The Source - July 17, 2019

Eastern Region

New York
Ginger Golds are expected to start 8/10-8/15. ‘Early’ Reds (Polar, Jersey Macs) to start 8/15-8/20 with ‘Late’ Reds (Jonamac, McIntosh, and Gala) coming mid to late September.

Michigan
Golds expected to start 8/22 with Gala and McIntosh expected 9/10. We should see Red Delicious and Fuji late September and Jonagold the first or second week of October.

Western Region:

Washington
The apple market continues to trend upward. Depending on the variety, we are seeing some smaller shippers DFS (Done For Season) on certain varieties—Golden, Granny, Fuji, and Gala—with an expected gap on Golden Delicious. The few shippers, who do have Golds, are selling to the shippers who don’t and at an inflated price. Smaller shippers are done with cherries and have 100% of their lines/labor packing apples, while larger shippers continue packing cherries and devote less lines/labor to apple packs.

As schools begin in some parts of the country, we will continue to see smaller shippers ‘clean up’ on certain varieties, adding pressure to the large shippers who have year-round fruit. With prebooks taking place, prices will continue to rise as we approach August and the new harvest.

We should see Wildfire Galas start the first week of August and Royal Galas the mid to late August. Ginger Golds and early Honeycrisp to start the week of August 5.

SEND ORDERS EARLY. Flexibility on subbing sizes/grades/varieties is essential—especially on smaller, foodservice sizes (113ct, 125ct, and 138ct).

California
Buckeye Galas should start towards the end of July/beginning of August (heavy, spring rains have affected CA start dates). Granny Smiths should start at the end of August/first week of September.

Chilean Braeburn – 70-90ct XFCY (available now)
Chilean Pink Lady – 70-90ct XFCY (available now)
*Fresh harvest (not C.A.)—FOB L.A.

Central Mexico (Guanajuato) production remains unchanged from last week. The larger sizes are still limited and will continue to be limited through the end of the month. There is no change in supply from Peru from either region. Due to seasonality, both regions in Peru have limited availability on the larger sizes. Markets on both coasts are still active and should remain the same for the next week.

Demand on California fruit this week is good and quality is excellent. We can expect a steady market for the remainder of the week. Volume will start to taper off by the end of this month and be done for the season by mid to late August.

The market on Mexican fruit has dropped significantly this week. We are seeing all-new crop "Flora Loca" fruit in the pipeline. Suppliers anticipate better volume going into the weekend as we are seeing more fruit crossing into the US. As suppliers struggle to catch up and replenish inventories on top of distributing fruit, keep in mind this new crop fruit takes longer to ripen and stage to spec. We are looking at about 10-12 days of ripening depending on the desired stage. Early season fruit will remain green externally even when ripe. It is recommended to gauge ripeness by touch. Good supply of Peruvian, California and Colombian fruit available as well.

Bell pepper supply is getting tighter. Western North Carolina is shipping light supplies. Eastern North Caroling and South Carolina are winding down for the season. The quality is not as good as it was last week. New Jersey is in the peak of their season but total volume planted is not very big and with a large population and most of the supply stays close to home. Michigan will start light supplies next week but won't have any volume until August. Ohio is still 2 weeks from starting. Expect supplies to be tight and pricing higher for the next week to 10 days.

Alerts:
Bell Pepper supplies will get much tighter this weekend.

Green Bell Pepper- Good supplies of green bell peppers are being harvested in Bakersfield, CA and in the Fresno, CA growing area. Mostly XLG, Retail size, and choice grade being packed. Quality on green bell pepper from these areas is good. Green bell pepper supply Exceeds demand. Currently, the market has decreased with better supplies of green bells. Green bell pepper from Mexico is also available to load in San Diego, CA and McAllen, TX.

Red Bell Pepper- Good supplies of red bell peppers are being harvested in the Bakersfield and Fresno growing area. Both retail and choice grade currently being packed from this district. Quality from Fresno and Bakersfield is good. Supplies from the Coachella growing district have finished up this week. Light supplies of Red Bell pepper still crossing through Nogales this week. With better supplies being harvested in the Bakersfield and Fresno market has decreased on mostly choice grade. Market on retail grade has maintained steady. Red bell peppers are also available to load in McAllen, TX.

Yellow Bell Pepper- Good supplies of bell peppers being harvested in the Bakersfield and Fresno Growing area. Better supplies of yellow bells expected to begin next week. Market on yellow bell peppers is expected to continue to be high with light supplies through the week. Yellow hot house bells are also available to load in McAllen, TX.

Blackberries are in short supplies out West with production tapering off in Oregon. The Central Coast is still producing mediocre yields. Quality has been good with fresh fruit. We are seeing some occasional age related issues with the transferred product. The overall market will remain firm through the end of this week. Look for increased yields next week due to warmer weather.

Blueberries are in good supply coming out of several areas including California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia out West. The Eastern areas include Michigan, Indianapolis, and New Jersey. Quality has been good particularly out of the North West where shippers are seeing high yields but having to choose packing days to avoid the persistent rains. Look for the market to remain lower as shippers compete with all of the multiple options available to buyers. 12/6oz pack styles and pints are readily available.

Peak Seasons:
Blueberries are peaking in the Pacific Northwest

The market will remain firm on raspberries as we rely primarily on West Coast production to fill orders. Mexico is shipping very reduced numbers at this time. The quality is fair with some soft fruit with leakers are being reported at farthermost destinations.

Alerts:
Raspberries will remain tight through this week

Salinas and Watsonville continue to be on the light side for the front end of the week. Most growers are anticipating more production for the end of the week and are positioning themselves price-wise to capture their share of the market. The market is steady with lower undertones. Santa Maria and Lompoc are still producing, however, their overall numbers will be decreasing as we see some larger growers finishing up in that area this week. Quality has still been just fair in both areas with bruising and overripe fruit being the major issues. As recommended last week please try and keep your inventories lean, maintain proper temperatures, and keep proper rotation practices in place. The quality is expected to gradually improve over the next week or two, weather permitting.

Alerts:
We are still dealing with some quality issues in both Santa Maria and Salinas /Watsonville.

The broccoli market has slightly increased with talks of a gap approaching. This recent warm weather has brought fields forward the last couple of weeks and has affected the overall quality. Quality is fair with slight purpling, some mechanical damage and occasional yellow cast.

The brussels sprouts market remains steady as there is plenty of supply is in the pipeline. The recent warm weather has brought on yields. Look for the Brussels sprouts market to continue to adjust going into next week.

Carrots continue to be a steady go out of the Kern, California district. The market will remain this way through the end of the week. Mexican Jumbo carrots are in short supply crossing into the U.S. through Texas. This market will come off slightly due to local jumbos beginning production in the North East

The recent warm weather in the Salinas Valley continues to keep supplies at a moderate level. Cauliflower fields are slightly ahead of schedule and we may be seeing a slight gap in supply in the next week. Overall, the quality is good with minor bruising and yellow cast with weights in the 25 to 28-pound level. Look for the market to continue to adjust going into next week.

Michigan is expected to have production this week. This, coupled with good supplies in Salinas and Santa Maria/Oxnard has made for good availability of celery. Expect steady supplies throughout this week. Demand overall has fallen off. The best availability continues to be on large sizing, twenty-four counts in particular. Shippers are flexing. Some minor defects being reported to include mechanical and leafy tops, but the overall quality is nice. Weights are being reported at fifty-five pounds and greater.

Transitions:
Michigan is expected to have production this week.

The market is steady and product continues to move. Between retail and export volumes, those shippers who are still packing continue to move fruit. Due to weather/temperature conditions earlier in the season, the overall cherry harvest should end sooner rather than later.

Jalapenos- Moderate supply of Jalapenos are still available to load in Los Angeles from Mexico. Jalapenos are being harvested in Baja California where the quality is good. Mostly medium to large size are available from this region. Market on jalapenos has maintained in the mid-teens. Light supplies of jalapenos also being harvested in Santa Maria, CA. Jalapenos from Mexico are also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Pasilla- Moderate supply of Pasilla peppers available to load in Los Angeles from Mexico. Pasillas are being harvested in Baja California. Quality on Pasillas from this region is mostly Fair to good. Size on the peppers are mostly medium. Market on Pasillas is Higher/steady. Pasillas from Mexico also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Anaheim- Moderate supply of Anaheim available to load from Baja California. Quality from Baja is mostly good. The market for Anaheim is in the mid-teens and is expected to stay there through the week. Anaheim from Mexico also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Serrano – Moderate supplies of Serrano peppers available to load in Los Angeles, from Mexico. Supplies are expected to remain steady throughout the week. Supplies currently meet demand. Price on Serrano pepper is currently in the high teens and is expected to remain the same through the week. Serrano supplies also crossing through McAllen, Texas.

Tomatillo – Husk tomatillos are available to load in Los Angeles, from Mexico. Quality of husk variety is good. Good supplies on husk tomatillos are expected to continue through the week. The tomatillo market has increased slightly on both husked and peeled. Both Husked and Peeled tomatillos are increasing in the teens. Both varieties of tomatillos also available to load in McAllen, TX

The cilantro market has picked up a bit with a slight reduction in supplies. The cilantro quality is fair with an occasional yellow leaf. Look for the cilantro market to continue to adjust going into next week.

Domestic supplies will continue to remain tight on 140’s and smaller for most of the summer. Inventory on large fruit remains readily available. Market prices on small size fruit continue to stay strong, looking at mid $30’s on choice and fancy fruit. Quality of domestic supply continues to improve. Offshore supply is getting better weekly on inbounds on both coasts which will help offset domestic supplies. We’re hearing great feedback on the export quality.

There is plenty of volume to push out on all sizes, markets continue to remain light on most packs. Suppliers have been receiving inbounds consistently and supplies are expected to be good the rest of the month. Quality has been really nice with plenty of opportunities for export & promotional ad’s.

California Valencia production will increase now that Domestic Navels are pretty much done. We’ll have plenty California Valencia supplies on all sizes and grades with great quality the rest of the month. Markets on both grades are in the mid-teens. Some shippers have a few import Navels on hand, please contact us for any import interest on Navels. On Specialty Citrus, the Bloods have a few more weeks left and a few suppliers have started import Clementine Mandarins. Supplies will gradually increase weekly. Grapefruit supplies are looking plentiful through the summer with plenty of opportunities to push volume.

Cucumber supplies are tight this week and will be tight through the week. Western North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey are all shipping light volume along with some local deals in New England but none of these regions has big volume planted. Michigan and Ohio have started with light supplies, Michigan is the next big region and their volume will increase next week. Quality has been good in all regions, temperatures have risen above normal in the mid-west and northeast so plants will start to produce faster.

Alerts:
Cucumber supplies are very tight.

The cucumber market is steady. West coast cucumbers are currently being harvested out of Baja California. Crop from Sonora has finished up this week. There are good supplies of cucumbers being produced by the Baja district. All sizes and pack styles currently being packed. Demand for retail cucumber has exceeded supply on the West Coast. Quality from Baja is good. Moderate supplies of Mexican cucumbers are also crossing and available to load in McAllen.

Eggplant supplies are light, demand is also light so pricing has stayed in check. Georgia is still shipping a few eggplant, most of which is being shipped to other shipping points to be consolidated. North Carolina is in peak season for what is planted but acreage is small. New Jersey is the next big region and they will start light volume late this week.

Light supplies of eggplant continue to be available to load in Los Angeles. Eggplant is currently being harvested in Bakersfield, CA. Light supplies of eggplant are expected through the week. Both fancy and choice grade being packed. Quality on domestic eggplant is currently fair at best. Fresno, CA is expected to start harvesting eggplant this week. Eggplant supplies from the Coachella Valley are expected to finish this week.

New harvest of California product is slowly increasing. Red grape varieties start before green, so only a few shippers have started. We expect the rest of the industry to pick up the pace next week. Quality is excellent, I have attached pictures. Market prices are higher in comparison to Coachella or Mexico, but the quality is much better. Mostly large and extra-large product is being harvested at this time. Coachella and Mexico are winding down as we approach the end of their seasons. Quality is becoming a real challenge, especially from Mexico. There are some aggressive deals being offered, but be aware of quality expectations. Moving forward, I suggest transitioning to new crop sooner than later.

Alerts:
Mexico and Coachella seasons are winding down. Quality is fair at best.

Transitions:
New harvest California is ramping up. Quality is excellent.

Peak Seasons:
We will approach peak production in the next 3-4 weeks.

New California harvest is ramping up quickly. Most shippers start with red grapes first, followed by other varieties. We have several options for new crop in multiple locations. Quality is excellent. Market prices are certainly higher than Mexico and Coachella but are leveling off this week. Mexico and Coachella is winding down as we approach the end of their seasons. Quality is decreasing rapidly, more so from Mexico, but both are less impressive than the new crop California. That being said, there is some very aggressive prices being offered from Mexico if it suites your needs. I have attached some pictures of new harvest California. As we move forward, I suggest we make the transition sooner than later. All sizes are available with loading locations between Fresno, Delano, and Arvin.

Alerts:
Mexico and Coachella is winding down. Quality in both locations are fair at best.

Transitions:
New harvest California is ramping up with new locations in Fresno, Delano and Arvin.

Peak Seasons:
We will approach peak season over the next 2-3 weeks.

The green onion supply continues to be plentiful with the recent nice weather in Mexico and Salinas. The cooler weather in March/April is causing occasional leaf minor and mechanical damage. The market will continue to stay steady going into next week.

The kale market continues to remain steady as supplies continue to stay plentiful. Quality is fair with full bunches and an occasional yellow leaf being reported due to the recent heatwave.

There is a gap in the marketplace with romaine. Some suppliers will have light availability all week while others have started the week with better inventories. Overall the availability of this commodity is light to moderate. Some minimal defects reported include mechanical and insect damage. Value-added items for romaine continue to be on escalated pricing. Romaine hearts are very light in production and this will continue for the entire week. Green leaf availability is much better this week and escalated pricing is no longer in effect on green leaf fillets. Butter and red leaf will be readily available to meet market demand. The weights on romaine are averaging 32-38 pounds and green and red leaf range from 22-25 pounds.

Alerts:
Escalated pricing continues on value added romaine items.

Tender Leaf supplies continue to be plentiful as the weather in the Salinas Valley has recently spurred on the growth and have produced better yields. Curly parsley, spinach, and arugula have reacted to the recent warm weather and supplies look to be in good shape going into next week. Quality is good with occasional yellowing and bruising of the tender leaves.

Good supply on smaller fruit (15's) this week and opportunity buys if you can move some volume. Growers are seeing light offerings on 9's and J9's this week but, should see a better supply going into the weekend. Fruit is looking great externally and has great deep orange color internally.

Honeydews are running small this week out of the San Joaquin Valley. Mostly size 8's this week with plenty of deals and opportunity buys. Growers are seeing a very light volume on large fruit (5's and 6's). Going into the weekend we should see fruit sizing up and have more large fruit in the market. Fruit our of Mexico/Nogales is on the larger size but finishing up by next week.
Specialty melons- Good supply on mixed melons in the Huron/Coalinga area. Mostly 5/6ct on all varieties.

Light supplies of watermelon are still available to load in Nogales, AZ. Mostly 2/3 bins continue to be packed. The quality of the watermelon crop from Sonora, MX is mostly fair. Supplies from Sonora, Mexico should finish up this week. Watermelons have started to be harvested in Phoenix, Arizona. The seedless watermelon market remains low as summer demand continues to be light. Watermelon quality out of Arizona is good.

Yellow and white onion markets remain active with red onions steady to slightly lower. The small gap in New Mexico pushed demand into California putting a strain on overall supply and higher markets for yellow onions. As we head into the second half of July, a shift in demand is heading into New Mexico as supplies will improve in that region and promote better quality and size. California and New Mexico are expected to have supplies well into August. New crop Northwest onions are expected to start harvests early to mid-August which will bring relief to these higher markets.

Alerts:
Yellow onions remain volatile, red in good supply, white will be limited until new crop Northwest.

Washington:
The pear market is active as prices continue to firm up and inventories quickly depleting. With availability limited to Green D’Anjou (Red Anjou are done), there are only a few shippers who have inventory.

New crop Green Bartletts are expected mid to late August, followed by Red Bartletts/Starkrimson at the end of August.

California:
IMPORTED PEARS: Chilean and Argentinean Bartlett pears are available to load in Los Angeles. Also, Chilean Packems (70-120ct) are available.

CALIFORNIA BARTLETT pears are expected to start the week of 7/15 or 7/22. CALIFORNIA BOSC pears are expected to follow the week of Aug 12.

Transitions:
CALIFORNIA BARTLETT pears are expected to start the week of 7/15 or 7/22.

CALIFORNIA BOSC pears are expected to follow the week of 8/12

Pineapple supplies have been snug for the most part of the summer, but most customers have been flexible with subbing sizes around to fulfill orders in full. Quality has been becoming more of an issue. We’re seeing occasional browning on the interior of the fruit which is usually attributed to excess water absorption from when the pineapples were in the fields. Markets continue to remain steady in the mid-teens. We’ll continue to take it week to week on supplies.

Idaho potato markets continue to move upwards on all sizes and grades as the Burbank storage season winds down. Suppliers are limiting the amount of potatoes out of the storage cellars in order to stretch out the season to avoid any supply gaps. Quality on late storage Burbanks will exhibit more external and internal bruising with an occasional hollow heart. New crop Idaho russets are expected to start harvests mid-August. Expect markets to continue to climb over the next 4-6 weeks as we will see limited volume and then a heavy demand at the beginning of new crop at the tail end of August and into September. Increasing demand into Washington and Colorado will also push those markets up as well. Wisconsin supplies are very limited with that season nearing the end until new crop begins August 12. Kansas is expected to start new crop late July and run through August. Nebraska is starting early August and run through January.

Alerts:
Markets will remain active over the next 4-6 weeks. Supplies will be limited; especially larger sizes. Advanced lead time on russet orders crucial during this time period.

Transitions:
Kansas starting late July. Nebraska to begin early August. Wisconsin and Idaho new crop harvests will being mid-August

Color potato supplies remain scarce as California continues to be the main source for red, yellow, and white. Markets are active across the board on all sizes and colors, in particular, B size reds. California is transitioning into the Stockton area and will start to improve in supply as this area ramps up in production. Texas is struggling to produce supplies of red and yellow from recent rain and heavy demand. Supplies are expected into August. North Carolina/Virginia continues to quote all three colors but also struggling on supply for red and yellow. Alabama is in production for red and yellow with limited volume. Washington is expected to start new crop later this week with Minnesota projected to start the first week of August followed by Wisconsin mid-August. We anticipate better volume and easing markets in August as these new regions startup.

Alerts:
Supplies are limited industry wide. Markets remain active. Expecting better volume and easing markets early to mid August.

Transitions:
Bakersfield, CA to Stockton, CA. Washington reds to start this week. Minnesota new crop early August; Wisconsin mid August.

Squash supplies are steady and zucchini supplies are better than yellow squash. Squash supplies are spread out from Western North Carolina and Tennessee north to Connecticut, New York, and Canada. The Mid-West has started producing steady supplies. Demand has been good keeping pricing steady on zucchini and higher on yellow squash. With warmer temperatures in the mid-west and northeast expect supplies to increase.

Both Italian and yellow straight-neck squash continue to be harvested in Santa Maria, Fresno, and Baja California. Better supplies on Italian squash continue to be available than Yellow S/N from all three districts. The market on soft squash is currently steady. Quality from Santa Maria, Fresno, and Baja California is good on Italian squash and Yellow S/N. Good supplies are expected to continue on both Italian and Yellow S/N through the week.

Not much change this week on stone fruit. Supplies are steady, but due to the warm weather and new varieties, size is ranging on the large side. Smaller fruit (TP 54 and VF 60 and smaller) is limited. This is especially true on Peaches and Nectarines. Plums are sizing up as well, but there are still some smaller sizes out there. Growers continue to have plenty of volume available for promotional opportunities. We are in the peak of the domestic season. Quality has been excellent. Demand has been lower than years past and shippers are looking for business. We expect to see good supplies through August.

Regional programs are getting underway and the market tone is steady to lower this week as more fruit becomes available. Initial supply has been light as regional farms continue to build volume in growing areas of AL, NC, TN, and VA. The round market has begun to soften by a dollar or more this week as supply and quality continue to improve. Roma tomatoes are beginning to fill the eastern supply chain out of farms in TN and NC helping to stabilize the market. Supply has been light to start but will begin to improve over the next few weeks as more growers enter the mix. Grape tomatoes have also transitioned to new fields, moving from FL, GA, and SC further north to VA and Eastern TN where supply is still on the lighter side but improving in the second half of the month. NC will also have some local offerings in a small way helping to soften the market as all areas move into better supply next week.

Mexico operations are amidst transitioning fields while California begins to hit their stride with all growers coming into production. Mature greens are the value buy at a $3 savings or more compared to the vine ripe counterpart. Western Mexico is all but finished for the season and Baja is cleaning up early acreage. As a result, Vine ripe tomatoes have contracted in the short term. Eastern Mexico will have decent volume for summer out of Jalisco, San Luis Potosi, and Torreon. Like vine ripe tomatoes, Romas out of Baja have been light amidst farm rotations. California has consistent availability with sizes trending towards L and Xl. Mainland Mexico is slowly improving Grape tomato harvests while Baja continues to produce better quality as they move into new fields. The overall market tone is firm with expectation for pricing beginning to ease off into next week as more supply comes from all areas.