MARKET UPDATE 09.08.24

Good afternoon,

BERRIES are having a tough go as we trudge through the troughs of summer. STRAWBERRY production in Northern California continues to decline while southern growing areas like Santa Maria and Oxnard are just getting started. The fruit available is on the smaller side as harvesting crews look to pick fruit before it ripens too quickly in the hot summer conditions.

BLUEBERRIES are also finishing up, although slightly further north, in the Pacific Northwest. We are just starting to see very early Peruvian BLUES come in by air. The fruit is firm and crunchy but lacks sugar and sweetness. BLACK and RASPBERRIES are on the same trend of finishing up in California but they will see most of their new crop startup in Mexico. All berries should be in a better spot around early October.

CAULIFLOWER markets are beginning to soften as we move past the supply gap and into better availability. Pricing from one shipper to the next is still all over the place but this is to be expected in a rapidly changing market.

GREEN ONIONS remain limited due to the high temperatures in Mexico this growing season. We are likely to see another week or two of limited production and higher market pricing before green onions get a much needed cool off.

CITRUS out of California is having one of the worst seasons in recent memory. The dry, record setting heat has routed citrus groves resulting in even major companies bringing in significant amounts of imported fruit to provide their demand with an alternative. LEMONS, ORANGES, and GRAPEFRUIT are the most significantly affected. Look for "ORANGE, NAVEL SOUTH AFRICA" on your price list for another option to the traditional Sunkist VALENCIA fruit we carry. MANDARINS and CLEMENTINES are also imported and ripe to provide your shelves with some sweet citrus options.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill