The Source - September 24, 2015

Weather Update

As we begin fall harvest season the West Coast will see typical battle between high and low pressure systems. High pressure has been dominant all summer and the fall looks to continue the pattern of above average temperatures.
The Southwestern Lower Desert regions were spared the brunt of the recent tropical moisture as reports from Mexico trickle in. Early reports indicate minimal damage from the recent tropical disturbance. Long range forecasts show a strong high pressure ridge building into next week with very warm temperatures once again on the horizon.
The Southeast will see general cooling as a weak lo pressure system slowly moves up the eastern seaboard over the next few days. This system has the potential to bring heavy precipitation late this week mainly to the Carolinas.

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 $2.493 per gallon. A difference of $1.28 from this time last year. California prices remained steady as well and are now at $2.848 per gallon. Crude oil remains steady and is at 44.75 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

California - Galas are limited and most suppliers are looking to clean up. Fujis are steady and continue to peak on 100/113s but the availability is more limited. Granny-smith apples are peaking on 100/113s and the 125 and 138 availability is also good. The Granny market is being quoted steady but some shippers will still flex. Braeburns are steady and are heavier to 100/113/125s. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Washington - The C.A. Red Delicious are almost finished. New-crop Red Delicious supplies are better but still limited and the sizing remains mostly large. Most packers are peaking on 72/80/88s and have very few 125s or 138s. Golden delicious are steady and are peaking on premium grade 100/113/88s. New crop Granny smiths are steady and peaking on 88/100/113s. Most packers have very little if anything larger than an 88-size. Gala are small and still peaking on 100/113/125s. The Gala market is steady. Fujis are heavier to larger fruit but supplies are still relatively light. Honeycrisp are steady to lower and are large with the peak sizes being 64/72s. There are Honeycrisp deals on the lower grades. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - Macs are steady and they are peaking on larger fruit but the smaller sizes aren't short. Galas are steady on all sizes due to lighter supplies and strong demand. Golden delicious are peaking on 113-138s and the market is steady. Honeycrisp are steady and supplies are fairly limited. Jonathans, Cortlands, and Jonamacs are all steady and the sizing is heavier to 113/125/138s for all.
New York - Macs, Galas, Honeycrisp and Gingergolds are all being quoted steady to slightly lower. McIntosh volume is up and there some 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. The quality has been good on all varieties.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Michigan will have more Cortlands next week and they will start to pack Empires, red delicious, and Jonagolds. The following week they will pack Romes, Ida-reds, and Fujis.

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

This market is steady. Production from the Northern Baja region has finished. Southern Baja has begun. The best availability is with the standard size packs. Jumbo continue to be light in availability. Peruvian product is available in Miami if desired. The 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
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 September and into October until the Mexican blackberries come on with good volume and begin crossing the border into the United States. Shippers are becoming increasing particular about where they will ship their limited quantities of fruit. Expectations should be adjusted to what is currently available.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply. We are in a raw product supply gap that will continue until Mexico begins shipping product into the US. Projections of 2-4 weeks before we'll see good availability from MX crossing the border.

Transitions:
Mexico is 2-4 weeks out, California crop is declining.

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

Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, BC) blueberry shippers have ended major commercial production for the season. Quality continues to suffer on the remaining PNW storage fruit with shriveled, aging, soft berries and some mold. Southwest Michigan has slowed down in production and looks like the season could wrap up as early as this coming weekend. These blueberries have some splitting, shrivel, soft and occasional mold as well. Pricing is continuing to climb upward as we get deeper into September. 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 reports that Argentina experienced extreme weather with hail that damaged up to 30% of some growers crops. The volume of offshore fruit is very low to start but we expect it to steadily increase throughout 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 all the way through September.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Limited availability daily as we transition out of the remaining PNW and MI storage fruit and into the offshore varieties from Uruguay, Peru and Argentina. Offshore volume is very limited so far.

Growing Region Market Quality
Michigan Higher Fair
Salem, OR Higher Fair
Salto, Uruguay Higher Good
Concordia, Argentina Higher Good
Trujillo, Peru Higher Good
Berries (Raspberries)

Quality will continue to suffer after recent week(s) of extreme heat. Expect to see some soft, leaky fruit in the clams on arrival. Berries are very dark red color and overripe fruit will be in the clams as well. Availability has varied by shipper, some are sold out while others have fruit to sell this week.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Mexico is 2-4 weeks out.

Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Watsonville, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Oxnard, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Berries (Strawberries)

Quality is still the biggest concern with fresh strawberries out of the Salinas/Watsonville growing region. After the extreme heat that was experienced last week and again this past weekend, quality continues to suffer. Fruit size is small (20-25 per 1 pound clam), berries are full-red color with bruising and some overripe, soft spots and bleeding. Some mildew also reported. Overnight temperatures are remaining too warm and the fruit continues to ripen too quickly, turning full-red color before reaching a mature size. The fruit will not last as long as you are used to. Order for quick turns and do not carryover. Maintaining the cold chain is of utmost importance when dealing with lower quality fruit. Fruit should be kept 32-34 degrees at all times. The Santa Maria fruit is coming on slowly but still limited volume out of this area. The fruit size is larger (14-22 per 1 pound clam), berries are firmer. While this area is an improvement over Salinas/Watsonville, the volume is not significant enough to replace the fruit out of the north. Some soft shoulders, overripe fruit and bruising is being reported out of the south as well. This area experienced the same extreme heat. Varying markets based on quality and availability. Santa Maria fall crop fruit is demanding a premium price. A very small amount of fruit is now being packed in Oxnard, a few pallets per day. Fruit is smaller to begin the season, similar to sizing out of Santa Maria but on the smaller end of the spectrum. Some mis-shapen berries but firmer. Mid-way through this week, many shippers are sold out of fruit in the Salinas/Watsonville district and Santa Maria. A significant volume of the fruit is being diverted to processor for freezer/juicing markets. Availability is becoming more limited for best available quality, fresh product.

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

Demand has fallen off. Supplies are better on crowns. Escalated pricing continues on broccoli crown contracts. The quality of this commodity continues to be average at best. Supplies on bunched product is moderate. There has been defects including 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 region will have moderate to light production. Production out of Mexico as well as McAllen has picked up.

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

This market is softer. Demand overall is off. Brown and black spotting and yellowing has been seen sporadically upon arrivals. The overall quality is better. Some suppliers have been offering aggressive pricing, so promoting this item is a good idea. Warm temperatures has kicked in again in all the growing regions. Temperatures are expected to be strong through the end of the week at a minimum

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

This market is steady. Shippers are consistent on all sizing. In other words there is no shortage on any particular size. Santa Maria's production is stronger compared to last week. Supplies out of the Michigan region are winding down, but there is availability. Production in Salinas is moderate. The quality continues to be reported as strong and this will continue throughout the week with most suppliers. Pricing is very competitive.

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

This market has softened with many suppliers. The Baja region of Mexico as well as Southern California has increased production. Warm temperatures in the growing regions is speeding up the growth of this commodity. Expect good supplies throughout the week. Production in Salinas is stronger as well.

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

The lemon market is demand exceeds very limited supplies. While we are seeing some improvement in supply projected out of the southern desert regions; Yuma and Mexico are on hold due to rain and humidity. These areas will not be a factor and will provide no relief until they dry out enough to allow the crop to be picked. The projected rise in desert temperature in the coming week may help to improve this situation.

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

The lime market continues to be steady across the board. 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 good on the new crop that is being harvested which is currently the small sized limes. The old crop limes are average to below average in quality and they are tired now. 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 Steady Good
Citrus (Oranges)

The Valencia market continues to be in a historically extreme demand exceeds supply situation. All California growing regions are suffering with poor quality and light supply due to the ongoing drought. This, coupled with the growers inability to access enough labor to pick the fruit they do have, means we will see no relief until the Navel crop comes in. This would normally be around the first of November. Some suppliers are projecting an early start to the navel season.

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

The green seedless market is strong with adequate supplies to meet a strong demand. Quality continues to be excellent on the Autumn Kings with only a few issues regarding amber or size on the Thompsons and late season Princess.

- 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 steady with good demand and good quality. Pricing is still dictated by size as the smaller crimsons, although excellent quality, are selling at a discount to the larger Scarlet Royal and Vintage Reds.

- 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 continues to be active. Production in Mexico continues to be the main territory this commodity is being grown. Supplies out of this region will be light all week. Salinas' production will be very limited. The main sizing is predominantly small and medium packs. Expect supplies tight all of next week as well.

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

This market has remained unchanged. The availability is expected to be good throughout the week. Pricing continues to be competitive. The Baja region as well as California continue to be the two main growing regions at this time. The overall quality is good with most suppliers.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, MX Steady Good
Salinas, CA Steady Good
Lettuce Iceberg

This market is steady. There are some pockets of opportunities we have been able to act on. Some suppliers have given some lower pricing for a few days just to keep sales moving. Escalated pricing continues to be in effect. Defects continue to be reported. These defects include small and irregular head size, large seeder, puffiness, insect damage and internal burn. The defects are directly related to past high temperatures as well as current high temperatures. All shippers are having these issues. Yields continue to suffer. Labor has been minimized as well. 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 Steady Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Fair
Lettuce Leaf

Leaf items have softened from a few suppliers while others have remained steady. There are pricing gaps in the marketplace on all leaf items. Extreme high temperatures has been hitting Northern and Southern California. The quality is fair. Some issues on quality will include fringe burn, small and irregular sizing, insects, dehydration, seeder and internal burn on romaine. Most shippers are claiming this up front. The weights on romaine cartons are averaging 27-33 pounds. Chopped romaine as well as romaine hearts continue to show pinking upon arrival. Green and red leaf markets are down slightly. 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 Lower/Steady Fair
Salinas Valley, CA Lower/Steady Fair
Melon (Cantaloupe) Alert

The West Side is producing less volumes of all sizes. The peak size at the moment is 15ct and 9ct and 12ct have become scarce 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 region is has been getting scattered heavy rains this week, initial reports are harvesting should begin mid October. I have added Maricopa to the growing regions in order to allow you access to their weather.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Scattered heavy rains in the desert growing regions have been reported this week. Cantaloupes during this time of year have a green cast to them and many of them will cut greener than before. Brix levels are from 10 to 13 which is lower than previous times.

Transitions:
The desert growing areas have experienced scattered heavy rains this week and start dates are estimated to be mid October.

Peak Seasons:
Cantaloupes have past their peak harvest for the West Side season.

Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Steady Good
Mendota, CA Steady Good
Maricopa, AZ Steady Good
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 moving up on all sizes now. Honeydews are also past their peak production now and the desert and Mexico will begin towards the end of October. We continue to experience good demand across the board. I have added Maricopa and Mexico to the growing regions in order to allow you access to their weather.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
The desert and Mexico growing areas report having experienced very heavy rains this week. Start dates are being formulated and may still be the end of October.

Peak Seasons:
Honeydews have passed their peak harvest for the West Side season.

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

Onion market is firming slightly on Jumbo and larger on yellows and reds out of all growing areas. This is mainly due to good demand and lighter supplies due to some moderate rain is parts of the growing areas late last week. Supplies are starting to improve and market should slowly stabilize by the middle of next week. Onions are being shipped out of Idaho, Washington, Colorado, New York and Wisconsin currently. Six weeks of prolonged heat in the northwest during the growing season did hurt yields and size in some of the field mainly in Washington but did hit some areas of Idaho. I don't see the markets getting crazy over the next couple of Months. We will keep you posted. Quality currently is being reported as good out of all areas.

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

California - Most shippers are trying to clean up their remaining Bartletts. Crimson pears are peaking on 45-55 size half cartons and they are steady but most packers are trying to clean up. Bosc pears are steady to lower and they are peaking on smaller fruit. Most shippers will flex on volume Bosc orders so they can get closer to finishing for the season. The quality for the red pears and Bosc has been good. The Bartlett quality has been fair.
Washington - Bartlett pears are peaking on 110/120s and the market is steady but most suppliers will flex for volume of on the smaller sizes. The demand has been steady. Washington Bosc are steady and they are peaking on 90/100s. D'anjou pears are steady and are peaking on 100s. Red pears are steady on all sizes and are peaking on half carton 45/50s and 90/100 full cartons. The quality has been good on all Washington pears.

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

Potato pricing continues to be soft on large sized cartons out of all growing areas currently with Idaho leading the way. All growing areas are in the middle of harvest. Quality is being reported as good out of all areas. Market should stay at current levels till all the potatoes our in storage at which point we could see the growers shut the doors and not open them till the markets get better. This has not worked very good in the past but only time will tell. Washington is the only area that is reporting that their yields are down this year and most likely will not fill all their storages. All other growing areas are currently saying yields are good.

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

Stockton, California - All colors are steady and continue to peak on A-size. The availability of premium and baker reds and golds is still limited. The quality has been good on all colors. Stockton will pack for another 2-3 weeks.
Western Washington - Reds, golds, and whites are all steady and the availability is good. All colors are peaking on A-size. The quality for all colors is good.
Central/Eastern Idaho - Reds and golds are steady and both colors are heavy to A-size. Gold inventories are increasing.
Wisconsin - Reds and golds are both steady. Premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs remain very short. Both colors are peaking on A-size and the quality is good.
Minnesota - Red and golds are steady but supplies remain light as the end of the season approaches. The quality on both colors has been good.
North Dakota - Both reds and golds are steady and they are both peaking on A-size. Premium and baker size are very limited in both colors. The quality has been good on both reds and golds.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Stockton, CA Steady Good
Mount Vernon, WA Steady Good
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady Good
Big Lake Minnesota Steady Good
Plover, WI Steady Good
Red River Valley, ND Steady Good
Stone Fruit

The market on peaches is steady with mostly larger tray packs available. Inventories are winding down rapidly and we expect to see peach shipments mostly done by the first week of October. Plums supplies are sketchy and this market continues to be strong on both black and red plums. Several shippers have finished for the season on all stone fruit.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Madera south to Arvin, CA Steady Good
Tomatoes (Eastern)

Rounds - The market is steady/rising. Local growers are finishing up their seasons. Northern Florida and Southern Georgia are expected to come on in a couple weeks with possibly a slight delay in the Northern Florida region. Quality is good.
Roma - The market will remain steady. Programs in Virginia/Tennessee and Michigan are coming to their ends but west coast product is continuing to provide more volume. Quality is good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market continues to be strong. Until the Northern Florida crop begins to harvest this market will stay elevated. Grape market remains strong with Virginia/Maryland area starting to finish up. The west coast is providing good volumes so look for east buyers to pull from there as well. Quality is fair

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

Rounds - The market is steady. Mexico is coming in with good volume but Central California and the East Coast are low and finishing up. The market should remain steady toward the end of this week with a possible slight increase. Quality is good.
Romas - The market is steady. Continued good volumes out of California and Mexico. East Coast programs are finishing up and transitioning. This is putting some pressure on the west to step up. This is keeping the price steady on the west. Quality is good.
Cherry/Grapes - Cherry market is strong. Product will remain elevated until the Florida season starts harvesting. Quality is fair. Grape market remains steady. As with the cherry market, the grape market will remain steady until the Florida begins harvesting. Quality is good.

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

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blackberries)
Demand exceeds supply. We are in a raw product supply gap that will continue until Mexico begins shipping product into the US. Projections of 2-4 weeks before we'll see good availability from MX crossing the border.

Berries (Blueberries)
Limited availability daily as we transition out of the remaining PNW and MI storage fruit and into the offshore varieties from Uruguay, Peru and Argentina. Offshore volume is very limited so far.

Melon (Cantaloupe)
Scattered heavy rains in the desert growing regions have been reported this week. Cantaloupes during this time of year have a green cast to them and many of them will cut greener than before. Brix levels are from 10 to 13 which is lower than previous times.

Transitions and Temperatures

Melon (Honeydew)
The desert and Mexico growing areas report having experienced very heavy rains this week. Start dates are being formulated and may still be the end of October.

Melon (Cantaloupe)
The desert growing areas have experienced scattered heavy rains this week and start dates are estimated to be mid October.

Apples
Michigan will have more Cortlands next week and they will start to pack Empires, red delicious, and Jonagolds. The following week they will pack Romes, Ida-reds, and Fujis.

Berries (Raspberries)
Mexico is 2-4 weeks out.

Berries (Blackberries)
Mexico is 2-4 weeks out, California crop is declining.

A Peak at Peak Seasons

Melon (Honeydew)
Honeydews have passed their peak harvest for the West Side season.

Melon (Cantaloupe)
Cantaloupes have past their peak harvest for the West Side season.

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