MARKET UPDATE FEBRUARY 14-21, 2022

Good afternoon,

Limited availability of ASPARAGUS will continue next week. Cool weather in MEXICO has slowed down the growth cycle, leaving supplies short of demand. PERUVIAN asparagus supplies are transitioning, moving ASPARAGUS pricing higher.

Another cold front is moving through FLORIDA this week. We received a decent amount of wind and rainfall yesterday, especially in northwest Florida, near STRAWBERRY fields. Our suppliers are telling us that the biggest problem has been the constant cloud coverage; without sunlight, the berries can't grow. Supplies have tightened up late this week, but we expect better volumes for next week and a falling market post Valentine's Day.

CALIFORNIA veg supplies remain mostly in good shape. ANISE, BOK CHOY, BRUSSLES SPROUTS and CAULIFLOWER, are still a bit tight, but conditions look to remain sunny but slightly cool for the next week or so. Look for West Coast veg to maintain similar price levels for at least another week.

SQUASH and other FLORIDA veg are going to have a slow go for the next few weeks. The continuous pattern of rain, cold front, cloudy days, and repeat, does not represent fertile growing conditions by any stretch of the imagination. Most of the veg coming out of FLORIDA like SQUASH and TOMATO, have complementary supplies available out of Mexico, keeping markets from going completely crazy.

LIME markets will return to their climb this week. COLOMBIAN supplies have begun to arrive in Miami to help supplement the shortage out of MEXICO, so there are some spot deals around. We have seen some cheaper fruit but most of it has been poor quality. Earlier on in the shortage, smaller supplies were in better supply. Now, that has flipped and sizes 150ct and larger have better availability than 175's and 200's.

Cold conditions in MEXICO have also slowed down BELL PEPPER supplies. RED, YELLOW, and ORANGE BELL PEPPERS have struggled to catch some sunlight, and that has left us in a demand exceeds situation. Markets are on a steep hike this week, but relief should not be far behind.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill