Asparagus: Alert

Markets are active still.  Asparagus supplies are expected to stay tight for the next few weeks.  Quality is fair to good.

Broccoli: Alert

Broccoli supplies are tighter this week, and the market is trending upward.  Insect pressure is a growing concern, particularly in the warmer regions of Santa Maria and South Monterey County.  Expect the market to continue gradually rising as we move into next week.  Quality is fair to good.

Brussel Sprouts:

Markets are coming off.  Brussels sprout supplies continue to gradually improve.  Similar conditions are expected into next week.  Quality is good.

Cabbage:

• Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
• Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good.

Carrots:

• Cello markets are mostly steady. Quality is good.
• Loose Markets are steady. Quality has been good.
• Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.

Cauliflower:

Markets are steady.  Supplies remain strong across all areas, with good quality and minimal worm pressure reported.

Celery:

Markets are steady.  Supplies and Quality are good.

Citrus: Alert

• Orange: Markets are steady, but supplies remain tight. Valencia’s are peaking on 88ct, with very limited 113ct and 138ct due to strong school demand.  Markets on 88ct are rising as smaller sizes tighten.  Gas times are around 3 days to improve color, with some regreening from warm weather.  Quality is fair, mostly Choice grade, and Brix is around 13.  Domestic Navel season is expected to start at the end of October.
• Lemon: Markets remain strong across all sizes, with 165ct and smaller very limited. District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard) is the sole growing region. Choice grade dominates, with limited Fancy due to coastal growing conditions.  Quality is fair with typical seasonal issues.  Imports are light, and Mexico is starting slowly with lower expected volume, keeping markets elevated.
• Limes: markets continue to be tight as this crop is coming to an end and high-quality fruit is less available. New crop will start around the second week of September and the market should begin to soften then.  Quality is fair to good.

Cucumbers: Alert

• Cucumber market is tightening as cooler weather is slowing production in the northeast. Quality has been good on inbound.
• Cello Cucumbers markets are up and sold out. Cuc’s are gapping until Mexico season starts in about a Month.  Quality is fair to good.

Eggplant:

Market is steady.  Quality is good.

Grapes:

Markets are slightly up.  Despite shifting from early varieties to more modern, vigorous types, the grape market has been stagnant.  On August 26, a strong thunderstorm hit the northern half of the Central Valley grape district, bringing about an hour of rain.  While not ideal, it’s too soon to tell what impact, if any, this will have on the market.  Quality is good.

Herbs:

• Basil: Quality is fair.

Leaf Lettuce:

• Romaine markets are steady. Fringe and tip burn have been reported.  There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Romaine items.  Quality is fair to good.
• Romaine Heart markets are steady. Fringe and tip burn have been reported.  There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Romaine items.  Quality is fair to good.
• Green Leaf markets are steady. Fringe and tip burn have been reported.  Quality is fair to good.
• Red Leaf markets are steady. Fringe and tip burn have been reported.  Quality is fair to good.

Lettuce Iceberg:

Lettuce markets are coming off.  At the start of the week, availability varies among shippers, creating a market gap of six to eight dollars.  Weights range from 35 to 42 pounds depending on the shipper.  Some arrivals have shown misshapen heads and outer leaf discoloration.  There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce items.  Quality is fair to good.

Lettuce Tender Leaf:

Arcadian, Spring Mix, Spinach, Cilantro, Arugula, and Italian Parsley.  Markets are steady.  Quality is good.

Melons:

• Cantaloupes: Markets are slightly up. The domestic cantaloupe market is heating up as Westside fields shift sizing.  The second cut and rising demand are driving the market higher.  Fields are still mostly producing 9s, but better availability of 12s and 15s is emerging.  Brix levels range from 13 to 16.  Quality is good.
• Honeydews: Markets are steady. The domestic honeydew market is heating up as Westside fields adjust sizing. The second cut and stronger demand are pushing the market higher. Fields are still mainly producing 5s, but better availability of 6s and 8s is emerging. Brix levels range from 13 to 16.  Quality is good.

Onions:

The onion market is steady. Quality has been fair to good.

Peppers:  

• Green bell market is steady. Quality on inbound has been good.
• Red Pepper markets are coming off, but supplies remain tight. Quality is fair to good.

Pineapples:

Market continues to be very strong.  Quality has been good.

Potatoes:

Quality is good, with a high percentage of No. 1s.  Sizes are currently trending smaller, which supports strong availability for small bags and 100-count packs.  We anticipate larger sizing as the harvest moves further into the fields.

Strawberries & Bush Berries:

• Strawberry markets are steady. The industry is rebounding from last week’s heat spell. Crews moved slowly through the fields on Monday and Tuesday, focusing on cleanup as well as harvest.  A significant amount of product has been diverted to processors due to weak quality.  However, quality is expected to improve heading into the weekend and continuing into next week.  Quality is fair.
• Raspberry markets are coming off. Good supplies are coming out of both Mexico and California.  Quality is good.
• Blueberry market is getting stronger. Supply will switch to imported 6oz blues from Peru in the next 3 weeks. Quality is good.
• Blackberry markets are slightly up. Supplies remain limited for some shippers, while others are seeing steady volumes out of Mexico and California.  Transfers from Oregon are also helping to supplement availability and fill orders.  Quality is fair to good.

Squash:

• Green markets are steady for now. Quality is good.
• Yellow markets are going to tighten as good quality/supply is very hard right now. Quality is fair to good.

Tomatoes:

• Round tomato markets are coming off. Light to moderate supplies in the East, while steady California and Mexican volumes are expected to strengthen in the coming weeks. Quality is good.
• Roma tomato markets are coming down. Quality is good.
• Grape tomato markets are coming down. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.

Yams: Alert

Markets are active.  Jumbo yams are in short supply; this situation is unlikely to ease until we reach the new crop harvest this fall.  Orders moving forward will have a high probability of being prorated.  Quality is good.

Market Alerts:

The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.

1. Asparagus
2. Broccoli
3. Idaho Potatoes (40cts through 80cts)
4. Jumbo Yams
5. Lemons
6. Limes
7. Pineapples
8. Roma Crunch
9. Squash