The Source - October 31, 2016

Washington - red delicious are steady to lower on 88's and larger with good availability. Red 125s and smaller are steady but supplies remain short esp. on the really small 163/175's. Most packers continue to peak on extra-fancy 64-88 reds. Golden delicious remain steady but strong due to lighter volume in Washington. Small Golden delicious supplies remain very short as well, with very few if any 125 size and smaller. New-crop Granny-smith are steady and continue to produce mostly 88's and larger. 100 size and smaller Grannys are available but limited and most shippers have Wash Extra grades. The Gala market is steady on larger fruit with good availability and steady but firm on the smaller fruit with only light supplies. 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 as they are on their final floor-count. The quality has been good.
Idaho---red delicious, Golden delicious, Granny-smith, Fujis, and Red Romes are now peaking on extra-fancy 80/88/100'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 slightly higher or 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:
Small fruit is generally limited in Washington but small Golden Delicious remain extremely short!

Weather is still good in the growing areas in Mexico, steady market and volume, sizing is good.

Weather in northern Peru is good. Southern Peru (Ica) is a little cooler than usual resulting in lighter volume. The market is slightly higher.

Mexico has been harvesting steadily now for 2 weeks, 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 rights itself over the next 2 weeks.

Alerts:
The 48s/40s still remains a real issue. We are still at least a week 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 with continued shipments from South America and Mexico although some areas have begun to reduce their air shipments as prices have fallen. Quality has been good on all imported product thus far.

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

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

Demand is exceeding supply. The industry is increasingly limited as recent weather in CA coupled with the annual crop transition is leaving us severely short of strawberries for fresh market. After another round of rain this past weekend, Watsonville and Salinas are all but finished for the season. Santa Maria harvests will be limited this week as plants are being cleaned-up and stripped of water damaged fruit. Oxnard has begun in a light way but production is not ramping up as expected due to the cool and wet weather in that region. With the current challenges in all California growing regions, we are expecting a significant shortage for at least 2-3 weeks and will not see much relief until Mexican production has ramped up and with the start of Florida production at the end of November.

Alerts:
Strawberry supply is extremely limited and demand is exceeding.

Transitions:
Central Mexico production should ramp up in the next 2-3 weeks. Florida production is estimated to begin around the end of November.

Broccoli supplies to start the week vary from shipper to shipper. Better demand from the finishing of local produce deals has trended this market higher. Quality has been very nice with little dehydration and yellowing.

Transitions:
We will transition to Yuma AZ the week of November 21st. But Broccoli will still be available out of Salinas and Santa Maria.

Brussel sprout supplies are steady for this week. But as we get closer to Thanksgiving be prepared for the market to take off. The market is also steady as we start the week. Quality is excellent with all sizes and vibrant green color.

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 tried to finish last week by trending higher. But unfortunately demand to start the week is flat. Look for this market to trend higher next week as we head into Thanksgiving pull. Quality is really nice with little bruising upon arrival.

Transitions:
Cauliflower will transition to Yuma AZ the week of November 21st.

This market continues to gain strength to begin the week. Michigan production has ended, and California production is being turned to fill demand for this commodity. Slight seeder has been reported. Oxnard is scheduled to begin production this week. Production in Salinas is scheduled to continue until approximately the third week in November. Santa Maria will continue to have production.

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. Supplies are still plentiful from all growing regions. Quality reports have been nice with minimal yellowing and dehydration.

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 are now priced within a few dollars of each other across the board. Demand is good on all sizes of limes. 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 with a tone of stability in it.

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.

Domestic green grape supplies are getting snug. Most shippers have finished harvest and have started shipping storage crop. Market prices are going up. We saw a jump in price last week and expect prices to continue to climb as we move forward. The majority of storage crop will be protected to cover contract commitments and retail ads. This will leave the open market fruit vulnerable to sudden changes in availability and price. If loading on the east coast is an option, Peruvian fruit is now available in New Jersey and Wilmington. Prices are in line with California. Chilean grapes are expected to arrive on the west coast by Christmas. California fruit will become more and more limited moving forward.

Alerts:
Domestic green grape supplies will become more and more limited moving forward. Market prices are on the rise.

Transitions:
Peruvian green grapes available to load on the east coast now. Chilean fruit will be available on the west coast by Christmas.

Domestic red grape supplies continue to be steady. Harvest is expected to last another 2-3 weeks before shipping storage crop. Quality has been strong on red grapes and market prices have been flat for months. As we get closer to Thanksgiving and all shippers switch to storage crop, we can expect market prices to rise. Changes in supply and price will be gradual as we get closer to the import transition. Peruvian red grapes will be available to load on the east coast in the next 2 weeks. Prices are expected to be in line with California. Chilean fruit is estimated to arrive on the west coast by Christmas. If the weather cooperates and quality holds on the storage crop, we do not anticipate any major issues during transition.

Alerts:
Domestic red grape supplies are expected to remain steady as we finish harvest and transition into storage crop over the next 2-3 weeks.

Transitions:
Peruvian red grapes will be available on the east coast in the next 2 weeks. Chilean fruit will be available on the west coast by Christmas.

Mexico is still providing a steady supply of green onions. The market remains aggressive on iced but the iceless product is commanding a higher market. Quality is also very nice with minimal yellowing of the tops.

Kale supplies remain abundant. The market is steady as well. Quality has been excellent with minimal yellowing and dehydration.

Salinas production is all but finished. 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. Yuma will begin today with weights reported on the lighter side,38-41 pounds. Better supplies are expected next week. Weights are averaging 39-42 pounds on palletized in Santa Maria.

This market is fluctuating. Some suppliers are light in availability and have been more aggressive in pricing while others have remained firm to begin the week. Quality issues in northern and southern California on romaine, romaine hearts, as well as all leaf items have been reported. The continued issues 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 today on romaine. Early reports indicate seeder of 3-4 inches. More suppliers are expected next week.

Demand is a little weaker currently than it has been. Supplies on 9ct are still short and 12's continue to get increased demand due to substitution for 9ct. The 15ct are also experiencing some added buying pressure. The Westside is finished now for the season. The desert started a little over four weeks ago with a few lopes crossing over from Mexico. The market is steady on all sizes. The quality is excellent in the desert.

Supplies of honeydews are steady and we can continue to 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 four weeks ago and supplies are beginning to taper off. The Westside is 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.

Demand is moderate out of all growing areas Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Utah. The market slightly lower on the larger sizes onions and steady on Jumbo's and smaller. Red and White onions are peaking on large Jumbo's with few mediums. Quality is great out of all areas. Look for the markets to be fairly steady at these lower levels into the first of next 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 mostly steady although some suppliers are slightly lower, and they continue to peak on US#1 80/90/100s. There is still some volume flex on 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.

Alerts:
Small pears are limited.

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

Demand is moderate to light out of all growing areas Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin. Markets are steady on all sizes and packs except for large cartons out of Idaho which are slightly weaker. Quality is very nice and is all coming out of storages. Look for the market to stay steady at these lower levels through the first of the new year. The main variety being pack out of Idaho is Norkotah's which will continue into February. There are a few sheds that are packing burbanks which are getting a slight premium.

Bakersfield California - all colors are steady and all are still peaking on A-size. The quality has been good.
Idaho - reds and golds are steady and both are still heavier to size A. The quality is good.
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 - both colors are steady to slightly lower on all sizes and still peaking on A size. 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. 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.

The last of the red and black plum supplies will stretch out over the next 2 weeks. Sizes and loading locations are limited. Quality seems to be holding strong on the late season fruit. Market prices have been escalated but steady. Chilean import fruit is expected to start Early January.

Alerts:
The last of the red and black plums are expected to last another 2 weeks.

Florida has pushed production up as much as possible as rain in California is bringing the western season to an end. Overall demand is down and prices are edging downward, however supply remains limited. Florida is starting in a light way and will continue to improve through the week, however as California finishes, Florida fruit will be sold at a premium until major volumes are realized. Rounds in North Florida are past peak production and quality is fair. Palmetto and Ruskin farms are just getting started where more are expected to get underway over the next week to 10 days. Good quality Roma tomatoes are available out of both North and central Florida and the market is steady. Grape tomato supply out of North and Central Florida are ample and improving showing average quality due to previous storms. Cherry volumes remain Light in all growing areas and the market remains active.

The California supply of tomatoes is just about finished for the season with rain bringing an end to some farms already. As California production begins a slow march to a halt over the next few weeks emphasis for Gas Greens is transitioning to Florida growers to meet demand. The remaining rounds in California are trending to smaller sizes with quality ranging from fair to poor depending on grower. Romas are good in quality but supply is limited. Mexico is helping with production, importing romas crossing Otay Mesa, Pharr, Progresso, and Nogales. Grapes are also crossing and increasing slowly in availability daily. The market is steady with about a week to 10 days needed until supply loosens further.