Weather Update
California – Warmer daytime temps expected as we head into the weekend. Overnight lows warm into the low 50s. No rain in the forecast.
Mexico – Seasonably warm temps today will rise 15 to 20 degrees above normal by the weekend. No rain over the next 5 days.
Florida – Highs will be in the 80s for much of the week, climbing to the lower 90s for some areas late in the week as winds switch to a southerly direction by Thursday.
Arizona – Northerly wind gusts up to 30 mph today. Afternoon highs today will be in the low 80s to mid 90s. Another 10 degrees by Friday as strong high pressure ridge strengthens.
Freight Update
Trucks remain tight in California, Idaho, and the Northwest. The National average remained at 3.124 per gallon. Next week is DOT sting week where trucks and log books are inspected thoroughly. Expect trucks to be extremely tight.
Things You Should Know
Apples: Quality is good on all varietals, however smaller-sized fruit is less available and may have higher pricing in certain markets. The season in Eastern districts is coming to an end.
Asparagus: Supplies on all sizes have tightened overall. Peru continues to have good production, but Mexico is transitioning regions and domestic product remains very light. Demand is expected to stay strong through Mother’s Day. Quality is good.
Avocados: Market pricing remains on the higher side due to strong retail and foodservice demand ahead of Cinco de Mayo, particularly on #2 grade and 60 CT fruit. Both Mexico and California are fully harvesting. Smaller sizes may be a better value. Quality is good.
Bell Peppers: Green Bells remain plentiful, with good pricing on all grades. Reds and Yellows are less available, and pricing may be higher, as the Nogales seasons come to an end.
Berries (Blackberries): Supplies remain light, due to previous cold weather working through the Mexican harvest. California will ramp up production by mid-to-late May, easing the shortage. Quality is good.
Berries (Blueberries): Florida and Georgia are still light on production due to rain and hail, and Mexico’s imports are light as well. California is expected to have better volume by the second week of May. Pricing is very high.
Berries (Raspberries): Supplies remain light, due to previous cold weather working through the Mexican harvest. California will ramp up production by mid-to-late May, easing the shortage. Quality is good.
Berries (Strawberries): Strawberries continue to be extremely tight, expected to continue through Mother’s Day. The lightness of supply is being caused by cooler weather patterns over the last few weeks, against heavy demand.
Broccoli: Salinas, Santa Maria, and Mexico are all producing good supplies. Quality is good, and pricing is steady.
Brussels Sprouts: Abundant supplies and nice quality will keep this market steady.
Carrots: Quality is good on all bulk and value-added product. Jumbos out west are limited due to the crop running small. Georgia’s harvest is expected to conclude the first week of May.
Cauliflower: The shortage of products has worsened, with slow growth and sizing continuing to yield a very light harvest with only fair quality and very high pricing. Both bulk and the value-added product are impacted.
Celery: Production is very good out of southern California, Mexico, and Florida. Quality is good. 36 count size is less available than 30 counts.
Citrus (Lemons): Quality is good on all sizes, with 115/140/165 CT fruit the most plentiful. Promotable pricing may be available.
Citrus (Limes): Supplies remain very limited, particularly on 175 CT and larger sizes. 230 CT and smaller are the best value. Pricing is higher and quality is good.
Citrus (Oranges): Quality is very good on all sizes, with 88 CT and larger fruit the most plentiful. Market pricing on 113 CT and smaller sizes is higher.
Cucumbers: Mexico’s harvest is improved, with more favorable growing conditions. Pricing is steady and quality is good.
Eggplant: Good quality and availability on all sizes and grades, expected to continue through mid-May as the Sinaloa crop finishes and Coachella begins.
Garlic: Market is tightening up as California supplies are very tight. Look for Mexican and Argentina supplies to supplement for the next few months.
Grapes (Green): Quality is poor and pricing is high as the import season finishes. Avoid use where possible, until the Mexican and domestic harvests start in May.
Grapes (Red): Quality is fair, but remain a more reliable option than Greens. Pricing is steady.
Green Onions: Quality, availability and pricing is steady.
Kale: Supplies are improving in Salinas and quality is good. Look for this market to stay steady.
Lettuce (Iceberg): Production continues to be strong in Northern and Southern California. Quality is good, with minimal reports of misshapen heads, mildew, and discoloration. Expect steady supplies and possibly promotable pricing.
Lettuce Leaf: Whole head Romaine, green and red leaf production remains largely steady. Romaine hearts are slightly less available. Fringe and tip burn as well as some decay has been reported here and there. Demand is light but expected to pick up ahead of Mother’s Day.
Lettuce Tender Leaf: Salinas’ harvest continues to slowly improve. Pricing will remain steady, with good quality reported.
Melons (Cantaloupe): Pricing is higher, with heavy rain in Central America slowing imported volume. 9 CT and larger sizes are the most available. Quality is currently good. The import season typically ends in mid-May and could conclude earlier, with some potential quality issues. The short Mexican season is providing some supply relief in the West and will conclude by end of June.
Melons (Honeydew): Like with Cantaloupe, the imported product is tightening and pricing is higher. Quality is good, with Brix sweetness levels at 10% or better. The import season will end in mid-to-late May, as the domestic harvest begins
Melons (Watermelon): Markets are steady and demand is good. Quality continues to improve, yet still fair to good. Mexico and South Florida are increasing production and availability will improve in the next few weeks.
Onions: California’s harvest has begun. White Onions have finished in Idaho and Washington, and Texas will conclude mid-May. Quality and pricing are steady.
Pears: All varietals are running to larger sizes, with supplies tight across the board as the season winds down very quickly. Quality is good, pricing may be higher.
Pineapples: Quality is excellent and pricing is steady.
Potatoes: 80 CT and smaller Burbanks, and smaller #2 products, remain the best buys. 70 CT and larger are more scarce and expensive. Quality is good.
Squash: Supplies have slowed a little on both Yellow and Zucchini, with potentially higher pricing in certain markets. Santa Maria’s harvest will begin at the end of May. Quality remains good.
Stone Fruit: California’s new crop has begun with very light production, expected to increase over the next two weeks. Quality is good.
Tomatoes: Florida’s rain last week slowed the harvest briefly, but the quality remains good. The Baja imports have begun in the West, however, freight costs have limited shipping to Eastern markets. Pricing may be higher in the Eastern half of the country on all varietals.
