Weather Update
California: High pressure weakens as the tail end of a cold front moves into Northern California. The deep marine layer continues to push well inland with morning drizzle each morning. Gradual warming begins next week.
Mexico: Seasonal temperatures along with scattered showers and thunderstorms look to continue across Central Mexico into next week.
Florida: After a couple of days of heavy rains across the Florida Peninsula Hurricane Sally moved ashore this morning near the Alabama/Florida border with strong winds and flooding rains across Northern Florida. Sally looks to track northeastward across southeastern Alabama and portions of Georgia and into South Carolina, dumping heavy precipitation across the entire region.
Freight Update
Trucks remain tight in California, Idaho, and the pacific northwest. The national average remained steady at $2.422 per gallon.
Things You Should Know
Apples: High volume movement on apples as retail and the USDA Box Program continue to scoop up supplies.
Asparagus: Plenty of supplies coming out of Peru and Mexico. Lets promote Asparagus!
Avocados: The market is steady and demand is good. Peaking on 60’s, quality continues to improve on “Loca” crop. Some checkboarding being reported.
Bell Peppers: Small transition to Stockton fields on greens causing a short term lower supply, still light supplies on reds and yellows.
Berries (Blackberries): Heat stressed plants are not producing as original estimates had shown quality is marginal we look for markets to stay firm.
Berries (Blueberries): The pacific northwest has nearly wrapped up and quality is waning. Imports from Peru are beginning to arrive with more regularity market remains firm.
Berries (Raspberries): Heat stressed plants are not producing as original estimates had shown, quality is marginal, We look for markets to stay firm.
Berries (Strawberries): Lower yields and damaged fruit has caused markets to tighten up drastically. Cooler weather and smoke are also slowing production as well.
Broccoli: Recent heat waves have caused quality issues and lower yields. Broccoli supplies will be tight for the next couple of weeks.
Brussels Sprouts: Plenty of supplies.
Carrots: The market is steady out of several production areas. West Coast is still experiencing lighter numbers on the Jumbo and Cello categories.
Cauliflower: Cauliflower supplies are on the tighter side with slightly lower yields from the recent heatwaves.
Celery: The commodity continues to be steady in the marketplace. Large sizing continues to be the most readily available, but all sizing can be purchased. Expect steady supplies all week. The quality continues to be strong.
Citrus (Lemons): Steady supplies out of the Coastal District. Markets are active and firm on fancy grade. Choice market is still looking steady. Reach out if you have any interest on imports.
Citrus (Limes): Markets 200’s is holding steady. 175’s and larger are still holding firm with light supplies. Quality is fair. Please place orders with lead time.
Citrus (Oranges): Valencia supplies on 88/113/138’s continue to be very limited. Better supplies on 72’s and larger. Markets are active on both grades and quality is fair. Please put orders in advance for better coverage.
Cucumbers: Higher markets as local crops around country are finishing, especially Michigan, and demand moves west.
Eggplant: Good supplies despite heat damage and shorter Harvesting hours from wild fires and heat. Condition is good.
Garlic: Steady supplies with California production continues. This market is steady.
Grapes (Green): The market is steady and fruit is plentiful. Good availability for the balance of the month. Overall quality has been consistent with good color, and Brix/sugar levels.
Grapes (Red): The market is steady and fruit is plentiful. Plenty of opportunities on load volume.
Green Onions: Plenty of supplies coming out of Mexico and keeping the market steady.
Kale: The recent round of heat has caused some sun damage and lower shelf life.
Lettuce (Iceberg): This market is active with all shippers. Fair quality at best is being reported. Some common defects include sun scalding, decay, brown butts, discoloration, and misshapen heads. These are all issues the growers are dealing with daily. Expect light supplies throughout the week.
Lettuce Leaf: Romaine as well as all leaf items continue to be light in availability. Romaine will escalate this Thursday for all value-added items having this commodity. Romaine hearts will continue to be in a ‘demand exceeds supply’ situation for the week, minimum. Tip and fringe burn, brown leaves, and discoloration are common complaints seen upon arrivals on Romaine as well as all leaf items.
Lettuce Tender Leaf: Markets have turned higher with the recent round of heat causing lower yields and sub-par quality.
Melons (Cantalope): Demand exceeds supply. The market is active and supplies are limited. A potential gap in the coming weeks. The quality is great! Strong ads and the USDA program adding pressure causing the market to react.
Melons (Honeydew): Demand exceeds supply. The market is active and supplies are limited. A potential gap in the coming weeks. The quality is great! Strong retail and USDA program adding pressure and driving the market up.
Melons (Watermelon): Demand is good and markets are steady. Good availability on the West coast as well as North Carolina and Indiana. Quality has been consistent.
Onions: Ample supplies of high-quality storage onions are available from the northwest. USDA box program demand for 3lb. bags are affecting production time at the sheds.
Pears: Market slightly lower on larger Bartletts. All varieties are tight on smaller sizes.
Pineapples: Crown fruit volume is down out of both coasts with firm markets. Crownless fruit supplies are steady. Quality has improved. Organic supplies are in better shape. Need orders in advance.
Potatoes: Harvest of new crop Norhotahs is underway. Large bakers remain elevated but the market is softening. Ample supplies of cartons. USDA box program limiting 5lb bags.
Squash: Heat damage from starting a few weeks back affecting quality, lower supplies out of Baja, and local crops finishing are forcing stronger markets for the next 10-14 days.
Stone Fruit: Domestic season winding down quickly. Peaches are done, Nectarines are pallet volume, and plums will run for another 2 weeks. Quality is suspect on late-season fruit.
Tomatoes: The market is moving upward as fields work past peak season. Weeks of heat in the western growing regions have affected yields while rain and wind in the East are disrupting harvests schedules and affecting blooms. Supplies are lighter however there is still plenty of Tomatoes in the market. Grape Tomatoes have shown the greatest increase this week while the Eastern seaboard transitions between summer and fall crops. Hurricane Sally is expected to be a significant weather event that may postpone the start of the Florida season in Quincy scheduled for October creating a gap in early fall.
