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WEATHER UPDATE
High pressure continues out west with seasonably warm temperatures across the inland valleys and continued marine layer influence along the coastal fields into next week. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms look to continue across Central Mexico with seasonably warm temperatures and a low-end chance for showers to the north. Florida will see showers in front of tropical storm Dorian’s arrival over the weekend. Dorian will likely reach hurricane status as it approaches Northern Florida and is expected to make landfall late Saturday into Sunday with heavy rains and strong winds. This storm bears watching as it strengthens and approaches Florida.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks remain steady again this week. Washington apple trucks are adequate as well as Idaho potato trucks. The national average on diesel remains under 3.00 a gallon and is currently at 2.983 per gallon. California prices didn’t change and are still at $3.887 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is currently at $56.47 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Golden Delicious and Fuji apples are gapping until new crop starts (week of 9/9)
Berries (Strawberries): Be aware that there will be challenges in the next few weeks regarding labor. Growers must allocate limited resources to prepare winter beds and replace drip lines and cover plastic. This yearly field prep deadline always limits harvesting crews thereby reducing yields and producing temporary shortages as Growers juggle between these priorities.
Broccoli: Broccoli fields are gapping and producing lower yields. All shippers are not getting their projected #’s.
Carrots: There will be a pricing increase on California jumbo carrots projected to take effect in September due to warmer weather causing the carrots to not size up properly. Alternative sources are Mexican jumbos coming out of McAllen Texas.
Citrus (Limes): Lime supplies expected to very limited due to drought conditions in the growing regions in Mexico. Sizes on 230/250’s expected to be in better shape, but supplies on small fruit are expected to go quick, markets prices have gotten stronger and expected to stay firm.
Citrus (Oranges): Domestic small size Valencia’s will continue to remain very tight moving forward. It’s advised to prebook orders in advance. Please keep in mind we do have options to use Chilean Navels.
Grapes (Green): Cheaper fruit is older varieties and quality is poor.
Grapes (Red): Cheaper fruit is old varieties and quality is poor. Stay with new varieties.
Pears: Aggressively priced CA-Bartletts available!!!
Potatoes: Idaho storage Burbanks are done for the season.
Potatoes (colored): #2 grade and chef size color potatoes are limited.
Stone Fruit: Domestic stone fruit season is starting to wind down. Certain sizes will become limited.
TRANSITIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Onions: Idaho/Oregon and Washington in full production. New Mexico will finish this week.
Potatoes: Wisconsin starting this week.
Berries (Strawberries): Transitioning to new crop fruit in Santa Maria
