WEATHER UPDATE
A cold low-pressure system moves into California Wednesday with rain and cold temperatures across the state. The very cold system will bring freezing morning temperatures throughout California and the southwestern desert locals into the weekend. High pressure builds behind the system with a warming trend next week. Seasonal temperatures continue across Central Mexico with a slight cool down and a chance of rain across Northern Mexico as the storm track passes to the north. A moist southerly flow moves into Florida late this wee producing warmer temperatures and scattered showers across the region into the weekend. Another system moves in from the north early next week.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California and Yuma trucks are both plentiful again this week. Washington apple trucks are plentiful as well. Idaho potato and onion trucks remain steady. The national average on diesel remained steady this week and is currently at 3.006 per gallon. California prices remained steady and are now at 3.739 per gallon. Crude oil prices remained steady and are currently at 56.81 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Foodservice sizes of Granny Smith and Gold delicious are in very few hands
Berries (Strawberries): There are temporary volume deals available through the end of this week in Florida and Texas
Celery: Poor weather has slowed the growth of this commodity.
Grapes (Green): Supplies are still limited and markets are firm.
Lettuce Iceberg: Frigid temperatures and rain has caused difficulties in the growth of this commodity.
Lettuce Leaf: Poor weather is creating fair product quality at best.
Potatoes: Russet 60 count and larger limited out of Idaho
TRANSITIONS & TEMPERATURE
Pears: Imported Bartlett pears from Chile have started.
Onions: Mexico has started to cross White, Red and Sweet Yellow onions into the U.S.
A Peak at Peak Seasons
Apples: Red Variety’s are in Peaks season across all the shipping points.
Grapes (Green): We expect supplies to improve and reach peak availability by March.
Grapes (Red): We will enter peak supplies of import red grapes over the next 2-3 weeks.
Stone Fruit: We expect to see peak supplies of import fruit over the next 3-4 weeks.
Berries (Strawberries): Mexican Strawberry production will slowly start to decline over the next few weeks
