The Source - September 7, 2016

Weather Update

The high pressure ridge out west will slowly move out with gradual cooling to near seasonal norms into the weekend. High pressure brings dry conditions to Central Mexico into the weekend in the wake of Newton, currently moving through Northern Mexico. Newton, Now a Tropical Storm will move into southeastern Arizona and western New Mexico tonight with significant moisture however the Yuma growing region looks to miss the bulk of the system and come through in good shape at the moment. High pressure returns to the southeast as Hermine stalls off the Northeastern Coast. Scatters showers look to increase toward the weekend. Grower assessment following the storm continues in the east as the west braces for heavy rains.

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 2.407 per gallon. A difference of .127 from this time last year. California prices are up steady as well and are currently at 2.746 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is at 44.72 per barrel.

Commodity Updates (Click row for summary) Expand All

Apples

Washington - C.A. red delicious are steady on all sizes and grades with only light availability of the Wash-Extra-fancy #2s and lower. Most shippers continue to peak on extra-fancy 72-88s but supplies are very light due to strong demand. Expect the market to remain strong through the balance of the storage season. Golden delicious are available but supplies remain light as most shippers are just getting started. C.A. Granny Smith are higher on most sizes and continue to peak on 88-113s. The C.A. Granny market has turned up quickly. New-crop Granny-smith. The Gala market is steady on most sizes and grades. Galas are peaking on 80/88/100/72s so they are big. Gala inventories are building and the availability is better. 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. The quality for C.A. reds, goldens, granny-smith, Galas, and Honey Crisp has been good.
California - Fuji's are steady on all sizes and peaking on higher-color 100/113s but the availability is light. Granny-Smith are steady on all sizes with very light availability. The quality has been good.
Idaho---they packed some early Galas but supplies are limited.
Michigan-- Paula Reds, Golden delicious, Jonamacs, Galas, and Ginger Golds are all peaking on larger fruit and all are steady. Supplies remain fairly light for all three varieties. One packers have started with McIntosh. The quality has been good.
New York---they are now packing Paula Reds, McIntosh, Jonamacs, Galas, and Ginger Golds. The New York sizing has been smaller with more 100/125/138 size fruit. The quality has been good.
Chile - Chilean Fuji's are almost finished and supplies are limited.

- pa_admin
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
Chile Lower/Steady Good
Asparagus

Asparagus market is steady in all regions. Quality is good in Northern Baja Mexico and Peru, and fair quality in Central Mexico.

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

California is all but done with this years crop. The last of them look be cleaned up with what limited volume that is left by next week.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Oxnard/Ventura, CA Steady Excellent
Avocado (Mexican) Alert

Mexico's summer crop is quickly running out of fruit. Volume are dropping quickly. Supplies are critically low. Hurricane Newton dumped heavy rains in the growing region of Mexico which will really show down harvest of what is left of the old summer crop. New crop is behind in maturity and may not be ready to start harvest and shipping until early October. September will be very short in supplies.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
California and Peru is wrapping up their season. This leaves a quickly depleting summer crop from Mexico as the only source. Mexico's new crop will not be ready until early October. September supplies will be very short limited in availability.

Growing Region Market Quality
Michoacan, Mexico Steady/Higher Good
Bell Peppers (Western)

Green bells out of Fresno and Otay are showing good quality and condition. Red bells out of Fresno, Bakersfield, and Otay are showing good overall quality and condition. Red bells are starting to show better availability. More availability on yellow bells. Yellow bells showing good quality and condition.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Northern San Joaquin Valley, CA Steady Good
Bell Peppers (Western)

Green bells out of Fresno and Otay are showing good quality and condition. Red bells out of Fresno, Bakersfield, and Otay are showing good overall quality and condition. Red bells are starting to show better availability. More availability on yellow bells. Yellow bells showing good quality and condition.

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

Production is trending down and supply is tightening, demand is exceeding supply. Quality is good overall, a few reports of overripe and red cell. There are still a few blackberries available in North Carolina but those are becoming increasingly limited as well.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Higher Good
Berries (Blueberries) Alert

Domestic production is falling off sharply out of the Pacific Northwest and the Upper Midwest. Rain events and warm weather over the past few weeks have affected production in both regions - quality and availability. Availability is less than previous weeks and markets continue to strengthen. Overall, quality has been fair to good. Small volume of import blueberries from Peru and Argentina are available in Miami and on the east coast.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Supplies are very short right now. Offshore blues are just barely arriving and are being flown in so prices are high.

Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Higher Fair
Central Florida Higher Excellent
Salinas, CA Higher Fair
Berries (Raspberries)

Raspberry production volume and availability have been light for the past several weeks but some growers are increasing production which is helpful. Forecasts look like we have now passed the lowest point and volume should begin to rebound as we move into September. By mid-September, Mexico will begin producing and crossing raspberries to the US with decent volume which will help to supplement our CA supply. We will remain day to day with availability through this week but should see availability increase soon.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Steady Good
Berries (Strawberries)

Supply is steady. Salinas, Watsonville and Santa Maria growing regions are all experiencing slightly higher daytime temperatures than the previous weeks which will continue to bring on good fruit with good volumes as well. Nights are cooling down nicely which helps grow firm berries. Production has been exceeding estimate volumes. Overall, quality remains good. A few reports of white shoulders, salmon and dry bruising. Sizing remains smaller with berries in the 20-30 count range, Santa Maria new crop on the larger end and nice.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Watsonville, CA Steady Good
Santa Maria, CA Steady Excellent
Salinas Valley, CA Steady Good
Broccoli Alert

Overall supplies are becoming limited in all growing regions. Previous rains in Mexico are causing quality issues and putting pressure on the acreage in California. The market is trending higher as we finish this week. Quality out of California is still good with decent crown size and minimal yellowing.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Previous Rains in the Mexico growing regions have decreased supplies due to quality causing a higher trend in the market for the California growing regions.

Growing Region Market Quality
Salinas Valley, CA Higher Good
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Higher Good
Celaya Guanjuato Mexico Higher Fair
Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprout supplies are steady this week, but an increase in demand has the market trending higher. Quality is excellent with dark green color and al sizes available.

- 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 is steady in both growing regions. The quality is good besides and occasional arrival with bruising. Supplies look to remain steady for the rest of the week.

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

Michigan continues to harvest decent quantities, heavier to twenty-four counts. Supplies exceed demand. Salinas and Santa Maria also are harvesting plenty to meet all needs. Flexing continues. Good quality is coming out of all regions. Larger sizing is coming out of California predominantly as well. Expect pricing to be steady for the rest of the week.

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

Pablano - Good quality and condition expected to continue.

Tomatillo- Rainy weather has affected quality of Tomatillo. Many grower's showing water blister's turning into decay.

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

Quality and Condition are good overall. , California supply has remained steady.

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

Cilantro supplies are still limited in all growing regions. The markets continue to be extremely high. Quality is a serious problem with seeders, to yellowing, to black slimy leaves upon arrivals. This will continue into next week.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
There are still limited supplies and extreme markets from all growing regions.

Growing Region Market Quality
Baja, MX Steady/Higher Fair
Oxnard/Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Salinas, CA Steady/Higher Fair
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 looks to start some light packing by mid September, but will not full 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 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
Citrus (Limes)

The larger 110ct through 200ct are now more expensive than the 230ct and 250ct sizes. Demand is good on all sizes across the board. Limes are peaking on the 230ct. Quality is fair overall with some leaf shading (yellow color) showing up and occasional stylar end breakdown showing up from previous rains. The larger limes are old crop and are very tired. Shippers are sorting through them before they load the trucks which is helping on arrivals. Large sized new crop won't show up until the middle of September. Smaller sized new limes are filtering into the supplies already. The market is steady on the small limes and higher on the larger sizes.

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

Supplies are getting tight on small size Valencia oranges with the "Back to School" demand. 138s and 113s 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

Alerts:
138 and 113 size oranges have reached demand exceeds supply situation with the increase school demand.

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

Fair quality and condition on cucumbers coming out of Northern Baja coast. All sizes are being packed in 1 1/9 bushel boxes. Also 24's-36's-42's being packed.

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

Quality and condition on eggplant has remained good coming out of Fresno. Minimal cosmetic issue's like scaring being shown. Still showing green calyx on all size's. Volume has also remained steady on all sizes.

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

Green grapes continue to be in good supply. We have several varieties to choose from. Thompsons are the bargain buy, but will show some amber and smaller berries. Autumn Kings are beautiful. Good size and color, but are priced at a premium. I do not expect to see much change in supplies or price as we move forward this week.

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

Red grape availability and demand continues to be steady this week. Crimson and Scarlet Royal are the 2 predominant varieties being offered. The Crimson red grapes are smaller in size, but are still packing out well and quality has been strong. Market prices on the Crimsons have been slightly lower in the Med - Lrg range. The Scarlet Royal grapes have been bigger in size and have also been very strong on quality. Market prices on the Scarlets have been slightly higher in the Lrg - XL range. I do not expect to see much change in supply or price this week.

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

Demand has fallen off even though supplies haven't increased in any way. Thus creating a lower market for most suppliers. Quality remains fair at best coming from Mexico, but there is better quality in domestic green onions.

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

Kale supplies remain abundant in both Oxnard, Santa Maria, to Salinas. Quality is excellent with minimal dehydration and yellowing. The market is steady for the rest of the week.

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

Although school's have started, demand has not met supplies. In essence, this market continue to be flat , overall. There is a slight gap in pricing as some shippers are better off compared to others. Flexing continues with a few suppliers. Some common defects seen are Ribbing , insect, mechanical and puffiness, but these defects have been minimal. Overall quality has been good. The weights are averaging 41-44 pounds.

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

Green leaf is firm with most suppliers. A few shippers walked in sold out, but more availability is expected at the end of the week. Demand is moderate. Romaine was stronger at the beginning of the week, but demand has stabilized. There is plenty of product to meet customer needs. Some mechanical, fringe and tip burn as well as well as minimal insect damage is being reported sporadically, but overall quality has been good. The weights on romaine have been averaging 30-35 pounds. Red, green and butter leaf are having good weights being reported.

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

The supplies have increased and demand has remained good. The market is steady on smaller sizes and lower are larger sizes . Many of the growers are packing 9ct through 15ct with a few packing light numbers of 18ct. Quality is good now and some lots are excellent.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Firebaugh, CA Lower/Steady Good
Mendota, CA Lower/Steady Good
Melon (Honeydew)

Demand is steady versus last week. Supplies and the market are both steady right now. Weather has been good for growth and quality is excellent now. We can expect good supplies and quality to be the pattern for a while.

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

The current availability is limited and offering medium to smaller sizes. Mostly 60 size fruit being offered. Movement out of the San Joaquin Valley has been moving steady. Steady production with steady demand. Quality is generally good overall.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Central California Steady/Higher Good
Onions

Washington - the market is steady to slightly lower on all colors and the sizing is still mostly in the medium to jumbo range with only a few colossal and larger yellows. The quality is good and the availability is good.
Idaho/Oregon - They are also steady on yellows and are peaking on jumbos and larger with only light availability of medium yellows. The reds and whites are both peaking on jumbos and are steady on all sizes. 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 light as many shippers are finishing up early. Some shippers are done packing and are shipping from inventory. The quality has been good. Crimson pears are steady and continue to peak on half carton 45/40s but supplies are limited. Bosc are steady to lower and are peaking on smaller fruit. The quality has been good.
Washington - Bartlett pears are steady and are peaking on 90/100/110s. D'anjou pears are also steady and are still peaking on 90/100/110s. Stark Crimson pears are steady and continue to peak on 40/45 half cartons. One shipper will start packing Bosc tomorrow night. The quality for all pears has been good.

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

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

- 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 the potatoes are still peaking on the smaller counts. The quality has been good.
Idaho - The Idaho market is fairly steady on counts but some shippers will flex for volume of various sizes. Number-two volume is still light, in fact most suppliers will have to ship number-ones in place. Most packers have good quality and are still peaking on the smaller counts.
Wisconsin/Colorado - both areas are packing and the pricing remains fairly high compared to other areas but it is lower than last week. The quality has been good.

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

Stockton California - all colors are steady and are still peaking on A size. The quality has been good for all colors.
Idaho - the market is steady on reds and golds. Some suppliers will flex on volume orders of Red As. Both colors are peaking on A size and the quality is good.
Minnesota - reds and are steady on all sizes except Bs which are higher again. Golds are mostly steady with good availability on most sizes. The quality has been good.
Wisconsin - reds and golds are both steady and the availability is good on most sizes. The quality is good.
Eastern Washington - most suppliers are gapping.
Western Washington - the market for reds and golds are steady on all sizes. The quality has been good.
Delaware - all sizes and colors are steady to slightly lower. The market for C size remains strong for all colors. The quality has been good.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Stockton, CA Steady Good
Big Lake Minnesota Steady Good
Plover, WI Steady Good
Mount Vernon, WA Steady Good
Rupert to Rexburg, ID Steady Good
Squash (Western)

Supply on Italian squash and Yellow S/N out of the San Joaquin Valley has lightened. Supply still remain light pending transition into new fields. Quality and condition are fair to good. Mostly medium and Large size available on Yellow S/N

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Santa Maria, CA Steady/Higher Fair
Stone Fruit Alert

The domestic stone fruit season is approaching the end on many varieties. The warm weather this year brought on an early start and the momentum of the fruit never slowed down. The majority of fruit has been on the large side and harvest has been ahead of schedule all season. Pluots are now done for the season. Peaches are expected to last through the month of September and fade out in the front part of October. Nectarines will finish by the end of the month. Plums should last through October and possibly into November. Market prices have been consistent but firm.

- pa_admin

Alerts:
Pluots are done for the season. Peaches and Nectarines will last through September. Plums will go through October.

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

Eastern tomatoes continue to run light in supply across all varieties keeping prices relatively steady this week. There has been a lot of heat and rain in the crops with most growing areas reporting average quality. South Carolina will harvest new fields next week but the overall production is not enough to affect the mkt. Fall crops in Central Florida scheduled to begin in October are facing delays caused by severe weather when storm Hermine blew through last week with winds in excess of 60 mph. Grape tomatoes are showing the largest increase in price on the eastern shore this week up $4 and going higher. California will remain the driving factor in the market likely until they finish their season.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Eastern North Carolina Steady Fair
Exmore, VA Higher Fair
Benton Harbor/Byron Center, MI Steady Good
Tomatoes (Western)

Western tomato supply has been light in production due to a bloom drop affect caused by a heat wave several weeks ago. As California starts to harvest more fruit each week going forward, the production increase may not be realized due to overall demand, given that Eastern shippers having little to contribute in the market supply. Eastern Mexico is also feeling the effects of a heat and recent rains slowing production across all varieties crossing at the border. Baja continues to harvest romas in steady numbers but it is not enough to satisfy the appetite of both eastern and western buyers. With Tropical storm Newton making landfall again this morning, much of Mainland Mexico is threatened with dangerous rains and flash flooding. Expecting Mexican imports to gap over the next week, grape and Roma tomato prices have increased further this week and it is unknown at this time how growing areas will be affected.

- pa_admin
Growing Region Market Quality
Coachella Valley, CA Steady Good
Northern Baja California Norte, Mexico Higher Fair
Jalisco, Mexico Higher Fair

Things You Should Know

Avocado (Mexican)
California and Peru is wrapping up their season. This leaves a quickly depleting summer crop from Mexico as the only source. Mexico's new crop will not be ready until early October. September supplies will be very short limited in availability.

Berries (Blueberries)
Supplies are very short right now. Offshore blues are just barely arriving and are being flown in so prices are high.

Broccoli
Previous Rains in the Mexico growing regions have decreased supplies due to quality causing a higher trend in the market for the California growing regions.

Cilantro
There are still limited supplies and extreme markets from all growing regions.

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

Citrus (Oranges)
138 and 113 size oranges have reached demand exceeds supply situation with the increase school demand.

Stone Fruit
Pluots are done for the season. Peaches and Nectarines will last through September. Plums will go through October.

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