Market News
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March
February
January
2008 News

WEATHER / SUPPLY OUTLOOK

Mother Nature is fighting the idea of Global Warming. Cool days along with cold overnight temperatures will continue in the desert growing regions early this week with a warming trend expected by mid-week. Overnight low temperatures in the High 20s to mid 30s (28-35) were recorded throughout the Southern desert regions this weekend and again this morning. Morning frosts (lettuce ice) will delay harvests in the coldest desert locations today and tomorrow in front of a warming trend beginning on Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to rebound to seasonal norms with overnight temperatures remaining above critical levels (above 35) into next week. A couple of Pacific storm systems approaching California look to remain to the North, bringing a cool down and a very slight chance of showers to Southern California and the Desert growing regions. Light to moderate blister, epidermal peel, feathering and frost discoloration are likely to rise due to recent cold temps affecting certain stands in the coldest locations. Frost damage remains spotty in these desert fields with approximately 20-30% reported to have been impacted at this time. The warm up expected mid-week will increase growth rates in these fields that remain ahead of normal harvesting schedules. Overall quality, texture and shelf life will be on the rise next week in the warmer temperatures. Supplies however will remain on the light side for a few weeks with shortages possible as crops rebound in the warmer temperatures. These possible supply gaps will vary by shipper and field location with upcoming demand playing a major role as to the severity of shortfalls.

The new year (January) is always the most challenging time of the year for desert area growers. The changing weather patterns and ground temperatures along with the switch to emerging cold weather seed varieties and the ever present labor difficulties provide a major challenge for quality and supply consistency.

Poor growing conditions has cause the price of Cauliflower and Celery to skyrocket.

To our valued Customers:

Here at Premier Produce we want to make sure that you are informed about the tomatoes we are using. All of our Round and Roma tomatoes are Hot House grown. Hot House tomatoes are not effected by the salmonella outbreak. The highlights of the FDA’s most recent notice are as follows.

• FDA’s notice was advice to consumers recommending they not eat raw roma, raw red round tomatoes, or products that contain these types of raw red tomatoes, unless the tomatoes are from the following sources: AR, CA, GA, HI, NC, SC, TN, TX, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Isreal, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico.
   
• FDA’s recommendation does not apply to grape, cherry, or tomatoes with the vines still attached (e.g., TOV’s, hot house tomatoes).
   
• More information can be found on the FDA’s website:  www.fda.gov

Please note that no grower has recalled any tomatoes. Again, at this point, FDA has only issued advice to consumers. Also, since salmonella has a 2-week incubation period, and the last reported illness was May 27th, if no other cases are reported by June 10th hopefully this issue will begin to abate.

We want to make sure that you are aware of this information. Please, do not hesitate to call us with any further questions or concerns. We will, as always, continue to do our best to meet your needs for quality assured, food safe tomatoes.

Thank you,
Premier Produce