Market News
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Market News: Week of October 12th
October 14, 2009
The entire west coast was hit with heavy rain and winds. The storms that started over the weekend brought rain (2-6 inches) and strong winds (25-50mph) throughout California and the west. This has hamper harvesting of many row crops and caused damage to others.
BERRIES:
Strawberries: Rain forecasted for Monday through Wednesday in all areas ½in to 5in. Production once again remains low. Quality continues to be the factor of declined production in the northern Salinas/Watsonville area, as shippers are leaving a good portion of fruit in the fields. We can expect to see softer, over ripe and bruised fruit, as the plants are at the end of their life cycle and fruit will be weak. Oxnard is now going with small quantities of new crop. Production will continue to decrease through October in the Northern areas and may finish because of the large amounts of rainfall expected from this storm. Volume is increasing in Oxnard, but will be affected by rainfall. Mexico will begin to ship fruit from Yuma AZ and McAllen TX by mid late October.
LETTUCE:
This market continues to be very active. Demand exceeds supply. Most suppliers are extremely light in supplies. Lightweight on the lettuce is an issue. Some suppliers are going into fields and harvesting product that is seven to 10 days ahead of schedule. The lettuce is puffy and light weight. Please be aware that lightweights will be an issue for this week. Huron is expected to begin light production next week pending weather conditions.
LEAF LETTUCE:
Supplies are light on romaine and romaine hearts. This market is active. Fringe burn is still being seen upon arrivals. There have also been reports that the copped romaine is not as strong as in the past months. Green and red leaf continues to gain strength in the market. It is important to note, that as the season winds down, all the leaf items tend to have a shorter shelf life due to the crop being tired. Production is expected in Yuma in early November.
TOMATOES:
Western: San Diego has decreased in their crossings and we are seeing some reaction in higher pricing especially in the Grape and Roma tomatoes. We can expect some relief with the Grape tomatoes, as new areas in Mexico will be ready to harvest by next week. We can expect continuing reduced volume from Baja by mid to later October as their season will be winding down. California Central valley is beginning to see shorter supplies as well. We can expect a decline in volume as this month progresses, as we are coming into the beginning of the end. When and what decline we will see depends on Mother Nature.
MELONS:
Cantaloupes: The Westside deal is almost finished and with rain in the forecast it will shut down production for what is left to harvest. Peak sizing is still on 9’s and 12’s and there are only light supplies of those sizes available! The pressure continues on what there is left of California production and the extremely light new crop Arizona production. With the Arizona districts only in their first week of production and continued colder temperatures, expect extremely light supplies from there through the entire week. The market has strengthened again all sizes of fruit is in very tight. Fruit quality remains good with decent sugar levels. Look out over the next few days as the Westside deal finishes and the desert shippers struggle to keep up.
Market News: Week of October 12th
October 12, 2009
LETTUCE:
This market is active. Most suppliers are extremely light in supplies. Lightweight on the lettuce is an issue. Some suppliers are going into fields and harvesting product that is too young. The lettuce is puffy and light weight but because demand exceeds supply, it is happening. Please be aware that lightweights will be an issue for this week and likely into next week as well. All reports tell us supplies will be tight the entire week.
BROCCOLI:
Nothing has changed. This market continues to be active on all broccoli items. Suppliers will be light all week and will prioritize covering contract business before open business. Suppliers are gapping in production out of the Salinas Valley. Santa Maria is also light in supplies and there are not any deals that are being offered. Next week will be extremely light on all broccoli items. Broccoli crowns are so small with some suppliers that they are asking to substitute with bunched product so please be aware.
CAULIFLOWER:
Nothing has changed from the beginning of the week. Supplies will be light throughout the week on this commodity. Light supplies continue to be in the forecast for the next seven to ten days. Demand exceeds supply. The biggest problem is simply that growers are gapping in production in all growing regions. Slight yellowing has been reported sporadically upon arrivals. Pricing is active in all areas.
LEAF LETTUCE:
Supplies are getting lighter on romaine and romaine hearts. This market is stronger. Some reports continue to surface on fringe burn being seen upon arrival. There have also been reports that the copped romaine is not as strong as in past months. Green and red leaf is also stronger in the market as supplies have also tightened. It is important to note that as the season winds down, all the leaf items tend to have a shorter shelf life due to the crop being tired. Huron is expected to start the third week in October followed by Yuma beginning the second week in November.
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