The Source - October 27, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady to lower on 88's and larger with good availability. Red 125s and smaller are steady but supplies are limited. Most packers continue to peak on extra-fancy 64-88s. Golden delicious remain steady but strong due to lighter volume in Washington. 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 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 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 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:
Remember that 125 and smaller Washington Golden delicious are virtually not available. Most suppliers will have to sub up to a larger size.

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 steadily now for a week and half, and fruit is getting to forward shipping points across the country almost daily, but the industry is still short of the needed supplies to fill the demand. Fruit size coming out of Mexico is skewed heavier the smaller sizes of 70s/84s/ 60s and starting to see the market easy off on these sizes. The 48s/40s size remains an real issue, and still very tight with strong pricing and may be a couple of weeks still before we start catching up on them. Preconditioned and ripe fruit orders will continue to be slow coming back in rotation in the ripe rooms until the supply pipeline fully right itself over the next 2 weeks.

Alerts:
Inventories are still low, but getting better on smaller sizes. The 48s/40s still remains a real issue. We are still at least a couple of weeks of harvest away from catching up to with the demand.

Green bells-Product out of the California Central Valley are winding down in volume and will soon transition to Southern California. Supply is lightening and the market is softening, Product is now crossing through Nogales.

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

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

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 as shipments continue to increase from South America and Mexico. Quality has been good on all imported product thus far.

Raspberry supplies are steady with good production volumes out of Southern CA and Mexico. We will see production peak over the coming weeks. Quality has been good with only a few reports of wet, leaky fruit.

Peak Seasons:
Production will peak over the coming weeks. This is a great time to promote raspberries!

Demand is exceeding supply. Seasonal transition and decreased production volume coupled with weather continues to challenge overall availability. Rain is forecasted through the weekend and will only deteriorate the situation further. We will be in limited supplies for the next several weeks until volume increases out of Southern CA and Mexico. Florida production is still several weeks away.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply, availability is extremely limited in all producing regions.

Transitions:
Mexican strawberry production has begun in a small way but only limited volumes are crossing into the US.

Florida strawberry production is still 2-3 weeks out.

The broccoli market is strengthening as supplies out of the Salinas region drop. Quality overall is good but we expect the market to continue to be strong as Salinas winds down and the Yuma region is still several weeks away from starting.

Transitions:
Broccoli supplies winding down in California with Yuma scheduled to start about mid-November.

Supplies of Brussels Sprouts are excellent with just steady demand. This has caused a weakening of the market especially out of the Salinas area which is currently the principal growing region. Quality overall 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.

The cauliflower market is steady with good supplies of 12's and16's and more limited supplies of 9's. This trend towards the smaller size profiles is expected to continue with the advent of cooler weather predicted for the coming week. Quality is good with some light bruising and discoloration being reported.

Supplies have tightened up with all shippers. This market is stronger on all sizing. Michigan production has ended. Good quality aside from some slight seeder is the story currently with this commodity. 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. Santa Maria will continue to have production, if desired.

Pablano - Good quality and condition expecting in Nogales

Tomatillo- Current conditions have improved on Tomatillo, sizing is somewhat small, supply is improving.

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.

The cilantro market is steady as supplies have greatly improved in recent weeks. Quality is generally reported as good with only an occasional yellowing. We expect supplies and quality to remain unchanged for the coming week. The one caveat to this would be the potential for heavy now being predicted in some areas of California.

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. 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 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. Product to start in Nogales this week.

Green grape prices are on the rise. Production of California greens has started to slow down for a lot of shippers and availability will start to decrease quickly. We will see storage crop protected for contract and retail commitments. Open market fruit will continue to climb in price as we get closer to the holidays and transition. Quality has been holding strong for the most part, but we have had some reports of amber color and soft berries. I expect markets to be very active and supplies to change quickly as we move forward. Peruvian green grapes are expected to arrive on the east coast mid November and market prices will be in line with California. Chilean crop is expected to arrive on the west coast by Christmas.

Alerts:
Market prices are on the rise and supplies are getting shorter.

Transitions:
Peruvian green grapes expected to arrive on the east coast mid November.

No major changes in red grape supplies or market prices this week. Supplies are steady and quality is holding very strong. I do expect to see a gradual incline in price as we move forward, perhaps a dollar or two next week. Supplies are expected to remain steady as we approach the holiday season. Peruvian grapes will become available on the east coast mid November. Chilean grapes are expected to start by Christmas.

The green onion market is steady with good supplies available. The upcoming forecast for rain in Northern California is not expected to greatly affect this market as Mexico continues to be our principal supplier. Quality is generally good with little yellowing or browning of the top reported.

The kale market is steady. Quality is excellent with dark green leaves and full bunches reported from all. Supplies are expected to maintain at current levels for the near future.

Salinas lettuce is tired. Be prepared to load in Huron, the quality is much better. Aside from some slight misshapen heads, and slight insects the overall quality has been clean. Weights are averaging 41-43 pounds. 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.

This market is steady. 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 the first 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.

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.

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 beginning to taper off. The Westside is basically 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 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.

Jumbo Yellow and larger have good supplies with a slightly weaker market out of all growing areas. Jumbo Red onion market is slightly weaker with good supplies. White onions are steady with moderate supplies. Quality is good on all sizes and colors. Look for the Onion market to be steady at lower levels into the first of the new year.

California - there are still a few Bartlett, Bosc, and red pears but supplies are light. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
Washington - Bartlett pears are steady and continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s. There is some flex for volume of the larger sizes. D'anjou pears are also steady and are also peaking on US#1 90/100s. MOst shippers will flex on volume orders of the peak sizes. 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.

Potato market is steady at lower levels out of all growing areas on all sizes cartons. Quality is being reported as good. Potatoes are now coming out of storage. The main variety being shipped out of Idaho currently is the Russet Norkotah with a few shippers packing Burbanks. Look for the markets to be steady at these levels into the first of the new year.

Bakersfield California - the market is steady for all colors and they are still peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady on all sizes and both are heavier to A size. Both colors have 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 A size. The quality is 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.

No changes this week on the last of the stone fruit. Red and black plums will continue to be available. 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 expected to last 2 more weeks.

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be on the lighter side. Florida crop has begun, but, in a light way. Market continues to be steady. Out west, California supplies are almost finished, and Mexico is forecasted for rains. Palmetto - Ruskin crews due to begin. Quality is Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies in the east are a bit lighter, due to Florida getting underway. Production and yields starting slower, but should pick up in the coming weeks. Out west, Mexico is crossing better numbers, however, they are forecasted for rains over the next few days. Mrket continues to be steady. Quality is Fair.
Cherry - The market is steady. Supplies in all areas have lightened, with the market firming up again. Yields are looking lighter than predicted. Out west, Volume continues to see lighter numbers, and selling out daily. With rains forecasted in Mexico, look for the market to continue to be steady/strong.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies are looking a little better. Demand continues to be steady, but, supplies are available on the grapes. Market may tick up a bit, with rains forecasted over the nextcouple days. Quality is Fair.

Rounds - The market is steady. In the west, California supplies are almost finished. Mexico is forecasted for rains over the next couple days, so, production may be effected with weather conditions. Florida crop has begun, but, in a light way. Market continues to be steady. Quality is Fair.
Roma - The market is steady. Out west, Mexico is crossing better numbers, however, they are forecasted for rains over the next few days. Market continues to be steady. Supplies in the east are a bit lighter, due to Florida getting underway. Production and yields starting slower, but should pick up in the coming weeks. Quality is Fair.
Cherry - The market is steady. Out west, Volume continues to see lighter numbers, and selling out daily. With rains forecasted in Mexico, look for the market to continue to be steady/strong.
Supplies in east have lightened, with the market firming up again. Yields are looking lighter than predicted. Quality is fair.
Grape - The market is steady. Supplies are looking a little better. Demand continues to be steady, but, supplies are available on the grapes. Market may tick up a bit, with rains forecasted over the next couple days. Quality is Fair.