WEATHER UPDATE
The last in a series of strong storm systems will roll into California on Friday and into the weekend. This will be followed by dry conditions and a warming trend expected through next week. The southwestern desert regions will see near seasonal temperatures along with breezy conditions into next week. Mexico will see seasonal to slightly below normal temperatures. Florida will see dry conditions and cooler temperatures this week with gradual warming next week.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California and Arizona trucks look to be steady and available for the next few weeks. Washington apple trucks are tight as Christmas trees have started. Idaho onion and potato trucks are both extremely tight. The national average remained steady this week at 3.070 per gallon. California prices remained steady as well and are currently at $3.960 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is currently at $57.49 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Cosmic Crisp apples have come and gone. We are looking to January for the next round of available fruit.
Berries (Strawberries): Heavy rains and cooler weather will produce quality issues and reduce yields severely. Strawberries are in extremely short supply.
Carrots: West Coast production on jumbo carrots is still limited with elevated pricing.
Citrus (Oranges): Due to the amount of rain in the Central Valley could affect supplies next week. Please be sure to place orders in advance so suppliers are able to allocate and strategize orders.
Grapes (Green): Domestic supplies are very limited. Quality is rapidly declining. Markets are higher. Import fruit is just starting. Very limited and prices are very high.
Grapes (Red): Domestic supplies are in good shape. Quality is holding up fine and markets are slowly climbing. Import fruit is just getting started in a very light way.
Lettuce Iceberg: Rain, cool weather and labor shortage causing for lower yields for lettuce
Lettuce Leaf: Some distributors still have a fear on romaine, due to the end of Salinas season with this crop.
Melon (Cantaloupe): Offshore arrivals hit the west coast providing relief on short Mexican market.
Potatoes: Larger sizes and #2 grade remains limited. Lead time needed on all russet orders; up to 7 days advised.
Potatoes (Colored): Markets remain steady but elevated.
Stone Fruit: Waiting on import fruit to arrive.
TRANSITIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Grapes (Green): Peruvian fruit is starting to arrive this week in limited volumes. A little on east and west coasts. Prices are very high. Supplies will improve over the next 3-4 weeks.
Berries (Strawberries): Florida is beginning to produce limited yields
Celery: Yuma is expected to have production in 2-3 weeks.
Stone Fruit: We expect the first arrivals of import fruit to land late next week.
Grapes (Red): Import supplies will start to increase mid December and really improve by January.
A Peak at Peak Seasons
Onions: Excellent quality and volume available in the Northwest with peak season storage supplies.
