WEATHER UPDATE
Scattered showers continue out west in front of a fairly wet system expected Friday. This system will bring up to an inch of rain across Central California and regions to the north with much lesser totals expected in Southern California. High pressure builds behind the system with gradual warming into next week. Strong winds (40-50mph) will impact the Southwestern Desert regions late this week as the systems pass to the north as temperatures warm under the high pressure. Generally, seasonably warm temperatures and dry conditions look to continue across Mexico into next week. A frontal trough moves through Florida on Thursday followed by a stronger system expected Sunday into Monday with moderate to heavy rains.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California and Yuma trucks remain plentiful again this week. Washington apple trucks are ample as well. Idaho potato and onion trucks remain steady. The national average on diesel remained steady this week and is currently at 3.078 per gallon. California prices also remained steady this week and are now at 3.849 per gallon. Crude oil prices went up slightly and are currently at 62.47 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Avocado (Mexican): The industry started week 12 with less inventory at the border and leaner inventories. Prices have increased about $30 in just a 10 day period and still increasing daily.
Berries (Blackberries): Should the border closure in Mexico become a reality we will see severe shortages on all mixed berries.
Berries (Raspberries): Proposed pending border closures would effectively take away 100% of the current supplies being sold in the U.S. Mexico is the only source at this point
Grapes (Green): Supplies are limited and prices are higher. Quality will be a challenge moving forward.
Onions: Quality from Northwest will show translucency towards end of storage crop.
Potatoes: Russet 70 count and larger limited out of Idaho
Stone Fruit: Supplies are becoming limited as we finish the import season.
Tomatoes (Western): The United States Government has threatened a U.S. Southern border closure and has already begun redirecting US Customs agents to aid the reported humanitarian crisis occurring at the border. As a result, a reduction in processing lanes at U.S. Customs checkpoints in Nogales, Tucson, San Diego, El Paso, and Laredo have the potential to affect supply and markets may become volatile quickly.
TRANSITIONS & TEMPERATURES
Lettuce Iceberg: Salinas will have light production by the end of this week, but volumes will increase in the following weeks to come.
Lettuce Leaf: Salinas has begun production on all leaf items, included with three other regions.
Grapes (Green): New harvest is expected to start in Coachella and Mexico by mid May.
Grapes (Red): Mexican and domestic harvest is expected to start mid May.
Stone Fruit: Domestic harvest is expected to start late April.
PEAK SEASONS
Berries (Strawberries): Santa Maria and Oxnard are on the front end of their volume increases.
