Good afternoon,
Northern California growing regions are expected to cool down through the rest of the week, with warming set to occur early next week. These small pockets of cooler temperatures help the marine layer develop and protect crops. This brief cool down may help product condition slightly, but we are still dealing with the overall trend of extreme heat. And that extreme heat seems to worsen each year.
Remnants of tropical storm FRED have dispersed into Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, bringing some flooding and tornadoes with it. Current TOMATO crops will be affected as well as some of the Georgia winter items like SQUASH, PEPPER, and CUCUMBERS.
As domestic TOMATO supplies are stuck with tropical storm Fred's leftovers, Hurricane Grace is passing through the Yucatan peninsula and has Central Mexico in her sights. The storm will bring flooding and hurricane force winds into TOMATO, PEPPER, ASPARAGUS, AVOCADO, and SQUASH, growing regions, just to name a few. Tomato markets have been dependent on Mexican production, and with storms in both Mexico and some domestic growing regions, TOMATO markets are sure to be active for the next few weeks.
We are seeing good production numbers of LETTUCE and LEAFY GREENS out of Canada and California. There is some minor discoloration and bruising, as well as some slight puffiness to the heads. These common defects are a direct result from the heat we have seen in growing regions and are industry wide. The summer harvests do not have the same shelf life potential as products grown in a cooler climate, so manage inventories carefully.
GRAPE supplies continue on a positive trend line this week. Good quality and strong supplies are leading to healthier markets for all when it comes to GRAPES. If you are looking for a great weekly ad item, look no further!
STONE FRUIT supplies are in great shape. Although we only have another week or two left on CHERRIES, quality has been superb this week and last. PLUMS, PEACHES, and NECTARINES are in good condition, and are ready for the shelf.
The APPLE market is stuck with one foot in the old crop and the other in the new. GRANNY SMITH is stuck somewhere in the middle with no new crop to be harvested and old crop almost completely tapped. If you want a large retail size green apple next week, it is going to be the most expensive apple bought all year long. New crop varieties will start picking up steam in September.
More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill