. Smaller cartons 90 count and smaller will be getting a premium most of this season due to the ideal growing conditions which product a large profile.

Bakersfield California - all colors are steady and still peaking on A-size. Remember that our shippers have to transfer product down so plan ahead. The quality has been good.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady but carton supplies remain limited as the shippers finish up with storage. Both colors are still peaking on A size with good quality.
Western Washington - reds & gold potatoes are steady on all sizes and remain heavier to size A. Whites remain short due to the cold weather. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - golds and reds are steady on all sizes and are still peaking on As. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are steady on all sizes and both colors are peaking on A-size as well. The quality has been good.
Canada - they are steady on all colors but they only pack bags, no cartons are available. 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.

Red and black plums will continue to be available this week. Quality has been good on the late season varieties and prices have been firm. We are limited on sizes and loading locations, but weather permitting, fruit is expected to be available until mid November.

Alerts:
Red and black plums are expected to be available in limited amounts through mid November.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be on the lower side. Though some southeastern production has started in Georgia and Florida, yields in the regions are slightly lower than norm. Palmetto-Ruskin crews should begin production soon, although initial numbers look as though they could get off to slow start. Out West, California growers are at the end of their season, and Mexico looks to be in a slight gap. Look for supplies to continue to be inconsistant, as product moves into their winter norms. . Quality also continues to see a range, depending on areas.
Roma - The market is steady / lower. Supplies on both domestic and international product has improved. Yields are looking to be better than expected within the southeast. Quality also has improved on domestic product over the Mexico product. Look for supplies to continue to see better numbers, with Mexico production higher. Prices should begin to decrease with more volume availability.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies in all areas should begin to ease a bit, with the southeast anticipating better yields. For the first time since transitioning from the coast, supplies may begin to ease up with improvement in quality. Out west, Mexico continues to see lighter number than normal. FOB's in the west also continues to be higher. Quality has steadily improved in all areas.
Grape - The market is steady. Grapes continue to struggle to bloom in all areas. In the East, supplies continue to be lighter. Out west, supplies also are a bit lighter, although Mexico anticpate stronger yields with the newer fields in production. Market could begin to see some relief, if these yields improve. As with the cherries, quality has steadily improved in all areas.

Rounds - The market is steady. In the West, California growers are at the end of their season, and Mexico looks to be in a slight gap. Supplies in the east, also look to be lighter, though some southeast production has started. Palmetto-Ruskin crews should begin production soon, although initial numbers look as though they could get off to slow start. Look for supplies to continue to be inconsistant, as product moves into their winter norms. . Quality also continues to see a range, depending on areas.
Roma - The market is steady / lower. Supplies on both domestic and international product has improved. With production on the increase, look for Mexico to see better numbers. In the east, yields are looking to be better than expected. Quality also has improved on domestic product over the Mexico product. Prices should begin to decrease with more volume availability.
Cherry - The market is steady. Out west, Mexico continues to see lighter number than normal. FOB's in the west also continues to be higher. Back east, supplies should begin to ease a bit, with the southeast anticipating better yields. For the first time since transitioning from the coast, supplies may begin to ease up with improvement in quality. Quality steadily improving in all ares.
Grape - The market is steady. Grapes continue to struggle to bloom in all areas. In the west, supplies are a bit lighter, although Mexico anticpate stronger yields with the newer fields in production. In the East, supplies also continue to be lighter. Market could begin to see some relief, if in Mexico improve. As with the cherries, quality has steadily improved in all areas.