WEATHER UPDATE
A cold front moving into the northwest will bring a coastal marine layer, cooler temperatures to the Central Coast into the weekend. inland regions will see breezy afternoons winds and seasonal temperatures. Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to drift across Central Mexico with warm and dry conditions expected in the northern regions into the weekend, cooling to seasonal norms next week. Florida will see dry conditions through mid week with scattered showers moving up from the south into the weekend.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks have been adequate early in the week but seem to tighten up as the week progresses. Freight rates continue to increase. Washington apple truck supply is steady. Idaho potato trucks remain steady as well. The national average on diesel rose slightly and is currently at 3.171 per gallon. An increase of .606 from this time last year. California prices increased as well and are now at 3.863 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is currently at 69.96 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Broccoli: Supplies will continue to decrease well into next week as we see a small supply gap in both Santa Maria and Salinas growing regions. As a result, the market is trending much higher.
Cauliflower: Extremely limited supplies of cauliflower is driving the market to much higher levels.
Citrus (Oranges): Demand exceeds supplies on small fruit 113/138s.
Onions: 104 temperature in Southern California onion growing area something to keep an eye on. Transportation limited in the Texas area.
TEMPERATURES AND TRANSITIONS
Potatoes (colored): Supplies finishing in South Florida with building supplies in the North.
Berries (Blueberries): California is slowly ramping up and will continue to improve over the next 2-3 weeks. North Carolina will begin in the next 2 weeks.
Berries (Blackberries): Domestic harvest is expected to start by late May.
Berries (Raspberries): Santa Maria harvest is improving. Salinas and Watsonville is expected to start by late May.
PEAK SEASONS
Berries (Strawberries): Santa Maria will be reaching peak production over the next 2-3 weeks.
