Good Afternoon,
We wish you and your families a healthy and happy New Year from all of us at GPS!
APPLE and PEAR markets are starting to see some relief. Weaker demand has loosened things up a bit, mostly on larger sizes. Smaller apples remain in high demand for government programs, leading to some higher pricing on 12/3lb bags and 198ct pack outs.
We have mentioned all three commodities the past few weeks, but they continue to be worthy of the attention. BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, and CELERY are all still seeing slower harvests from the cool weather.
CABBAGE prices are moving up. Storage supplies in Canada have dwindled, Georgia supplies are wrapping up, and we have knowledge of poor-quality reports out of North Carolina. That leaves Florida and a few lower production states to pick up the slack. Along with green cabbage, RED CABBAGE is especially tight. We may see markets get worse before they get better in the next few weeks.
TOMATO supplies are on the same path they were last week. Cool conditions in Florida continue to slow the ripening process and supply is suffering because of it. There are a few crossings out of Mexico that may start to move this market in the other direction in the coming weeks. Be ready for some larger sizes once this thing clears up.
STRAWBERRIES in Florida are of great quality. The cooler weather is keeping production slow, but the condition of the fruit is great.
We are finally seeing the effect of the drastic supply shortage on
CANTALOUPES. The price has been slowly moving up weekly, but there is a significant jump for next week.
Import GRAPES are coming in great quality. We are now into Peruvian fruit for RED, GREEN, and BLACK GRAPE varieties. We should begin to see some arrivals from Chile mid-late January.
ASPARAGUS supplies have hit a gap down in Mexico thanks to an early, cold transition. Arrivals from Peru are still in good supply but now those same quantities are being fought over for West and East coast orders. This market will continue to climb for another week or so into the new year.
Happy New Year!
Parker Tannehill