The Source - October 8, 2015

Summary

Berries (Blackberries):
Demand exceeds supply as production is gapping between domestic fruit and imported Mexican fruit.

Weather Update

High pressure builds out west this week with warming temperatures from California to Northern Mexico. The low pressure system that brought light rain to Southern California over the weekend and heavier precipitation to Central Arizona yesterday looks to retrograde over Northern Mexico and then move off the Baja coast early next week. This unusual pattern may bring another round of rain to the region early next week.
The Southeast continues to dry out today after the extremely wet pattern recently. Another cold front moves down through the region late this week with up to 1 inch of rain possible from North Carolina into Georgia Friday and Saturday. Mostly dry conditions are then forecast for early next week.

Freight Update

California trucks remain steady but look to tighten on Friday. Washington and Idaho trucks look to remain steady for the week. The national average remained steady again this week and is currently $2.492 per gallon. A difference of $1.248 from this time last year. California prices dropped slightly and is now 2.803 per gallon. Crude oil increased slightly and is at 48.63 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

California - there are a few Granny-smiths, Braeburns, and Fujis left but supplies are light and the shippers are looking to clean-up for the season. Pink Ladys will be available next week. The quality has been good.
Washington - Only light supplies of C.A. Red Delicious are left. New-crop Red Delicious are steadyl but the fruit is large. 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 100/113/88s. Granny smiths are steady and peaking on 88/100/113s. Most Granny packers don't have much size larger than an 88. Galas are steady and the fruit remains relatively small. Most suppliers are still peaking on 100/113/125s and are also limited no availability of 88's and larger. Fujis are heavier to large fruit but the market is steady to lower as inventories are starting to build. Honeycrisp are steady to lower and are peaking on 64/72s. Volume Honeycrisp deals are available in the lower grades. Jonagolds and Braeburns are available but supplies are light. 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. Honeycrisp are peaking on 100's and larger and the market is steady to lower. Jonathans, Cortlands, Jonamacs, and Empires are all steady and the sizing is heavier to the smaller fruit.
New York - Macs, Galas, Honeycrisp and Gingergolds are all being quoted steady. McIntosh volume is good and some shippers will flex on certain sizes and grades. The Macs are peaking on 100s, the galas are heavier to 100/113s and the Gingergolds are peaking on 56-88s. They have started packing a few Cortlands and Empires. The quality has been good on all varieties.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coopersville/Belding/Sparta, MI Steady Good
Stockton, CA Lower/Steady Good
Wenatchee/Yakima, WA and Hood River, OR Steady Good
Hudson/Pleasant Valley/Red Hook, NY Steady Good
Asparagus

This market is steady. Some suppliers are flexing for volume type orders. Southern Baja has picked up in production numbers. The best availability is with the standard size packs. Jumbo continue to be light in availability. Peruvian product is coming in heavy in Miami if desired. The quality continues to be reported as good in all the growing regions. Jumbo sizing continues to be on the scarce side as well.

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

Mexico is beginning to harvest this years new crop. Production remains primarily Flor Loca. Supplies crossing look to remain steady with good volumes. Stating to see improvement in the range of sizes, but still heavier to 48's and larger fruit. 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 Good
Berries (Blackberries) Alert

Demand exceeds supply of fresh blackberries in all California growing regions. Production has slowed down considerably and quality continues to be more of a concern. The current crops have past peak for this season and the recent heat accelerated quality issues with soft fruit, red cell and juicing. Labor is also an issue as more pickers are focusing on culling fruit and controlling quality for the limited harvests. Projections show a shortage of blackberries all the way through October until the Mexican blackberries come on with more volume and begin crossing the border into the United States with better volumes. Some shippers will struggle with volume and availability until the end of October / beginning of November when Mexican fruit will be in full swing. Shippers are becoming increasingly particular about where they will ship their limited quantities of fruit. Quality expectations should be adjusted to what is currently available. A few Mexican blackberries have crossed and have been available in Los Angeles, CA and McAllen, TX with limited availability daily. Fruit is being held up in inspections and is slow to release so this is limiting availability daily.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply as production is gapping between domestic fruit and imported Mexican fruit.

Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Higher Fair
Santa Maria, CA Higher Fair
Oxnard, CA Higher Fair
Central Mexico Higher Good
Berries (Blueberries) Alert

Demand exceeds supply. Most all domestic (PNW and MI) commercial production has ended. Any remaining storage fruit will likely show shrivel, aging, soft and some mold. Pricing is continuing to climb upward as we move into October. As the domestic fruit ends, demand will increase for the short supply of offshore fruit arriving into US ports from Uruguay, Argentina, Peru then Mexico and Chile. Early reporting that Argentina experienced extreme weather with hail that damaged up to 30% of some grower's crops. The volume of offshore fruit is very low to start but we expect it to steadily increase later in October and into November. This new product is also demanding a premium price. Some light color being reported along with damage from rain in the early growing season. Shippers are anticipating weekly shortages through mid-October until more import fruit arrives into the US.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply. Production is gapping as we have completed the domestic season but import fruit has been slow to arrive and with minimal volumes.

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

Quality and availability of California fruit has improved over recent weeks. Also, the first arrivals of Mexican raspberries began crossing into McAllen, TX at the end of last week. Arrivals have been delayed due to inspection but the limited quantities that have arrived have been excellent quality.

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

Availability is very limited and production is continuing to decline out of Salinas/Watsonville putting more pressure on production out of Santa Maria and Oxnard. We are short fruit in all areas for the week and moving into a demand exceeds supply situation by this weekend if not sooner. The Salinas/Watsonville growing region's quality has improved some over recent weeks but wet and dry bruising, ripe red to overripe, decay and some mildew are still being reported. After the rain last week, possibility of pin rot increases and this is very hard to spot in the field and cooler QA inspections. These plants are very tired and fruit is weak. The early onset of the Spring crop in the northern district is also causing an earlier decline at the end of the season. Typically production will continue throughout October and even into November/December (in recent dry years) but this year looks to end sooner than normal. Santa Maria fruit has been stronger overall, the berries are larger and more firm than out of the north. However, there is still some soft shoulders being reported along with white/green tips and shoulders and occasional sunburn. Oxnard fruit is measuring small to begin their season, which is typical. Overall quality has been good with firmer fruit. Special packs are limited to non-existent out of all areas. Long stems, pints, 2#, 3#, 4# are labor intensive and are omitted from packing schedules as availability and quality are more limited.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Very limited availability and will most likely be in a demand exceeds supply situation by end of week.

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

This market is stronger on bunched product as well as crowns. The quality has been up and down. California production is moderate at best. There is a gap in in the marketplace as far as pricing. Defects on this commodity include brown and yellow beading, as well as a rubbery texture. Theses defects are a direct result of past warm temperatures. The main production continues to be out of the Salinas Valley. The Southern California production is moderate at best. There is availability out of Mexico as well as McAllen.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Celaya Guanjuato Mexico Higher Fair
McAllen, TX Higher Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Fair
Carrots

Bakersfield crop is in full production. Size in the fields has improved and the percentage of jumbo size carrots is much better. Quality is good.

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

This market is stronger with all suppliers. A few suppliers are sold out for the rest of the week for this commodity. Demand is stronger. The overall quality is good. Warm temperatures are expected again over the next three to four days, minimum. The best availability is coming in twelve count sizing. The sixteen count packs are the least available.

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

This market is steady. Production in Michigan is expected to run approximately one more week. All sizing is available. Santa Maria's production is moderate at best. Production in Salinas is steady. The next week should show pricing to go upward as demand for California product will increase. The quality continues to be reported as strong in all the growing regions.

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

This market is steady with many suppliers. The best pricing is in the Southern California region. The Baja region of Mexico as well as Southern California has increased production. Warm temperatures continue to exists in all of the growing regions. Expect good supplies throughout the week. The overall quality is reported as being clean.

- 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 to see 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 the month.

- pa_admin

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

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

The lime market is lower. The old crop is finishing up and the new crop volume is picking up nicely and is filling the volume decreases from the old crop finishing. The overall quality is very good on the new crop. The old crop limes are average to below average in quality and they are tired now and nearly finished for this season. Stylar breakdown is the main defect some lots of old crop and yellowing also may be found. We continue to have good demand on limes. The old crop looks to be finished by mid October

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

California Valencia oranges supplies are very short on all sizes and are in a extreme demand exceeds supply situation. Most shippers have finished or will be finishing this week on the Valencia crop, this is much sooner than many expected. California Navels look to start in limited volume by the 3rd week of October for some shippers

- pa_admin

Alerts:
California Valencia oranges on all sizes have reached an extreme demand exceed supplies as this season comes to an early end.

Growing Region Market Quality
Merced to Bakersfield, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Riverside, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Grapes (Green)

The green seedless grape market is steady with the Autumn Kings dominating for quality and size. The smaller fruit is becoming scarcer; creating a lift to the bottom of the market price. The overall market, however, is unchanged with adequate supplies to meet current demand.

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

The market on red seedless grapes is about steady with a little weakness showing on the small fruit. This market looks to us like it will continue unchanged until the week of October 19. We should see a drop off in volume at that time with good demand pushing the market up. Quality continues to be reported as generally excellent.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Arvin, CA Steady Good
Delano, CA Steady Excellent
Fresno, CA Steady Excellent
Madera, CA Steady Excellent
Green Onions

This market is steady with many suppliers. Production out of Mexico is moderate at best. Past heats followed by heavy rainfalls has hindered the production of this crop. Supplies look to be light for the rest of the week. Demand is up. Production in Salinas will be very light. The main sizing is predominantly small and medium packs.

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

This market is steady and this will continue for the rest of the week. There are no production issues at this time. Pricing continues to be competitive. The Baja region as well as California continue to be the main growing regions at this time. The overall quality is good with most shippers.

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

There is a gap in pricing on this commodity in the marketplace. This market is softer. There is a window of opportunity with this commodity as pricing has lowered dramatically. Expect this market to turn around by the end of next week. Quality issues continue. These issues include small and irregular head size, large seeder, puffiness, insect damage and internal burn. The defects are directly related to past and current high temperatures. These defects are industry wide. The weights on palletized are averaging 38-46 pounds. Salinas and Santa Maria continue to be the two main growing areas at this time.

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

This market is very active on romaine. Past high temperatures has hit some suppliers worse than others, so the availability is all over the place. There is a gap in the marketplace on pricing. The quality continues to be fair. Issues on quality will include fringe burn, small and irregular sizing, insects, dehydration, seeder and internal burn. The weights on romaine cartons are averaging 26-34 pounds. Green and red leaf markets are up also, but not nearly as strong as romaine. Fringe burn, mildew damage, internal burn and insect pressure continue to be defects associated with these commodities.

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

The West Side is producing less volumes of all sizes. The peak size at the moment is 12ct. The 9ct and 12ct are available again. The West Side has good quality but green cast is prevalent and some melons are cutting with more green in them than normal, this will continue until the West Side is finished in October. The current market on all sizes is steady right now. We are experiencing good demand for cantaloupes at this time. The desert started last week in a small way down in Maricopa with 9ct and 12ct mainly coming in and a few 15ct showing up. Momentum is building down in the desert and the quality is good too.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Maricopa AZ is hipping lopes.

Peak Seasons:
The West Side has past it's peak.

Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Steady Good
Mendota, CA Steady Good
Maricopa, AZ Steady Excellent
Melon (Honeydew)

The peak size is currently 6ct. The quality and sugar contents continue to be good and this looks to continue. Our honeydew market is steady on all sizes currently. Honeydews are also past their peak production now and Mexico will begin towards the end of October. The desert has started packing very light volumes of dews in Maricopa last week with Jumbo 4ct and 5ct being the peak sizes with 6ct being the smallest coming in. We continue to experience good demand across the board.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Mexico has started to cross honeydews into the U.S. and they are now available in Nogales AZ. Maricopa AZ is shipping dews also.

Peak Seasons:
The West Side has past it's peak.

Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Steady Excellent
Mendota, CA Steady Excellent
Maricopa, AZ Steady Excellent
Hermosillo, Mexico Steady Excellent
Onions Alert

Harvest is about 90% complete in both Idaho/Oregon onion growing areas. Washington growers should finish with harvest the end of this week. Yellow onion yields in Washington are being reported to be down 25% due to 7 to 8 weeks of 100 plus degree weather during the growing season. This caused an overall smaller size profile with the onions peaking on mediums. On the Idaho/Oregon side, yellows are yielding well with sizing right in line historically. A few growers are reporting slightly lower yields out of this growing area. The yellow market has maintained a fairly level market during harvest which should stay fairly stable till the first of the year. The biggest challenge this year looks to be red onions. Red onion yields across the Northwest are down this year. Washington is reporting to be down 40 plus percent. This was due to the high heat during the growing season which affected the red onions even more than the yellows. The overall size on red onions out of Washington being harvested is mediums and smaller with few jumbos. Some growers in Washington have opted to not harvest a considerable amount of their red onion acreage due to quality issues in the fields. Idaho/Oregon acreage of red onions is being reported as average, however lower yields and smaller overall size profile are going to lead to some potential supply issues as we get into the winter months. Quality is being reported as good. Market are steady to slightly firmer out of all growing areas.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Red Onion supplies will be limited this year due to weather during the growing season.

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

California - they still have a few pears left but most shippers are cleaning up their remaining Bosc, Bartletts, red pears. The quality has ranged from fair to poor for all varieties.
Washington - Bartletts continue to peak on 110/120s and the market is steady. Some suppliers will flex for volume orders of the smaller sizes. Larger Bartletts remain limited. Washington Bosc are steady and they are still peaking on 90/100s. D'anjou pears are also steady and are still peaking on 100s. Most shippers have limited supplies of 80's and larger. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are peaking on half carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s. The quality has been good on all Washington pears.

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

Harvest on potatoes is winding down out of all growing areas and will be finished for the season in the next 7 to 10 days. Idaho supplies have tighten up as most growers have finished with harvest and their potatoes that are in storage not being ready to come out of the sweat. It takes 30 to 40 days for the potatoes to go through the sweat. Most growers will have storage potatoes that have gone through the sweat ready by the middle to end of next week. The current low markets is not helping the growers to release their potatoes. Look for the market to increase slightly over the next two weeks as the harvest finishes for the season. Quality is being reported as good out of all areas.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Higher Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Eastern Colorado Steady Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Steady Good
Potatoes (colored)

Stockton, California - All colors are steady and remain heavy to A-size. The quality has been good on all colors. Stockton will pack through this week and will then be finished.
Western Washington - Reds, golds, and whites are all steady and still peaking on A-size. The quality for all colors has been good.
Central/Eastern Idaho - Reds and golds are steady and both colors are heavy to A-size. Gold supplies are still relatively limited. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
Wisconsin - Reds and golds are fairly steady on all sizes. Both colors are peaking on A-size. Premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs remain limited. The quality is good.
North Dakota - reds and golds are steady and both are heavy to A-size. Gold supplies are light this week but will be better next week. Premium and baker size remain very short for both colors. The quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Stockton, CA Steady Good
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady Good
Mount Vernon, WA Steady Good
Plover, WI Steady Good
Red River Valley, ND Steady Good
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies coming out of the eastern seaboard were greatly diminished from Hurricane Joaquin as they were already in the finishing stages for the season. With the Hurricane and California finishing up on their seasons pressure for Northern Florida to start harvesting is increasing daily. Florida looks to be a bout 2 weeks out so all the pressure is on Mexico to cover demand. Mexico is currently seeing good volume. With only one real player in the game expect rounds of all sizes to be hard to come by in the next two to three weeks.
Roma - The market is steady/rise. As with the rounds, the demand for Roma's will rely mostly on Mexico. The East was hit with heavy rains while the local programs were already on the decline toward their seasons end. Mexico will see increased volumes in a couple weeks so look for the Roma market to struggle until then. Quality is good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market is strong. We are seeing low volume out of all regions. The Cherry market will not see a change until both Mexico finishes transition and the Northern Florida begins to harvest. Until then the market will remain elevated. Grape market remains strong. Quality where you can find them has also been suspect. Mexico is supplying some volume but will not cover all the demand. Market will remain strong until Northern Florida comes into play. Quality is fair

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Florida Steady/Higher Good
Charleston, SC Steady/Higher Good
Cedarville/Hammonton, VA Steady/Higher Good
Benton Harbor/Byron Center, MI Steady/Higher Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Rounds - The market is steady. California has finished up their season. Supplies coming out of Mexico are good. The East was hit with heavy rains and slowed their already diminishing supplies. Florida looks to be a bout 2 weeks out so all the pressure is on Mexico to cover demand. Mexico is currently seeing good volume. Expect rounds of all sizes to be hard to come by in the next two to three weeks.
Roma - The market is steady/rise. As with the rounds, the demand for Roma's will rely mostly on Mexico. The East was hit with heavy rains while the local programs were already on the decline. Mexico will see increased volumes in a couple weeks so look for the Roma market to struggle until then. Quality is good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market is strong. We are seeing low volume out of all regions. The Cherry market will not see a change until both Mexico finishes transition and Northern Florida begins to harvest. Until then the market will remain elevated. Grape market remains strong. Quality where you can find them has also been suspect. Mexico is supplying some volume but will not cover all the demand. Market will remain strong until Northern Florida comes into play. Quality is fair

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

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blackberries)
Demand exceeds supply as production is gapping between domestic fruit and imported Mexican fruit.

Berries (Blueberries)
Demand exceeds supply. Production is gapping as we have completed the domestic season but import fruit has been slow to arrive and with minimal volumes.

Berries (Strawberries)
Very limited availability and will most likely be in a demand exceeds supply situation by end of week.

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

Citrus (Oranges)
California Valencia oranges on all sizes have reached an extreme demand exceed supplies as this season comes to an early end.

Onions
Red Onion supplies will be limited this year due to weather during the growing season.

Transitions and Temperatures

Melon (Cantaloupe)
Maricopa AZ is hipping lopes.

Melon (Honeydew)
Mexico has started to cross honeydews into the U.S. and they are now available in Nogales AZ. Maricopa AZ is shipping dews also.

A Peak at Peak Seasons

Melon (Cantaloupe)
The West Side has past it's peak.

Melon (Honeydew)
The West Side has past it's peak.

Want to receive our most recent market reports by email as soon as they're released?
Click here to sign up
Back to Top