Asparagus:

Markets are slowing coming off.   Supplies remain strong on both coasts, with production out of Peru and Mexico showing significant improvement.   Quality is good.

Broccoli:

Markets are up and active in all growing areas.  There is an AOG increase on Broccoli VA items.  Quality is fair to good.

Brussel Sprouts: Alert

The sprout market is up and remain tight.  Sprout supplies are expected to remain light with high prices, as demand exceeds availability.  Oxnard production is slowing and nearing completion.  Quality issues persist, including elongated cores and stems, light insect damage, and some internal discoloration.  There is an AOG increase on Brussel VA items.  Quality and sizing are fair.

Cabbage:

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

Carrots:

• Cello markets are steady. Quality is good.
• Loose Mexican product remains very tight, quality remains good.
• Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.

Cauliflower:

Market is coming off.  There is an AOG increase on Cauliflower VA items.  Quality is fair to good.

Celery:

Markets are steady.  Supplies and Quality is good.

Citrus:

• Orange: Valencia’s are the main variety, currently peaking on 113ct/138ct as the season begins, with sizes expected to grow. Gas times of about 48 hours are used to enhance color.  Brix levels are 12-13, and the fruit is eating very well.  Quality is good.
• Lemon: Markets are strengthening as District 1 finishes and District 2 becomes the main growing region. Sizes 165ct and smaller are limited.  Choice grade dominates, with less Fancy due to growing conditions.  Quality is fair to good.
• Limes: markets look pretty steady. With the rain in the growing region, we can expect to see an increase in quality issues, oil spots, stylar, yellowing, and skin breakdown.

Cucumbers:

• Cucumber market is getting stronger everyday due to heavy demand and low harvests. Quality has been good on inbound.
• Euro Cucumbers markets are up and active out of Canada. Quality is good.

Eggplant:

Market is strong. quality has been good.

Grapes:

The grape market is slowly coming off.  Mexican shippers have largely recovered from the early June storm, with improved quality and significantly lower prices due to increased volume and California’s Central Valley season has started.  California harvest ramps up this week with Flames and Ivorys; initial prices will be higher but are expected to drop next week as volume grows.  Quality is fair to good.

Herbs:

• Basil: Quality is fair.

Leaf Lettuce:

• Romaine markets are slowly coming off, but supplies are still tight. Small sizing, lighter weights, and some fringe and tip burn have been reported.  There is an AOG increase on all Romaine VA items.  Quality is fair to good.
• Romaine Heart markets are slowly coming off, but supplies are still tight. Small sizing, lighter weights, and some fringe and tip burn have been reported.  There is an AOG increase on all Romaine VA items.  Quality is fair to good.
• Green Leaf markets are steady, but supplies are still tight. Small sizing, lighter weights, and some fringe and tip burn have been reported.  There is an AOG increase on all Green VA items.  Quality is fair to good.
• Red Leaf markets are steady. Small sizing, lighter weights, and some fringe and tip burn have been reported.  Quality is fair to good.

Lettuce Iceberg: Alert

Lettuce markets are up and sold out.  Mexico has been unable to produce good lettuce so processors have been buying up acreage in Salinas Valley and Santa Maria.  Reports include light weights, puffy heads, and misshapen heads, with average weights around 33-36 pounds from most suppliers.  There is an AOG increase on all Lettuce VA items.  Quality is fair to good.

Lettuce Tender Leaf:

Arcadian, Spring Mix, Spinach, Cilantro, Arugula, and Italian Parsley.  Markets are steady.  Some discoloration, burn, and insect damage can occasionally appear.  Quality is fair to good.

Melons:

• Cantaloupes: Market is coming off, but remains strong post-holiday. Heavy rains in key growing areas have pushed demand in the West.  Warm weather is producing high-quality cantaloupes, peaking on size 9 with Brix levels between 13-16.  Smaller sizes (12/15) are scarce due to the heat wave.  Quality is good.
• Honeydew: Market is coming off, but remains strong post-holiday. Warm weather is producing high-quality melons, peaking on size 5 with Brix levels of 13-16.  Suppliers are primarily sourcing from Central California.  Nogales melons remain very limited in availability.  Quality is good.

Onions:

The onion market is experiencing an upward trend, driven by supply gaps in California and recent rainfall in New Mexico. Quality has been fair to good.

Peppers:  ALERT

• Green bell market is extremely strong and supplies are very short. We won’t see any relief until more harvest begins in the northeast. Quality on inbound has been good.
• Red Pepper markets continue to go up. Red bell peppers are particularly limited as California transitions to northern growing areas, while Mexican and Canadian crossings remain light.  Quality is good.

Pineapples:

Market is steady.  Quality has been good.

Potatoes:

Quality and sizing remain consistent with recent packs. Larger size cartons are tightening, and we are seeing upward pressure on pricing.

Strawberries & Bush Berries: Alert

• Strawberry markets are coming off. Salinas and Watsonville are past peak harvest and entering a slow, steady decline in production.  Santa Maria and Oxnard will begin harvesting late spring plantings in 2–3 weeks, helping to offset the drop in volume from the northern districts.  Quality is good.
• Raspberry markets are coming off. Strong volumes are coming out of Central Mexico, Baja, and California’s Central Coast.   Quality is fair to good.
• Blueberry markets are steady. The Pacific Northwest season is underway with product coming out of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.  New Jersey continues to produce solid volumes.  Michigan began harvesting last week, though heat and rain are limiting production.  Quality is good.
• Blackberry markets are steady, but supplies are limited. West Coast production is set to increase with warmer weather expected in late July.  Mexican transfer fruit is declining due to weather, and California quality is projected to be much stronger than current Mexican supplies.  Quality is fair to good.

Squash:

• Green markets are coming off. Georgia and Mexico seasons are ending, with limited supply from Baja. North Carolina volumes remain very low due to heat and rain damage. New Jersey and other Eastern states are increasing supply, easing market pressure.  Quality is good.
• Yellow markets are coming off. Georgia and Mexico seasons are ending, with limited supply from Baja. North Carolina volumes remain very low due to heat and rain damage. New Jersey and other Eastern states are increasing supply, easing market pressure.  Quality is good.

Tomatoes:

Eastern volumes slowly improving post-weather.  Western supply steady fairly steady CA and Baja.  Grape tomatoes are still tight, but market should stabilize soon.

• Round tomato markets are slightly up. Quality is good.
• Roma tomato markets are slightly up. Quality is good.
• Grape tomato markets are coming off. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are coming off. 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. Andy Boy Romaine Hearts
2. Blackberries
3. Broccoli Rabe
4. Brussel Sprouts
5. Corn
6. Green Peppers
7. Idaho Potatoes (40cts through 80cts)
8. Jumbo Yams
9. Lettuce
10. Orange Peppers
11. Red Peppers
12. Roma Crunch
13. Yellow Peppers