WEATHER UPDATE
A series of cold fronts continue to move through California every couple of days with rain winds and cooler temperatures into next week. Scattered showers continue across Central Mexico followed by cooler temperatures into the weekend with gradual warming next week. Cooler temperatures and showers are expected to the north as the Pacific storm systems move across the region into next week. The southwestern desert regions will see rain and winds followed by cooler temperatures late this week into the weekend. Florida will see some of the coldest mornings of the season in the northern half of the state late this week followed by a fairly strong storm system moving in over the weekend.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks are steady and look to remain that way for the next few weeks. 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 this week and is currently at 3.207 per gallon. An increase of .285 from this time last year. California prices dropped as well and are now at 3.922 per gallon. Crude oil is up slightly and is currently at 53.46 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples : Granny Smith and Gold Delicious are extremely limited. Small size apples out of the Northwest are limited
Berries (Strawberries) : Due to the recent rains, supplies are extremely limited. Market prices are up and quality will be a challenge.
Grapes (Green) : Domestic season will start to wind down. Market prices are higher and quality will need to be monitored.
Grapes (Red) : As we finish the domestic season, quality will need to be monitored closely.
Potatoes : Transportation limited
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 will be breaking ground New crop Red and Gold next week in a light way
Berries (Strawberries): Florida will slowly improve production as we move forward.
Grapes (Red): Import season is expected to start by the first of the year.
Grapes (Green): Import grapes will make the transition into our market late December.
Asparagus: Caborca Mexico should start up in about 3 weeks.
