WEATHER UPDATE
Strong high pressure out west continues into next week with above-average temperatures and a shallow marine layer near the coast. Tropical moisture moves in from the south with possible thunderstorms especially over the mountain regions across Southern California. Seasonably warm temperatures along with monsoonal moisture will bring isolated to scattered showers across Mexico into next week. A cold front moves across the southeast as a potential tropical storm off Florida looks to have dissipated before forming. This frontal system looks to stall over Florida with moderate to heavy showers into the weekend. Next week looks to be a bit dryer with isolated showers and warming temperatures.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks are back on track and remain steady this week. Washington apple trucks are steady as well as Idaho potato trucks. The national average on diesel remained steady this week and is currently at $3.044 per gallon. California prices also remained steady and are currently at $3.939 per gallon. Crude oil dropped slightly and are currently at $57.55 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Golden Delicious are gapping in Washington. Many shippers are done for the season and are unable to fill minimal orders.
Avocado (Califronia): California crop tapering off as we are approaching the end of the season.
Carrots: Jumbo carrot markert is still tight shipping out of McAllen and Laredo Texas.
Lettuce Iceberg: Good weights on wrap lettuce is more readily available with multiple shippers.
Lettuce Leaf: There is no escalated pricing on value added items with romaine as well as all leaf items.
Onions: Markets on yellow beginning to ease. White onions to remain limited for the next 3-4 weeks.
Pears: Washington shippers only have Green D’Anjou pears available. California shippers began packing Green Bartlett pears this week and should increase volumes by next week.
Potatoes: Markets will remain active over the next 4-6 weeks. Supplies will be limited; especially larger sizes. Advanced lead time on russet orders crucial during this time period.
Potatoes (colored): Markets remain active with heavy demand and low volume. August expected to see improving production with new crop starting.
Stone Fruit: Mostly larger size fruit is being harvested during this time of year, but we will have smaller fruit available for school demand as we move forward.
TRANSITIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Celery: Michigan has begun production.
Potatoes: Kansas starting late July. Nebraska to begin early August. Wisconsin and Idaho new crop harvests will being mid-August
Potatoes (colored): Washington red and yellow potatoes have started. Minnesota to start first week of August; Wisconsin mid-August.
Pears: CA Bartlett pears have begun with Red pears (Starkrimson) available early to mid August. Also, CA Bosc pears are expected mid-August.
Apples: California Gala apples have started and are available to load in the San Joaquin Valley.
Onions: New crop Northwest harvests in Idaho/Oregon to begin early August. Washington will start mid-August.
A Peak at Peak Seasons
Grapes (Green): Peak season will approach mid August and we expect plenty of promotional opportunities.
Grapes (Red): We are approaching peak season for California grapes. We expect production numbers to continue to climb over the next 3 weeks and then be in peak of season by mid August.
