Good afternoon,
The TRANSITION to Northern California has begun! Last week only a few fields were ready for harvest and although supplies out of Salinas are still limited, several more options popped up this week. BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER are the first commodities to move up north and thankfully, there is an overlap in supply. With product available in both the winter growing region of Yuma, AZ and the spring/summer region of Salinas, we should see reasonable market pricing through transition.
ICEBERG LETTUCE moves up north later than broccoli due to the sensitivity of the crop to cooler temperatures, among other reasons. The positives are that there are already small blocks of LETTUCE starting up in Huron, Ca. If you recall from previous updates, Huron works as a pit stop to help cover the gap in LETTUCE production from Yuma to Salinas. Unlike broccoli, late season YUMA lettuce supplies have FALLEN BEHIND DEMAND and therefore, prices have increased. However, there is hope! Some growers have ICEBERG LETTUCE slated to start as early as mid-way through next week.
The STRAWBERRIES out of California are BEAUTIFUL! These LARGE berries are SWEET and CRUNCHY, the perfect combination for export fruit! Market pricing is higher than Florida fruit but the difference in quality is night and day. STRAWBERRIES of this quality are a real treat, so buy now with confidence. If your competitors are still holding Florida fruit, the customers will come running.
GRAPE supplies are outpacing demand leaving the market overstocked with fruit. Naturally, we are seeing lower prices due to the excess supply, especially on smaller or older fruit. Take advantage of the affordable pricing and keep GRAPE sales moving to aid the industry!
Exports out of GUATEMALA have seen delays as the local community protests agains a government decision to make car insurance compulsory. It never ceases to amaze me what can come up in these market updates. Items like FRENCH BEANS, CARROTS, CUCUMBERS, BROCCOLINI, BABY TOMATOES, BERRIES, and more, have been impacted by this stalemate. Fortunately for us in the produce industry, but not any uninsured car crash victims in Guatemala, the President reversed the decision this morning. We should see Guatemalan imports return to a regular flow of supply shortly.
BOSC PEARS are wrapping up out of Washington. Production this season was well below average, so the early finish on BOSC comes as no surprise. IMPORT BARTLETTS have started and we expect to see IMPORT BOSC in the coming weeks. The hope is that imports get us through the spring right up to California pears beginning in early July.
More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill