Weather Update
California: High pressure continues to dominate the region as low-pressure systems bring brief cooldowns as they get pushed to the North.
Mexico: Near seasonal temperatures along with isolated showers continue into next week.
Florida: Slightly above normal temperatures with a few stray showers over central and northern counties late this week.
Freight Update
Trucks continue to be tight in California, Idaho, and the Northwest. The National Average remained steady at 2.385 per gallon.
Things You Should Know
Apples: Small low-grade apples are tight due to heavy demand and limited supply. Good supply on nicer apples.
Asparagus: Markets are continuing to adjust slightly lower as better supplies are coming out of Peru and Mexico.
Avocados: The market on Mexican avocados is holding steady. Currently, 48’s remain under pressure and in high demand. Not much change as far as size curve, peaking on 60’s with promotable volumes through the front part of November.
Bell Peppers: Seeing some stronger markets on green bells due to transition, but steady markets on red and yellow bells.
Berries (Blackberries): Plenty of supplies out there are at a good promotable volume.
Berries (Blueberries): More exports arriving on the East and West coasts. Plenty of volume coming through Texas from Mexico.
Berries (Raspberries): Plenty of supplies out there at a good promotable volume.
Berries (Strawberries): Good availability with the market firming up due to cooler weather.
Broccoli: Plenty of supplies in both Salinas and Santa Maria are keeping this market very aggressive.
Brussels Sprouts: Market stays steady on the higher side.
Carrots: USDA demand is driving cello and baby whole peeled categories. We are still tight on Jumbos out West. SNACK PACK SKU’S ARE IN A DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY MODE AND FILL RATES ARE IN EFFECT!
Cauliflower: Plenty of supplies out of Salinas and Santa Maria. The market continues to be aggressive.
Celery: This market is a bit stronger compared to this past month. Supplies have tightened up with a few shippers and this will continue as we get closer to Thanksgiving. Large sizing is still the most readily available. Expect good quality for the entire week.
Citrus (Lemons): D3 (Desert Crop) is starting, supplies are improving weekly. Markets are steady. The fancy grade is holding firm and the choice market is holding steady. Reach out if you have any interest on imports.
Citrus (Limes): Supplies are looking steady across the board. The markets are starting to soften up and quality is looking nice. Please place orders with lead time.
Citrus (Oranges): We’re almost to transition time from Valencia’s to Navels. The majority of shippers to start Navels in the next few weeks. Current markets are still holding strong. Quality is still looking tired. Please keep sending orders in advance.
Cucumbers: Seeing some condition issues arising after shipment, slow movement with significant supplies, and level demand. Markets are very low.
Eggplant: Little softening of the market on eggplant with better supplies on the East coast. Condition and quality have been very good.
Garlic: Steady supplies on this commodity for the week. The overall quality is good. The market has remained unchanged.
Grapes (Green): Wide range in quality appearance and price.
Grapes (Red): Wide range in quality appearance and price.
Green Onions: Plenty of supplies coming out of Mexico. The market continues to be flat.
Kale: Steady supplies and good quality out of southern California will continue for this week. Salinas will have light to moderate availability for the next few weeks.
Lettuce (Iceberg): Production is moderate to light in Salinas and Huron. There is light production in Santa Maria. The quality is fair with lightweights being reported, 35-38 pounds on liner lettuce. Salinas’ production continues to be hit and miss with soil disease. Reports say there will be lightweights, discoloration, and misshapen heads seen upon arrival. Yuma will begin production in the first week of November. Demand is moderate for this commodity.
Lettuce Leaf: Demand continues to exceed supplies on romaine, romaine hearts as well as green and red leaf. Expect light supplies in the Salinas Valley for the next 2-3 weeks. Production will be very light in Yuma during the first week of November. The quality will be average at best out of Salinas. Expect to see fringe and tip burn, discoloration, lightweights, and smaller lengths to romaine as well as all leaf items.
Lettuce Tender Leaf: Supplies continue to be on the lighter side on Spinach, Parsley, and Cilantro due to the recent heatwaves.
Melons (Cantalope): The cantaloupe market is steady and supplies are good. There is still some harvest going on in the San Joaquin Valley but the quality is suspect. As for the desert, production continues to improve as well as quality. Size structure currently peaking on 9’s/J9’s. Looking forward, we are 2-3 weeks away from offshore arrivals hitting US ports. Offshore melons from Central America travel by vessel and could take anywhere from 5-8 days to arrive depending on destination.
Melons (Honeydew): Strong demand keeping the honeydew market elevated. Production in the desert improving weekly. Current size structure peaking on larger sized fruit (4’s/5’s/J5’s). As for quality, Mexico is packing a cleaner honeydew right now. Due to high winds in the desert, we are seeing some scarring and bruising externally on domestic fruit.
Melons (Watermelon): The watermelon market is steady and demand seems to have decreased slightly. Retailers setting smaller displays on melons and focusing on seasonal items. Quality is good and improving. Good availability on seedless and mini seedless as well.
Onions: The Northwest has finished harvest and will exclusively ship out of storage. Demand is higher on red and white onions with export to Mexico. The quality is excellent.
Pears: Small lower grade pears very tight. Quality is very nice and the pack out is mostly US#1 and peaking on 80’s and 90’s.
Pineapples: The strike in Costa Rica is in negotiations we’re hearing containers have been able to leave the ports and we should be okay on supplies. Current markets are stable and quality is looking nice.
Potatoes: Idaho has started shipping storage norkotahs, which have undergone the sweat process. Harvest is complete 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Limited field run Burbanks are available at an upcharge. They will become more available in early November.
Squash: Eastern production along with western and Mexican production has softened the markets significantly. Condition and quality has been holding well.
Stone Fruit: Peaches and Nectarines are done. There will be plums until the end of November.
Tomatoes: Florida production is light with little volume coming from Northern crops perviously affected by rain and central Florida is ramping up for November. California has finished early for the season and Mexico is sending everything available to take advantage of the demand in the US market. As a result, color is light with a lot of green in the box. Prices are headed lower already this week as production begins to pick up in all growing areas. Roma, Grape, and Cherry tomatoes are near normal seasonal pricing but Rounds remain elevated above the $20 mark. The quality is mostly good.
