MARKET UPDATE FEB 19 2023

Good afternoon,

FLORIDA STRAWBERRIES have finally hit peak season. The cool overcast days have subsided for just long enough for berry blooms to take off in Plant City, FL. Fruit will be flush for at least 3-4 weeks and we expect to see aggressive pricing moving forward.

CHERRIES are finished for the season! We are now into PLUMS, PEACHES, NECTARINES, and APRICOTS in retail pouch bags, volume fill, and tray packs.

As ASPARAGUS imports from PERU taper off, demand from the entire country is dependent on Mexico and California crops. In an inconvenient combination of events, temperatures dropped in Mexico this week due to a cold front, slowing down production. Asparagus markets are typically fairly quick to turn around, so expect pricing to be higher for another week or two and hopefully we will see some relief soon after.

CAULIFLOWER supplies have been tight for a few weeks but better availability may be right around the corner. Cooler temperatures slowed down supplies for the beginning of February, but we have seen prices begin to consolidate and fewer shippers quote CAULIFLOWER completely sold out. Both signs, along with the climate, indicate things could be turning around soon. With warmer conditions on the way for the weekend, look for some relief on cauliflower prices in the coming weeks.

LETTUCE, ROMAINE, and LEAFY GREENS out of Arizona continue their good run. Supplies are strong and pricing is competitive with shippers looking to deal on volume orders. Look for steady, competitive markets on LETTUCE and LEAF to continue.

Typically, when we hear that a market is on the floor, it means good news for buyers. Unfortunately, we are hearing from our EGG suppliers that where the markets are today is somewhat of a new floor. The avian flu did more damage than we thought, and it looks like elevated prices on eggs will be here to stay for a while longer.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill