The Source - September 29, 2016

Weather Update

The cool down out west continues into early next week as a couple of cool low pressure troughs move in from the northwest. This will bring a slight chance of showers a return of the marine layer, gusty winds and below average temperatures throughout California. The Southwest will see a chance of showers today and seasonal temperatures into the weekend. Temperatures cool Sunday into early next week as the cold front passing to the north brings strong winds to these desert regions. Light scattered showers and seasonal temperatures will continue in Central Mexico with a slight cool down to the north as the cold front passes by. Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue this weekend in Florida as a frontal system moves across the state. We continue to monitor Tropical Storm Matthew (expected to reach Hurricane status by the weekend) as it approaches the Bahamas for possible impacts to Florida early next week and a disturbance off the coast of Mexico for possible development.

Freight Update

California trucks remain steady again this week and should stay that way for the near future. Washington and Idaho potato trucks remain steady as well. The National Average for diesel remained steady and is currently at 2.382 per gallon. A difference of .094 from this time last year. California prices are steady as well and are currently at 2.739 per gallon. Crude oil is up slightly and is at 46.74 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

Washington - red delicious are steady on the smaller sizes and steady to lower on 88's and larger. Most shippers continue to peak on extra-fancy 72-88s. Most suppliers still have only light availability of the Wash-Extra-fancy #2 and Washington fancy grades. Golden delicious supplies remain light and the market remains strong because of it. C.A. Granny Smith are higher on most sizes and continue to peak on 88-113s. New-crop Granny-smith are steady but limited. The Gala market is steady to lower on larger fruit with good availability and steady to higher and firm on the smaller fruit. Galas are peaking on 80/88/100/72s so expect the smaller sizes to remain limited. Honey Crisp are steady to slightly lower on most sizes and grades but the fruit remains large and is still peaking on 48/56/64s. Fuji's are steady on the small fruit and steady to lower on The quality for red delicious, golden delicious, granny-smith, Galas, and Honey Crisp has been good.
California - Granny-Smith are steady on all sizes with good availability on smaller fruit. The quality has been good.
Idaho---they are steady on Gala's and Jonathans and are peaking on Washington extra-fancy 88/100/113's for both.
Michigan--McIntosh, Golden delicious, Jonamacs, Jonathans, Galas, Cortlands, Empires, Honey Crisp, and red delicious are available now and all are steady to slightly lower. Most varietys are heavier to larger fruit although is some smaller fruit too. The quality has been good.
New York-- McIntosh, Jonamacs, Galas, Ginger Golds, and Honeycrisp are the main varieties now and the markets are steady. The sizing has been smaller than other areas with more 100/125/138 size fruit. The quality has been good.

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

The market is down in Northern Baja Mexico, but the volume is up.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Ica, Peru to Trujillo Steady Good
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Lower Good
Avocado (Mexican)

Avocados remain on the tight side. Much of the fruit is still to immature to harvest. Supplies crossing into the US the last part of this week look to drop off some as some growers are holding back on harvesting to hold current field pricing.

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

Green bells out of the California Central Valley are winding down in volume and will soon transition to Southern California. Supply is lightening and showing stronger pricing.

Red bells out of Fresno are now in better supply and are showing good overall quality and condition. These will also transition to southern California.

Yellow bells showing better availability with quality and condition still showing some trouble.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern San Joaquin Valley, CA Steady Good
Berries (Blackberries) Alert

The blackberry market is demand exceeds supply. All shippers have been severely impacted by the recent heat event and have been unable to meet harvest projections. This market will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Heat wave impacting blackberry quality and supplies.

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

Blueberry supplies continue to gap as the domestic crop is all but finished and the import volume is still very light. This gap should continue for the next one to two weeks with a gradual improvement in supplies over this time frame. Demand currently exceeds supply.

- pa_admin

Transitions:
Domestic blueberries finishing with South American fruit starting.

Growing Region Market Quality
Trujillo, Peru Steady Good
Salto, Uruguay Steady Good
Concordia, Argentina Steady Good
Berries (Raspberries) Alert

The raspberry market is currently demand exceeds supply. Harvests have been sharply curtailed due to heavy damage to the fruit from the recent heat wave. We anticipate a short supply situation on raspberries for the next several weeks.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Heat wave damages raspberry crop.

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

The California strawberry market is moving sharply higher. The recent heat wave has seriously impacted quality resulting in a steep drop in supplies. Quality and thus supply will be negatively impacted well into the coming week. This combined with a "normal" drop off in seasonal supply could result in a strong market through the month of October.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
California strawberry quality suffering due to recent heat wave.

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

Supplies remain steady from all growing regions. Quality is better out of Mexico. But the heat we have experienced in California has caused shippers to switch to iced broccoli packs instead of iceless. Yet quality is still real nice out of California despite the heat. There could be possible problems with dehydration upon arrivals this week. The market is steady.

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

The supplies vary from shipper to shipper. Demand has increased and the market has firmed up. Quality is excellent with all sizes available and dark green color.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Steady/Higher Excellent
Carrots

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.

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

The cauliflower market remains steady. But the market still varies from shipper to shipper and also loading in Salinas versus Santa Maria. Quality is good with minimal bruising and off white color upon arrival.

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

Excellent availability continues with this commodity. Pricing is steady and flexing is occurring in the industry for volume type orders. Most shippers have ample supplies to fill all needs, with the heaviest amounts continuing on twenty-four count packs. Production out of of Michigan is moderate at best. Production out of northern and southern California is very good. Strong quality is being reported out of all the growing regions.

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

Pablano - Good quality and condition expected to continue.

Tomatillo- Rainy weather has affected quality of Tomatillo most recently but current conditions are improving.

Jalapeno- good quality on new crop pepper, mostly large sizing with good color.

Anaheim- good quality,condition and size are expected to continue.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady Good
Cilantro

Cilantro supplies have caught up with demand. Prices are finally back to normal levels. Quality varies depending on the growing region. The issues have been yellow to black discoloration and dehydration upon arrivals.

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

The Ventura crop is our main supplier of domestic fruit, and their season is winding down and dropping quickly. Demand is strong and exceeding what supplies are left. The Desert crop is starting some very light volume and will be increasing through the month, but will not reach volume until November. Chilean and Mexican fruit is available, but the lack of California fruit is putting heavy presser on these supplies also.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies of 115s/140s/165s/200s/235 are very tight on both choice and fancy fruit and demand is far exceeding supplies.

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

The larger 110ct through 175ct are still more expensive than the 200ct and 250ct sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. Limes are peaking on the 230ct. Quality is improving overall with some leaf shading (yellow color) showing up and occasional stylar end breakdown showing up from weather. The larger limes are still mostly old crop but the new crop is in the mix and increasing in volume. Shippers are sorting through them before they load the trucks which is helping on arrivals. New crop limes are being harvested and all sizes are coming in so quality is 100% better. The market is steady with a hint of weakness in the larger sizes.

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

Supplies are tight on small size Valencia oranges. 113s and 138s both grades have reached demand exceed situation and will be until Navels start at the end of October/first of November. Fruit is showing some weakness of quality, which is typical for this time of year after a long hot summer.

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

Fair quality and condition on cucumbers coming out of Northern Baja coast. Short supply due to rain and heat have made for fair quality only. Conditions will improve as we move into the fall.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Lower/Steady Fair
Eggplant (Western)

Quality and condition on eggplant has remained good coming out of Fresno. Minimal cosmetic issues. Production will continue to be limited.

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

This week, the green seedless grape USDA mostly price jumped up $2. This is the first shift in price we have seen for a while. The reason for the increase is because variety options are now becoming limited. The Thompson variety has finished and the Autumn King variety is the predominant grape available; with limited supplies of Princess and Naturals being offered. With the Thompson variety coming to an end, the volume of green grapes available has dropped slightly. More importantly, the Autumn King variety is producing mostly XL and Jumbo size grapes, raising the prices of available fruit across the industry. Looking at the next 2 weeks, I do not expect to see any issues with supply or quality, but prices will remain escalated.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
This week, the green seedless grape USDA mostly price jumped up $2.

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

We have been in a very stable market with red seedless grapes. Nice weather, excellent supplies, multiple varieties, good quality and a wide range of sizes has led to consistency throughout the industry. We have many options in terms of size and price that should work for any customer. Spot buy offers and weekly Jumbo Buys have kept us competitive on open business. I expect little change over the next 2 weeks on red grapes with plenty of opportunities to promote.

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

The green onion market remains firm with limited supplies. Some shippers are currently sold out as they wait for crossings from Mexico. Iceless and Iced supplies have been limited but we are able to find outlets to fulfill needs. Some quality issues upon arrivals have been yellow to brown discoloration of the tops.

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

Kale supplies remain abundant. The market is steady at current price levels. Quality is excellent with little yellowing and dehydration.

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

This market continues on the steady side. Good supplies are expected for the rest of the weekend. Hot temperatures in all growing regions will inevitably cause quality issues to happen. Expect more than normal puffiness and pink ribbing to be seen on some arrivals. All shippers will be dealing with these issues. This is industry wide. Working crews will be shorter to begin the week due to the heats. Supplies exceed demand.

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

Temperatures continue to be excessive in all the growing regions. Although temps have dropped compared to last weekend and the beginning of this week, the heat has been difficult for shippers to deal with. Some defects that will likely be seen include fringe and tip burn as well as internal burn on romaine and all leaf items. Supplies continue to exceed demand. The weights on romaine are averaging have been averaging 34-38 pounds. Red, green and butter leaf have had above average weights.

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

Cantaloupe supplies have come down and demand has picked up. The market is higher than it was last week. Many growers continue packing 9ct through 15ct with a few of them packing light numbers of 18ct. The 9ct supplies have lightened up more than the smaller sizes causing them to jump up in price more than the smaller sizes have increased. Quality in a majority of the volume is excellent.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Higher Excellent
Mendota, CA Higher Excellent
Melon (Honeydew)

Demand has increased over previous levels. Supplies have lightened up since the beginning of the week. Weather has been good for growth and quality is excellent. We can expect good supplies and quality to be the pattern for a while with a moderate range of up and down movement. The market is higher on all sizes.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Higher Excellent
Mendota, CA Higher Excellent
Melon (Watermelon)

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.

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

Washington - yellow, red, and white onions are all are steady and they are still heavier to jumbos with only a few colossal and larger yellows. Some suppliers are still flexing for volume on jumbo yellow and jumbo red business. The quality is good.
Idaho/Oregon - They are also steady on all colors and continue to peak on jumbo and larger yellows with only light supplies of medium yellows. Some suppliers will flex for volume on jumbo and larger yellows. Reds and whites are also peaking on jumbos. The quality has been good for all colors.

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

California - Bartlett pear supplies are very light but a couple shippers are still going. The quality has been good. Crimson pear supplies are also light but a couple suppliers still have them. Bosc are steady and are peaking on smaller fruit but supplies are light. The quality has been good.
Washington - Bartlett pears are steady on all sizes and are peaking on 80/90/100s. D'anjou pears are also steady on all sizes and they continue to peak on 90/100/110s. Stark Crimson pears are steady and continue to peak on 40/45 half cartons. Bosc are steady to slightly lower and are still heavier to larger fruit in the Wenatchee valley and smaller fruit in the Yakima valley. The quality for all pears has been good.

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

Supplies are still light, but look to start to start improving as we move through October.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
La Virgen, Costa Rica Steady Good
Heredia, Costa Rica Steady Good
Guapiles, Costa Rica Steady Good
La Cieba, Honduras Steady Good
Retalhuleu, Guatemala Steady Good
San Luis, Guatemala Steady Good
Potatoes

Washington - The market is steady on all sizes and they are still peaking on 70/80 count. The quality has been good.
Idaho - The market is steady on the small counts and steady to lower with volume flex on 70 count and larger. The central/southern shippers have larger size while the northern/eastern shippers have smaller size. Number-twos remain limited as most shippers are still subbing number ones. A couple suppliers have mentioned starting to pack Burbanks. The Norkotah quality has been good.
Wisconsin- the market is steady on counts and they have an even distribution of sizing now. The quality has been good.
Colorado - the market is mostly steady on all sizes with a few lower. Most shippers are peaking on 70-count and smaller but the size distribution is evening out. The quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Hamer/Rupert, ID Steady Good
Plover/Bancroft, WI Steady Good
Monte Vista, CO Steady Good
Quincy/Hermiston, WA Steady Good
Potatoes (colored)

Bakersfield California - all colors are steady and continue to peak on A-size. B size reds are more limited this week. The quality has been good.
Idaho - the market is steady on reds and golds. Both colors are peaking on A size with good quality.
Minnesota - they have finished for the season.
North Dakota - they are packing more volume this week and the gold and red markets are steady. B-size remain fairly short. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are steady on all sizes but B size remain limited. The quality is good.
Western Washington - the market for reds, golds, and whites are steady on all sizes and colors with good availability. The quality has been good.
Canada - they have a steady market and good availability for all colors but they can only pack bags, no cartons are available. The quality has been good.

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

Supply on Italian squash and Yellow S/N out of the Santa Maria have remained steady. New fields have started in the Santa Maria. Quality and condition have improved from fair to Good. Italian and Yellow S/N have now started in Nogales Arizona.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Santa Maria, CA Steady Good
Stone Fruit Alert

The domestic stone fruit season is coming to an end. Nectarine harvest finished last week and the storage crop has been depleted. Peaches will be available in limited volume and sizes for the next 10-14 days. Plums are expected to be in consistent supplies through the month of October. Quality of the peaches and plums should remain strong as we move forward. The market prices have been steady on peaches and gradually climbing on plums.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Nectarines are now done for the season. Peaches will be in limited availability for the next 10-14 days. Plums will be consistent through October.

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

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies have increased slightly from last week, with demand remaining steady. Weather has taken a bit of a toll on quality, with a wide range from good to poor. Shelf life has been affected by recent weather. Mexico looks to be in better supplies, and crossing product.
Roma - The market is steady / higher. Overall, the market looks to be getting stronger for higher quality product. Deals are still being made, for the lesser quality, however. Weather has also effected many growing areas, with most local growing regions done for the season. Out west, Baja looks to have lighter colored fruit. Central California gassed are in short supply. Mexican National Market is good, so crossings are down. Range in quality.
Cherry - The market is steady / higher. Supplies continue to be shorter, with Virgina/Maryland area oversold. Out west, supplies also are shorter, with higher FOB's. Most local growing areas are finished for the season, in all areas. Look for the market to continue to be stronger over the next couple weeks.
Grape - The market is steady. Demand continues to be stronger, after a short time of looking like it was going to come off. Supplies continue to be very light, in all areas. Look for the market to continue, with limited supplies in all areas.


- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Eastern North Carolina Steady/Higher Good
Cedarville/Hammonton, VA Steady/Higher Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Rounds - The market is steady. Supplies continue to be better, with good supplies out of Mexico. Demand looks to be steady in all areas. Weather has taken in toll on quality in the west and east. There is a wide range from good to poor. Shelf life has been affected by weather on the lesser quality fruit.
Roma - The market is higher. Supplies are looking lighter, with stronger FOB's. There are some deals being made on the lesser quality product. Central California gassed romas are in short supply, with the higher quality product soldout. The Mexican National Market is good, so crossing through McAllen are down. Back east, supplies also look to be lighter, a wide range in quality. Most local areas are done for the season.
Cherry - The market is higher. Supplies look to be very short, with higher FOB's out west. Back east Virginia/Maryland areas look to be sold out. Most local growing areas are done for the season. Look for the market to continue to be strong over the next couple weeks.
Grape - The market is steady / higher. Market was looking like it may come off earlier in the week, however, demand came in stronger later in the week. Supplies looking to be a bit lighter in all areas. Most local areas are finished for the season. Range in quality from good to fair.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Southern California Coast Steady/Higher Good

Things You Should Know

Berries (Blackberries)
Heat wave impacting blackberry quality and supplies.

Berries (Raspberries)
Heat wave damages raspberry crop.

Berries (Strawberries)
California strawberry quality suffering due to recent heat wave.

Citrus (Lemons)
Supplies of 115s/140s/165s/200s/235 are very tight on both choice and fancy fruit and demand is far exceeding supplies.

Grapes (Green)
This week, the green seedless grape USDA mostly price jumped up $2.

Stone Fruit
Nectarines are now done for the season. Peaches will be in limited availability for the next 10-14 days. Plums will be consistent through October.

Transitions and Temperatures

Berries (Blueberries)
Domestic blueberries finishing with South American fruit starting.

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