WEATHER UPDATE
One more hot day in California in front of a rapid cool down. The return of the marine layer and coastal drizzle moves through over the weekend into early next week. This system brings a chance of light rain to the valley over the weekend followed by another system late next week. Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue across Central Mexico into the weekend with much lesser amounts in the north. The upcoming desert acreage will receive another day or so of heavy rains, strong winds, possible hail, and flooding as tropical moisture fuels these systems. This may affect the young seedlings recently planted in the region. Florida will see a few light scattered showers with seasonal temperatures into next week.
FREIGHT UPDATE
California trucks remain steady again this week. Washington apple trucks are adequate as well as Idaho potato trucks. The national average rose .094 over last week and is currently at 3.081 per gallon. California prices rose as well and are currently at $3.976 per gallon. Crude oil dropped a little and is currently at $56.03 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Berries (Blackberries): There is a short lived heat wave which has brought temperatures under the growing hoops in Watsonville, Salinas and Santa Maria to the low 100s. Most growers agree that this will disrupt labor and production more than it will affect the overall quality . Crews will be forced to stop picking early thereby reducing immediate availability..
Berries (Blueberries): USA product will cease to exist after 10/10/19 after that it will be all imported fruit
Berries (Raspberries): There is a short lived heat wave which has brought temperatures under the growing hoops in Watsonville, Salinas and Santa Maria to the low 100s. Most growers agree that this will disrupt labor and production more than it will affect the overall quality . Crews will be forced to stop picking early thereby reducing immediate availability..
Grapes (Green): Supplies will progressively get lighter as we move forward. We expect a gap during transition.
Onions: Markets firming up.
Potatoes: Cold weather with rain and possible snow flurries in Idaho forecast for next week will curtail harvests.
Stone Fruit: Nectarines are done. Peaches are becoming very limited. Plums will last through October.
TRANSITIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Lettuce Iceberg: Huron expected to begin production the third week on October.
Potatoes (Colored): North Dakota has started with reds; yellow starting next week. Minnesota and Michigan winding down.
Onions: Utah and Colorado have started.
Melon (Cantaloupe): As we transition into the desert region, severe storms are expected through Thursday. Heavy rain is expected and could setback the harvest.
Stone Fruit: Import season is expected to start by mid November.
Grapes (Green): We expect transition to take place in November.
