Weather Update
California – Steady warming returns on Thursday and by the weekend we should be seeing mostly 80s to mid-90s in the southern part of the Salinas Valley.
Mexico – Isolated showers through tomorrow and then isolated to scattered showers from Friday through the weekend as humid air moves into the region.
Florida – Local high pressure settles in over the peninsula with a partial clearing over the forecast area. Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms for Belle Glade and Naples for the weekend.
Arizona – Strong gusty winds up to 35-40 mph with temps at or below seasonal averages due to a passing upper level low. Afternoon highs from the low 90s to 101 degrees the next couple of days.
Freight Update
Trucks remain tight and expensive in the Northwest, Idaho, and California. Look for trucks to remain tight throughout the summer. The national average remained steady and is currently at 3.274 per gallon.
Things You Should Know
Apples: Quality is good on all varietals, however as the end of the primary season approaches, market pricing will continue to increase.
Asparagus: Supplies, quality, and pricing are very good in all sizes.
Avocados: Imports from Mexico have resumed, improving supplies and slightly easing market pricing. 60 CT, #1-grade fruit remains the most plentiful.
Bell Peppers: Supplies are steady out of all growing regions, with good quality and pricing.
Berries (Blackberries): Supplies are good, particularly out of the Southeastern U.S and Mexico. California’s harvest has ramped up as expected. Quality is fair.
Berries (Blueberries): Seasonal peak production out of California, Georgia, and Mexico continues. Quality and pricing are good.
Berries (Raspberries): Supplies are light but improved from last week, as Mexico and California harvests recover from their recent cold snaps. Quality is fair.
Berries (Strawberries): Very good growing conditions in all major areas. Quality is good and pricing is lower.
Broccoli: Excellent quality and pricing on bulk and value-added product.
Brussels Sprouts: Mexico’s harvest continues to be lighter than in recent weeks. The market continues to be higher, however, quality is good.
Carrots: Quality is good on all bulk and value-added product. Jumbo carrots remain light out of California. We do have options out of Arizona & Texas.
Cauliflower: Excellent supplies with very nice quality out of Salinas and Santa Maria. Pricing is good.
Celery: Supplies are plentiful. Quality is good, with minimal seeder issues reported. Pricing is good, with 24 CT size the most available.
Citrus (Lemons): Field transition from the Central Valley to Ventura is limiting supplies briefly. Pricing may be higher on both Fancy and Choice grade fruit. Quality is good.
Citrus (Limes): 175 CT and smaller sizes remain the best value. Pricing is slightly lower, and quality is good.
Citrus (Oranges): The Navel season is coming to an end, with 72 CT and larger sizes most available. The Valencia crop is ramping up slowly. Quality is fair and pricing may be higher.
Cucumbers: Eastern (Georgia) and Western (Coachella) supplies are steady, with good pricing and quality.
Eggplant: Field transition from Mexico to Coachella is largely complete, and Florida continues to harvest. Quality is good and pricing is steady.
Garlic: The market is tightening up as California supplies are very tight. Look for Mexican and Argentina supplies to supplement for the next few months.
Grapes (Green): Quality and production are good, and pricing is trending lower. Coachella and Mexico are fully harvesting.
Grapes (Red): Quality and pricing are good on smaller sizes, particularly Flames. Larger sizes will improve when Bakersfield begins harvesting at the end of June.
Green Onions: Good supplies coming out of Mexico. Look for this market to stay steady.
Kale: Steady supplies are keeping this market level. Look for this market to continue to stay steady.
Lettuce (Iceberg): Production in Santa Maria and Salinas Valley continues to yield very good supplies. Quality is good, with isolated discoloration and decay reported. Pricing is steady and competitive.
Lettuce Leaf: Plentiful supplies of Whole Romaine, Hearts, Green, and Red Leaf. Quality is very good, with very few defects reported. Pricing is steady and competitive.
Lettuce Tender Leaf: Very good supplies coming out of the Salinas Valley. Pricing will remain steady, with good quality reported.
Melons (Cantaloupe): Cantaloupe markets are steady with good demand. The size structure is trending large with limited options on smaller-sized fruit. Quality is good and Brix/sugars are 10% or better.
Melons (Honeydew): Honeydew markets remain strong and demand is good. Size structure peaking on larger-sized fruit. Quality is good and Brix as well.
Melons (Watermelon): Watermelon markets are steady and demand is showing growth. With the 4th of July right around the corner, demand will increase and markets will firm up. Quality is good as well as sugars.
Onions: California and New Mexico are fully harvesting, with good quality and steady pricing on the new crop.
Pears: Similar to apples, quality is good and market pricing is trending higher as the end of the storage crop approaches.
Pineapples: Costa Rica is at a seasonal peak. Quality is very nice and pricing is good on whole and crownless fruit.
Potatoes: The Burbank crop continues to run to smaller sizes, with 80 CT and smaller the best values. 70 CT and larger will continue to be expensive until the new crop begins in August. Quality is good.
Squash: Supplies are plentiful in Eastern and Western growing regions, particularly Zucchini. Quality is good.
Stone Fruit: Production and quality are improving on all stone fruit, and the domestic harvest gets going. Yellow Peaches are the best buy, followed by Nectarines and then Plums. Pricing is trending lower.
Tomatoes: Production continues to be light during Mexico and Florida seasonal field transition. South Carolina’s harvest has begun and California has begun harvesting in a light way. Quality is good from new growing areas. Grape and Roma tomatoes are very short and pricing is expected to remain higher than normal throughout June.
