The Source - October 30, 2019

Weather Update

A cool dry offshore flow continues across California with extremely strong winds in Southern California and the Southwestern desert regions. Winds in the 40-60mph range are forecast over the next couple of days. Morning lows will reach the low to upper 30s in the colder inland valleys into the weekend. Seasonal temperatures look to continue across Central Mexico with slightly cooler temperatures to the north. Florida will see isolated showers and thunderstorms early this week with warmer, dry conditions to follow into early next week.

Freight Update

California trucks remain plentiful again this week. Washington apple trucks are steady as well as Idaho potato and onion trucks. The national average remained steady this week at 3.064 per gallon. California prices remained steady as well and are currently at $3.998 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is currently at $55.56 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples Alert

Eastern Region:
More of the same in the world of apples. All regions continue to produce and the overall market remains soft. As Fall weather continues to worsen, many Midwest/EC shippers will be done with fresh-harvest at the end of this week, with a handful offering stored fruit.

Western Region:
Washington
FREEZE IN THE NORTHWEST. Winter weather has hit the Northwest a bit early this season and volumes on some late season, new crop varieties will be affected by freezing temperatures (Pink Lady, Braeburn, Lady Alice, Jazz, Envy, and Granny Smith). Many shippers are at the tail-end of harvest but will have to leave fruit on the trees. Early estimations have it at 10 million cases will be lost industry-wide; which equates to roughly 5% total volume for the Northwest. These same reports assert that Pink Lady apples will be hit the hardest and will command significantly higher prices in the months to come.

All in all, it is way too soon to fully ascertain the impact on the overall industry. The November 2019 storage report, to be released on December 6, will provide a true assessment and case loss on all varieties.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
FREEZE IN THE NORTHWEST. Late season varieties (Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Envy, Jazz, Lady Alice, and Braeburn) are still being harvested, but will be impacted by weather in some growing areas. We will not have accurate numbers until the storage report is released Dec 6, but reports are stating that Pink Lady apples will be mostly affected.

Growing Region Market Quality
Hudson/Pleasant Valley/Red Hook, NY Lower/Steady Excellent
Aspers/Gardners, PA Lower/Steady Excellent
Coopersville/Belding/Sparta, MI Lower/Steady Excellent
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Lower/Steady Excellent
Sacramento, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Stockton, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Asparagus

Production from Southern Baja has started to decrease due to seasonality. Sonora has started, and volume should increase in the next 2-3 weeks. Volume from both regions in Peru (Ica/Trujillo) remains the same, we should see this continue through the beginning of December when production slows down due to seasonality. Small size asparagus has become an issue due to pricing, volume remains excellent on the larger sizes, and should continue until production slows down in December. Markets on both coasts are steady with good movement on all sizes.

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

Albeit being the rainy season, Mexican harvest continues at a steady pace. Field prices have also been steady but could strengthen on large-sized fruit. At this time of year, intermittent rain is prominent in the growing region of Michoacan. The rain is not a major disturbance to the harvest. With the increased precipitation, we will see more lenticel spotting on the fruit. Lenticel spotting is not a bad thing and dissolves as the fruit ripens. This is expected to continue through the Aventejada Crop and will eventually subside. The size curve is leaning heavily towards smaller fruit with plenty of opportunity buys. 48’s and larger have been and will be on the shorter side. Pricing on large fruit will increase as the demand for large fruit is growing. The retail pull seems to have gotten stronger and will help generate some stability.

Chilean fruit is currently peaking. With Mexican fruit dominating the market, there is just no demand.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady Good
Bell Peppers (Eastern)

Green bell pepper is in peak supply with South Carolina over their peak but still in steady supply. Georgia is in its peak now and Florida has started light volume with only a few growers harvesting. Quality in South Carolina is spotty with product showing bruising and some decay. Quality in Georgia is very good with just a few bruising issues from damp conditions. Quality in Florida is good from first reports but the size is small. Storms passing through the region over the past 5 days have slowed harvest across the southeast but growers have gotten enough product packed to fill orders. Georgia growers can continue to pack bell pepper through November as long as temperatures do not get too cold. Florida has started early this year and more growers will start after the first of November so the transition should be smooth going into the winter season.

- pa_admin

Peak Seasons:
Bell Pepper is in peak supply

Growing Region Market Quality
Hillsborough / Western Collier County, FL Steady Good
Lee / Grady County, GA Steady Good
Bell Peppers (Western)

Light supplies Green Bell pepper continue to be harvested in the Oxnard, Hollister, and Stockton California area. Mostly choice grade peppers are being packed from these districts. Quality on green bell pepper from these growing areas is mostly fair. New crop green bell pepper has also started in the Coachella Valley this week. Bell pepper being packed in Coachella this week is mostly medium size with few large and Extra-large size. Few green bell pepper are also crossing through Nogales this week from Sonora, Mexico. Quality from the Coachella Valley and Sonora, Mexico are both good. The Green bell pepper market is steady this week. Moderate supplies of green pepper also available to load McAllen, Texas.

Very light supplies of red bell pepper are being harvested in Hollister and Oxnard this week. Supplies from Oxnard and Hollister are expected to finish this week. Quality from these two areas is fair. New crop red bell pepper from the Coachella Valley are expected to start within 7 days. Light supplies of Mexican Hot House bell pepper are also crossing through Nogales, AZ this week. The market on red bell pepper has increased this week with lighter supplies. Moderate supplies of Red bell pepper also available to load in McAllen, TX.

Very light supplies of yellow bell pepper are available to load in Los Angeles, CA. Light supplies of Yellow bell peppers are expected through the week. Light supplies of Yellow Mexican Hot House Bell pepper are also crossing through Nogales, AZ this week. The Market on yellow bell peppers has increased due to lighter supplies. Moderate supplies of Mexican Yellow Hot house bell pepper are also available to load in McAllen, TX.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard, CA Steady/Higher Good
Berries (Blackberries) Alert

Blackberries are extremely light in supply with a definite demand exceeds supply situation currently in effect. The reason for this shortage is that rain events in Mexico have disrupted production and delayed the crop while Watsonville production is coming to a more abrupt end after the recent heat we experienced. This gap is expected to last for the next few weeks. Quality has been only fair with red cell, leakers and some water-related issues being reported.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Extreme weather related shortage will cause a 2 week gap in production numbers.

Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Steady/Higher Fair
Watsonville, CA Higher Poor
Berries (Blueberries)

Blueberries are firm in price coming out of Peru , Argentina ,Uruguay and Mexico . They are available FOB on the Eastern Seaboard as well as at the the West Coast ports. The market is expected to remain firm moving into the weekend and fruit quality has been excellent in all export offerings .

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central Mexico Steady/Higher Excellent
Salto, Uruguay Steady/Higher Excellent
Salta, Argentina Steady Excellent
Trujillo, Peru Steady/Higher Excellent
Berries (Raspberries)

Raspberry numbers are expected to be steady moving into the weekend. Quality has been good coming out of Mexico. Look for the market to remain steady.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, Mexico Steady Good
Central Mexico Steady Good
Berries (Strawberries) Alert

Strawberries are finishing up in the North as Salinas and Watsonville numbers begin to decline sharply. The larger shippers will be focusing on moving volume into the Santa Maria and Oxnard areas in the next few weeks. The berry quality has suffered in both areas after a three-day heatwave last week which included 40 mph Santa Ana winds down south. Defects will include some bruising and full red fruit wind scuffing will also be present to some degree out of the South. Expect the market to firm back up on the front end of next week as shippers work their way through the excess volume. The temperatures have gone from last week's highs in the mid-90s to this week's 65 to 70 degrees during the day to as low as 32 degrees inland. These cooler temps will help berry quality and reduce yields overall. More aggressive promotional opportunities should be in place next week to promote some additional volume.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Severe heat in the mid 90 degrees from last Weds, Thurs. and Friday will affect quality for the next few days . However after a substantial cooling trend of 30 degrees or more quality should improve next week

Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Oxnard, CA Steady Good
Broccoli

The Broccoli market has started to come off as supplies and yields have started to pick up with the recent warmer weather. This is certainly helping with the supply on Crowns and Florets. Quality has slightly improved with slight purpling, some mechanical damage, and occasional yellow cast. Look for Broccoli to continue to adjust going into next week.

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

The brussels sprouts market continues to stay steady. There is still some internal decay, causing slightly lower yields. Look for the Brussels sprouts market to continue to stay steady going into next week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Oxnard, CA Steady Good
Carrots

Carrots remain steady on the West Coast and are expected to remain so throughout the transition period. Mexico will have good supplies on the 50 lb jumbos. Quality will have been good in all areas Markets are steady.

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

The cauliflower market has slowed down and is easing up. Cauliflower remains on the tighter side with some suppliers as they are seeing lower yields and even skipping a few days of harvest to size up the cauliflower. This is causing suppliers to struggle on Cauliflower Florets as there is not enough raw product. The quality is fair with bruising and yellow cast with weights in the 25 to 28-pound level. Look for the market to continue to adjust going into next week.

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

This market continues to get stronger. As mentioned in the previous week, demand will be more active until we hit the Thanksgiving holiday. Salinas is expected to have production into the first to the third week in November. Santa Maria and Oxnard will have production throughout this year but will get limited heading into the holiday. The quality of this commodity continues to be good. Sizing will lighter on small sizing, thirty-six counts in particular. The quality continues to be reported as strong, overall. Some common defects being reported to include bowing, insect damage and mechanical. The weights are averaging 50-56 pounds.

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

Jalapenos- Moderate supplies of Jalapeno are available to load in Los Angeles from Baja California. Jalapeno quality from Baja is fair. Jalapeno size being harvested in Baja, California is mostly medium with few large. Jalapeno from Santa Maria have finished this week. Light supplies of jalapeno from Sonora have also started this week. Jalapenos from Mexico are also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Pasilla- Good supply of Pasilla peppers available to load in Los Angeles from Mexico this week. Pasilla continue to be harvested in Baja California. Quality on Pasilla from this region is good. Size on the pepper are mostly medium to large. Pasilla peppers from Santa Maria have finished this week. The pasilla market has increased this week with lighter supplies. Pasilla from Mexico also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Anaheim- Moderate supply of Anaheim continues to be available to load in Los Angeles from Baja California this week. Quality from Baja is mostly good. Light supplies of Anaheim peppers are being harvested in Sonora, Mexico this week. The Anaheim pepper market is currently steady and is expected to increase slightly towards the end of the week. Anaheim from Mexico also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Serrano – Good supplies of Serrano peppers available to load in Los Angeles, from Mexico. Supplies are expected to remain steady throughout the week. Supplies currently meet demand. Serrano supplies also crossing through McAllen, Texas.

Tomatillo – Husk tomatillos are available to load in Los Angeles, from Mexico. Quality of husk variety is good. Good supplies on husk tomatillos are expected to continue. Market on both peeled and husk tomatillo are steady. Both husk and peeled tomatillo are available to load in McAllen, TX.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Central Sonora, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Cilantro

The cilantro market continues to stay steady as there are plenty of supplies. The cilantro quality is good with an occasional yellow leaf. Look for the cilantro market to continue to stay steady going into next week.

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

The cilantro market has started to pick as the Santa Ana winds last week have caused lower yields due to quality issues. The cilantro quality is fair with an occasional yellow leaf. Look for the cilantro market to adjust going into next week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Fair
Salinas, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Citrus (Lemons)

Domestic supplies on large sizes 75ct – 115ct continue to be very tight industry-wide and supplies are expected to improve in a few weeks out of the Southern California/ desert area. Supplies on small sizes are improving weekly and the market is slightly softening up on those particular sizes. More orders are being booked out of the District 3 (Coachella/Mecca/Yuma) area as supplies continue to improve weekly. Current markets remain steady with good quality.

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

Lime market pricing has been stable and availability is increasing across the sizing spectrum. The crop is peaking on small /mid-sized fruit. We should begin to see an increased amount of large fruit within the next few weeks. Color/quality is improving as the growing regions are experiencing more favorable weather conditions. This week into next week the market condition will remain stable on smaller sizes. The rain in the growing region has impacted packing schedules and has slow down production and crossings but will help with larger fruit in the next couple weeks.

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

Domestic Valencia’s are expected to conclude this week. Suppliers have stop stopped picking for the season and are looking to push current Valencia inventories out of there coolers to make room for the California Navels. Inventories on Navels are expected to be light for the first part of the week and supplies should increase going into the weekend and early part of next week. The early fruit will need a few gas hours, but the overall natural color in the first bins look good. Brix of the first cuts was 11+ and the feedback on quality from the fields is positive. With cooler temperatures expected over the next week, we should see even better color and brix as suppliers continue to harvest. On specialty citrus, California grapefruit is improving out of the southern California districts, and CA Mandarins are coming along nicely, please reach out if you have any questions.

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

Cucumber supply is winding down for the season in Georgia, very warm temperatures in the southeast during the growing season pushed product to maturity sooner than normal and because of that, the season is ending earlier than normal. Florida has light supplies with only a few shippers harvesting. Quality varies greatly from shipper to shipper depending on the growing methods. Georgia will continue as long as the weather allows, there is much cooler temperatures forecast for this weekend, not cold enough for frost but enough to really slow production on cucumbers. More Florida growers will start to harvest after the first of November until then cucumber supply will not be very heavy. The first imports from Honduras will begin to arrive in light volume by Mid-November.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Cucumbers are in transition to Florida.

Growing Region Market Quality
Hillsborough / Western Collier County, FL Steady Good
Lee / Grady County, GA Steady Good
Cucumbers (Western)

Cucumber supplies shipping from San Diego and being harvested in Baja California are expected to finish within a week from most growers. Limited pack styles being packed from Baja where quality is fair at best. Good supplies of cucumber continue to be harvested in Sonora, Mexico and supplies are expected to increase. Cucumber quality from the Sonora district is good on all pack styles. The market on West Coast cucumber remains steady this week and is expected to continue. Moderate supplies of Mexican cucumbers are crossing through McAllen.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady Fair
Central Sonora, Mexico Steady Good
Eggplant (Eastern)

Eggplant is in peak supply now in Georgia. After this week the peak will be over and supplies will be much shorter for up to 2 weeks until central Florida begins to harvest for the winter season. Quality in Georgia is very good and demand has picked up over the past 10 days. South Carolina is well past their peak, quality has been good but the state does not grow a large acreage. Looking ahead; Florida has not planted much acreage of eggplant for the winter deal so after the central Florida season is over in late December supplies will get very tight in the east. Traditionally Mexican imports have controlled the marker during this time period and over the years Florida has planted less acreage.

- pa_admin

Peak Seasons:
Eggplant is in peak season now.

Growing Region Market Quality
Lee / Grady County, GA Steady Good
Eggplant (Western)

Moderate supplies of eggplant are available to load in Los Angeles, CA. Domestic eggplant continues to be harvested in the Oxnard and Hollister growing districts. Mostly 24ct eggplant currently being packed from these areas. Quality of domestic eggplant is mostly fair. Light supplies of eggplant continue to be available to load in Nogales, AZ. Mostly 18ct eggplant crossing through Nogales. Quality is fair to good on eggplant crossing through Nogales.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Fresno, CA Steady Fair
Southern Sonora, Mexico Steady Good
Grapes (Green) Alert

The domestic green grape season is expected to end earlier than normal. Most shippers are utilizing storage crop already. The remaining fresh harvest grapes are diminishing in quality quickly. We have seen several reports of dark color, soft and wet berries and earl decay. Moving forward, we expect to use only storage crop. However, in an effort to make the storage crop last as long as possible, shippers will raise prices and slow movement. Although we can expect decent quality now on storage crop, we may encounter issues as we get into mid-November. Import fruit is expected to trickle in by early December on the east coast. Markets will be higher at first. Overall, we can expect to see lighter supplies and higher prices throughout the month of November.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Quality is fair, supplies will become limited and prices are climbing. Expect a gap by end of November.

Transitions:
Import season will start by early December on the east coast.

Growing Region Market Quality
Delano, CA Higher Fair
Fresno, CA Higher Fair
Grapes (Red) Alert

Red grape supplies will remain steady through November. Some growers are starting to pack for storage crop now. The weather is starting to cool down and they will want to get all the best fruit off the vine and into a controlled environment. Quality has been solid with very little negative feedback. Markets have been fairly steady, but are now starting to climb. As we look out over the next several weeks, we expect supplies of storage crop to remain good. Quality should hold up and market prices will gradually continue to climb. We may see a tiered market later in November between storage crop and fresh harvest; depending on weather and quality.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies will be steady, quality is good, but prices are climbing.

Transitions:
Import season will start early December on the east coast.

Growing Region Market Quality
Delano, CA Higher Good
Fresno, CA Higher Good
Green Onions

The green onion market continues to lower with the increase in supply from the recent warm weather. Quality is good with occasional leaf minor. The market will continue to stay steady going into next week.

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

The kale market continues to remain steady as supplies continue to stay plentiful. Quality is good with full bunches and an occasional yellow leaf being reported due to the recent warm weather.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Salinas, CA Steady Good
Kale

The kale market continues to remain steady as supplies continue to stay plentiful. Quality is good with full bunches and an occasional yellow leaf being reported due to the recent warm weather.

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

Very warm temperatures in both northern as well as southern California this past week forced shippers to harvest lettuce earlier than expected. Supplies are much better currently, but expect gaps to occur shortly. Huron is expected to have production until the first week of November. Yuma will have production the first to the second week in November. Salinas production and quality will be suspect the second week in November. Some defects being reported include puffiness, growth crack, misshapen heads and mechanical. Weights on wrap have been 36-41 pounds. Escalated pricing on value-added lettuce items is currently off. Yuma is scheduled to begin harvesting the first to the second week in November.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Yuma will begin production the first to second week in November. Huron will continue until the first week in November.

Growing Region Market Quality
Huron, CA Lower/Steady Good
Salinas Valley, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Lettuce Leaf

Supplies are moderate to light with most shippers on romaine. Expect limited availability this week. Escalated pricing on all value-added romaine products is in the first tier of pricing. Romaine hearts are very light in availability and this will continue all week. Yields continue to be reported by growers on the lower side. This is industry-wide. Weight is good, averaging 31-35 pounds on romaine. Defects include insect damage, tip burn, fringe burn and mechanical. Green and red leaf, as well as butter, are reporting similar defects. Weights on green ad red are averaging 20-22 pounds. Production in the Yuma region is expected the first to the second week in November.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Yuma is expected the first to second week in November.

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

Tender Leaf market continues to stay steady as supplies have adjusted back to normal. Curly parsley, spinach, and arugula are now at a steady supply going into next week. Quality is good with occasional yellowing and bruising of the tender leaves.

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

Demand remains strong and supplies are extremely short. As supplies continue to be a challenge, we are also expecting a cold front in the desert this week. The forecast calls for temps with lows in the 40's and, highs in the 70's/80's. This will only slow down production in the desert. Due to high winds in the desert, we are seeing external scarring and bruising. The desert will experience high winds (50 mph) this week. Very low production out of Mexico. Storms a month ago were a huge setback. Quality is just fair and supplies will remain tight for the next few weeks.
Offshore fruit will begin to arrive mid to late November.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Market will remain active into November. Demand has outpaced the harvest.

Growing Region Market Quality
Maricopa, AZ Higher Fair
Yuma, AZ Higher Fair
Hermosillo, Mexico Higher Fair
Melon (Watermelon)

Good supplies of watermelon continue to be harvested in Sonora, Mexico. The seedless watermelon market is currently steady and is expected to remain steady throughout the week. Watermelon quality from Sonora is good. Both cartons and 2/3 bins are being packed from the Sonora, Mexico district.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central Sonora, Mexico Steady Good
Onions

Onion markets are holding steady as supplies remain good in all regions. Idaho/Oregon quality remains excellent with a plentiful supply. Washington, Utah, and Colorado continue to produce good volume and quality for yellows, reds, and whites. Markets will remain stable as we finish up the month of October.

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

Washington:
Unlike a few apple varieties, all pears—for the most part—are off the trees and into ‘the barn’ (storage). Bartletts and Anjous continue to peak on larger sizes (60ct-90ct), but smaller, food service sizes are also available.

Red pears (Starkrimson, Red Anjou) are available in ½ and full cartons. Special varieties—such as Seckel, Forelle, Comice, and Asian—are also available. Quality is excellent.

California:
The California pear season is winding down with some shippers done for the season and some selling from storage inventory (Bartletts). This time of year, be wary of quality as Bartletts tend to ripen quicker, reducing shelf life.

ASIAN PEARS are available; 10ct-24ct (1 and 2-layer) available to load in the San Joaquin Valley. Smaller sizes (66ct-96ct, 3-layer) are sporadic in availability, so please inquire about availability.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Excellent
Sacramento, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Stockton, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Pineapples

Pineapple supplies out of the east coast continue to be snug on the crowned fruit, this is normal around this time of year supplies seem to lighter. On the west coast, supplies are steady. Markets out of both coasts remain fair and demand continues to be strong. Quality has improved and we’re hearing positive feedback.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Heredia, Costa Rica Steady Good
Retalhuleu, Guatemala Steady Good
La Virgen, Costa Rica Steady Good
Potatoes Alert

Russet potato markets continue to rise as supplies remain limited. Production in Idaho is slow as freezing temps are regulating potatoes being transferred to packing facilities. Highs are in the upper 20's-low 30's with lows reaching single digits. Weather looks to improve next week and should increase production as we head into November. Suppliers have limited production down to 4 days a week making every effort to extend the storage potato season. A couple of suppliers have started up Burbanks but limited in production time and days available. Other suppliers will begin producing Burbanks mid-November. Washington, Colorado, and Wisconsin markets are also moving higher with increased demand. Expect to see markets continue to climb over the course of November as supplies will remain limited. Ample lead time on all potato orders will be needed to make every attempt to cover the product as best as possible.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Markets are rising in all regions. Demand is active with limited production out of Idaho.

Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Higher Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Higher Good
Wray, CO Higher Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Higher Good
Potatoes (colored) Alert

Color potato markets continue to inch up; in particular, red potatoes. North Dakota's Red River Valley will see significant losses this year putting pressure on the Northwest to cover that added demand. Mt Vernon, WA continues to exhibit the best quality with suppliers in Bakersfield, CA using this product to cover orders loading in Southern California. Idaho continues to produce reds and yellows with markets also increasing. Wisconsin remains limited on color potatoes with sporadic sizing for both red and yellow available. Minnesota has a few yellow supplies with Manitoba, Canada producing reds and yellows. We will see increasing markets across the board; Red B's will be the tightest size.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Markets rising in all regions; in particular on reds. North Dakota and Wisconsin extremely limited on supplies.

Growing Region Market Quality
Mount Vernon, WA Higher Excellent
Pasco/Tri-Cities, WA Higher Good
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Higher Good
Red River Valley, ND Higher Good
Plover, WI Higher Fair
Squash (Eastern)

Squash is in good supply, pricing has risen slightly this week. Georgia volume is going down with season coming to an end in a week to 10 days. Cool temperatures this week won't end the season but will slow production to a halt for a few days. Florida has started light volume on the west coast of the state, production should be picking up but storms early this week and cool temperatures behind it will back that supply up a few days. Quality has been good in all regions, with just a few issues of light color due to whitefly in some areas of Georgia. One grower in Homestead has started, but most growers in that region will not start until the second week of November.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Squash is in transition to Florida.

Growing Region Market Quality
Lee/Grady/Echols County, GA Steady Good
Dade / Eastern Collier County, FL Steady Good
Hillsborough / Sarasota County, FL Steady Good
Squash (Western)

Light supplies of Italian and Yellow S/N squash available to load from the California growing district this week. Soft squash supplies from California are expected to finish by this week. Quality on soft squash from this district is fair. Good supplies of Italian and Yellow S/N continue to cross through Nogales, AZ from Sonora, Mexico. Mostly Extra Fancy and Fancy sizes being currently being harvested on both varieties. Steady supplies expected throughout the week. The soft squash market has increased this week due to better demand. Quality from Sonora is Good on all pack styles. Light supplies of soft squash continue to cross through McAllen, TX.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady Fair
Central Sonora, Mexico Steady Good
Stone Fruit Alert

The domestic stone fruit season is done except for black plums. Although there are some red plums floating around, the quality is fair and I would recommend sticking with the black varieties for the rest of the season. Black plum harvest should last through mid-November (barring any major freeze). Quality on the black plums is expected to remain good. Market prices are climbing and are expected to remain higher as we finish the season. Import stone fruit is expected to start in early December on the east coast.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Domestic stone fruit is done except for black plums.

Transitions:
Import season is expected to start early December.

Growing Region Market Quality
Madera south to Arvin, CA Higher Good
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Quincy Florida is in season and will serve as a bridge between regional Summer programs and Fall harvests in Central Florida. As such, transition to smaller operations with limited acreage causes a spike in the market each year for a couple of weeks until Central Florida breaks ground in November. Demand is strong and markets remain elevated as expected while overall volumes are light as harvest overlap through October. Round supplies are limited, and sizing is on the small side due to heat exposure during the earlier phase of the growing cycle. FOBS has breached the $20 mark for the short term. Palmetto/Ruskin programs are preparing to break ground before Halloween bringing Eastern supply into the heavier volume by November. Similarly, Roma availability has contracted though the start of transition and supply will be light until central Florida begins harvesting again near November 1st. The grape tomato market has been mixed in recent weeks. Virginia has finished for the season and Quincy is only producing in a light way until Ruskin picks up closer to November. With more fruit to enter the supply chain in the next 7-10 days, markets will begin to subside following the seasonal ebbs and flows of transition.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Florida Steady Good
Tomatoes (Western)

California continues to wind down, working through a cooling period as farms begin wrapping up for the season. Sizing and quality vary by grower and operations are forecasted to fade in the coming weeks wrapping up by the end of the month. Volume is building in Mexico where crops are also beginning to transition to Fall plantings. As California winds down through October, Mexico crossings will continue to build, so that supply is continuous while foreign and domestic operations overlap helping to boost round and Roma availability. Grape and cherry tomatoes have improved slightly from the past couple of weeks but are mostly steady now while supply continues to build leading into November.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Southern San Joaquin Valley, CA Steady Fair
Southern Nayarit/Sinaloa, Mexico Steady Good
Southern Baja California Sur, Mexico Steady Good

Things You Should Know

Apples
FREEZE IN THE NORTHWEST. Late season varieties (Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Envy, Jazz, Lady Alice, and Braeburn) are still being harvested, but will be impacted by weather in some growing areas. We will not have accurate numbers until the storage report is released Dec 6, but reports are stating that Pink Lady apples will be mostly affected.

Berries (Blackberries)
Extreme weather related shortage will cause a 2 week gap in production numbers.

Berries (Strawberries)
Severe heat in the mid 90 degrees from last Weds, Thurs. and Friday will affect quality for the next few days . However after a substantial cooling trend of 30 degrees or more quality should improve next week

Grapes (Green)
Quality is fair, supplies will become limited and prices are climbing. Expect a gap by end of November.

Grapes (Red)
Supplies will be steady, quality is good, but prices are climbing.

Melon (Cantaloupe)
Market will remain active into November. Demand has outpaced the harvest.

Potatoes
Markets are rising in all regions. Demand is active with limited production out of Idaho.

Potatoes (colored)
Markets rising in all regions; in particular on reds. North Dakota and Wisconsin extremely limited on supplies.

Stone Fruit
Domestic stone fruit is done except for black plums.

Transitions and Temperatures

Squash (Eastern)
Squash is in transition to Florida.

Cucumbers (Eastern)
Cucumbers are in transition to Florida.

Stone Fruit
Import season is expected to start early December.

Grapes (Red)
Import season will start early December on the east coast.

Grapes (Green)
Import season will start by early December on the east coast.

Lettuce Leaf
Yuma is expected the first to second week in November.

Lettuce Iceberg
Yuma will begin production the first to second week in November. Huron will continue until the first week in November.

A Peak at Peak Seasons

Eggplant (Eastern)
Eggplant is in peak season now.

Bell Peppers (Eastern)
Bell Pepper is in peak supply

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