February 2, 2017 OVERVIEW MARKET ALERTS

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "February 2, 2017 OVERVIEW MARKET ALERTS"

Angelica Blair
6 years ago
Views:

February 2, 2017 OVERVIEW Asparagus, cucumbers, garlic and squash are still very active.

(YELLOW & ZUCCHINI) GOOD BUYS ENGLISH PEAS English peas are versatile once they are

Peas are a cool-weather crop that reaches their peak of sweetness before summer.

English peas are great alone or in casseroles. We love them with salads or dried!

Brussels sprouts are rich in many valuable nutrients and an excellent source of vitamin C

Since cooked Brussels sprouts are small and compact, they make a great snack food that

Combine quartered cooked Brussels sprouts with sliced red onions, walnuts, and your

Toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an exceptionally healthy, delicious side

1 February 2, 2017 OVERVIEW Asparagus, cucumbers, garlic and squash are still very active. We are seeing shortages and high prices on lemons and broccoli. Blueberries and Raspberries are steady!! MARKET ALERTS ASPARAGUS CUCUMBERS (EURO) BROCCOLI - EXTREME GARLIC - EXTREME SQUASH (YELLOW & ZUCCHINI) GOOD BUYS ENGLISH PEAS English peas are versatile once they are cooked. Eat them alone or add them to soups, stews, salads and rice dishes. Peas are a cool-weather crop that reaches their peak of sweetness before summer. They provide protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in a low-calorie package. English peas are great alone or in casseroles. We love them with salads or dried! BRUSSEL SPROUTS Brussels are so good! They should be firm, compact, and vivid green. Brussels sprouts are rich in many valuable nutrients and an excellent source of vitamin C and K. Since cooked Brussels sprouts are small and compact, they make a great snack food that can be simply eaten as is or seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Combine quartered cooked Brussels sprouts with sliced red onions, walnuts, and your favorite mild tasting cheese such as a goat cheese or feta. Toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an exceptionally healthy, delicious side dish or salad. Sautéed with a little oil, bacon and salt or roasted. TENTATIVE TRANSITION SCHEDULE COMMODITY Lettuce Romaine / Green Leaf Broccoli Cauliflower Celery FINISH SALINAS Nov 2nd Nov 20th Dec 7th Dec 10th Dec 1st START YUMA Nov 4th Nov 15th Nov 20th Nov 25th Jan 15 START IMPERIAL VALLEY th Dec 7 th Nov 14 th Nov 20 th Dec 14 Oxnard - Nov 15th

TRANSPORTATION & WEATHER Trucks are in adequate supply in all districts including the Northwest, Southwest, Texas and Florida.

Temperatures will decline to seasonal averages, with highs in the 60 s and lows in the 40 s & 50 s.

The same will occur in Central Mexico (Sinaloa), with low-to-mid 90 s beginning Sunday and continuing through Tuesday.

2 TRANSPORTATION & WEATHER Trucks are in adequate supply in all districts including the Northwest, Southwest, Texas and Florida. Following more than a week of clear skies, moderate rainfall is once again in the late-week and weekend forecast for Central California, extending as far south as Los Angeles. Temperatures will decline to seasonal averages, with highs in the 60 s and lows in the 40 s & 50 s. Generally, clear skies will continue in Western Arizona where a warming trend will push temperatures to well above average the highs will reach the mid 80 s in Yuma by next Thursday. The same will occur in Central Mexico (Sinaloa), with low-to-mid 90 s beginning Sunday and continuing through Tuesday. Mild weather and generally clear skies will continue into early next week for Central & South Florida districts. The highs will be in the 70 s & 80 s and lows in the 50 s. FRUITS & VEGETABLES AVOCADOS We continue to see the market more active, particularly on large fruit, as the size mix shifts to heavier fruit. Production on #2 volume will also be increasing throughout the remainder of January. With the shift away from small fruit, 60 s and larger are expected to call for a higher price through the Super Bowl Weekend. Quality remains good with good oil content. BANANAS Demand and quality are good and supply is steady. GRAPES Supplies are improving and demand is lighter than expected. Sugraones and Flame pricing is down this week. BLUEBERRIES Availability is steady. Late-season harvesting is winding down in Chile and Peru, with the final vessel arrivals scheduled for late February. The transition to Central Mexico has been smooth. Mexico will reach peak production next week. BLACKBERRIES Tight availability continues due to cool weather and fallout from the Colima Volcano, where many of the blackberry fields in Central Mexico are located. Production volume is expected to increase by mid-february. RASPBERRIES Raspberries are currently being supplied from Central Mexico, Baja California and Oxnard. Production volume in Mexico is expected to increase by mid-february. STRAWBERRIES Demand is strong with the approach of Valentine s Day. Production in Southern California and Central Florida continues to be significantly below average due to rains in the second half of January. Central Mexico will be in peak production by next week, however shortages in California and Florida will continue to support current prices. Limited availability will continue on stem strawberries. CALIFORNIA-ARIZONA CITRUS **California has had several inches of rain again this past week, which has affected harvesting, and is expected to continue through next week. Supplies of navels and lemons are expected to be short through the remainder of the week and maybe into the next weeks. GRAPEFRUIT Texas grapefruit is packing, good supplies of 40s and smaller.florida Red and Dark Red grapefruit is also packing, sizes peaking 27/32 with limited smaller sizes. Grapefruit quality has been very good this year.

3 LEMONS District 1 is packing; District 3 is finishing up. Volume is expected to be tight. Very tight availability on 165s and 200s LIMES (PERSIAN) Limes are available in good supplies, packing in Texas and California. Great quality and color. ORANGES Navels: Supplies are expected to increase over the next couple of days, depending on weather. Quality, flavor and internal color are good. Larger, fancy grade due to recent weather Specialties: Minneola Tangelos are available, great quality and color. Blood Oranges are in good supply, great color. Cara Caras are available, excellent color and quality. Mandarins are available. Great eating and color. Pummelos are available in mostly fancy grade PINEAPPLE Demand is good and prices are stable. The market is getting better. CALIFORNIA LETTUCE GREEN & RED LEAF Supplies on green leaf are good while quality is on the average side. We are seeing a lot of dirt due to the heavy winds, seeders and tip burn. We are seeing very short supply on red leaf. ICEBERG LETTUCE Supplies of iceberg lettuce are good and quality is getting better. ROMAINE Supplies are lighter than expected and quality is hit or miss. We are seeing epidermal peel. ROMAINE HEARTS Supplies are plentiful. We are seeing twisting and quality is average, but there is improvement. EASTERN & WESTERN VEGETABLES GREEN & RED BELL PEPPERS Green bell peppers are in plentiful supply in Florida and Nogales. The product from Central Mexico is excellent. The high winds and rain that occurred over the past weekend in South Florida, there will likely be long term effects on quality and yield through March. Red bells are in plentiful supply in Nogales. CUCUMBERS We have steady availability on cucumbers from Central America; prices have firmed slightly. Quality continues to be variable. Cucumbers from Mexico are in good supply and prices have eased; quality is good. Available to load in Nogales, Arizona and McAllen, Texas. ENGLISH CUCUMBERS (EURO) Winter production volume has declined for hothouse growers in Eastern Canada, causing increased demand for English cucumbers from Mexico. Prices remain firm. GREEN BEANS Quality is variable on beans in Florida and Mexico. Prices are higher for premium quality product. ZUCCHINI & YELLOW SQUASH High winds in Florida have caused additional issues with scarring on zucchini and yellow squash, resulting in a wide range in quality. Availability has improved somewhat in the east and west. Prices have begun to ease slightly for yellow straight neck and zucchini. New fields are being harvested in Mexico with excellent quality. ACORN, BUTTERNUT & SPAGHETTI SQUASH Squashes are readily available and market trends point to supply exceeding demand. There is ample volume of dark green zucchinis in Florida and Georgia, and a really nice yellow squash crop for this time of year as well. With the pressure from the white flies that plagued Georgia s early fall crop way down, the yellow squash volume is increasing and the quality is much

more consistent. Georgia is starting on its last new fields this week, with Florida ramping up by the end of the month. MANGOES Supply and quality are good; prices are rising slightly.

4 more consistent. Georgia is starting on its last new fields this week, with Florida ramping up by the end of the month. MANGOES Supply and quality are good; prices are rising slightly. MELONS Cantaloupe: Overall cantaloupe volume has started to decrease has allowed shippers the opportunity to slightly strengthen the market especially on larger fruit. Strong retail promotions continue to drive the market. Sizing has been primarily 9s with a good amount of 12s also hitting the market. Smaller sizing has been caused by cooler temperatures in the growing region. Honeydew: Sizing has been peaking mostly with 6s & 8s from Honduras. This sizing trend is expected to continue over the next 7-10 days. Brix levels have been ranging from 10-14%. WATERMELONS The seedless watermelon supply has shortened up which has caused the market to push higher. HERBS Our fresh culinary herbs continue to be in very steady supply with excellent quality. We are calling for some rain at the end of this week, but nothing like the 5 plus inches we saw with the last storm. BASIL: Supplies are very steady and quality has been very good. DILL: The warm sun over the past 7 days has taken care of the previous moisture issues. CHERVIL: There continues to be limited supplies, but quality is good. Please watch your inventory because shelf life has been reduced due to the cold and rain. ITALIAN PARSLEY and MINT quality is very good after the storms. CILANTRO Supplies are good. Quality is variable as there is still yellowing with some decay.

5 HERBS HERB SUPPLIES QUALITY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Arugula Good Good USA Basil Good Good USA/MEXICO Opal Basil Good Good USA/MEXICO Thai Basil Good Good USA/MEXICO Bay Leaves Good Good COLUMBIA Chervil Good Good USA Chives Good Good USA/MEXICO Cilantro Good Good USA Dill Good Good USA/MEXICO Episode Good Good MEXICO Lemongrass Good Good USA Marjoram Steady Good USA Mint Good Good USA Oregano Good Good USA Italian Parsley Good Good USA Rosemary Limited Good USA Sage Good Good USA/MEXICO Savory Good Good USA Sorrel Good Good USA Tarragon Good Good MEXICO Thyme Good Good USA Lemon Thyme Good Good USA Lavender Good Good USA Lime Leaves Good Good USA Hora Santa Good Good USA

ARTICHOKES We expect good supplies of artichokes this week, as supplies industry-wide have increased. Better volume is expected in the upcoming weeks.

6 ARTICHOKES We expect good supplies of artichokes this week, as supplies industry-wide have increased. Better volume is expected in the upcoming weeks. Prices are steady but trending lower on some sizes. 36 counts are not readily available ARUGULA Supplies of both baby and wild arugula are light, due to mildew. ASPARAGUS Prices are still up as the end of the season approaches. This transition phase is lasting longer than anticipated due to a late start in Mexico. Mexico is on schedule to start now, with larger volumes hitting the market by early/mid-february. Prices are high and we are seeing current shortage in product. This will improve as production increases each week. BOK CHOY Quality is good and we are seeing some higher quotes on WGA cartons. BROCCOLI EXTREME MARKET- Due to warmer than usual weather patterns plus the amount of rain that has fallen, we are seeing a gap in harvest schedules and supply. We are seeing higher prices and with a shortage of supply. BRUSSEL SPROUTS The market and supplies are good this week. Quality is good CARROTS Georgia carrots have arrived. Rain in Kern County, CA, has made the carrot market a bit more active in that region of CA, so please order ahead to keep a good supply. We are seeing a shortage of supply continue due to the rain. CAULIFLOWER Quality is average. We are seeing yellowing. Supplies are down. CELERY The market is steady and quality is good. CORN Florida sweet corn has seen a spike in pricing this week. There has been less availability as in previous weeks due to planting gaps and the cooler weather hindering maturity. FENNEL Supplies for the week will be good. GARLIC We know we are repetitive, but we expect the garlic market to remain chaotic. The supply of domestic garlic remains tight. Pricing on domestic peeled 4x5s is still high. In the past week or two, we have observed a slight relief in demand. This is fairly normal after the New Year. Concerning Chinese supply, at the moment, there is definitely more supply available, especially on the East Coast. This time of year, it is normal for Chinese exporters to export all pounds that did not make it into cold storage for the year. A percentage of the loads being received in the US the past month are due to this. The garlic was never put into cold storage, and if it was not sold/shipped in late November/December, the product will/would expire altogether. A percentage of Chinese peeled lbs. received in the last month are challenged (especially on the East Coast). Issues include excess translucency, pink and yellow aging/stress marks, and mold, etc.

With the additional supply overlapped with some quality issues, the price of Chinese garlic has come down some in the past month.

Some Chinese shippers have recently received higher duty rates from US Customs. There are indications that these companies will not be exporting garlic to the US for the foreseeable future.

Quality is good. GREEN ONIONS The green onion supply for the industry is getting better. We are seeing prices come down. KALE (GREEN) Demand is steady and quality is average.

RADISHES Quality is good and supply is plentiful. RED CABBAGE Quality and sizing has been great, with good color. Overall, the market is strong.

There are some reports of mildew. BUNCHED SPINACH Supply is average; quality is only fair. We are still seeing some mildew in this product.

7 With the additional supply overlapped with some quality issues, the price of Chinese garlic has come down some in the past month. As we move forward in the next 6 months, we expect the Chinese supply to decrease, and the Chinese market again to return to abnormal highs. Some Chinese shippers have recently received higher duty rates from US Customs. There are indications that these companies will not be exporting garlic to the US for the foreseeable future. GINGER Chinese ginger is in good supply. It is being offered at a substantial discount compared to ginger from Brazil. GREEN CABBAGE Green cabbage is in good supply and should be steady this week. Quality is good. GREEN ONIONS The green onion supply for the industry is getting better. We are seeing prices come down. KALE (GREEN) Demand is steady and quality is average. We are seeing some mildew. MACHE Adequate availability. NAPA supplies are good and quality is excellent. PARSLEY (CURLY, ITALIAN) Prices are normal and quality is excellent. RADISHES Quality is good and supply is plentiful. RED CABBAGE Quality and sizing has been great, with good color. Overall, the market is strong. SNOW & SUGAR SNAP PEAS Snow and sugar snap peas are in high demand with good quality. BABY SPINACH Baby and clipped spinach supplies are light. Quality is fair to good, with good prices. There are some reports of mildew. BUNCHED SPINACH Supply is average; quality is only fair. We are still seeing some mildew in this product. SPRING MIX There is plenty of product with quality being average, but it has improved. ONIONS The extreme situation in the Treasure Valley appears to be finished. Nearly all of the affected growers have resumed packing and shipping on all three colors. Barring any further weather interruptions, we do not expect to see prices increase in the near future. FOBs on all three colors have decreased significantly in the past week due to the sluggish demand and a heavy presence of red, white, and yellow Mexican onions crossing through South Texas. The size profile on the Mexican product is heavier, Mediums and Jumbos. Large size onions (Colossal and Super Colossal) will need to continue to be sourced in the Northwest. Quality remains strong in the Northwest. POTATOES (IDAHO) Demand in Idaho is moderate on consumers, 50ct/70ct are very good. Demand will probably stay flat for the foreseeable future. Prices are steady with no change expected at this time. We probably will not see any significant change in this market until Memorial Day. Some shippers in the

state have experienced issues with getting the volume of cars that they need to ship. We can expect this to be a small issue for the next few days.

FOB prices are mostly unchanged this week with excellent quality being reported. Roma Harvest forecasts are mostly unchanged and quality is good.

Cherries Supplies are steady and quality remains good. FOB prices are remaining mostly unchanged.

Overall quality is very nice on all sizes throughout Nogales, McAllen and Otay.

Grapes Good supplies are crossing through Nogales and quality remains excellent. Cherries Supplies are good, but the quality is off a bit this week.

WASHINGTON APPLES, PEARS & TREE FRUIT Apples: Demand and movement is steady with supplies readily available in most sizes and grades with the exception of

125s and smaller sizes in all varieties will continue to be tight all season. Pears: Demand and movement are steady.

8 state have experienced issues with getting the volume of cars that they need to ship. We can expect this to be a small issue for the next few days. Trucks appear to be readily available. TOMATOES East: Rounds Supplies in the east remain good despite the recent weather events. FOB prices are mostly unchanged this week with excellent quality being reported. Roma Harvest forecasts are mostly unchanged and quality is good. Pricing will be mostly unchanged this week. Grapes Supplies are good and quality is excellent. FOB prices remain unchanged this week. Quality remains very nice. Cherries Supplies are steady and quality remains good. FOB prices are remaining mostly unchanged. West/Mexico: Rounds Vine-ripe production is good through Nogales and McAllen, still light crossings through Otay. FOB prices are mostly unchanged this week. Overall quality is very nice on all sizes throughout Nogales, McAllen and Otay. Romas Supplies are good through Nogales and McAllen with great quality expected over the next 7 to 14 days. Grapes Good supplies are crossing through Nogales and quality remains excellent. Cherries Supplies are good, but the quality is off a bit this week. We expect to see a tick up in the prices as demand is driving more pull out of the East. WASHINGTON APPLES, PEARS & TREE FRUIT Apples: Demand and movement is steady with supplies readily available in most sizes and grades with the exception of golds and grannys. Supply remains tight on 100s and smaller on all grades except premium. 125s and smaller sizes in all varieties will continue to be tight all season. Pears: Demand and movement are steady. Most supplies are now coming out of California. Prices remain high on D Anjous, 100s and smaller whereas Bartletts have a much better value. A Special Thanks To Our 2016 National Conference Title & Platinum Sponsors! Atlanta 5400 Laurel Springs Pkwy Suite 1002 Suwanee, GA Phone: Buffalo Grove 100 Lexington DriveSuite 201 Buffalo Grove, IL Phone: Chicago 230 W. Huron Street Suite 200 Chicago, IL Phone: Nashville One Vantage Way Suite B-440 Nashville, TN Phone: Salinas 60 West Market Suite 130 Salinas, CA Phone:

Heeren E-Market Report

Heeren E-Market Report December 19, 2016 Overview Garlic will remain in an extreme market. We see Iceberg getting tighter. Cauliflower is also in an extreme market as we are seeing a shortage in supply and prices are escalated.