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• Mar 25

  Market Report
  

• Mar 15

  URGENT MARKET UPDATE
  

• Mar 12

  Seattle Tofu Company, Chu Minh Corp., Loses Food Processing License, Fined
  

• Mar 11

  Heavy Rain, High Temps Trigger Very Active Lettuce and Romaine Markets
  

• Mar 08

  Extreme Spike in California Hass Avocado Market from Inadequate Rain
  

Last Update: May 15, 2013

APPLES/PEARS
Washington Red delicious is steady to higher and the market is starting to slowly climb as the varietals come to an end.  Reds are still peaking on extra-fancy 88/100’s.  Golden delicious are also peaking on 88/100’s and the market is also rising due to the lack of varietals.  Granny-smith is steady on the large sizes and higher and limited on anything smaller than an 88.  Grannies are still peaking on 64’s-80’s and the extra-fancy grade.  Galas are steady on most sizes and grades but limited as we approach the end of the season.  Fuji’s are available but the demand for them has been tremendous and they are cleaning up fast.  Fuji’s are peaking on 88’s and larger and the market is higher.  Most other varietals have finished for the season.  D’Anjou’s pears are available in Washington but mostly 100’s and larger and the US#1 grade.  Several shippers are finished with D’Anjou’s already.  Red pears are available but supplies are limited and they are mostly 40-50 size half cartons.

ASPARAGUS
The Asparagus market remains fairly active due to decreased volume in the Salinas growing region. Washington Asparagus supplies remain steady but the weather for the rest of the week should increase supplies. Peruvian product from the east coast remains steady at cheaper prices. Demand for domestic asparagus is keeping this market firm.

AVOCADO
Mexico still has fair supplies, but limited on 48’s and 40’s.They will still be the main supplier to the eastern markets. California is still increasing in volume and starting to gain size on their fruit. Strong demand is firming markets on 48’s.

BELL PEPPERS
Western Bells: Green bell market is very unsettled.  Supplies are mostly on choice and smaller fruit.  New spring crops are currently shipping from Southern California has started with mostly large fruit available. Open field colored Red bell market is strong and generally steady. We’re at extreme demand exceeds as fields are sizing down and approaching lighter supplies the next couple weeks. Southern California has started with light supplies. Gold bells market continues unsettled as production is sporadic. Demand exceeds.
Eastern Bells: The pepper market has tightened up.  With Georgia growers still 10-14 days away, Central Florida is pressed on supplies.  Expect this market to continue trending upward through the week.

BERRIES
Strawberries: We are in a demand exceeds supply situation on strawberries due to the Memorial Day pull being in full swing. Supplies are coming out of Santa Maria and the Salinas/Watsonville growing areas. Quality is good with large to medium full color fruit being harvested currently. There are a few local East Coast growers starting to harvest and ship strawberries. The forecast has a slight chance of rain coming into the Salinas/Watsonville growing area Thursday night into Friday. Market is Firm
Raspberries:  Supplies are building with moderate demand, which is causing a slightly weaker market. Raspberries are being harvested in Mexico, Oxnard and Salinas/Watsonville growing areas. Quality is good
Blackberries: We are in a demand exceeds supply situation on Blackberries. The main growing area currently is Central Mexico which hit their peak production three to four weeks ago. Very warm and humid weather in the growing area has taken a toll on the plants and has slow production to a crawl. The next growing area to come into play will be Georgia which will start up with light supplies in the next week or so. California growers will get going the front part of June and once they are up to speed we will see supplies catch up with demand. So hold on for a wild ride the next couple of weeks.

Blueberries: Demand is moderate with good to light supplies depending on growing area. East Coast growers have been having a hard time with supplies due to weather. They have limited supplies with fair quality. California growers have good supplies and quality currently. The main pack size is 6oz with larger packs also available.

BROCCOLI
The broccoli market is on its normal up and down trend that will go through the summer. Santa Maria has decent supplies and is offering better deals if your trucks can load there. The Salinas Valley is dealing with less supplies and good demand to finish the week.

CARROTS
Supplies are good, but still waiting on size to come to bring more JBO carrots to market. Weather is good, so looks like more size in a few weeks.

CAULIFLOWER
The cauliflower market is steady with overall good supplies. Prices will vary from shipper to shipper as there is still decent demand for this commodity.

CELERY
The celery market is still extremely strong. Even with Santa Maria starting the market has not fluctuated. Seeder is still prevalent industry wide. The market will remain strong well into next week. Salinas Valley celery is not due to start until the second week in June. Michigan celery is not due to start until the second week
of July.

CITRUS
Lemons: Supplies are good on the smaller sizes and less abundant on the larger ones. Seasonal demand is good, keeping market firm. Quality is good.
Oranges: Navel’s are finishing for the season. There will some available through the month, but Valencia oranges are starting to take over the market. Valencia sizing is currently peaking on113’s/88’s/138’s.
Limes:  Supplies good on the smaller sizes, but still very limited on the larger 110’s/150’s. Size should start to come over the next few weeks.

CUCUMBERS
Western Cucumber: Market is firming up and unsettled. Demand has increased as some domestic supplies have lightened up. Demand slightly exceeds for Nogales cucumbers. There is a wide range of quality and pricing.
Eastern Cucumbers: As South Florida winds down and Georgia is still a week away from working any cukes, this market is strengthening.  Central Florida has started showing the initial signs of demand exceed supply and that trend is expected to follow through the next several days.  Georgia should start working cukes by early next week.

EGGPLANT
Western Eggplant: Market is steady and strong some growers have begun to wrap up their season. Demand slightly exceeds current supplies.
Eastern Eggplant: This market finally appears to be softening a bit.  This trend should continue through the weekend.

GRAPES
Good availability and quality on offshore Crimson grapes this week.  The offshore green grapes are very limited on fair quality fruit and the market is very strong. There is a limited amount of Mexican green Perlettes now crossing into Nogales, the market is very strong. Offshore grapes will finish up mid to the end of the month on red.  Domestic red flames have started in a very light way in Coachella with small fruit, limited volume and a very high market.  The black grape has cleaned up.  Globes are available with good quality.  Both new crops look to have good volume and quality.

GREEN ONIONS
The green onion market is still strong due to short supplies coming from Mexico. Prices will remain strong until normal volume increases out of Mexico. Domestic green onions are due to start sometime in June.

LEAF LETTUCE
The leaf market is very steady with good supplies on Romaine, Green Leaf, Red Leaf, and Boston. Overall quality has been good with occasional tip burn and wind burn arrivals. The market will remain competitive for the rest of the week.

LETTUCE
The lettuce market varies from shipper to shipper. Some are in better shape on their supplies and are commanding higher prices. There have been a few quality issues with mechanical damage to some slight decay in some lots. The market looks to get a little active by next week.

MELONS
Cantaloupe: The offshore melons look to finish completely this week.  Cantaloupes from Mexico are crossing into Nogales with volumes steadily increasing.  The Mexican melons are peaking on larger sizes especially 9’s.  Domestic production has begun in the desert with volumes also increasing and peaking on larger melons.  Demand has dropped off a bit which is matching the finishing of off shore production and the increasing of domestic and Mexican production.
Honeydew:  The off shore honeydews will be finished by the end of this week.  Mexican dews are crossing in good volume through Nogales while domestic dews are just beginning to be harvested in the desert.  Demand is not keeping up with the supply and prices are slowly adjusting down. 

ONIONS
Yellows are steady in both Texas and the California desert.  California has had good availability and expects that to continue with hot but dry weather in the forecast.  Texas availability has been intermittent due to the weather.  Over the next week to two weeks Huron, California and New Mexico will begin packing yellows.  Reds are steady in both California and Texas with the former having good availability.  Huron, California is expecting to have red onions in 10 days to two weeks.  Whites are steady in both areas.  The onion quality has been good to excellent in both areas and on all colors.

POTATOES
The Idaho market continues to rise because of low pack-out percentages.  The Burbank storage quality isn’t what the most shippers would like and they have to run more potatoes over the line to get the same amount of #1’s in the box.   Expect the market to remain strong until the Idaho suppliers can catch up with demand and begin to get some inventories on their floors.  Washington is also higher and they continue to peak on the larger counts.  The Colorado market is up as well and they are peaking on 60-count and larger.  Colorado has taken much of the demand that Idaho hasn’t been able to cover so their market is rising very quickly.  Bakersfield, California is packing reds, gold’s, and whites from the San Joaquin valley now.  This will help with volume but the potatoes are smaller right now so expect more B’s than A’s in all colors.  Florida is nearly done with Red and Gold potatoes.  Arizona has started packing a few Reds and Gold’s but the availability is low due to strong demand.  The quality in all three areas has been good.

SQUASH
Western Squash: Market continues unsettled on both Italian and Yellow S/N. Lighter supplies of yellow s/n as some older fields have played out.  Italian squash showing an upward tick as some older fields play out also.
Eastern Squash: With Georgia now into good volume on squash the market is dropping.  Shippers out of Central Florida are looking to move their supplies this week. Market should continue to trend downward.

STONE FRUIT
The California stone fruit season is started and still somewhat limited on nectarines and peaches.  Apricot volume is increasing but still mostly small fruit.  Quality is excellent and sugars are ok.  Brix will continue to increase over the coming weeks as will volume.  Fruit is still running small mostly 60’s and 70’s.  June will have good promotable volume. Cherries are going with limited availability as well.

TOMATOES
Western: Limited supply from Mexico has kept the market elevated due to a delayed season in Nogales. A recent heat wave is causing complications for growers here as well. Strong demand for grape and cherry tomatoes is expected to show in the price over the next couple weeks until quality and volume increases. Romas are steady and of better quality right now, but also may firm up in price for the holiday weekend if color and quality becomes a factor if more stage 5-6 begin to come across the border.
Eastern: Although the transition has been made to the Palmetto growing region, the market remains tight this week as weather continues to pose complications for growers. Recent rains are causing quality challenges, most commonly composed of blisters and soft and discolored areas. Larger size rounds remain limited but their availability is expected to increase next week. With Memorial weekend approaching, we may see prices elevated even as more volume comes to market.

WATERMELON
Market continues unsettled but availability is improving.  Larger fruit is light due to cool evenings. Demand exceeds on s/less watermelon. Northern area is scheduled to start within a week. Supplies however continue light.  Availability on seeded watermelon is sporadic.

Commodities At-A-Glance