Weekly Produce Trend Report for Week Ending April 3, 2015
COMMODITY
PRICE
QUALITY
Avocados–Californian & Mexican
Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries
Strawberries
Moderate
Moderate
Low
Good
Good
Good
Grapefruit, Pineapples, Lemons, Oranges, Navels
Moderate
Good
Limes
High
Excellent
Green & Red Leaf Lettuces
Low to Moderate
Good
Iceberg Lettuce
Moderate
Fair
Romaine Lettuce
Moderate
Good
Romaine Hearts
Moderate
Excellent
Cucumbers
Moderate
Good
Green Beans
Moderate to High
Good
Green Bell Peppers
Moderate
Fair to Good
Red Bell Peppers
Moderate
Good
Yellow Squash
Moderate
Good
Zucchini
Low to Moderate
Good
Green & Red Seedless Grapes, Bok Choy, Napa, Spring Mix
High
Good
Plums
Moderate
Good
Cantaloupes
High
Good
Honeydews
Moderate
Good
Artichokes
Moderate to High
Good
Arugula, Frisee, Fennel/Anise, Mache, Bunched Spinach
Moderate
Good
Asparagus
High
Good
Broccoli
Moderate
Excellent
Carrots, Baby Spinach
Moderate
Good
Cauliflower
High
Good
Celery
Low
Good
Peeled Garlic
Extreme
Good
Green Cabbage
Moderate
Excellent
Green Onions
Moderate
Fair
Kale (Green), Parsley (Curly & Italian)
Red Cabbage
Snow & Sugar Snap Peas
Red, Yellow, White Onions, Potatoes
Round, Plum, Grape Tomatoes
Roma Tomatoes
Red & Golden Delicious, Granny Smiths, Galas, Fujis, Braeburns,
Cameos, Bartlett Pears, Red Anjous
D’Anjous
Low to Moderate
High
High to Extreme
Moderate
Moderate
Extreme
Excellent
Excellent
Poor to Fair
Good
Good
Poor
Moderate
Good
High
Good
PRICE TREND
Weekly Produce Trend Report for Week Ending April 3, 2015
MARKET OVERVIEW
Similarly to last week, the wet veg markets continue to see a little volatility with the transition from Yuma to
Salinas. Most notably, cauliflower and broccoli have experienced a significant gap in supply, so both markets
are experiencing a demand-exceeds-supply situation, pushing market prices significantly higher. Other products
(bok choy, celery, leeks, etc.) have seen slight increases in market prices, but nothing as extreme as the broccoli
and cauliflower situations. Extreme market conditions exist for limes: poor weather and growing conditions will
continue to negatively impact supply and price in the coming days and weeks. We are also seeing increases in
Roma tomato prices and a shortage in Florida due to the freeze; there is a significant lack of color.
APPLES & PEARS
Washington prices remain low. Stocks are plentiful, particularly large sizes. Quality is excellent: sugar levels are
high, measuring 14 to 18 Brix (sugar to acid ratio). Pear
prices are stable. The D’Anjou season will run through
July. Sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix.
ARTICHOKES
Lighter supplies are forecasted this week and for the
coming weeks. The chokes are frost free with excellent
quality. Sizing is estimated to be heaviest to 24s. Light
supplies are forecasted on 12s and 18s. Prices should be
steady to higher this week.
ARUGULA
Supplies of both baby and wild arugula are very limited
with 10 week averages in effect. Expect some yellowing
and mildew.
ASPARAGUS
The market remains elevated due to strong demand and
tight supplies. Although new crop harvesting has begun
in California, stocks will not reach volume levels until
mid-April. Quality is excellent: flavor is grassy, texture is
firm, and stalks are straight.
AVOCADOS
Prices are stable. Volume is rising in California and
Mexico. Peruvian fruit will hit the market in mid-April.
BANANAS
In Central America, last December brought cooler than
normal weather patterns, rain and less solar radiation
negatively impacting the growing conditions and yield of
bananas in Costa Rica. In addition, in the month of January, the Atlantic region suffered extreme high winds in the
growing region. Growers lost thousands of banana plants.
Guatemala suffered two extreme cold fronts, causing a
significant loss in product. Problems are also being experienced with the government of Ecuador. They are enforcing a policy where growers cannot sell more than a certain
percentage of their bananas on the open market, which
is an “auction market” for the industry. This, combined
with the strong demand from Russian companies, has led
to extremely high prices for spot market bananas. This is
estimated to continue through March.
BLACKBERRIES
The market continues to rise due to heavy rain and hail
in the primary growing region of Central Mexico; good
quality berries are tight. Stocks should start increasing
and quality will improve next week. Sugar levels range
from 12 to 13 Brix.
BLUEBERRIES
Prices will remain high until growers complete harvesting
transitions in California, Florida, and Baja, Mexico. Pack
size will change from 4.4-ounce to 6-ounce clamshells.
Quality will improve with the introduction of new crop
fruit. Sugar levels range from 14 to 18 Brix. The Chilean
season has ended.
BOK CHOY
Tight supplies, high prices.
BROCCOLI
Expect a volatile market for the next two to three weeks.
California supplies remain limited, but are increasing. The
Mexican season is nearly over. Quality is best in California;
stalks are firm and florets are deep green and compact.
CANTALOUPE
Market is steady with good volumes of 12’s and smaller
on the east coast, and lighter supplies, stronger prices on
the west coast. We expect to see the market keep steady
and we should have a smooth transition from offshore
fruit to domestic product starting out of Arizona and
California around the first week of May, possibly sooner.
The overall quality of the offshore fruit is good with some
fruit showing some sunken areas but for the most part
internal sugar, color and quality is very good. Sugar levels
are high, ranging from 13 to 14 Brix.
CARROTS
Availability has improved for jumbo carrots in California.
Quality is good.
CAULIFLOWER
The market has inched down and will continue to ease
through next week; although production is slow in Salinas
and Santa Maria, it is increasing. The Arizona desert
season has ended.
CELERY
Price are slightly higher than last week, but remain low;
the Arizona season is winding down. Stocks are plentiful
in Oxnard, California. Quality is excellent.
CUCUMBERS
EAST: Higher FOBs due to gap situation between offshore
and FL.
WEST: Variable quality but improving as new fields come
on-line. FOB prices down.
EGGPLANT
EAST: Market steady.
WEST: Supplies have tightened up causing higher FOB
prices.
FENNEL/ANISE
Good supplies at steady prices.
GARLIC
The garlic market has improved, although we are still
facing issues with getting product from China. We are still
seeing some Chinese pounds that have become available in the market. Although pricing still remains high, it
has come down from where it was. It is anyone’s guess
whether more pounds will continue to become available or
if “the pipeline” will run dry again. On the domestic side,
the demand continues to remain high/moderate, and supplies are still tight. However, we are seeing it ease up.
GINGER
The crop in storage remains tight. This is causing a lack
of supply and very high prices, although they are not as
high as they were several months ago.
GRAPES
Market is strengthening, as we have finished flames
and now into crimsons and rouge red varieties. On the
greens, there is plenty of fruit available with a very wide
range in quality therefore a very wide range of prices,
but in the next few weeks the green grapes will be much
stronger on price as we ship our storage greens. We
expect to see the bulk of the crimsons arriving over the
next 3 weeks so the market should start to strengthen
a bit as we try to bridge the gap between Chilean and
Mexico/Coachella district which we plan on starting the
new crop fruit by the first week of May as things look
to be about 2 weeks ahead of schedule in Mexico and
Coachella.
GREEN BEANS
Better volume in Florida has influenced prices lower in
the east and west. Steady availability in Nogales through
early April at higher prices compared to Florida.
GREEN CABBAGE
Good supplies and favorable prices from numerous districts in California, Texas and Florida. Quality is excellent
with great color and size.
GREEN ONIONS
The market seems to be steady and supplies back to
normal. Demand could improve due to Easter. Quality is
forecasted to be good.
HONEYDEW
Market strong as demand has been excellent and supplies a little light on both west and east coasts. The overall
quality is very good with a green to cream color and
excellent sugar and internal condition. Expect the market
to keep steady for the next 3 weeks and then start to see
things ease a bit as we start some Mexico fruit and then
some domestic production around the first week of May.
We anticipate good volumes out of the desert region and if
weather holds should have some excellent quality. Quality
is very good: sugar levels range from 11 to 13 Brix.
ROMAINE LETTUCE
Strong demand persists; the market is high. The Arizona
season will end soon; growers are harvesting in Huron
and Salinas. Insect pressure and low weights are issues
in new crop supplies.
KALE (GREEN)
Plentiful supplies continue. Overall quality and appearance continue to be very nice. Bunches are averaging
14-16” in length with dark green color.
LIMES
As of today the FOBs are @ $50-$53 if available. Still,
old crop out of Mexico. New crop starts in 3 weeks. The
word is ”The Cartel “is taking over the crop and forcing the market up, somewhat as they did last year. This
would diminish the supply, as they would work to keep
the majority of the crop in Mexico. We know supply will
continue to tighten as the workers in Mexico prepare to
go on holiday and celebrate Easter. Hopefully we will not
see pricing reach the same levels as last year.
KIWI
Chile is the main supply area. California is starting. Italian
is available off the east coast and will be available on the
west coast in a week.
LEMONS
Market is strengthening as well as we are slowing down
on our dist. 1 fruit and starting to pack a bit more of the
dist. 2 fruit, but our pack days have been lighter out of
dist. 2 and demand has been very good. We will continue on both districts and will pick up our Dist. 2 volume
in the coming weeks. The overall market will continue to
strengthen as we approach the summer months going
forward, we do have a normal volume crop out of dist.
2 this year and will hopefully not run into our shortage
situation that we have run into the last couple of years
from July to September but we will keep you posted
as we get closer. The overall quality is fair to good with
some blocks a little weaker than others, the overall juice
content is good and color is mixed.
GREEN LEAF/VARIETY LETTUCE
The market is up a bit from last week. The Arizona desert
season is nearly over. Growers have started harvesting in
Huron, California. Quality is very good: insect pressure is
a slight problem in Huron.
ICEBERG LETTUCE
The market is low. The Arizona season is wrapping up;
some growers have moved to Huron and Salinas, California. Insect problems are being reported in Huron.
ROMAINE HEARTS
Overall supplies will be average this week and harvesting
solely in the Salinas growing area. Overall quality is good.
The product is slightly more green and leafy this time of
year. As we move more into the season, we will begin to
see more cupped hearts.
NAPA
Limited supplies, high prices.
ONIONS
FOB prices jumped on every size, every variety this week
except for medium yellow onions. Most shippers will be
out of whites until we begin in Texas around mid-April.
Supplies have tightened quite a bit on Supers and regular
colossal as reflected by the big FOB increase.
ORANGES
Market steady to strengthening especially on 88’s and
smaller as we are starting to get into some of our later
varieties and gibbed fruit. Expect the market to continue
to strengthen on the smaller fruit until we start Valencia’s
around the end of April, which will help fill the void on
the smaller fruit. The overall quality of the navels is good
with excellent sugar and eating like candy. You will see a
splash of green due to the gibbed fruit typically around
the stem and bloom end, but that is a sign of strong fruit
and eats as good as the full color fruit. The upcoming
Valencia season is projected to be about 20% lighter
than normal due to blocks being pulled out that do not
have water, and also the lack of water is causing trees
to be every stressed and consequently the fruit on those
blocks will be weaker and not near the production we
normally see. Sugar levels range from 13 to 14 Brix.
PARSLEY (CURLY, ITALIAN)
Plentiful supplies in coastal Southern California and
Western Arizona. Bunches are averaging 9-10” in length
and showing dark green color.
PEPPER (GREEN BELL)
EAST: Better quality and larger fruit higher; choice generally steady.
WEST: Larger sizes lower; choice higher.
PEPPER (JALAPEÑOS)
EAST: FOB prices generally steady. Quality is good.
WEST: Quality is good. FOB prices are down.
PEPPER (RED AND YELLOW BELL)
Prices are level despite declining volume in Mexico; the
season is winding down. Quality is very good, although
softness is a minor issue due to recent rain.
PINEAPPLE
The market is steady; stocks have returned to normal
levels. Quality is good, although bruising is a minor issue
in some lots. Sugar levels range from 13 to 14 Brix.
IDAHO POTATOES
The market on big potatoes is advancing again. Demand
continues to outpace supply on 70cts and larger. There
has been a particular strain over the past 2-3 weeks on
40’s and 50’s. Some of the increased demand has come
from customers who have switched to Idaho after pulling
product out of Colorado and Washington. Keeping a little
heavier inventory than normal on large potatoes is recommended as pro-rating order could be in our future.
RASPBERRIES
Price are stable; stocks from Santa Maria, California are
starting to increase. Fruit is firm and sweet.
RED CABBAGE
Fairly light supplies continue and high prices in California,
Texas and Florida.
SALADS & BLENDS
Prices are unchanged; raw product stocks will be harvested in Arizona through mid-April.
SNOW AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS
Snow peas and sugar snaps are in tight supply (Peru,
Mexico, and California). Prices remain in the highs for
both. Quality is poor, and limited availability will continue
through next week.
SPINACH (BABY)
There are good supplies of baby spinach and clipped
spinach. Quality is fair with sightings of minor yellowing.
SPINACH (BUNCHED)
Tight supplies and high prices during the harvest transition to Central California. Yields have dropped due to
issues with mildew.
SPRING MIX
Increased Yuma temperatures may affect tender leaf
items as well as shorten shelf-life.
ZUCCHINI & YELLOW SQUASH
Good supplies for zucchini and yellow squash in Central
Florida. Plentiful availability for new crop zucchini from
Northern Mexico; only fair supplies of yellow squash, as
the ratio of planted acreage is upwards of 4-1 in favor of
zucchini.
STRAWBERRIES
The market is starting to inch up and will continue to
climb through the Easter holiday. California’s recent heat
has caused some soft texture, increased bruising and
bleeding, and smaller berry size. Harvesting is wrapping
up in Florida and Mexico.
TOMATOES
EAST
Rounds
6x7s steady, 6x6s and 5x6s up slightly. Quality continues
to be very good.
Romas
FOB prices down dramatically as more supplies come
on-line. Quality is good.
Grapes
FOB prices stronger. Quality remains very good.
Cherries
FOB prices generally steady this week. Quality is very
good.
WEST/MEXICO
Rounds
5x6s steady, smaller sized up slightly.
Romas
New fields, better supplies. FOB prices down substantially.
Grapes
Prices generally steady. Quality is variable.
Cherries
FOB prices are down slightly. Quality continues to be
variable due to splits and color.
TREE FRUIT
The nectarine and red plum markets are stable. Peach
prices are high; the Chilean season is ending. Quality is
good, but light bruising and soft spots are slight issues.
WATERMELON
Although supplies are increasing, strong demand due to
warmer weather is keeping prices elevated. Quality has
improved: sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix.