WEATHER UPDATE
Near seasonable temperatures with marine layer conditions along the coast look to continue through the week across California. High pressure builds and expands west over the weekend with a warming trend through next week. Showers and thunderstorms look to continue across Central Mexico becoming more isolated to the north with near-normal temperatures expected into next week. Florida will see seasonal temperatures with showers this week in front of a tropical disturbance approaching the region. The system currently south of Puerto Rico is not likely to become a storm as it tracks toward Florida this week. Heavier showers and thunderstorms begin Friday through the weekend with up to an inch expected across the region Friday and Saturday.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks are back on track and remain steady this week. Washington apple trucks are steady as well as Idaho potato trucks. The national average on diesel remained steady this week and is currently at $3.034 per gallon. California prices also remained steady and are currently at $3.940 per gallon. Crude oil didn’t change much and are currently at $58.29 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Golden Delicious apples are gapping in Washington; Ginger Golds are expected to be available the week of August 5 (next week).
Avocado (California): Production is rapidly winding down with limited volume available for the next 3 weeks.
Avocado (Mexican): Seeing a lot of checkerboarding on this new crop fruit (uneven ripening of the fruit within a case and or pallet.) This does not cause internal or external damage. It will ripen and taste normal.
Berries (Blackberries): Tight supplies through the end of this week
Berries (Blueberries): Blueberries are peaking in several growing areas
Cilantro: Cilantro is currently in a demand exceeds situation. Suppliers have now reached a gap in supplies.
Grapes (Green): Hot temps in the growing regions has slowed down production. Markets will be firm this week.
Grapes (Red): Hot temps are slowing down production. Markets will be firm this week.
Lettuce Iceberg: Good quality, industry wide with this commodity.
Onions: Markets on yellow beginning to ease. White onions to remain limited for the next 3-4 weeks.
Potatoes: Markets will remain active over the next 4-5 weeks. Supplies will be limited; especially larger sizes. Advanced lead time on russet orders crucial during this time period.
Potatoes (colored): Markets remain active with heavy demand and low volume. August expected to see improving production with new crop starting.
Stone Fruit: As schools get started, we expect demand to increase and markets will eventually climb.
TRANSITIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Celery: Michigan is in production.
Onions: New crop Northwest harvests in Idaho/Oregon to begin next. Washington will start mid-August.
Potatoes (colored): Washington and Minnesota red and yellow potatoes along with Delaware reds have started. Wisconsin starting mid-August.
Potatoes: Kansas starting now. Nebraska to begin early August. Wisconsin and Idaho new crop harvests will being mid-August
Pears: Washington has ONLY Green D’Anjou (storage crop). Fresh crop, CA Bartletts are available with CA Bosc available mid-August.
