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Market News: December 15, 2009

Weather:
Southwestern Desert regions received a dusting of rain over the weekend and will warm up to near seasonal temperatures in the low 70s by mid week as the exiting system moves to the east. Overnight lows in the low 40s look to be the norm. In the Southeast warm (possible record high) and humid temperatures early this week will moderate by Wednesday as a cold front stalls over Central Florida. Temperatures in the mid to high 80s will cool to the mid 70s mid week. A chance of showers is forecast for the region through the week.


APPLES/PEARS
Red Delicious, Gold Delicious and Granny Smith along with most all varietal apples remain in short supply on small sized fruit. Deals remain in the larger sized fruit, and quality is excellent on all apples. Anjou Pears are in excellent shape with
better supplies in Washington. Bartlett pears are still going strong. There are also varietal pears available including Bosc, Seckel, Concorde, Comice and Crimson Red Pears. Specialty apples, including the Honeycrisp variety, are still in good
supply.

ASPARAGUS
This market continues to be steady in both supplies and price. The product is coming out of Peru, Chili and Mexico. Prices and demand remain steady. Supplies will be plentiful for all orders. Quality is nice from all areas.

AVOCADO
Mexico and Chile have scaled back shipments in efforts to firm up the market. The over all supplies remain good.

Mexican Fruit: Mexico has reduced picking to let inventories catch up with demand.
California Fruit: California fruit should begin with light harvest over the next 2 weeks. This year’s crop forecast looks much larger than last year’s.
Chilean Fruit: Chile is also reducing volumes coming to the states in efforts to firm the market.

BELL PEPPERS
Western Green Bells and Colored Bells:
Green bells from Coachella Valley are done for their season on green bells. Mexico production continues to increase and looks to have good volume for the next 2 to 3 weeks. Red bells from Coachella are finishing up or done for their season. Mexico should start in 7 to 10 days with light volume and increase volume by the first week of January. Yellow Bells remain very limited.
Eastern Bells: This market should get a bit stronger over the weekend. Supplies are good, but with the West coast market gaining strength and wet weather in Florida looking to affect quality we will see the pepper market move up out of
the lower levels.

BERRIES
Strawberries: Southern California Strawberry growing areas received up to two inches of rain over the weekend. This will make for very little production coming out of California this week. Demand exceeds supplies in of all areas of California,
Texas and Florida. The forecast is for rain again Tuesday/Wednesday this week. The good news is that this storm is to stay north which could miss the strawberry growing areas. Quality will suffer. Look for water soaked fruit, light decay, white shoulders and bruising in all packs starting this week. Market is firm. Florida has started with limited supplies and this area has also received rain the last couple of days.
Raspberries: Supplies are still limited with good demand the start of this week. Driscoll is the main supplier at this time. We should start to see some light supplies of raspberries coming out of Chile in the next couple of weeks.
Blackberries: Blackberries supplies have started to decline which has caused this market to firm up. At this time, supplies are mainly coming out of Mexico.
Blueberries: This will be hardest week for Blueberries since Argentina is done for the season and Chile is just getting started. All the Chile fruit is being flown this week and they are having a hard time getting air space. The first boats are to
hit sometime next week which will improve supplies.

BROCCOLI
Supplies are light to moderate in the Santa Maria, Oxnard, and Yuma growing regions. This market is stronger as the cold weather has slowed growth rates. Demand has picked up for the up incoming Holiday pull also. Supplies look to remain tight all week. Some defects that have been reported include yellowing, knuckling, and pale green appearance.

CARROTS
California carrots coming out of Bakersfield are still sizing slower due to cooler weather. Jumbo market is firm.

CAULIFLOWER
This market is active with prices going higher. Supplies are tight, due to cold weather in the Santa Maria and Yuma growing regions. Most shippers have been harvesting ahead of schedule, combined with the cold weather has caused a shortage in supplies. Suppliers have planted less acreage than in past seasons and this will inevitably cause volumes to be up and down. Some brown spotting has already been seen.

CELERY
This market is extremely active. The cold weather in the Oxnard and Santa Maria growing regions has slowed the growth of this commodity. All sizing is very limited. The quality continues to be strong with no major issues to report. Cold weather
is expected throughout the week. Expect this market to be active over the next two weeks minimum.

CITRUS
Lemons: Demand is increasing and 140’s are smaller are getting tight in supplies. Quality is very good.
Limes: Supplies remain lighter due to cold wet weather in Mexico. Volume of larger sizes is picking up. Quality remains good.
Oranges: Rains this weekend has slowed harvest. Crop continues to peak on fancy 72’s and 88’s followed by 56’s and 113’s. Supplies remain tight on 138’s of both grades. Demand continues to exceed supplies choice 138’s. Small fruit looks to be tight for the season as this years crop is heavy on big fruit.

CUCUMBERS
Western Cucumber: Mainland Mexico looks to continue with good supplies, but demand has improved.
Eastern Cucumbers: The wet weather in Florida and the waning domestic supply will cause this market to jump. Suppliers will be looking to dip into their off shore deals in another week or so. Quality has been good.

GRAPES
Crimson Red Seedless grapes are almost completely finished for the domestic season. There are a few lots left to ship this week, but only limited to day to day availability. The domestic Green Seedless crop is finished for the season. There
are now Chilean grapes available with the heaviest supplies being in the green seedless (Sugarone and Perlette varieties)*. 18# Brazilian Festival green seedless along with Peruvian Sugarone/Thompson are also available, and now on
the West Coast. Overall supplies on green seedless are very good right now. Supplies for red seedless, on the other hand, are extremely tight. Demand remains very strong for both red and green seedless. Expect to see elevated prices on
the Peruvian and Chilean red seedless this week.

GREEN ONIONS
This market is steady but as the holidays season approaches supplies will get tight. Supplies are moderate to good on Mexican grown product. Pencil sizes are still the largest volume available. The quality continues to be good with no significant problems to report. Processors have had minimal problems with the raw product available.

KIWI
California Kiwi supplies remain very good and there is also Italian Kiwi available on the East Coast. The market is slightly higher this week on Kiwi with demand pushing supplies downward. Quality continues to be very good.

LEAF LETTUCE
The market is still unstable with wide ranges in pricing and availability from shipper to shipper. Some suppliers are much better off than others. Some issues on romaine include such defects as brown spotting, brown to red discoloration up the rib, brown butts, fringe burn and internal burn. Red leaf supplies are better. Romaine hearts continue to be tight. The quality is marginal at best. Fringe burn is still being seen upon arrivals. The hearts are twisted in growth with some suppliers. Green leaf continues to be stable compared to last week. Continue to expect defects on leaf items over the next couple of weeks with production from Yuma. Lightweights will continue to be an issue on all leaf items.

LETTUCE
This market is still weaker. There is a wide range in prices from shipper to shipper. Demand has fallen off and suppliers have started to offer deals on lettuce. The previous cold weather has kept the lettuce from sizing properly; hence weights
have been lighter than normal. The weights continue to average 35 to 38 pounds, with the head size being on the small side. Expect suppliers to be pushing lettuce this week to keep inventories clean. Some deals can be made on load volume
orders.

MELONS
Cantaloupes: Offshore fruit supplies from Guatemala continue strong at shipping points in Pompano Beach and Port Manatee, FL as well as Los Angeles, CA and Camden, NJ but sizes are all large (12ct and larger). The prices remain at lower levels on the large size fruit and they continue to look for movement on those sizes. It looks like 10+ days until anything in the small cantaloupe category will be arriving. There are still only limited supplies of Mexico Cantaloupes crossing through the Nogales, AZ point of entry, and that will remain the case. Sizing is limited to daily crossings only. Quality on product of Mexico is only fair and supplies have topped out. Overall fruit quality for the offshore fruit is very good.
Honeydews: Offshore fruit is still arriving into Florida, California and New Jersey with volume in the large sizes (4ct/5ct)*. Supplies on small fruit are extremely limited. Smaller sized offshore honeydews will realistically not pick up for another 10-
14 days. Honeydews supplies out of Mexico remain very low with the transition from the North to the South districts, and now it’s the small sizes that are limited. The market on Honeydews is steady to start this week.

ONIONS
Demand remains light with good quality out of Idaho and Washington. Shippers are running full days and there are ample supplies. With the nice quality #2 product is limited. There are good supplies available out of Colorado and Utah.

POTATOES
The retail pull is up this week with Christmas right around the corner. The weather is cooperating better and shippers will look for trucks to get in on scheduled load dates in order to keep product moving through the warehouse. Both Norkotahs
and Burbanks are being packed depending on the shipper. Washington Norkotahs are going strong with good quality and availability. Colorado is going strong with new crop supplies as well. Mount Vernon, Washington has good availability on
colored potatoes; product quality is excellent. North Dakota and Wisconsin have good supplies of red, yellow and white potatoes. California supplies will increase as more shippers come on board in the next couple of weeks with red, yellow
and white potatoes.

SQUASH
Western Squash: Northern Mexico’s areas are lightening due to cool weather. Their southern growing areas are starting and steadying supplies. Demand is good and shippers are cleaning up.
Eastern Squash: After weeks on the floor, the eastern squash market will be up significantly by next week. Cooler weather and past rains will be affecting supplies and quality, respectively.

STONE FRUIT
There are still very good supplies of both East and West coast imported Cherries available with heavier volume in the East and good volume of the volume fill pack for foodservice. Sizing is large and quality is very good for these first air shipments. Apricots are also available, from air shipments, but sizing is limited and FOB pricing is somewhat high. Other Chilean fruits including Peaches and Nectarines are now arriving via vessel into both East and West Coast ports. Volumes to start with are limited, and prices are slightly elevated for the first arrivals.

TOMATOES
Western: Tomato production and supplies continue to be down but demand has eased off a bit due to high markets. Even with the reduced demand, we continue to see higher markets and low availability. Achieving color will be challenging due
to the diminished supply. Roma have become active again with low supplies, steadying the fob’s. Crossings into San Diego are consistent with big and small sizes but lacking 5x6’s. Achieving load volume is available, but need to pre book
to secure fruit.
Eastern: Supplies in Florida continue to be well below typical levels, with an expected increase in market pricing. Florida growers are continuing to experience major problems with reduced yields. Both central and southern growing areas are
looking at gradual improvement by mid to late December, but will have to wait until then to see how the market will adjust. The majority of the supply concerns Rounds and Romas. This is directly related to the high temps we encountered at the end of September – early October which caused a bloom drop, thus reflecting in lower yields and reduced volume. The overall quality is good. There is a lack of bigger sized tomatoes. Round supplies are down anywhere from 40- 50%. There
has been an increase in the Roma supplies and availability. The strong suit are the small sizes, 6x6 and 6x7’s, there are not a lot of bigger sizes particularly the 4x5 and 5x6’s. Cherry and grape tomatoes are slowly easing up on fob’s and are
more available than weeks previous.

WATERMELONS
Colder weather in the Watermelon growing districts has slowed production considerably especially in the seeded. Supplies are still crossing through both Nogales, AZ and McAllen Texas. Supplies are decent on Seedless, but sizing is to
the small side. Markets remain strong for both Seeded and Seedless. Overall Watermelon quality is still very good.

VALUE ADDED/ PROCESSED
Processors continue to purchase as much lettuce as possible. Escalated pricing looks to go back to normal this week on lettuce and romaine based items. Complaints continue to be reported on the chopped romaine not having as long a shelf life, as well as bruising of the darker green leaves. The cauliflower and broccoli raw product availability is getting very tight. Expect some shippers to hold customers to their respective 12 week averages. Brown spotting on cauliflower florets, yellowing and pale color on broccoli florets will be common issues talked about with these products.

Market News: December 1, 2009

It is still crazy out there. The markets are still strong on Lettuces. The roma tomatoes started to loosen up this morning. I think that we should see the end of this in a week or so as production starts to pick up in the new areas.
If you have any questions, please give us a call.

Weather:
High pressure out West following the cold storm system over the weekend will keep the region clear and sunny this week. The Southwestern Desert regions will see near seasonal temperatures in the mid 70s through the week. These regions received sparse dusting of rainfall over the weekend. Overnight lows in the 40s to high 30s are forecast with the coldest mornings expected mid week. There remains a slight possibility of morning frost in these regions on Wednesday and Thursday.
In the Southeast a fairly pleasant start to the week is forecast with high temperatures in the mid 70s in the Northern regions to low 80s in Central and Southern Florida with a chance of showers the front part of the week. Big changes are forecast however on Wednesday. A storm front is expected to move through the Deep South on Wednesday bringing a line of strong thundershowers to the region mid week. This squall line is expected to bring significant rain and winds to the region. High pressure behind this system will usher inn cooler temperatures from the north along with winds to finish out the week.

APPLES/PEARS
Small sized apples in all varieties remain extremely short especially in the 100ct and smaller sizes. There are other areas in the Northeast (including the Carolina’s, Virginia, Michigan and New York) packing red ‘typed’ apples, and demand for those is very good as well, especially with the limited supply of small sizes. There are deals available in the larger sized fruit, and quality is excellent on all apples! Anjou Pears are in excellent shape with better supplies in Washington and Bartlett pears are still going strong. There are also varietal pears available including Bosc, Seckel, Concorde, Comice and Crimson Red Pears. Specialty apples, including the famed Honeycrisp variety, are still in good supply.

ASPARAGUS
This market continues to be is steady with good supplies from Peru, Chili, and Mexico. Prices are expected to remain stable for the rest of the week. Supplies will be ample for all orders. Quality is nice from all areas.

AVOCADO
Mexico and Chile have scaled back shipments for the next couple of weeks in efforts to firm up the market. The over all supplies will still be good, they are just trying to reduce the guilt.
Mexican Fruit: Mexico has reduced picking to let inventories catch up with demand.
California Fruit: California fruit should begin with light harvest over the next 2 weeks. This year’s crop forecast looks much larger than last year’s.
Chilean Fruit: Chile is also reducing volumes coming to the states in efforts to firm the market.

BELL PEPPERS
Western Green Bells and Colored Bells: Green bell from Coachella Valley has leveled out in production, and are beginning their decline to their season over the next couple of weeks. Mexico is going on greens and will increase as we move on into December when volumes look to be good. Red bells from Baja and Coachella continues with fair volume, with size still an issue out of Coachella with pack outs mostly to a medium to small size. Large sizes are limited. Yellow bell remain very limited.
Eastern Bells: Volume in Florida remains good, with the market continuing to soften. With little demand on the east for bells but plentiful supply we should see this market continue to drop through the week.

BERRIES
Strawberries: Demand is starting of light the start of this week with a steady to slightly weaker market. Strawberries are still being harvested in Santa Maria, Oxnard and Mexico. Florida will start breaking ground in a very light way over the next week or so. The Northern Growing areas (Salinas/Watsonville) are done for the season most part. The cool weather we are getting up and down the coast of California is slowing down the harvest. Quality is fair to good.
Raspberries: Good demand with light production is causing a firm market. Cool weather in the Raspberry growing areas is causing this products slowdown. Quality remains good. Raspberries are being harvested in California and Mexico at this time.
Blackberries: Blackberries supplies have started to decline which has cause this market to firm up. Supplies are mainly coming out of Mexico at this time.
Blueberries: Supplies steady this week and arrivals of offshore fruit are still somewhat sporadic. The main pack still available is the 4.4 oz. As production continues to increase look for more of the 6oz. pack to become available.

BROCCOLI
Supplies are lighter in the Santa Maria and Salinas growing regions. Yuma has begun production on the light side. Expect this commodity to be light in availability over the next few weeks as we transition into Yuma. Salinas will continue production through this week. Some defects that have been reported include yellowing, knuckling, and pale green appearance. Processors are purchasing as much product as can be had and this will cause shortages in availability for carton business.

CARROTS
California carrots coming out of Bakersfield are still sizing slower due to cooler weather. Jumbo market is firm.

CAULIFLOWER
Supplies are light in Salinas and Santa Maria. Yuma has started production but supplies are limited. Salinas will continue to harvest throughout this week and possibly into next week also. Expect the availability on this commodity to be sporadic over the next few weeks as the transition to Yuma begins. Some reports of brown spotting have already begun to be seen upon arrivals.

CELERY
This market is stable. Production is occurring in Santa Maria, Oxnard and Salinas. Oxnard has the best production numbers but there are options to purchase at different regions. Overall, the market is stable. The quality continues to be strong with no major issues to report.

CITRUS
Lemons: Demand is improving and 140’s and smaller are getting tight in supplies. The Desert crop is 30 to 40 percent lighter this year and quality is very good.
Limes: Supplies are slowly coming back as some new crop has started. Volume of larger sizes is picking up. Quality remains good.
Oranges: Navel quality is very good. Crop continues to peak on fancy 72’s and 88’s followed by 56’s. Supplies remain tight on 113’s and 138’s of both grades. Demand continues to exceed supplies choice 138’s. Small fruit looks to be tight for the season as this years crop is heavy to big fruit.

CUCUMBERS
Western Cucumber: Baja has moderate supplies remaining as the come to the end of their season. Mainland Mexico has very good supplies.
Eastern Cucumbers: The cucumber market, like much of the east, is suffering from heavy supply and little demand. Efforts to compete with the low prices out of Nogales will keep the cucumber market on or near the floor for this week.

GRAPES
The domestic Green Seedless crop is all but finished for the season with the exception of a few lots that should be loaded with caution. There are, however 18# Brazilian Festivals (only located on the East Coast) available, and they can be delivered to most mid-western and eastern locations. Overall supplies on green seedless look to remain very low for at least the next 3 weeks and markets will remain at very high levels. The first Chilean grapes look to be arriving sometime within the next 7-10 days, all predicated on clear weather for the vessel arrivals. Domestic California Red Seedless grapes (Crimson) are still available, but they are winding down very quickly and markets are rising. Expect supplies to wind down and be finished by the end of week 50 (approximately December 11th)*. Demand is strong again this week for red seedless. Market levels for green seedless will continue at higher levels this week and could elevate again next week with even lighter supplies.

LEAF LETTUCE
Issues continue to exist like the previous weeks on leaf items. These issues include romaine having such defects as brown spotting, brown to red discoloration up the rib, brown butts, fringe burn and internal burn. Green leaf supplies are better than all other leaf items. This market will be active over the next two weeks. Red leaf continues to also be active.
Romaine hearts are extremely tight and very active. The quality is marginal at best. Fringe burn is still being seen upon arrivals. The hearts are twisted in growth with some suppliers. Continue to expect defects on leaf items over the next couple of weeks with production from Yuma. Also the weights on all leaf are very light. Expect truck delays that have leaf items on the order throughout the week.

LETTUCE
This market is extremely active. Shippers are very light on production numbers and holdover will be an issue for trucks loading on Monday. Salinas and Huron seasons have finished production. All lettuce will be loading in Yuma. Contracts are being covered but open business is light with many of the suppliers. Suppliers continue to deal with lightweights, ranging from 34 -38 pounds. Trucks should expect delays throughout this week when loading this commodity.

MELONS
Cantaloupes: Most all Arizona shippers have finished up their remaining supplies of domestic cantaloupes with the exception of a couple of growers. Offshore fruit from Guatemala is going strong now at shipping points of Pompano Beach and Port Manatee, FL as well as Los Angeles, CA but in limited size availability. The prices are slightly lower for the large sized offshore fruit and they are already looking for movement. Domestic cantaloupe prices are steady this week and they are looking to get them finished up. Cooler weather prevails and sizing remains on the small side to finish domestic production this week. The peak sizing is in 15/18ct. There are still supplies of Mexico Cantaloupes crossing through the Nogales, AZ point of entry, but movement is only fair and sizing is limited. Quality on product of Mexico is only fair and supplies have topped out. Overall fruit quality remains decent with moderate sugar levels.
Honeydews: Honeydews supplies out of Mexico have dropped off considerably with the transition from the North to the South districts and the Arizona desert is almost finished for the season. The market on Arizona fruit is slightly higher especially in that of the larger sizes out of all areas. Volume has switched sizes in Mexico and is now heavier to the smaller sizes 6/8/9ct. Offshore fruit is coming into Florida with light volume and large sizes. Supplies for offshore fruit will realistically not pick up for another 10-14 days.

ONIONS
Demand remains light with good quality out of Idaho and Washington. The market is staying steady with Washington keeping the prices low due to ample supplies and good quality. With the nice quality #2 product is limited. There are good supplies available out of Colorado and Utah.

POTATOES
Product is available but some shippers are a little limited coming out of the Holiday weekend. Idaho is steady on supplies of Norkotahs which is still the main varietal, but Burbanks are available as well. Washington Norkotahs are going strong with good quality and availability. Colorado is going strong with new crop supplies as well. Mount Vernon, Washington with good availability; product quality is excellent. North Dakota and Wisconsin have good supplies of red, yellow and white potatoes.

SQUASH
Western Squash: Mainland Mexico’s supplies are very good on both Italian and yellow, and looks to stay this way through next week.
Eastern Squash: Florida has abundant supply and there is dealing on both colors of squash. Yellow, however, has been suffering the quality defects caused by past winds and rain. This market should be steady through the week.

STONE FRUIT
There are decent supplies of both East and West coast imported Cherries available with heavier volume in the East. Sizing is very large and quality is very good for these first shipments by air. The first Apricots are now available also from air shipments but sizing is limited and FOB pricing is high. Supplies for other Chilean fruits are only limited to day today shipments. There are still excellent supplies of domestic fall fruit items available such as Persimmons, Pomegranates and Quince.

TOMATOES
Western: Tomato production and supplies continue to be down and the demand continues to be strong. We continue to see higher markets and low availability. Achieving color will be challenging due to the diminished supply. Roma and Grape tomatoes are more available and have declined on their fobs slightly. Crossings into San Diego have increased slightly compared to earlier production which was disrupted due to an earlier tropical storm. Achieving load volume is available, but need to pre book to secure fruit.
Eastern: Supplies in Florida continue to be well below typical levels, with an expected increase in market pricing. Florida growers are continuing to experience major problems with reduced yields, dropping to 25% from normal averages. Both central and southern growing areas are looking at gradual improvement by early December, but will have to wait till then to see how the market will adjust which we have not yet. The majority of the supply concerns Rounds, Grape and Cherry tomatoes is directly related to the high temps we encountered at the end of September – early October which caused a bloom drop, thus reflecting in lower yields and reduced volume. The overall quality is good. There is a lack of bigger sized tomatoes. All round supplies are down anywhere from 40-50%. There has been an increase in the Roma supplies and availability.

WATERMELONS
Watermelons are available from Mexico coming up through both Nogales, AZ and Texas shipping points. Supplies are better this week on Seedless but continue extremely light on Seeded Watermelons. Markets are slightly stronger this week on the Seeded Watermelons with their supply shortage, but remain steady on the Seedless. Overall Watermelon quality is very good!

Market news is complied of information from print and the internet. Sources may include ProAct, The Produce News, The Packer, etc.