Not much change from last week. Central Mexico (Guana­juato) is still producing good volume out of that region. Vol­ume on Jumbo and Large sizes is still lower than expected and should increase in the next couple of weeks. Domestic supply is pretty much done as they conclude their season. Peruvian supply remains steady out of the North, Southern Peru has started to shut down fields due to seasonality. Big sizes out of Peru is still an issue due to cooler temps. Markets out East remain steady as markets out west have jumped due to less domestic supply and more demand.

 

Avocado (California)

The harvest remains strong this week. With Mexico produc­ing a lot less volume, some suppliers are pulling California fruit and shipping it to Texas to cover business. With so much pressure being put on California fruit, the season will end sooner that projected. Fruit will be available through mid-July and taper off by the end of the month.

Avocado (Mexican)

Volume continues to decrease on this current crop in Mex­ico. The industry is in a demand exceeds supply situation. There is little to no fruit to be had, especially on smaller sized fruit (60’s/70’s). On the new crop fruit (Flora Loca crop) some growers have been authorized to start harvesting due to fruit meeting the dry matter standards. There are very few growers harvesting this new crop and they are trying to control the market as long as they can. New crop fruit is projected to have a size curve from 48’s and smaller. We are also going to see better volume/offerings on #1 grade fruit once production is in full swing. Peruvian fruit has pro­vided relief for both east and west.

 

Bell Peppers (Eastern)

Supplies of green bell pepper are coming from Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Each region has good volume, Georgia is winding down, with all the heat the region has received over the past two months yields have gone down and a higher percentage of choice and mixed red pepper are being packed. South Carolina has just got­ten over their peak, they are still packing good pepper but also are packing smaller sizes. North Carolina is just getting started on steady volume of mostly jumbo pepper. New Jersey will start mid-July, the mid-west states are 10 days to 2 weeks late because of a cold wet spring.

Bell Peppers (Western)

Green Bell Pepper- Good supplies of green bell pepper being harvested in Bakersfield, CA. Both retail and choice grade continue to be packed. Quality of green bell pepper from this district is good. Green bell pepper supply currently meets demand but the market has risen with higher demand. Green bell pepper harvest has also started in Fresno, CA with mostly large retail size. Green bell pepper from Mexico is also avail­able to load in San Diego, CA and McAllen, TX.

Red Bell Pepper- Light supplies of Red bell pepper continue out of Coachella/ Thermal and Fresno will begin in a small way. The market has strengthened with prices escalating from lim­ited supplies and increased demand. More choice grade than a retail grade on domestic product and quality is good. Light production expected throughout the week. Light supplies of red hothouse bell pepper continue to be harvested in Baja California. Red bell pepper also available to load in McAllen, TX.

Yellow Bell Pepper- Limited supplies of Yellow Bell pepper continue to arrive in Nogales this week from Mexico. The hothouse crossing through Nogales is mostly being packed in choice grade. Market on yellow bell peppers has strength­ened with demand exceeding supply. Yellow bell pepper continues to be harvested in the Coachella Valley this week where production is expected to be steady through the week. Yellow hot house bells are also available to load in McAllen, TX.

 

This item remains in light supplies out West although there are other loading options available in GA, NC, and Fl. Look for the market to remain firm at the on 6oz blacks out West with possible temporary shortages going into this weekend. Better availability will exist loading east until numbers pick up in California.

Central California is winding down this week with some avail­ability coming out of the Stockton CA area as well. Availability out west is spotty. Markets are fairly firm on the 6oz pack style. We are preparing to move to the Northwest on blues as early as next week. There are also blues crossing in from Mexico as well as alternatives in North Carolina and New Jersey. Quality has been good out of all areas.

 

Raspberries continue to be in just adequate supplies coming out of the West Coast with some Mexican fruit being trans­ferred to bolster light local supplies. The market remains firm. Load volume is not available and shippers are filling pallet quantities only with the other mixed berries. Quality has been good

 

The broccoli market has started to come off as we’ve experi­enced some recent warm weather. This recent warm weather has increased yields and has affected the overall quality. Quality is fair with slight purpling, some mechanical damage and occasional yellow cast.

 

The Brussels sprouts market continues to come off as rain gaps are closing and a little more supply is in the pipe­line. The recent warm weather has brought on yields. The quality has been impacted by rain and cold weather with sizing tends to run smaller due to colder weather. Look for the Brussels sprouts market to continue to adjust going into next week.

The California carrot market remains steady with the excep­tion of the rainbow varieties which are gapping at this point in time. Mexico is experiencing rain-induced supply gap on Jumbo carrots and the market has risen steadily since Monday. Look for the jumbo market out of Mexico crossing into Texas to stay firm through the weekend.

 

The cauliflower market continues to adjust downward with the recent warm weather in the Salinas Valley. Yields have improved since the heat wave a couple of weeks. Overall, the quality is good with minor bruising and yellow cast with weights in the 25 to 28-pound level. Look for the market to continue to adjust going into next week.

 

This market still commands a high price for this commodity, but with this being said, the market is softer. Production in Salinas has picked up. Production in Oxnard/Santa Maria is moderate at best. The lack of school business has eased demand. According to multiple shippers, production is expected to be steady over the next few weeks. Demand is average at best. Long stock celery used in bin production will be held to averages. Regular sizes, twenty four to thirty six counts, in particular, will have better availability. Some defects being reported to include mechanical, leafy tops and bowing. These defects are minimal however and the overall quality is good.

 

Jalapenos- Moderate supply of Jalapeno still available to load in Los Angeles from Mexico. Jalapeno is being har­vested in Baja California where the quality is good. Mostly medium to large size are available from this region. Market on jalapeno has maintained in the mid-teens. Light supplies of jalapeno also being harvested in Santa Maria, CA. Ja­lapenos from Mexico are also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Pasilla- Moderate supply of Pasilla peppers available to load in Los Angeles from Mexico. Pasilla is being harvest­ed in Baja California. Quality on Pasilla from this region is mostly Fair to good. Size on the pepper is mostly medium. Market on Pasilla is Higher/steady. Pasilla from Mexico also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Anaheim- Moderate supply of Anaheim available to load from Baja California. Quality from Baja is mostly good. The market for Anaheim is in the mid-teens and is expected to stay there through the week. Anaheim from Mexico also available to load in McAllen, Texas.

Serrano – Moderate supplies of Serrano peppers available to load in Los Angeles, from Mexico. Supplies are expected to remain steady throughout the week. Supplies currently meet demand. Price on Serrano pepper is currently in the high teens and is expected to remain the same through the week. Serrano supplies also crossing through McAllen, Texas.

 

Tomatillo – Husk tomatillos are available to load in Los Angeles, from Mexico. Quality of husk variety is good. Good supplies on husk tomatillos are expected to contin­ue through the week. The tomatillo market has increased slightly on both husked and peeled. Both Husked and Peeled tomatillos are increasing in the teens. Both varietiesof tomatillos also available to load in McAllen, TX.

 

No real change on the lemon supplies. Markets continue to remain tight on 140’s and smaller. Expect market prices con­tinue to climb weekly. Shippers are doing their very best to improve quality and extend shelf life. Therefore, to be cautious, fast­er rotation of inventories is recommended.

Limes supplies continue to improve weekly, we’re seeing more crossings from the border. Plenty of promotional op­portunities coming up for 4th of July pull. Supplies continue to peak on the 175’s and smaller, with markets in the low teens to single digits. Supplies continue to remain light on large sizes 110’s – 150’s, markets are in the mid to low teens.

 

Cucumbers (Eastern)

A few shippers in Georgia are still packing cucumbers and the quality is not that bad. Virginia and New Jersey are shipping good volume along with other small regions in the mid-Atlantic. There has been a wide range in pricing between number 1 product and select cucumbers. Quality has been good in the mid-Atlantic, the market on selects and cartons is steady at lower prices. Michigan and Ohio will start after the fourth of July.

Cucumbers (Western)

The cucumber market is currently steady. Cucumbers are currently being harvested in Sonora, Mexico, and Baja Cal­ifornia. Crop from Sonora is expected to continue into the month of July. Quality from Sonora continues to be good. Good supplies of cucumber being produced by the Baja district. All sizes and pack styles currently being packed. Quality from Baja is also good. Mexican cucumbers are also crossing and available to load in McAllen, TX

.

Eggplant (Eastern)

There is an over supply of eggplant in Georgia and South Carolina, North Carolina will start by this weekend, the market has been depressed for two weeks. Quality has been good in Georgia, the problem is a lot of shippers are struggling to keep up with supply and product is sitting too long. At these price levels, growers in the southeast will stop harvesting and supplies will start to dry up.

Eggplant (Western)

Light supplies of eggplant available to load in Los Angeles. Eggplant is currently being harvested in Bakersfield, CA. Light supplies of eggplant expected to continue for about 2 weeks. Both fancy and choice grade being packed. Quality on domestic eggplant is currently fair at best. Fresno, CA is expected to start harvesting eggplant in 2 weeks.

No major changes this week on green grapes. Both Mexico and Coachella are in full production with plenty of availability. Quality has been good in all areas. Sizes have been heavier on the medium-large, but all sizes are avail­able. Demand has been consistent. We are still seeing a split market between both areas. Mexico’s production has been heavy and shippers have been getting very aggres­sive moving volume out of Nogales. Coachella harvest has been steady, but growers are holding their prices firm. For a hot deal, look to load in Nogales for the next 7-10 days. New domestic harvest will start in the California Central Valley by the second week of July. Volumes will be light at first but will ramp up quickly. We expect good availability, quality, and good prices moving forward.

 

No major changes this week on grape supplies. Red grape supplies continue to be excellent. Quality is very strong out of all areas. Currently, we have Mexico and Coachella in full production. Demand has been steady and market prices have remained flat. There are still some very aggressive deals being made on older or very small fruit, but be aware of the quality. As we look toward July, we expect new harvest to start in the Central Valley by the 8th. We have loading options out of Nogales, Coachella, the Central Valley, and Los Angeles.

 

Green onion supply continues to be plentiful with the recent nice weather in Mexico and Salinas. The cooler weather in March is causing occasional leaf minor and mechanical damage. The green onion market will continue to stay steady going into next week.

 

The kale market remains steady as supplies stay plentiful. Quality is fair with full bunches and an occasional yellow leaf being reported due to the recent heat wave.

 

Demand continues to exceed supplies to start the week. Multiple shippers were sold out early and were attempt­ing to purchase with outside label. Contract averages are being watched closely from all suppliers and this will continue throughout the week. Temperatures although not as warm compared to last week, has still been above av­erage in the growing regions both north and south. Lower yields continue to be reported from growers due to the past high temperatures. Expect this market to be active all week. Escalated pricing on contracted commodities as well as value added items will continue all week. Some issues on quality for this commodity include mechanical, puffiness, light weights, growth crack, and insect damage.

 

Lettuce Leaf

The romaine market, as well as all leaf items, continues to be very active in the marketplace. Much of the issue is the same as lettuce. High temperatures in prior week damaged this crop and yields have suffered for all grow­ers. This is an industry-wide issue. Green and red leaf are very active as well. Supplies will be very limited all week both in northern and southern California. The internal burn continues to be the issue. Escalated pricing is in effect. Some issues on the quality that are being reported include mechanical, insect damage, twisting, fringe burn, and discoloration. Romaine hearts are very scarce as well and supplies simply cannot meet demand. The weights on romaine are averaging 32-37 pounds and green and red leaf range from 20-24 pounds.

Lettuce Tender Leaf

All Tender Leaf has been affected by the volatile weather in the Salinas Valley. Curly parsley, spinach, and arugula have reacted to the recent hot weather and has remained tight due to lower yields caused by this recent heat wave. Quality is

 

Production in the desert will run through mid-July. Mostly large fruit this week (9’s, J9’s and 12’s. Light offerings on small fruit (15’s/18’s). There are a few growers in California harvesting this week, mostly 9’s and jumbo 9’s and a few 12’s to follow. As the weather gets warmer in the San Joaquin Valley, production will ramp up. Most growers are shipping the LSL and ESL varieties. They hold up better in hot weather, travel well and eat well.