MARKET UPDATE 04.28.24

Good afternoon,

Cool, wet conditions are typical of a Northern California early spring. Although these conditions are seasonal, they provide challenges to growers early on in the season when production is looking to take root.

CAULIFLOWER supplies are nearly non-existent. Nearly all shippers are quoting sold out and gapping for at least a few days. Of course, this means the cost on cauliflower has shot up while the shippers lucky enough to have some product are trading it off to the have-nots so everyone can at least have a little something to work with to finish off the week. The shortage is due to the cold weather in Northern California, which leads to slower growth and harvesting crews waiting on the product in the fields to size up.

LETTUCE and ROMAINE are also falling behind schedule this week due to the early spring conditions. It's not as much slower growth being the issue in the this category, but the cool, wet conditions providing a perfect habitat for mildew and fungal disease. Reports indicate that percentages of crop loss could be upwards of 20% to mildew related diseases. As we wait for a summer warming trend to take place, we could be in for some tight markets and quality setbacks with LETTUCE and ROMAINE.

ONION supplies are finally ramping up for the season! TEXAS, GEORGIA, and several other growing regions are off to the races and the days of $100 white onions are THANKFULLY behind us! YELLOW and WHITE onions are in great supply while RED numbers are catching up weekly.

WATERMELON markets are finally settling back to normal levels. We are now seeing availability out of both Florida and Arizona, aiding the WATERMELON come back. Look for better pricing in the coming week!

We are on the verge of STONE FRUIT season! We are about a week or two out but there is a lot to look forward to; CHERRIES and APRICOTS look to start up in the first or second week of May. As we get closer to June, we can expect PEACHES, NECTARINES, and then PLUMS right around the beginning of the summer.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill