WEATHER UPDATE
Cool dry offshore flow across California this week in front of an approaching Pacific storm system expected Sunday into Monday. This system will impact Central California with only a chance of rain to the south. Isolated showers across Central Mexico today followed by seasonal temperatures and dry conditions into next week. Mid-week showers and thunderstorms across Northern Mexico give way to dry conditions late this week into next. Cold mornings with near freezing lows continue in the colder valleys of the Southwestern desert regions with seasonal afternoon temperatures. A chance of showers and gusty winds late this week as the storm track passes to the north. Cool mornings continue across Florida in front of a potent storm system Thursday into the weekend. 1 to 2 inches of rain is forecast with this system from south to north with dry conditions expected early next week.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks are steady and look to remain that way thru out the week. Trucks in Yuma are steady as well. Washington apple, Idaho potato and onion trucks remain extremely tight and will stay that way until after the first of the year. The national average on diesel dropped slightly again this week and is currently at 3.2161 per gallon. An increase of .251 from this time last year. California prices dropped as well and are now at 3.887 per gallon. Crude oil is steady at 52.12 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Granny Smith and Golden Delicious are in a demand exceeds supply situation
Berries (Blueberries): Supplies have been limited since last week and prices are higher.
Berries (Strawberries): Demand exceeds supply industry wide. Availability remains very limited and prices are high.
Grapes (Green): Domestic supplies are becoming light and prices are going up
Grapes (Red) : Domestic availability will wind down quickly over the next 2 weeks. Prices are higher.
Potatoes: Snow to blanket Idaho slowing transportation to a crawl
Tomatoes (Western): There is a national shortage of tomatoes of which Roma tomatoes are extremely short. As Florida season gets started with light supply, and Mexico farms struggle against crop loss from weather related setbacks, supplies continue to run short each week as steady demand sustains an elevated market.
TEMPERATURES AND TRANSITIONS
Potatoes (colored) : California just started digging Golds and Whites potatoes
Berries (Blueberries): We expect Chilean supplies to improve quickly over the next 2 weeks.
Grapes (Green): Import season is expected to start next week and slowly improve.
Grapes (Red): Import fruit is arriving now and will continue to improve as we start the new year.
Stone Fruit: Domestic season is finished and import will ramp up over the next 2 weeks.
