Weather Update
California – The Santa Ana winds have tapered and temps have fallen back to near averages. No real chance of rain until the weekend of the 19th.
Mexico – A cold front will bring a chance of showers through tonight. Drier weather by Thursday afternoon through the weekend.
Florida – Hight pressure dominates the pattern over Florida through Friday producing dry conditions with gradually warming temps.
Freight Update
Trucks remain tight in the Northwest, Idaho, and California. The national average remained steady at 2.526 per gallon.
Things You Should Know
Apples: Market steady. Tight supplies on small galas and grannys. It’s going to stay tight on those until next season.
Asparagus: Plenty of Asparagus in the pipeline. Good yields and shipments coming out of Peru and Mexico at this time.
Avocados: Avocados from Mexico are plentiful. Markets are steady and demand is light. Current size structure peaking on 60’s with plenty of opportunity to move volume. We may see this market strengthen post Christmas. There is talk about harvest crews taking the entire week 52 off brining production to a halt.
Bell Peppers: Green bell market is soft with ample supplies. Red bells just starting to increase on production with a steady to strong market. Yellow bells have a strong market and limited production.
Berries (Blackberries): Steady Mexican production and lighter demand has caused a flattening of the market for this item.
Berries (Blueberries): Multiple countries of origin are producing steady supplies in all areas. this market will remain flat through the end of this week.
Berries (Raspberries): Good numbers are coming from Central Mexico and Baja keeping the market soft.
Berries (Strawberries): The market eased off substantially from last weeks prices. It is expected to firm up late this week and into the next.
Broccoli: Supplies on Broccoli have slowed recently with the cooler overnight temps. Market has reacted higher.
Brussels Sprouts: Tighter supplies has been keeping this market strong. The cooler overnight lows is supporting the higher market.
Carrots: The carrot market remains steady with the snack pak SKU remaining tight. We will be transitioning into the Bakersfield area in a couple weeks.
Cauliflower: Cooler overnight temps is causing slow growth and lower yields. Look for the Cauliflower market to continue climbing this week.
Celery: This market is stronger due to lighter supplies in southern California. Yuma has not begun production, thus far. The quality continues to be strong with heavier availability occurring with large sizing, twenty-four counts in particular.
Citrus (Lemons): Supplies and quality is looking steady on small sizes. 115’s and larger are holding firm due to retail pull. Please reach out for any advance prices.
Citrus (Limes): Supplies are slowly improving. Markets are slightly backing off. Please place orders with lead time.
Citrus (Oranges): Navel supplies are looking good on 88’s and smaller. 72’s and larger is holding firm on markets due to retail pull. Quality is still looking really nice. Please reach out for any advance prices.
Cucumbers: Solid production numbers on cucumbers and ample supplies, market is soft but the cucumbers are not! East coast production nearly finished and import quality is fair at bet.
Eggplant: Generous supplies available on eggplant with both #1 and #2 product available and opportunities to buy at sharp pricing.
Garlic: Steady supplies keeping this market level.
Grapes (Green): Domestic supplies in the last 4 weeks of the season. Imports now available at higher prices.
Grapes (Red): Domestic supplies in the last 4 weeks of the season. Imports now available at higher prices.
Green Onions: Steady supplies out of Mexico is keeping this market steady.
Kale: Plenty of supplies in the pipeline. Market to continue to stay steady going into the weekend.
Lettuce (Iceberg): Good availability with this commodity will continue for the week. The quality has been up and down depending on the supplier. There has been some reports of discoloration, some blister and brown butts being seen upon arrivals Other times the quality has been better. Expect steady supplies for the week with this commodity.
Lettuce Leaf: Romaine, green and red leaf as well as romaine hearts are softer in the marketplace. Cool weather has caused for some slight blister and peel to be seen but this has been minimal thus far. Weights on romaine has been 34-36 pounds and green and red has been 19-22 pounds. Overall the quality is above average. Shippers are flexing due to this stagnant market.
Lettuce Tender Leaf: Market and supplies continue to stay steady on Spinach and Arugula. Curly Parsley market continues to have strength.
Melons (Cantalope): Cantaloupe market is trending steady, demand is good. Currently peaking on large sized (6’s/J9’s/9’s) fruit. Quality is fair with some arrivals showing defects from recent storms in Central America. We do anticipate an industry wide shortage of fruit out of Central America in the coming weeks. However, with foodservice demand being down due to COVID, this may help minimize the shortage of supply for the time being. Looking ahead, December and January will be very challenging as far as supply, quality, and sizing. We ask that you communicate with your team and welcome sub options on contract programs.
Melons (Honeydew): Honeydew market is steady and demand is fair. Size structure is trending large (4’a/ J5’s/5’s) this week. Smaller sized fruit is limited but we do have options. Quality will be suspect due to last months storms that devastated Central America. Looking ahead, December and January will be very challenging as far as supply, quality, and sizing. We ask that you communicate with your team and welcome sub options on contract programs.
Melons (Watermelon): Demand is good and markets are slightly higher. We are seeing a wide range quality and condition. Mini seedless are also in high demand and limited.
Onions: Onions are a steady go The Northwest is still shipping out of storage. Quality is excellent. Deals available on large sized yellow onions in Idaho. Call for these deals.
Pears: Market steady. Tight supplies on smaller lower grade pears.
Pineapples: Supplies are steady out of both coasts. Current markets are stable and quality is looking nice. Reach out for any opportunities.
Potatoes: Idaho is shipping storage. Burbanks, which have undergone the sweat process, are available but limited and at an upcharge. Quality is excellent, peaking on 70 CT cartons. Call for more info.
Squash: Zucchini market is soft with older product being pushed out at below cost, and new stronger product priced only slightly higher. Yellow squash market is still firm with lighter production, but quality has been excellent.
Stone Fruit: Imports should start in 2-3 weeks.
Tomatoes: The tomato market is adjusting to low demand and new supplies in south Florida and Mexico. Cold weather during growing cycle has stunted growth and XL size fruit remains short. Smaller sized rounds and romas are in greater supply. Grape and Cherry tomato harvests have lightened up for the same reason and pricing has firmed up with sufficient supply for the current demand. Nogales and southern Florida will see a boost in supply from winter operations in the next 7 to 10 days.
