WEATHER UPDATE
An active tropical season continues with all eyes on Hurricane Dorian as it skirts the East Coast, possibly making landfall in the Carolinas later in the week. We are also monitoring a tropical storm developing in the Gulf of Mexico and Hurricane Juliette off the Baja coast. Out West a weakening high-pressure system will bring gradual cooling across California and increasing marine layer influence into next week. Scattered showers and thunderstorms look to continue across Central Mexico becoming isolated to the north with seasonably warm temperatures expected.
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 2.976 per gallon. California prices didn’t change and are still at $3.885 per gallon. Crude oil remained steady and is currently at $53.91 per barrel.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Apples: Golden Delicious and Fuji apples continue to gap for many shippers.
Avocado (California): With California and Peru done for the season, the industry will lean heavily on Mexico to feed and support the growing demand.
Berries (Strawberries): There is the potential for labor issues to arise during the next few weeks as Growers allocate finite numbers of workers between daily harvesting and annual new bed preparation for winter. This could cause delays in loading at some facilities .
Citrus (Lemons): A shift in small size fruit is causing limited supplies on large size fruit. Current growing regions are winding down and supplies should improve in a few weeks. We do have options to load Chilean product.
Citrus (Oranges): Domestic small size Valencia’s will continue to remain very tight moving forward. It’s advised to prebook orders in advance. Please keep in mind we do have options to use Chilean Navels.
Grapes (Green): Green grape supplies could change quickly. Shippers expect the domestic season to taper off earlier than normal this year.
Grapes (Red): Demand is expected to increase this week. Markets have been flat, but might try to hold firm.
Melon (Cantaloupe): Demand has outpaced the harvest due to a strong holiday pull. Supplies will be limited for the week.
Potatoes: Idaho markets are declining. Larger size 40 count and 50 count as well as #2 grade remains limited.
Potatoes (Colored): Markets declining as new regions start up and volume increases. #2 grade limited.
Stone Fruit: Domestic stone fruit will start to phase out moving forward. Availability will become limited, size selections will be restricted and markets may firm up.
TRANSITIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Pears: CA-Bartletts are transitioning out of ‘river district’ (older) fruit and into ‘mountain district’ (new crop).
Berries (Blueberries): Mexico is beginning, Offshore imports are also beginning to arrive. PNW is finishing out .
Potatoes (Colored): Mt. Vernon Washington has started up with limited supply. North Dakota to start soon.
Berries (Strawberries): The transition into the Santa Maria area is complete for most shippers
