WEATHER UPDATE
A strong high-pressure ridge forms out west with above-average temperatures throughout the entire region with inland valleys reaching triple-digit temperatures into the weekend. This fairly brief heat wave will begin a slow cooling trend late this weekend into next week. Central Mexico will continue with scattered showers and thunderstorms each day becoming more isolated into next week. Areas to the north will be under the high-pressure ridge with warm temperatures this week moderating to seasonal norms into next week. A tropical system possibly forming off the Central American coast looks to drift out to sea away for mainland Mexico. Florida will see a typical isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms into mid next week.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks remain extremely tight. Look for capacity to remain tight until after the 4th of July holiday. CA freight rates continue to increase. Washington apple truck supply is steady. Idaho potato trucks remain steady as well. The national average on diesel remained steady this week and is currently at 3.244 per gallon. An increase of .755 from this time last year. California prices remained steady as well and are now at 3.976 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady at 66.34 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Transportation limited
Avocado (Mexican): Rains this week Mexico’s growing area will drastically lessen fruit supplies beginning this weekend and next week.
Bell Peppers (Western): Colored pepper markets are stronger, especially yellow bell peppers. Prices increasing sharply. Green pepper market also remains active.
Berries (Blackberries): Supplies continue to be very limited this week. Some reports of wet berries and red cell. Market prices are firm.
Berries (Strawberries): Warmer weather this week may impact quality as we get into the weekend and early next week.
Brussels Sprouts: The quality and supplies from Mexico have caused the market to react much higher than normal levels.
Citrus (Lemons): Demand exceeds supplies on 140s/165s/200s.
Citrus (Limes): Rain in Mexico may impact supplies and delay arrivals.
Eggplant (Western): Light supplies / high demand. Pricing is higher.
Melon (Watermelon): The market remains strong. Light supplies on larger, retail sizes.
Onions: Transportation is very limited.
Potatoes: Transportation very limited
TEMPERATURES AND TRANSITIONS
Potatoes (colored): East Coast supplies transitioning north. California will transition to Stockton the front part of July.
Berries (Blueberries): New Jersey is starting harvest this week with light volume and will increase over the next two weeks. Pacific Northwest harvest will start in the next 2-3 weeks.
Melon (Honeydew): We are in the last weeks of the Arizona season. Transitioning from Arizona to California come the 4th of July. California crops are looking up to par according to shippers.
Melon (Cantaloupe): We will be transitioning from Arizona to California starting the week of July 4th.
Bell Peppers (Western): Green Bell Peppers now available in Bakersfield and Oxnard as well as Gilroy. Colored bells will be available from Bakersfield and Gilroy in the next 7-10 days.
Squash (Western): Light supplies now available in Fresno.
