Produce Market Alerts:  as of April 4, 2024

Apples- There is a good supply of most apple varieties. Gala’s being the one exception. This year’s crop was at near record levels and shippers pushed promotions and sales heavily in the fall. Due to that effort, spring supplies were lighter than usual, and the supply between now and the next crop will be skinny.

Asparagus – This time of year, asparagus production out of Mexico continues to decline. Until Peru increases volume during the third or fourth week of April, markets will be extremely active..

Avocados – The market is increasing as higher elevation growers have the majority of fruit right now, which means they are holding off on harvesting and crossings to increase prices. Ripening times are short due to higher dry matter. We should see the market stabilize in the next couple of weeks..

Bell Peppers – Both coasts are experiencing fairly steady markets. There are some issues with older crops due to rain, but quality is good. Supplies from Sinaloa are adequate. Sonora crops will get started in a few weeks. Coachella will follow later this month.

Berries (Blackberries) – Supplies are very light coming out of CMEX and Baja on transfer trucks. Slowly, the labor shortage experienced during the Easter season is improving. Through the end of the month, shippers are expected to be short. In May, Central California is expected to produce more meaningful numbers.

Berries (Blueberries) – Central Mexico, Baja, and Peru are beginning to provide more supplies. Offshore containers are being held up at ports. Harvesting has been disrupted by rain in Baja, while Central Mexico is experiencing high temperatures and logistical difficulties. As a result of weather-related quality issues, container offloads from Peru are becoming less regular. There are still small quantities available in McAllen, TX.

Berries (Raspberries) – There is a lack of supplies coming out of CMEX and Baja on transfer trucks. Slowly, the labor shortage experienced during the Easter season is improving. Through the end of the month, shippers are expected to be short. In May, Central California is expected to produce more meaningful numbers.

Berries (Strawberries) – Oxnard and Santa Maria have experienced consecutive rain events over the past month. Shippers have been stripping fruit each week at the end of the week, reducing total yields. Another rain front is expected on Thursday and Friday. Salinas and Watsonville have begun harvesting very lightly. Weather permitting, numbers from the North should slowly increase over the next few weeks. We are currently in a demand-exceeds-supply situation. The season is finished in Dover, FL due to quality issues.

Broccoli – As a result of lower yields and rains affecting the Salinas Valley harvest, broccoli supplies remain tight. As the weekend approaches, expect this market to rise.

Brussels Sprouts – For at least the first part of the week, sprout supply will remain slightly unstable. Labor and border crossing schedules for the Easter holiday are causing a short-term disruption in supply. However, by the end of the week, things should be back to normal. In the coming week, open market pricing will spike. By mid-April, supplies should pick up.

Carrots – Whole carrots are doing well on the market. The Imperial Valley is now the main region for growth. Size looks good. No issues for the foreseeable future.

Cauliflower – Cauliflower supplies have remained consistent this week. Look for this market to remain steady as we approach the weekend.

Celery – The market is steady and this is likely to continue throughout the week. All sizes are available out of Oxnard/Santa Maria. If loading in Salinas, shippers are charging a fee to transfer from down south so please be aware. Yuma's production is complete with all shippers, but product will be transferred from down south throughout the week. Overall the quality continues to be above average.

Citrus (Lemons) – The overall peak size is 115ct and larger. The main growing region is District 1. Sizes smaller than 140ct are extremely tight.

Citrus (Limes)– The markets are slightly lower. The demand is a bit flat after the holiday. Veracruz's quality is generally good. Expect sizing to become more limited on large fruit. Offshore fruit is available.

Citrus (Oranges) - It is currently peaking at 72ct and larger; 88/113/138ct are extremely scarce and will remain this way through the navel season. Due to low fruit set and rain events, fruit will continue to grow in size throughout the season. As we navigate our way through this shorter Navel season, please be flexible with size and grade. Lead time is very important; please send orders 5-7 days in advance. Quality is good; Brix are in the 12-14 range. Zero gassing at this time.

Cucumbers – Prices are steady or slightly lower. As FL growers begin planting their crops, volume should improve as April progresses. GA will begin in the first week of May. Sinaloa and Sonora overlap in the west, contributing to more supply. Overall quality is good.

Eggplant – Volume is steady at moderate levels. FL production will be light until Central region gets started in April. The Mexican production is steady and of good quality.

Garlic - Overall, garlic supplies remain tight. In recent months, there has been a good harvest of Argentinian garlic in South America. However, this will not fill the overall supply gap. The garlic market will become tighter and more volatile over the next few months.

Grapes (Green) – The demand for imported grapes remains higher than the supply. A lack of consistency in vessel arrivals prevents a smooth flow of incoming product and keeps the market active. In spite of brief periods of shortages, adequate supplies, an empty pipeline and pre-committed program volumes will keep the market price high. Expectations are this will continue until the Mexican grape deal starts in mid-May.

Grapes (Red) – The demand for imported grapes remains higher than the supply. A lack of consistency in vessel arrivals prevents a smooth flow of incoming product and keeps the market active. In spite of brief periods of shortages, adequate supplies, an empty pipeline and pre-committed program volumes will keep the market price high. Expectations are this will continue until the Mexican grape deal starts in mid-May.

Green Onions – There are fewer green onions available this week. Due to previous weather, most shippers are experiencing mildew issues and lower yields. Next week, this market is expected to remain strong.

Kale – As we head into the weekend, kale supplies and quality are good.

Lettuce (Iceberg) – Most shippers continue to produce light to moderate quantities as the Yuma season winds down. Currently, this commodity is being harvested in Yuma, Huron, and Salinas. All three regions reported clean quality with weights ranging from 36 to 41 pounds. There have been reports of slight discoloration and misshapen heads, but only in a mild way. Later this week, escalation on value-added items will be removed from the second tier.

Lettuce Leaf – It is true that romaine is getting softer, as well as green and red leaves, but supplies remain moderate at best. Since the past few weeks, production has increased both north and south of the country. By the end of the week, we expect to be down to the first tier of escalation on romaine items. With multiple shippers on all leaf items, the quality has been better than in past weeks.

Lettuce Tender Leaf – As Yuma season comes to an end, spinach supplies are looking really good. Aphids are causing problems for some spinach growers. Arugula will be tighter as we transition. In the case of yellowing, production will be limited, resulting in lower yields.

Melons (Cantaloupe) – There has been an increase in demand due to spring retail promotions, and vessel delays are causing loading schedules to be moved to the end of the week. Yuma growers are waiting for their plants to bloom before planting them in the ground. There is a peak on 9s and 12s. The quality of the fruit remains solid and minimal scarring remains.

Melons (Honeydew) – There is a tight market for honeydews. As a result of vessel delays and lower yields in Mexican fields, demand has increased.

Melons (Watermelon) – While there has been some relief in the Watermelon Market, demand still exceeds supply. Only a limited amount of watermelons are available from Florida, but there are restrictions on where they can go. Production was delayed in Florida due to weather delays.

Mushrooms - Supply and availability are excellent.

Onions – The California desert is expected to begin shipping on April 22nd. Yellows are in better supply than reds in Eastern Oregon/Parma, Idaho. South Texas supplies are improving, but prices remain high. Supplies are limited until April.

Pears - Anjou prices have risen rapidly and will remain tight until midJuly when new crop Bartletts arrive in California. There will be a shortage of 110s and smaller. Small Bosc remain readily available.

Pineapples – Growers are meeting their contracted orders. Tropical weather has caused fruit to mature faster than usual. 6ct crowned and 7ct crownless pineapples have been impacted. A shift in loading schedules has been caused by vessel and USDA delays. Pineapples of special varieties are in high demand.

Potatoes – The number of 40 - 60 CT cartons is limited for both Norkotahs and Burbanks. Storage continues to peak at 90 CT.

Squash – Both coasts have strong supplies. Even after the recent rains in FL, there are still plenty of supplies to go around as more growers in the central region start up. There is plenty of supply crossing through Nogales in Mexico. Overall quality is good with some shippers dealing with load volume.

Stone Fruit – There is a limited supply of domestic Kiwi. As the volume of shippable domestic fruit declines, the market is starting to react. Domestic fruit is repackaged to order by most shippers. The domestic crop is supplemented by imported Kiwi from Greece and Italy. Peaches, plums, and nectarines are arriving in small quantities on both coasts. Peach supplies are very light.

Tomatoes – Demand exceeds on rounds and romas. It has been raining in FL last week, resulting in a decrease in both quality and production. Mexico's crops are at lighter levels as the Sinaloa region winds down. In a few weeks, there will be new production from northern areas. Baja will begin in May. Nogales will run through early June.

Weather

Arizona - A fast-building ridge of high pressure will cause rapid warming WednesdayThursday, ahead of the next highly unusual late-winter storm on Friday. Borrego Springs could see light rain Friday afternoon, and central Arizona Friday evening and overnight. This weekend, temperatures will be 10-15 degrees below normal due to a cold air mass. On Wednesday-Thursday, morning lows will be in the mid 40s-mid 50s, cooling to the upper 30s-mid 40s Saturday and Sunday, with brief frost possible in Wenden.

California - Through mid-week, high pressure will remain over the area. Lows in the morning will be in the upper 30s to low 50s, with highs in the mid 60s to upper 70s during the day. There will be gusts up to 30 mph Wednesday ahead of the next system, which will bring light to moderate rain starting Thursday. Rain chances continue through Saturday morning with totals between 1/4" and 3/4".

Florida - Over most of Northern and South-Central Florida, showers and thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday. There will be a range of rainfall totals from 0.60" to 1.20" over Northern Florida to Central Florida, 0.15" to 0.35" over South-Central Florida, and 0.02" to 0.20" over Southern Florida. In Southern Florida, a few light showers are possible on Thursday, but drier weather is expected through the weekend in most areas.

Mexico - The region of Central Mexico will experience warm daytime temperatures for the next five days. The chances of rain are not zero, but overall a mostly dry period through Apr 7. The maximum temperatures will be in the low 80s to low 90s through Friday and the mid 80s to low 90s over the weekend. The low temperatures should cool down to the upper 40s to upper 50s over most fields by Sunday morning.

Freight 

Northern California growing regions have started shipping this week which overlaps with existing production in Yuma, AZ. Be prepared to load both regions in the coming weeks. We are happy to help find a freight solution for you today!