Weekly Produce Trend Report for Week Ending December 26, 2014 Due to the holidays, Fresh Directions will not be posted next week. Happy holidays! MARKET OVERVIEW California has had more rain this week. Although this may cause some gaps in harvesting and mud slides, the rain is very much needed. Lighter supplies continue on artichokes, berries, cauliflower, peas, squash and tomatoes; cauliflower, strawberries and tomatoes being the most extreme markets. Quality in strawberries has been poor due to the rain which has weakened availability even more. Supplies remain plentiful on cilantro, green onions and kale. Supplies are good on lettuce, romaine, romaine hearts, and prices are trending lower. Avocados overall are limited and decreasing in supply weekly. COMMODITY PRICE QUALITY Avocados Mexican Moderate Blackberries Moderate Blueberries High Raspberries Moderate to High Strawberries Moderate to High Poor Grapefruit Moderate Lemons, Oranges, Navels Moderate Limes Moderate Excellent Pineapples Moderate Green & Red Leaf Lettuces, Green Bell Peppers, Carrots Moderate Iceberg Lettuce Low to Moderate Romaine Lettuce Low to Moderate Fair Romaine Hearts Moderate Cucumbers Moderate to High Green Beans, Celery Moderate to High Red Bell Peppers High Yellow Squash Moderate to High Parsley (Curly) Moderate to High Excellent Green & Red Seedless Grapes, Bok Choy, Napa, Red Cabbage High Plums Moderate Asparagus, Cauliflower High Cantaloupes High Poor Honeydews Moderate Fair Artichokes High Excellent Green Cabbage Moderate Excellent Arugula, Frisee, Fennel/Anise, Mache, Baby Spinach, Spring Mix, Red, Yellow, & White Moderate Onions, Potatoes, Zucchini Broccoli, Spinach (Bunched) Moderate Excellent Snow & Sugar Snap Peas High to Extreme Poor to Fair Kale Moderate Very Parsley (Italian) Moderate to High Very Cilantro Low to Moderate Very PRICE TREND Green Onions Low to Moderate Fair Peeled Garlic Extreme Round, Roma, Plum, Grape Tomatoes Extreme Poor Unstable Red & Golden Delicious, Galas, Granny Smiths, Barlett Pears, Red Anjous Moderate Fujis, Braeburns, Cameos High
APPLES & PEARS Washington prices remain low; volume is high. Large sizes are more prevalent than small. Sugar levels are elevated, measuring 14 to 18 Brix). Fruit is sweet, crunchy, and juicy. Pear prices are weak; storage stocks are ample. The Bartlett season will run through January. Sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix. ARTICHOKES Light supplies are available now as temperatures are much cooler in Salinas. Quality is excellent, and prices are steady on all sizes. Supplies of large loose and small loose to continue to be very limited. ARUGULA Steady availability. ASPARAGUS The market will remain high through December. Mexican growers are transitioning between growing regions, decreasing stocks. Peruvian supplies will be tight for the next three months. Flavor is grassy, texture is crisp, and stalks are straight. AVOCADOS Prices are stable; supplies should be ample through Super Bowl Sunday in early February. Quality is very good: high oil content is creating creamy texture and nutty flavor. BLACKBERRIES The market is level despite slow growth in Mexico due to cooler-than-normal weather. Quality is very good: fruit is firm and juicy. Flavor is sweet; sugar levels range from 12 to 13 Brix. BLUEBERRIES Expect high prices for several weeks. Chilean shipments remain sporadic due to weather related problems. Low temperatures have inhibited growth in California and Mexico as well. Fruit is deeply colored, plump, and sweet; sugar levels range from 14 to 18 Brix. BOK CHOY Tight supplies, high prices. BROCCOLI The market is weak; volume is high in all regions despite last week s rain. Quality is best in Arizona and Mexico (into Texas); California growers are experiencing some harvesting delays and slight quality problems such as bracketing and pin rot. CANTALOUPE Market very tight demand exceeds supply especially on the west coast as we are finished on domestic product and getting a few out of Mexico crossing and little to none from the offshore fruit which will not start with any big volume until the first of the year, melons will remain very tight through the first of the year. The overall quality is fair with some rough netting and green cast. Sugar levels have increased to 10 to 12 Brix. CARROTS Availability has tightened for jumbo carrots in California as size and yield have declined, the result of a slower growth cycle during the late season fall harvest at higher elevation (2,150 ft.) in the Cuyama Valley of Southern California. Prices will trend higher until the harvest returns to the Southern San Joaquin Valley (Bakersfield). CAULIFLOWER The market is beginning to ease. The Arizona season got a slow start, but stocks are starting to increase. CELERY Strong holiday demand and tight stocks are holding up prices. Quality remains excellent despite recent rain: texture is crunchy and flavor is peppery. CILANTRO Supplies remain plentiful this week from California and Mexico. Quality is very nice with bunches averaging 9-11 in length with good green color. CUCUMBERS East- Supplies continue to be tight. FOB prices currently up slightly. Quality is variable. Off-shore cukes have just now started to arrive which will put downward pressure on future prices West- Many supplies with crossings at Nogales. FOB prices are steady with downward pressure. We look for more supplies to become available next week. EGGPLANT East: supplies available. Quality is good. West: Better supplies causing lower FOB prices. Quality is good. FENNEL/ANISE Fennel supplies this week are approximately half of demand due to rain in Salinas. Yuma is scheduledto begin Thursday through Saturday. Expect the market to be active this week and the next few weeks with lighter supplies projected.
GARLIC In the past few weeks, some Chinese pounds have become available in the market. Although pricing still remains high, it is anyone s guess whether more pounds will continue to become available or if the pipeline will run dry again. While U.S. Customs allowed some Chinese importers to have their pounds released (after being held at ports for long periods), promises were not made to have additional/new shipments released as well. Moreover, some importers may now be thinking twice about sending further shipments so soon, when they had such a difficult time getting the previous containers released. Time will tell. On the domestic side, the demand continues to remain high and supplies tight. GINGER There is a supply and demand situation that happens from time to time with ginger. The crop in storage remains tight, and the new crop will be in the U.S. around mid-january. This is causing a lack of supply and very high prices. GRAPES Market is strong as we are finishing up harvest and pulling from our storage fruit, the overall quality is good with a range in color, but overall condition is good and sugar is excellent. We will continue shipping California fruit through December as long as fruit quality holds up. There will be the first of the Chilean arrivals on the west coast next week, there is already fruit on the east coast but size and sugar are not to special. There is a few Peruvian greens and reds on the East coast as well. GREEN BEANS There are good supplies with excellent quality on Mexican beans being shipped from Nogales. Availability is tight in the East for both Florida growers and import distributors for Central American product. GREEN CABBAGE Supplies are increasing this week in addition to demand. Supplies are expected to slow down following the cold front. Weights have been very high, and quality is outstanding. GREEN ONIONS supplies. Green onions are in demand for Christmas and New Year s. Please plan ahead with advance orders for best coverage. Small and medium sizes are low to moderately priced with extra larges somewhat higher. HONEYDEW Market very strong as Mexico is the only product crossing on the west coast a very few offshore showing up on the East Coast, the market will continue to stay very strong through the first of the year. The overall quality is fair to good with mostly clean cream to green cast. The internal color is very good with descent sugar levels. Sugar levels a bit higher at 10 to 11 Brix. KALE (GREEN) Plentiful supplies continue. Overall quality and appearance continues to be excellent. Bunches are averaging 14-16 in length with good color. KIWI Chile is the main supply area. California is starting. Italian is available off East Coast and will be available on the West Coast in a week. LEMONS Market has steadied and seems to be firming up on 165 s and smaller as we are peaking on 140 s and larger out of the desert (dist. 3) and also starting to pack some in the central valley (dist. 1) there is also some Mexican and Chilean fruit around but within the next 2 weeks that should be all cleaned up and we will see the market strengthen on the smaller fruit. The overall quality is good with some spotting and some discoloration due to gassing showing up on some lots primarily in the choice and standards. Expect the quality to continually get better. Quality is very good. Lemons are tart and juicy. LETTUCE (GREEN LEAF/VARIETY) Weak demand and plentiful supplies are keeping the market near the bottom. Quality is excellent. LETTUCE (ICEBERG) The market is steady at low levels. Quality has improved, but slight issues like cracking, large head size, seeders, and weak tip persist. LETTUCE (ROMAINE) The market remains near the bottom due to abundant stocks. Quality is very good, but growers must peel outer, damaged leaves in some cases due to mildew and seeders; this is causing low carton weights in some lots. LETTUCE (ROMAINE HEARTS) Overall supplies will be average this week with good quality. Issues with seeders remain due to the warmer weather that has occurred over the last few weeks. Care is being taken of what goes into the final pack. Expect this seeder issue to continue until the weather cools down.
LIMES The market will remain elevated through the winter due to lighter-than-normal plantings and strong holiday demand. Quality is very good: fruit is tart and juicy. ONIONS Prices remain near the bottom due to abundant stocks. Storage supplies from the Pacific Northwest region are crunchy, well-formed, and have bold flavor. ORANGES Market is steady with good supplies on all sizes we are peaking on 88 s-113 s followed by 72 s, the overall quality is very good as we are starting to see some cooler nights which is helping to bring on some color allowing us to decrease our gassing hours to bring out the color. The fruit is eating excellent and is very strong, internal juice and sugar is very good with minimal acid. This is a great time to promote California navels and we will have good supplies for the months to come barring any major weather issues. Sugar levels range from 12 to 13 Brix. PARSLEY (CURLY) Supplies are slightly up from last week. Quality is extremely nice with bunches of 8-10 in length with dark green color. PARSLEY (ITALIAN) Supplies are slightly down from last week. Quality is very nice with bunches of 9-11 in length with dark green color. PEPPER (GREEN BELL) East: Demand strong. The pepper market this week is the most active of the southern veg commodities. Rain and cool weather last week has caused a shortage, especially on the smaller sizes and choice grades. West: Nogales is the major sourcing crossing point. Quality remains good. Demand is strong. FOB prices are up several dollars on all grades and sizes. PEPPER (RED AND YELLOW) Expect prices to climb until Mexican supplies become more abundant in January. Quality is excellent: shape is blocky, walls are thick, and flavor is sweet, yet peppery. PEPPERS (JALAPEÑOS) East: Demand weak. Quality remains good. FOB prices are steady with slight downward pressure. PINEAPPLE Strong holiday demand and port delays are preventing the market from easing. Quality is very good: fruit is firm, sweet, and juicy. Sugar levels range from 13 to 14 Brix. POTATOES (IDAHO) Idaho prices are elevated. Large stocks (40- to 70-count potatoes) remain tight; supplies are dominated by small sizes. RASPBERRIES Prices are stable. Southern California rain and cold Mexican weather have delayed growth; expect lower yields for the rest of the month. Domestic quality is best as most farmers grow berries in protected greenhouses. RED CABBAGE Supplies are average with somewhat higher numbers than earlier this year. Quality, weights and color are great. SALADS & BLENDS Prices are level. Recent weather challenges will affect overall quality and shelf-life for the next several weeks. Inspectors are working closely with quality control to ensure the best product is packed in finished cartons. SNOW AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS Snow peas and sugar snaps are in tight supply (Peru, Mexico, and California). Prices remain at the highs for both. Quality is poor, and limited availability will continue through next week. SPINACH (BABY) Adequate supplies. SPINACH (BUNCHED) Numbers are just below average this week though harvesting out of both Yuma and Mexico. Some light mildew is showing up in the Mexican growing region, slowing production. Demand and prices are steady. Overall quality is very good with weights of 20-22 lbs. and 9-11 in length. Bunches are large, full and dark green. SPRING MIX The market is unchanged; supplies are plentiful. Quality is excellent: all varieties are being packed.
SQUASH (GREEN) East: Same story as with the yellow squash. Quality improving. Downward pressure on FOB prices. Large zucchini still in short supply but are available. West: As with the yellow, supply of green is improving somewhat and we look for it to continue to improve over the next several weeks. SQUASH (YELLOW) East: Supplies are still tight but more is available and demand is weak. Quality is fair. Downward pressure on FOB prices. West: More supplies continue to cross at Nogales this week. FOB prices are experiencing downward pressures. STRAWBERRIES The market remains elevated. More rain is forecast for California s strawberry growing areas (Coachella, Oxnard, and Santa Maria). Industry-wide problems, including bruising, mold, small size, and soft texture, persist. Quality is better in Florida and Mexico (into Texas); these berries can be used as a substitute when necessary. TOMATOES All tomato commodities are down this week due to both increased supplies and very tepid demand. Some prices are down substantially. EAST Rounds The supply smaller sized rounds continue to slowly increase while demand is weak. Fewer western customers have to come east to meet their demand due to increase Mexican supplies. FL FOB prices reflect this situation. The FOB prices of 6x6s and 6x7s are weaker. The supply and demand of 5x6s has remained steady which has caused that price to remain generally steady. Our Immokalee crop continues to ramp up. It will be another week or so before volume reaches normal level. Quality is good. Romas The Mexican crop is finally getting ramped up which is putting downward pressure on eastern FOB prices. FOB prices are down substantially and quality is good. Cherries Supplies continue to improve. Demand slightly weaker. FOB prices are down. Quality is good. WEST/MEXICO Rounds Mature green supplies are still not available in the west. Vine ripe volume remains low for this time of year due to the hurricanes and tropical storms that went through the growing regions. However, supplies have increased causing pressure for lower FOB prices at Otay Mesa. A wide range of quality and condition is being reported. Still pulling from the east to meet demand. Romas FOB prices are down again this week as more supplies are available through Nogales. Crossings at Otay Mesa have declined dramatically as yields from those fields are coming to the end. Quality is variable but generally good. Grapes Supplies continue to improve. Most Mexican supplies now crossing at Nogales. Fruit is running large and the prices for that large fruit have fallen more sharply than more moderately sized fruit. We look for FOB prices to continue to fall as even more supplies come on-line. Cherries Supplies in the west continue to be extremely tight but more can be found. Quality is variable. Still going east to meet demand. TREE FRUIT Black plums are almost finished. There are good supplies on persimmons, pomegranates and Asian pears. WATERMELON The market remains high; Mexican stocks are limited. Offshore supplies should be available from Guatemala (into California and Florida) by early January. Quality is average: melons are deep red, firm, juicy, and sweet. Sugar levels are elevated, ranging from 12 to 14 Brix. Grapes Supplies of grapes continue to improve. FOB prices to be down again this week on the 12/1pt. Quality remains good.