MARKET UPDATE JULY 03, 2023

Good afternoon,

Although the difference is only a few hundred miles, STRAWBERRY supplies have started up in Watsonville, CA. Adjacent to the Monterey Bay and north of Salinas, Watsonville, Aromas, and the surrounding growing areas provide cooler temperatures this time of year than Santa Maria. We have seen better quality fruit this week out of Watsonville, but the massive flow of supply has slowed down due to the transition.

Speaking of massive flows of supply, CHERRIES continue their hot streak. Supplies have moved to Washington, so we are finished with California crops and onto a new fresh line of fruit. WHITE and RED CHERRIES are available in CLAMSHELLS and ready to sell!

O Canada! LETTUCE, ROMAINE, ROMAINE HEARTS, and CABBAGE are now available from our neighbors to the north. Quality reports have been strong so we should see some nice product to start off the summer season.

ORANGES have nearly completed the transition from the NAVEL to VALENCIA variety. The fruit is leaning large, so look for better availability on 88 size fruit and larger. 113ct ORANGES have also seen improved availability this week but markets are still hanging on to higher pricing for another week or so, partially because of higher freight costs.

ASPARAGUS markets are on the rise as availability drops out of Peru and Mexico. Rain and excessive heat levels in both countries were to thank for the affordable pricing through June. Unfortunately, once the growth rate is above average for an extended period of time, you can expect a drop off in availability at some point. There are several growing areas producing ASPARAGUS right now, so hopefully this tight market only lasts a few weeks.

FREIGHT costs are on the rise! July 4th works as an annual marker for transportation prices to increase thanks to a few different factors: The first being that drivers will take off for the holiday, decreasing the amount of trucks on the road. Secondly, all the GRAPES, MELONS, and STONE FRUIT that were imported by boat now need trucks for transportation into areas like New York and Florida. The third factor is the lack of any outbound supply from Florida. With most of the state's perishables production finished for the season, it becomes more expensive to lure trucks to deliver into the area as they may have to drive a few hundred miles empty before getting reloaded to head back out west. These small factors can end up making a big difference on the price of a case!

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill