February 9th, 2024 Market Report
Lettuce:
Lettuce markets are steady. The cold weather mixed in with the rain has created some pink ribbing, epidermal peel, and blistering. Weights are ranging from 39 to 44 pounds. Quality is fair to good.
Leaf:
Romaine markets are slightly up. Defects include blisters, peels, and discoloration. Quality is fair to good.
Romaine Heart markets are slightly up. Defects include blisters, peels, and discoloration. Quality is fair to good.
Green and Red Leaf markets are slightly. Defects include blisters, peels, and discoloration. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Tender Leaf:
There is a shortage of tender leaf items due to the recent weather, especially arugula and spinach. The recent weather is also causing Arcadian, Cilantro, Parsley, and Spring Mix to yellow. Look for supplies to continue to be tight going into next week. Quality is fair at best.
Broccoli:
Markets are steady. Quality is good.
Cauliflower:
Markets are steady. Quality is good.
Carrots:
Cello markets are steady out West and in Canada. Quality is good.
Loose market is steady on Mexican crossings and steady on Canadian product as well. Quality is good.
Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.
Celery:
Markets are steady. Product is coming out of Oxnard, Yuma, and Mexico. Quality is good.
Strawberries & Bush Berries:
Strawberry markets much higher with all growing regions experiencing weather challenges. Severe rain events in California just about shut down production forcing orders to other regions. Demand far exceeds supply heading into the Valentines holiday pull. Quality is fair to good.
Raspberry markets are steady. Shippers have been experiencing some issues with late transfer trucks from Baja and Central Mexico. McAllen, TX is expected to see a slight increase in volume coming out of Central Mexico next week. Quality is good.
Blueberries markets are steady to slightly lower with good supplies. Product from Chile and Central Mexico are now the dominant supplies being offered. Quality is good.
Blackberries markets are steady. Shippers have been experiencing some issues with late transfer trucks from Baja and Central Mexico. McAllen, TX is expected to see a slight increase in volume coming out of Central Mexico next week. Quality is good.
Potatoes:
The Potato market is Stable. 40cts and 50cts are tight. Quality has been good.
Onions:
The onion market is very strong. Pricing is up and expected to stay up. Overall quality is good. White Jumbo onions are very tight.
Cucumbers:
Cucumber market remains very strong with very limited availability. Cold weather and rain are keeping production light in both Florida and Mexico. Supplies are very tight. Quality has been mostly good on inbound. We are seeing some minor scarring on both select and super select.
Euro cucumbers markets are lower with better supplies available. Quality is good.
Squash:
Green squash market is just starting to decline and yellow remains strong. We expect these markets to adjust downward in coming weeks with better supplies projected I both Florida and Mexico. Quality has been fair to good on recent inbounds.
Eggplant:
Quality Eggplant remains in short supply in both Florida and Mexico. Markets remain high and we are told to expect some wind scarring. Availability is light.
Peppers:
Green bells market is much higher with supplies lighter than expected in new fields in both Florida and Mexico. Product is tight! Quality on inbound has been good overall.
Red Pepper markets are steady with supplies in pretty good shape. Quality is good.
Herbs:
Basil: We are still seeing quality issues as weather in the growing regions continues to create poor growing conditions. Overall, quality is fair to good.
Citrus:
Orange markets are very active. There is a peak in fruit production for 72ct and larger; 88/113/138ct are extremely scarce and will remain so until the end of the navel season. Due to low fruit set and rain events, fruit will continue to grow in size as the season progresses. Brix is between 12 and 14. Currently, there is no gassing. Quality is good.
Lemon markets are steady. Currently, all three districts are shipping, with an overall peak size of 140/165ct. Mexico product is steady with good quality. Quality is good.
Lime We are starting to see lower inbound shipments from Mexico as an industry on limes. Pricing is starting to shift upwards as overall supplies continue to decrease. Large fruit (110/150ct) to be impacted the most. Quality continues to be pretty good with the occasional oil spotting and stylar particularly in the larger fruit. Short term, look for markets to remain fairly stable the remainder of this week, then increase as older fruit is sold off. Long term, we will experience lower volumes until the first part of May as we are currently in the lowest volume producing crops of the year.
Grapes:
Imported grapes remain tight. Vessels are continuing to experience arrival delays due to a bottleneck at the Panama Canal for east coast arrivals, or heavy seas for west coast arrivals. Wildfires in Chile have not interrupted grape harvest but may eventually slow down loading vessels at the ports.
Tomatoes:
The round tomato has declined slightly from last week. Overall, supply seems to be improving. Quality is mostly good on all tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are lower with better quality. Roma quality seems to be improving and markets are declining with a lot of volume crossing from Mexico.
Cabbage:
Green Cartons: Markets are mostly steady. Quality is fair to good.
Red Cartons: Markets are snug with elevated costs. Quality is good.
Bagged Cabbage: Markets are mostly steady. Quality is good.
Market Alerts:
The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.
1.) White Jumbo Onions
2.) Cherry Tomatoes
3.) Yellow Squash
4.) Eggplant
5.) B&W Arugula
6.) Red & Green Grapes
7.) Escarole
8.) Yellow & White Corn
9.) Cucumbers
10.) Green Onions 4/2lb
11.) Broccolini 18ct & 3/2lb
12.) All Green Peppers
13.) Cilantro 4/1lb
14.) Strawberries
