WEATHER UPDATE
High pressure builds out west bringing a gradual warm-up into the weekend with marine layer conditions near the coast. The ridge looks to stay in place with warm temperatures across the west next week. Isolated to scattered showers look to continue across Mexico with seasonal temperatures this week warming slightly into next week. A tropical disturbance looks to drift over southern Florida late this week with further development possibly over the next few days.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks remain steady again this week. Washington apple trucks are adequate as well as Idaho potato trucks. The national average on diesel remains under 3.00 a gallon and is currently at 2.971 per gallon. California prices haven’t changed and are still at $3.878 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is currently at $57.74 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Fuji and Golden Delicious continue to gap and are not available this week. Many shippers have confirmed availability for the week of September 16.
Avocado (Mexican): Small fruit (70’s and 84’s) remain tight for the next few weeks.
Berries (Blueberries):The market expected to increase with the reduction of domestic fruit and the transition to reliance on Imported product.
Berries (Strawberries): Lower yields are being reported in both in both North and South growing areas due to reduced labor availability.
Broccoli: The recent heat in the Salinas Valley the last few weeks have damaged the broccoli fields in particular the broccoli florets. Broccoli fields are aggressively exhibiting moderate percentages of brown beads, yellowing, hollow core and pin rot that will drive defect percentages above the norm for the next couple of weeks. These quality issues from the heat have drastically reduced yields with all Salinas Valley Row Crop Suppliers. Some options for broccoli floret recovery are in Santa Maria and with Taylor Farms Mexico.
Carrots: California jumbos are still in short supply.
Grapes (Green): Late season varieties are coming on early. Supplies will get limited as we get closer to transition.
Melon (Cantaloupe): Supplies are extremely limited this week. Demand has outpaced the harvest.
Potatoes: Idaho markets are declining. Larger size 40 count and 50 count as well as #2 grade remains limited.
Stone Fruit: Domestic stone fruit supplies are getting lighter as we approach the end of the season. Sizes are limited.
TRANSITIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Potatoes (Colored): Stockton, CA winding down. North Dakota to begin in the coming weeks.
Grapes (Green): Import season is expected to start in November.
A Peak at Peak Seasons
Berries (Blueberries): Pacific North West is phasing out and there are only two more weeks of the Michigan season remaining.
Berries (Strawberries): Santa Maria will be moving into peak interim production over the next several weeks Oxnard production will begin in Mid to late October.
