MARKET UPDATE FEB 8-11, 2022

Good afternoon,

BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, LETTUCE, ROMAINE, and LEAFY GREEN inventories out of Yuma are flooding the supply chain this week! Pricing is low and availability is great out of Yuma. Slight blistering on the LETTUCE and ROMAINE is the only setback on West Coast veg this week.

Valentine's Day is approaching and STRAWBERRY supplies have had a very difficult time playing catchup with demand. Freezing temperatures in Florida severely cut back supplies as growers were forced to skip harvest on Sunday and Monday of this week. Conditions are improving daily, so if you need some emergency Strawberries, we expect good availability to account for air shots and extra volume next week. DRISCOLLS, however, will be unavailable next week as they are not comfortable with the quality to put up our EXPORT PACK.

We are still dealing with major delays in GRAPE arrivals but there is a hint of good news this week, Chilean BLACK and RED SEEDLESS GRAPES have hit the market. Pricing remains strong and availability low, but the arrival of Chilean fruit indicates better supplies ahead. The COVID labor shortage remains to be the highest and most difficult hurdle to clear, but we should see a better flow of fruit sometime in February.

PERUVIAN ASPARAGUS supplies are light heading into Valentine's Day. Local imports are expected to gap next week and new crop Mexican grass is off to a slow start. This market should recover after the holiday.

BANANAS and PLANTAINS remain tight and at times unavailable depending on container clearances. Supply chain delays continue to limit availability forcing most shippers to prorate or cut orders completely. Get your orders in early if you want the best chance at complete coverage on BANANAS or PLANTAINS.

To go along with PEACHES and NECTARINES, we are expecting our first arrival of BLACK PLUMS next week. Supplies are looking limited out of Chile this season so get them while they are available!

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill