Good afternoon,
ICEBERG LETTUCE production has dropped this week as dehydration issues continue from the high heat. While yields per acre drop, demand grows as kids go back to school in many parts of the country this week. Lower yields and higher demand have pushed up pricing slightly for next week. ROMAINE and ROMAINE HEART production remains steady. We are seeing fringe burn and bruising, both of which are common in summer leaf, but consistent supplies are keeping prices low.
CAULIFLOWER availability is lower this week after several weeks of bottomed out markets. Heat issues like discoloration and bruising are creating lower levels of output as field crews sort through product and decide what is to be packed and what is to be discarded.
Sizing on cantaloupe and honeydew continues to peak on primarily jumbo fruit leaving smaller sizes still in a very limited position. We.re currently in a demand exceeds supply position on 15ct Cantaloupe and 8ct Honeydew, but as we get into late August/early September we will see much more small fruit become available as temperatures ease.
We are now a few weeks into San Joaquin Valley GRAPE supplies. There are now more varieties available on RED and GREEN GRAPES, some in better shape than others. Be weary of cheaper buys in this heat, as the better quality is going for a few dollars more per package.
Back to school demand is hitting the marketplace and timing could not be worse for VALENCIA ORANGES. Summer heat has brought on reduced supplies that will most likely not make it to the finish line of the season. Offshore fruits will hopefully help scrape us through the remainder of the VALENCIA season as we anxiously await the start of NAVEL ORANGES in mid to late OCTOBER.
More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill