The Source - September 28, 2015

California - they have a few Granny-smiths, Braeburns, and Fujis left but supplies are light and the shippers are looking to clean-up for the season. The quality has been good.
Washington - C.A. Red Delicious supplies are light and they are almost finished for the season. New-crop Red Delicious supplies are improving but are still generally light and the fruit is large. Most packers are peaking on 72/80/88s and have very few 125s and smaller. 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 don't have much size larger than an 88 Granny. Galas are steady and the fruit remains relatively small. Most suppliers are still peaking on 100/113/125s. Fujis are heavier to larger fruit but supplies are still relatively light. Honeycrisp are steady to lower and are peaking on 64/72s. There are Honeycrisp deals on the lower grades. Jonagolds and Braeburns are available. The quality for all varieties has been good.
Michigan - McIntosh are steady and they are peaking on larger fruit but the smaller sizes aren't short. Galas are steady on all sizes due to steady demand. Golden delicious are peaking on 113-138s and the market is steady. Honeycrisp are steady to lower and supplies are up a little. Jonathans, Cortlands, Jonamacs, and Empires are all steady and the sizing is heavier to the smaller fruit but supplies are limted.
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.

This market is a bit softer to begin the week. 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 available in Miami if desired. The quality continues to be reported as good in all the growing regions.

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.

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 increasingly particular about where they will ship their limited quantities of fruit. Expectations should be adjusted to what is currently available.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply, gapping in production between California season and Mexico season.

Transitions:
Initial shipments of Mexican blackberries began crossing the US border late last week. Arrivals into CA are very slow and there have already been some quality issues reported. TX has better availability for loading this fruit currently.

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 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 reporting 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.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply. Severe supply gaps as we transition into offshore blueberry season. Arrivals are slow, sporadic and often dealing with quality issues as the fruit arrives at US ports.

Better availability of fruit this week and quality should improve some as both daytime and overnight temperatures have cooled down from previous weeks.

Quality is still the biggest concern with fresh strawberries out of the Salinas/Watsonville growing region. After the extreme heat that was experienced over recent weeks, 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. The fruit will not last as long as you are used to. A significant volume of the fruit is being diverted to processor for freezer/juicing markets. 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. We are seeing both daytime and overnight temperatures cooling down, this will help some with sizing and the current quality if it remains cooler for several days. Santa Maria fruit is still limited volume. 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 and Oxnard fall crop fruit is demanding a premium price over the fruit out of Salinas/Watsonville. A small amount of fruit is now being packed in Oxnard, a few pallets available 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. Availability is becoming more limited for best available quality, fresh product.

Transitions:
Oxnard began picking a few strawberries last week and will continue packing more berries as crops ramp up toward a southern transition.

This market has begun the week steady overall with many suppliers. The quality of this commodity continues to be average at best. California production is moderate. Demand has cooled off. There is a gap in in the marketplace as far as pricing. 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 production is moderate at best. There is availability out of Mexico as well as McAllen. The freight savings compared to California could be a determining factor to purchasing from this area.

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.

This market is steady to begin the week. The quality has been reported as being good. Some suppliers have been offering aggressive pricing, so promoting this item is a good idea for the front part of this week. Temperatures are expected to lower in the growing regions all this week. Currently, demand is off.

This market is steady. Production in Michigan is expected to run approximately two more weeks. After that there will be a higher demand for California product. All sizing is available. Santa Maria's production is moderate at best. Production in Salinas is ample to fill all orders for now. The following two weeks will see a higher demand and an upward spike in the market. The quality continues to be reported as strong in all the growing regions.

Transitions:
Oxnard is expected to begin production the first to second week in November.

This market is steady. The best pricing is in the Southern California region. The Baja region of Mexico as well as Southern California has increased production. Warm temperatures in these growing regions has been speeding up the growth of this commodity. Expect good supplies throughout the week. Production in Salinas is ample for all orders.

Demand remains very high and we are seeing extreme demand exceeding supplies on all sizes and all grades of fruit. We are really feeling the extent of the drought conditions of the last couple of years, with fruit not sizing and seeing high percentage of undersized fruit that goes straight to juice and leaving an extreme shortage on California lemons. The new crop in the desert is just beginning in a very light way. Expect this shortage to go until we see the desert crop hit better volume later in October.

Alerts:
Demand exceeds supply has reached an extreme shortage of supplies. Expect shortages to go into October until the crop Desert fruit hits some volume.

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.

California Valencia oranges supplies are very short on all sizes and are in a extreme demand exceeds supply situation. Because poor pack outs that shippers are experiencing with soft fruit and undersized fruit, many shippers are already looking at their final few weeks of their valencia season, this is much sooner than many expected. Shippers are also having labor shortages as pickers move to grapes to help finish off that crop. California Navels look to start in limited volume by the 3rd week of October for some shippers.

Alerts:
Demand for California Valencia oranges on all sizes reached an extreme demand exceed supplies.

The green seedless grape market is steady to higher with the larger varieties (Autumn King) commanding a premium over the smaller fruit available. Demand is good. We anticipate a spike in the green grape market as shippers hold the stronger fruit off the market and build their storage inventories.

The red seedless grape market is steady. Supplies continue to be good with adequate demand. Quality is generally excellent with a range in pricing dependent solely upon sizing (larger fruit is commanding a premium). We anticipate this market to remain about steady throughout the coming week.

This market is firm to begin the week. Production out of Mexico continues to be the main territory this commodity is being harvested. Past heats followed by heavy rainfalls has hindered the production of this crop. Supplies out of this region will be limited all week. Production in Salinas will be very light. The main sizing is predominantly small and medium packs.

This market is steady with most suppliers. The availability is expected to be good throughout this week. There are no production shortages in the forecast. 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.

This market is adjusting downward as demand has fallen off. High prices and mediocre quality has cooled this market down. Escalated pricing continues to be in effect, however. Defects continue to be reported. The defects being consistently 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. Yields as down and labor is short. The weights on palletized are averaging 38-46 pounds. Salinas and Santa Maria continue to be the two main growing areas at this time.

Transitions:
Huron is expected to begin lettuce production in mid-October and Yuma will begin with a few suppliers in early November.

This market is steady. There continues to be gaps in pricing pending which shipper is used. Past high temperatures has hit some suppliers worse than others, so the availability is all over the place. The quality continues to be fair. 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 steady as well. Fringe burn, mildew damage, internal burn and insect pressure continue to be defects associated with these commodities.

The West Side is producing less volumes of all sizes. The peak size at the moment is 12ct. The 9ct and 12ct have started to become more 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 decent demand for cantaloupes at this time. The desert has started today in a very small way in Maricopa with 9ct and 12ct. I have added Maricopa to the growing regions in order to allow you access to their weather.

Alerts:
The desert region has started to pack today with very light volumes of cantaloupe 9ct and 12ct.

Transitions:
The desert region has started in a very small way today. Maricopa Arizona has started today with one shipper packing.

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

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 Mexico will begin towards the end of October. The desert has started packing very light volumes of dews in Maricopa today with Jumbo 4 and 5ct being the sizes available. 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.

Alerts:
The desert region has started to pack dews today in very light volumes. Maricopa Arizona is the shipping point and the dews are very large in size, jumbo 4ct and 5ct are being harvested currently.

Transitions:
Maricopa Arizona has started to pack today in a very small way.

Peak Seasons:
We are past the peak season out of the West side district.

Idaho onion growers are two to three weeks away from having everything put into storage. Demand Is moderate on most sizes of yellow onions with a steady but firm market. Good demand on Red onions with light supplies has this market firming. Most red onions are going into storage with few being run for the fresh market. Quality is being reported as good on all colors and sizes. There could be a shortage of good quality, large red onions as this season moves on. We will have a better idea on supplies once everything is into storage.
Washington onion growers are about two weeks away from having everything in storage. Sizing across the board on all colors are peaking on Medium/Jumbo's. Demand is moderate with good quality onions being shipped currently.

Alerts:
Limited supplies of Jumbo Red Onions has this market moving higher.

California - there are a few pears left but most shippers are in clean-up mode. The quality has ranged from fair to poor for all varieties.
Washington - Bartlett continue peaking on 110/120s and the market is steady but most suppliers will flex for volume of on the smaller sizes. Larger Bartletts are limited. The demand has been steady. Washington Bosc are steady and they are peaking on 90/100s. D'anjou pears are also steady and are still peaking on 100s. 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.

Potato pricing continues to be soft on large sized cartons out of all growing areas. Supplies out Idaho will start to tighten up as this week moves on, due to waiting for potatoes to come out of the sweat which will happen next week. A few growers have started harvesting Burbank this week. Most of these will go straight to storage with a few being run for the fresh market. Quality is being reported as good. Could see a slight increase in the market but I feel this will be short lived. Potato are being shipped out of Washington, Idaho, Colorado and Wisconsin.

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 and ship for another week to 2 weeks.
Western Washington - Reds, golds, and whites are lower due to increased supplies. All colors are still 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 limited but slowly increasing. The quality has ranged from fair to good.
Wisconsin - Reds are steady and golds are up slightly due to lighter supplies. Both colors are peaking on A-size while Premium and baker reds, premium and baker golds, and gold Cs are limited. Many suppliers are more bullish now as they are coming from storage. 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 to higher and they continue to peak on A-size. The availability is better this week than last as more shippers get started but the market is strong due to strong demand. Premium and baker size remain limited in both colors. The quality has been good.

The market on red and black plums continues to strengthen as supplies dwindle. Demand is good and quality is still holding up well. It now appears that most shippers will be done with plums in the next 10-14 days. Peaches are close to being completely done as inventories are mostly cleaned up. Quality on the last of the season peaches is still good on very limited supplies.

Rounds - The market remains steady/rising. Virginia volume is starting to decline and local deals are coming to a close. We should see some light volume coming out of South Carolina in about a week. Northern Florida (Quincy) has a slight delay and should be producing in a couple weeks. Market should lighten up when the Palmetto region gets up and running in Mid-October.
Roma - The market will remain steady. Still relying on the west coast product to fill in the gaps as local programs and the Virginia region are coming to a close. Quality is good.
Cherry/Grape - Cherry market is 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

Rounds - The market remains steady. Mexico continues to have good volume. Central California is beginning to finish up there season as they never really came in with decent volume this season. The continued low volume from California and the east coast pulling out of the west will keep the market steady with a possible slight increase. Quality is good.
Romas - The market remains steady. Mexico and California continue with decent volumes. East Coast programs are finishing up and transitioning. 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 Florida begins harvesting. We are starting to see some quality issues in the Baja region due to weather (rains). Quality is fair.