MARKET UPDATE MARCH 01, 2024

Good afternoon,

SMALL GALA APPLES are beginning to get TIGHT! The sizing of this year's Michigan GALA crop is running very large resulting in a substantial lack of fruit 150ct and smaller. Availability in Washington is not much better, as an increase in bagged apple exports to Mexico this year has gobbled up supplies on smaller fruit. We are still about 6 months away from new crop fruit so trade on GALA 198's will get tough as supplies continue to dwindle.

Although better weather has been the theme this week in ARIZONA, LETTUCE and ROMAINE markets still hang on to higher pricing. The gap in supplies looks to continue as demand remains strong. Quality issues continue as well so please be prepared for some discoloration and bruising in LETTUCE, ROMAINE, and ROMAINE HEARTS.

FLORIDA CELERY has gotten off to a fine start, pushing down market pricing. Availability is better on 30ct and larger both in Florida and California. Look for favorable pricing and availability on CELERY for the next few weeks.

Florida SQUASH, PEPPER, TOMATOES, CUCUMBER, and EGGPLANT have seen a tough go with the rainy, cold conditions this month. Warmer trends are approaching which should lead to better quality and availability. GREEN BELL PEPPER and CORN look to rebound this week while some of the other commodities like TOMATOES, are slightly farther behind schedule.

WATERMELON are going to gap between Honduran and Guatemalan supplies for the next few weeks. Market pricing is on the rise as we head into the weekend and should stay that way until we see improved availability on Guatemalan fruit later in March.

Looking ahead, we are nearing the end of the desert crop. Growers have already sent out transition schedules for BROCCOLI, LETTUCE, CAULIFLOWER, and more for the end of the month, making the move feel like its right around the corner. California has had a tremendous amount of rain for the last month as well, so we will most likely see a challenging transition ahead.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill