Things you should know: Week 30/2022

Market Alerts:

Apples –Foodservice size galas, fujis, and reds are in good supply. Golds are nearing the end of the storage crop. The supply of Granny Smiths remains low.

Asparagus –Central Mexico regions such as Guanajuato, Dolores de Hidalgo, and Irapuato are still experiencing consistent rainfall. Temperatures are still cool, with mornings reaching 50-60 degrees and highs reaching 70-80 degrees, improving asparagus quality after all the seeding. It is possible that crowns will begin to decline as soon as mid-August due to the lack of rain and intense heat at the start of the season. The Mexico production gap between mid-late August and September remains a concern. Markets are expected to be higher in the coming months. The weather in Peru continues to be colder, which is great for asparagus quality but not so good for asparagus yields. Because of El Nino and the warmer-than-normal temperatures expected this summer, there are concerns about Peruvian production. This will lower yields and likely affect quality. Markets are expected to remain high..

Avocados –Markets are slowly declining as Flora Loca harvesting increases and Peruvian fruit continues to arrive into the states. The peak sizes are 60ct and smaller and the 48ct and larger sizes are tight. Due to lower dry matter in new crop fruit, ripening times are increasing.

Bell Peppers –Green bells are in good supply out of California, with some shippers offering deals. Reds will start in the San Joaquin Valley the last week of July. Supply is good. The main region out east for greens is the Carolinas and the quality is good. There will be more Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana farms starting the last week of July.

Berries (Blackberries) –There has been a gradual improvement in availability on the West Coast for this item. In Mexico, the heat and rain continue to affect the quality and quantity of light numbers that cross into the US.

Berries (Blueberries) –Pacific Northwest production is peaking out of Oregon. Harvesting has just begun in British Columbia. It is nearly the end of peak season in New Jersey and North Carolina. Michigan has begun to produce some excellent quality fruit at the start of its season.

Berries (Raspberries) –Over the next few weeks, warmer weather is expected to help increase volume. Until the end of July, supplies will remain tight.

Berries (Strawberries) –The peak growing season has passed in all growing areas. We should see a steady decline in numbers until mid-August when the fall crop acres begin to produce. In the coming weeks, we expect light supplies to be the norm. As the new school year begins in mid-to-late August, demand is expected to increase.

Broccoli –There has been an improvement in broccoli supplies in Santa Maria, Mexico, and Salinas this week, including florets. Quality is average, with Mexico fighting bug infestations. As we move into the weekend, we can expect this market to remain steady due to the volatile weather in Mexico and the recent heat wave in the Salinas Valley.

Brussels Sprouts –Mexico continues to have quality issues due to erratic weather, resulting in tight supplies. It is expected that the market will remain high and steady as the weekend approaches. As Salinas and Oxnard have started, low yields and smaller sizes have been reported due to seeders and discoloration. As the weekend approaches, supplies will remain tight.

Carrots –The main growing region is Kern County. Conventional products have strong sizing. Availability is good across the board.

Cauliflower –There is a steady supply of cauliflower in Salinas, Mexico, and Santa Maria. We do not expect any issues with supplies this weekend as this market remains steady.

Celery –This commodity is more readily available in northern and southern California. The suppliers are expecting better production numbers for large sizes, particularly twenty-four counts. The market is softening. The escalation of value-added products continues, but by the end of the week, pricing may change dramatically. Slight seeder is being reported.

Citrus (Lemons) – There is a peak in supply of choice-grade fruit in District 2, which is the main growing region. The fruit is peaking on 115/95/75ct. Through the summer months, 140ct-200ct will be strong. Fancy grade and small fruit are extremely tight. Offshore fruit is available on both coasts. Mexican product is available in a light way in South Texas.

Citrus (Limes) – The markets are firm. The heat/humidity is still affecting yields. We are starting to see a shift in sizing with fewer smaller fruit available as we get into the new crop. Expect active markets through August.

Citrus (Oranges) -Valencias are the main variety as navels dwindle down. Peak sizes range from 88ct to 138ct. As more Valencias are harvested, the markets are a bit lower.

Cucumbers – In the east, supplies have been limited due to weather and pollination issues with smoke from Canadian fires. There has been an impact on quality. There are moderate supplies along the west coast; Washington and Baja will be the primary regions out west until Nogales begins in the fall.

Eggplant – Prices increased due to a lack of eastern supply from local programs. There is good quality. As of now, the main region out west is out of the San Joaquin Valley and is expected to continue through the summer.

Garlic - Mexican-grown supplies continue to be good this week on Green Onions. In Mexico, the warmer weather has helped spur growth. The quality is good overall.

Grapes (Green) – This week, California green seedless will start in a light way. The San Joaquin Valley will have a much better volume next week. Nogales is still shipping at lower prices.

Grapes (Red) – In the San Joaquin Valley, California grapes are in full production this week. The largest volumes are flame seedless. There are still plenty of cheap reds available in Nogales.

Green Onions – Mexican-grown supplies continue to be good this week on green onions. In Mexico, the warmer weather has helped spur growth. The quality is good overall.

Kale – The market continues to be steady. The availability is expected to be moderate to good throughout the week. Overall, there is good quality and a stable market.

Lettuce (Iceberg) – Although supplies are strong this week, demand is low. There are multiple suppliers who are flexing for volume orders, but with school off, orders are being passed on. There have been a few reports of lighter weights and misshapen heads from a few shippers, but overall the quality has been above average. There are still pricing gaps in this industry. The weights range from 37 to 43 pounds. All pricing escalation is off.

Lettuce Leaf – The supply of romaine as well as green and red leaves clearly exceeds demand. The majority of shippers are flexing. The availability of Romaine hearts will also be strong. Slight tip and fringe burn has been reported. For the entire week, we expect good weights on all leaf items. With most shippers, the quality is above average.

Lettuce Tender Leaf – The availability of Italian parsley and cilantro remains limited. We had heavy rains when growers were planting the product, which is why the product in Salinas is still slightly behind schedule. We anticipate growth to increase over the next few weeks as the weather in the Salinas Valley warms.

Melons (Cantaloupe) – Most of the cantaloupe shippers have fully transitioned to the San Joaquin Valley. There are still large sizes with limited smaller sizes with the new crop. Taste and quality are excellent with Brix levels ranging from 13-17%. As volume increases, conventional and organic promotions are available.

Melons (Honeydew) – As the desert and Mexico finish up, honeydews are growing in the San Joaquin Valley. The majority of the crop are 5s and 6s with limited 8 and 9 counts. With Brix levels between 13-17%, the new crop is of excellent quality. As volume increases, conventional and organic promotion opportunities are available.

Melons (Watermelon) – Watermelon production in California is in full swing and is producing great results. Production has increased in the San Joaquin Valley due to the heat wave. As long as the quality remains excellent, the market remains strong. The size is currently peaking at 45s with great flavor and color. Conventional and organic promotional opportunities are available with volumes increasing.

Mushrooms – There are abundant supplies and aggressive pricing.
Onions – Ample supplies of yellow onions are available in all regions. Reds are limited and the pricing is trending higher.

Pears – The new crop of California Bartletts will begin the week of July 24th. There are some Sunsprite varieties being shipped out of Lodi. Washington Anjous is nearly done.

Pineapples – There is a light open market volume. The quality of the product is good, and the market is steady.

Potatoes – The market pricing remains extreme. Burbanks are the primary variety shipped from Idaho. We are approaching the end of Washington's storage crop.

Squash – Supply and quality are good out of the San Joaquin Valley/Santa Maria/Baja. On the East Coast, supply is somewhat moderate. There are a few pockets of availability, but quality is mixed, due to heavy rains in New Jersey and smoke in Michigan.

Stone Fruit – Peaches are expected to be in better supply this week. Harvest is still peaking on 48s. There is a good production of nectarines. There are promotable volumes of plums. Washington's cherry market is firming up.

Tomatoes –The summer crops in California are ramping up, prices are easing slightly with good volume; quality is good; and availability is best on the smaller sizes. As the summer crops get going, the eastern supply is light. In a few weeks, we'll see how the heavy spring rains affect yields/quality.

WEATHER UPDATE

Arizona - Thunderstorms are possible Tuesday morning and again Thursday evening through Friday as monsoon moisture slowly increases under the high-pressure ridge. Rain and thunderstorms are most likely over higher terrain early this week. Due to nearby thunderstorms, wind gusts over 40 mph and dust blowing are possible.

California -A weakening of the high-pressure system will result in temperatures cooling by about 5 degrees in the coastal valley and inland fields. The temperatures are expected to be near to above average for Monday with lows in the mid-50s to low-60s in the morning, mid-60s to mid-70s in the daytime near the coast, and mid-80s to 103 inland. Thursday is another day of high temperatures in the coastal valley and inland fields, bringing temperatures back into the upper 80s to 107 degrees for the rest of the week.

Florida -A system has been producing scattered showers and T-storms through midweek but will start sliding east Wednesday. Rain coverage diminishes from north to south starting Tuesday and in areas north of I-4. By Thursday and Friday, it should be fairly dry. Temperatures are warmer than normal, with highs in the mid-upper 90s in most fields and morning lows in the mid-upper 70s with a light southerly wind.

Mexico -Warm temperatures and isolated showers are expected over the next five days. Temperatures will reach the upper 70s and upper 80s through Friday. Over most of the region, morning temperatures will be in the mid-50s to mid-60s. Where showers occur, rain totals will generally be less than 0.10". Thunderstorms could increase totals.

MARKET ALERTS

Strawberries - Steady supply and quality is fair

Lemons - Limited supply and quality is fair.

Onions - Limites supply of red onions and quality is average.

Potatoes - Limited supply and the quality is fair.

 

FREIGHT UPDATES

For the remainder of July, there is an ample supply of trucks available and fuel prices remain steady across the US.
For more information: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/