The Source - October 29, 2015

Weather Update

An upper level low pressure system will move through California over the next couple of days with most of the precipitation directed into Northern California. This system will bring a slight cool down out west and a chance of light rain to Southern California and the desert regions. As this system swings east it will bring strong, gusty winds 30-45mph to the Yuma region of Arizona over the next few days. The areas of Northern Mexico and Baja will see slightly cooler temperatures as this system passes to the north. High pressure returns with warming temperatures into the weekend.
Widespread precipitation is expected across the eastern third of the country on Wednesday as a frontal system moves across the region. Heaviest rainfall will be across the Mid-Atlantic and regions to the North. The southeast will see scattered showers in from this system with heaviest rain concentrated around North Carolina. The rain will quickly taper off tonight with dry conditions expected through rest of the week.

Freight Update

California trucks remain steady but look to tighten at the end of the week. Washington and Idaho trucks look to remain steady for the week. The National average remained steady and is now 2.498 per gallon. A difference of $1.137 from this time last year. California prices are steady as well and are currently at 2.813 per gallon. Crude oil remains steady and is at 45.86 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

California - Pink Ladys are available and they are peaking on the smaller sizes, the market is steady and the quality has been good.
Washington - New-crop Red Delicious are steady on all sizes. 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 100/113s. Large Goldens are very short. Granny smiths are steady and peaking on 88/100/113s. Most Granny packers don't have much larger than an 88-size. Galas are steady on all sizes. Most Gala shippers are still peaking on 100/113s and don't much available larger than a 88-size. 125 and 138 Gala supplies have tightened up. Fujis are steady on all sizes and are peaking on larger fruit. Honeycrisp are steady and are peaking on 64/72s. Some suppliers still have volume buys on the lower grade fruit. Jonagolds and Braeburns on most sizes. Inventories are building on both varieties. 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 to slightly lower. Honeycrisp are peaking on 100's and larger and inventories are building so the market weaker than it was. Jonathans, Cortlands, Jonamacs, and Empires are all steady and the sizing is heavier to 100/113s with only light supplies of 125/138s.
New York - Red delicious, Macs, Galas, Honeycrisp, Macouns, Empires, Cortlands, and Golden delicious are all steady. McIntosh and macoun volume is good and some shippers will flex on certain sizes and grades. The Macs are peaking on 100s and the galas are heavier to 100/113s. The quality has been good on all varieties.

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

This market is steady. Good production continues out of Peru. Southern Baja has looks to be moderate in availability for the week. The best availability continues to be with the standard size packs. Large and extra large packs are expected to be limited. Jumbos continue to be very limited. Good quality continues to be reported as good in all the growing regions.

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

Harvesting began again on Monday after the rains over last weekend. Replenishment supplies will be arriving to the US by Friday. Stating to see a more normal range of sizes, peaking on 48s and 60s. 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/Higher Good
Berries (Blackberries)

The blackberry crop continues to decline out of CA and should last through mid-late November. Mexico is ramping up production and crossing more product each week. While Hurricane Patricia did cause some disruption last weekend, damage was minimal and production will be mostly back to normal by this weekend. Some damage reported to hoops and some fruit being stripped. Flooding and mudslides caused some logistical issues and harvest delays as well. Quality issues with red cell and juicing have been reported in CA and MX fruit.

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

Demand exceeds supply. An industry-wide shortage continues as very minimal volume of fruit is arriving to the US from Uruguay, Argentina, Peru and Mexico. South America continues to struggle with inclement weather that is affecting both production and quality of shipments bound for the US. More reports are coming in with rain, hail, cold weather and even snow in particular growing region's forecasts. Growers are shipping less fruit overall due to the amount of fruit being discarded and because much of the fruit has to be flown into the US to avoid the longer transit time of shipping on the water. Arrivals have been very sporadic to the West coast as much of the fruit is arriving into Miami and has to be trucked over to the West coast for shipping. Availability has been slightly better loading out of the port cities on the East coast in New Jersey and Florida. We've seen several weeks of extremely limited availability. Depending on the weather, we could be working through production and supply issues all the way through Thanksgiving. Prices remain high as availability is limited.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply. An industry-wide shortage continues as very minimal volume of fruit is arriving to the US from Uruguay, Argentina, Peru and Mexico.

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

California crop continues to decline out of the northern district but the southern districts are still producing decent volumes. We should see good availability through the next several weeks as Central Mexico also ramps up production. There have been some reports of negative impact in Central Mexican growing regions following Hurricane Patricia. Some damage to hoops and plants needing to be stripped of wet, broken fruit. Transportation and logistics have been a challenge as flooding and mudslides followed the storm. Quality has suffered some with wet, leaky fruit but harvesting crews are focusing on diverting product to pack quality.

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

Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions. Availability has decreased drastically this week as we continue the transition out of the northern growing districts and major production will focus on Santa Maria, Oxnard and Central Mexico moving forward. Florida will not begin production until late November/early December. Overall volume will continue to decrease considerably through November. Quality issues are being reported in all growing regions, including Central Mexico and the fruit crossing though McAllen. Soft bruising, leaky berries, white shoulders have been common on the inspections. Due to very limited availability and industry-wide quality issues, expectations should be adjusted to what is currently available.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply. Strawberries are extremely limited out of all California growing regions.

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

This market is steady. Crown production is better. Quality issues continue. These issues include yellow beading, hollow core, pin rot, light green color, as well as a rubbery texture in all the growing regions. Theses defects are a direct result of high temperatures in past weeks. The main production continues to be out of the Salinas Valley. The Southern California production is moderate at best. There continues to be production in Mexico as well as McAllen.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
McAllen, TX Steady Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Fair
Carrots

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

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

This commodity continues to soften as demand has fallen off. Value added product is back to normal on pricing. The overall quality is reported to be good. Warm temperatures are expected again for the first part of the week with potential rain at the end of the week. Salinas and Santa Maria are the two main growing regions at this time.

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

This market is active as demand had picked up heavily. Supplies are very limited. Large sizing continues to be the tightest in availability. Santa Maria's production is light. Production in Salinas will be limited all week. The quality continues to be reported as strong in all the growing regions. Oxnard has begun light production. The sizing is very tight on large packs. Production will be better next week out of Oxnard as more suppliers will begin harvesting.

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

This market is up as supplies have tapered off. Pricing continues to be competitive. The Baja region of Mexico as well as Southern California has the main production for this commodity. Rains in California will likely alter production numbers. The overall quality is reported as good.

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

Demand remains very high. We are seeing 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 at least November.

- pa_admin

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

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

The lime market is steady. Hard rain and flooding the past few weeks temporarily disrupted harvesting in the growing area. Bigger fruit in a few weeks will be the result of the rains. Holiday demand from Europe mid-November and the increased size of the fruit looks to put upward pressure on the small sized fruit next month. The overall quality is good on the new crop. The old crop limes are average to below average in quality and will be finished by the end of this month. We continue to have good demand on limes.

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

More shippers are beginning to pack this years California Navel crop this week, so look for volume to begin to pick up; last of the shippers will start over the next couple of weeks. Clear weather last week allowed shippers to pick every day, so inventory waiting to go into the gas rooms will start to build and we can start to get back into a more normal flow of fruit. Sizes are peaking on 113s/88s/138s. Larger sizes of 72s and 56s are very limited as fruit has not sized up yet. Volumes will continue to pick up over the up coming weeks, if weather cooperates.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Merced to Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Riverside, CA Steady Good
Grapes (Green)

The green grape market is strengthening daily. The harvest is winding down and shippers are diverting grapes to storage in order to stretch supplies out until the Chilean fruit comes in. Demand is steady and quality continues to be good.

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

The red seedless grape market is stronger with good demand and lighter supplies. The Crimson's have colored up well and the harvest on these is in full swing. The other varieties (Scarlet, Vintage) have moved past their peak production. Additionally, many shippers are now harvesting in tubs to simultaneously beat the weather and move fruit into storage for pack out later. Quality is good but supplies of larger fruit will be tighter as the Crimsons are generally a smaller varietal.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Delano, CA Steady/Higher Good
Fresno, CA Steady/Higher Good
Madera, CA Steady/Higher Good
Green Onions

Tight supplies continue for this commodity in the marketplace. Demand exceeds supplies. Escalated pricing is in effect. Temperatures in the Mexico region continue to be high. Production out of Salinas will be very light all week. 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 has firmed up with most suppliers. Supplies out of Mexico as well as California are moderate at best. The Baja region as well as California continue to be the main growing regions at this time. The overall quality continues to be good.

- 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 very active in all growing regions. Huron production is moderate. Seeder and low weights are the big issues in this region. Quality issues in Salinas and Santa Maria include small and irregular head size, lightweights, large seeder, decay, puffiness, insect damage and internal burn. The defects are directly related to past and current high temperatures. Frankly speaking, the lettuce is very tired out of Salinas and quality is very sporadic. These defects are industry wide and will continue throughout the month. The weights on palletized are averaging 32-36 pounds. Salinas and Santa Maria are two regions expected to be light in production all week with this commodity. Value added items will be escalated this week.

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

This market is firm. There is light production in Huron on romaine. The quality issues continue in all the growing regions. These issues include fringe burn, small and irregular sizing, insects, dehydration, seeder and internal burn. The weights on romaine cartons are averaging 24-28 pounds. Green and red leaf are firm in pricing. Fringe burn, mildew damage, internal burn and insect pressure continue to be defects associated with these commodities. Expect moderate to light supplies for the rest of the week. There will continue to be gaps in pricing amongst the different shippers.

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

The West Side is producing less and less volumes of all sizes and growers are finishing for the season each week. 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 desert has been producing good volumes of large sized fruit with nice color and sugar content with a peak size of 9ct. Mexico is crossing small volumes of cantaloupes. The current market on all sizes is steady. We are experiencing good demand for cantaloupes at this time. Offshore melons are set to arrive in Florida around the middle of November.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Mendota, CA Steady Good
Maricopa, AZ Steady Excellent
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Good
Melon (Honeydew)

The peak size is currently 6ct with very few 8ct coming in. Our honeydew market is up slightly on most sizes, 5ct and 6ct are a bit higher than earlier in the week. Honeydews are now finished West Side district. Mexico has started sending dews across their border into Nogales AZ for loading. The desert is packing with 5ct being the peak sizes and 6ct being the smallest coming in. We continue to experience good demand across the board. The quality and sugar contents from all regions continue to be good and this looks to continue. Offshore dews are set to arrive during the later part of November.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Maricopa, AZ Steady/Higher Excellent
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady/Higher Excellent
Onions

Washington - the market is steady on all reds, whites, and yellows. The sizing is still smaller than normal with a higher than normal percentage of mediums. The quality has been good.
Idaho/Oregon - reds are steady on both sizes. Yellows are steady to lower on jumbos thorough supers and some suppliers are dealing for volume. Whites are steady on both sizes. The quality has been good.

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

Washington - The Bartlett market is steady and they continue to peak on 110/120s. Large Bartlett supplies remain short. Bosc are steady and continue to peak on 90/100/110s. D'anjou pears are steady and are heavier to 90/100s. Most shippers have limited supplies of 80 and larger D'anjous. 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 has been good.

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

Washington - the market is steady on counts. They are still peaking on 80's and smaller and have lighter supplies of 70's and larger. The quality has been good.
Idaho - the market for both norkotahs and burbanks has leveled off. The sizing is still much heavier towards 70-count and larger and both varieties are mostly through the "sweat" and coming from storage now. The quality has ranged from fair to excellent.
Colorado - The market is steady on all counts and they are more evenly spread on sizing but have a few more 40s and 50s. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - the market is steady on all sizes and they continue to peak on the larger counts. The quality is good.

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

Bakersfield, California - Washington reds, golds, and whites are all available and are all steady. Premium size reds and gold supplies are limited. The quality has been good.
Western Washington - all colors are slightly higher on A-size, slightly lower on B-size, and steady on C's and number-twos. The quality for all colors has been good.
Central/Eastern Idaho - both reds and golds are heavy to A-size and the markets are steady on all sizes. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - Reds and golds are steady on all sizes and both colors are peaking on A-size. Premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs remain limited. The quality has been good.
North Dakota - reds and golds are steady and both are heavy to A-size. B-size reds remain limited and number-twos volume is still limited but is getting better. Premiums and bakers are still very short. The quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Bakersfield, CA Steady Good
Mount Vernon, WA Steady Good
Mount Vernon, WA Steady Good
Red River Valley, ND Steady Good
Plover, WI Steady Good
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Rounds - The market is steady/higher. SE has wrapped up production. Florida continues to see less supplies. Weather continues to slow up production, with additional rains forecasted in the east. Market will continue to be steady in the east with the weather conditions in the west. Mexico will also see decreased numbers due to recent hurricane. Quality good
Roma - The market is steady. Supplies continue to increase in the east and west. Demand has remained constant. Quality good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market is higher. Supplies continue to fall short in all areas. Florida continues to slowly begin production in areas. Quality good. Grape market continues to be high. Production in Florida is helping supplies, however, demand continues to be strong. Not much change in the west. Quality Good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Florida Steady/Higher Good
Charleston, SC Steady/Higher Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Rounds - The market is steady. California is just about finished. Mexico continues to be hit with rough weather conditions, curtailing harvest. Demand continues to be constant in the east and west. Quality is Good.
Roma - The market is lower / steady. Baja is coming on with supplies. However, demand continues to be constant. Colder weather forecasted will slow up harvest a bit. Quality is Good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market is steady/higher. Not much has changed in the market. The west continues to see lower volume. The east is slowly opening up areas, however, supplies still lower until all regions come on. Quality Good. Grape market is steady/higher. Recent weather in mexico continues to slow up supplies. East is supplying market, however, demand continues to be strong. Quality fair to good.

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

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blueberries)
Demand exceeds supply. An industry-wide shortage continues as very minimal volume of fruit is arriving to the US from Uruguay, Argentina, Peru and Mexico.

Berries (Strawberries)
Demand exceeds supply. Strawberries are extremely limited out of all California growing regions.

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

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