MARKET UPDATE MARCH 27, 2023

Good afternoon,

After several weeks of Florida Strawberry commentary, I am sure that everyone has had their fill of fruit facts. Unfortunately, it bears mentioning Florida strawberries one more time as this week was the last of the season. We have taken our talents out to California where we are loading DRISCOLL'S EXPORT pack once again. Pricing will increase due to the label change and transportation costs, but we are making the best decision for QUALITY FRUIT. The STRAWBERRY market is going to get active, and possibly a little ugly, due to poor weather conditions out West. Now is a good time to decrease STRAWBERRY orders and push some safer imported fruit, like BLUE, BLACK, or RASPBERRIES.

PINEAPPLES look to continue to provide ample availability and competitive pricing for yet another few weeks. Central American imports have been well ahead of demand and the only setbacks we have seen, and expect to see, on PINEAPPLES are due to container delays. Get after some fresh PINEAPPLE while supplies are in great condition!

While there is plenty of rain in the forecast, California ORANGES have had a great season thus far. Crops have stood up to mother nature's challenges leaving us with decent availability on both 88 ct and 113 ct fruit. We will keep an eye on this market over the next few weeks but for now, consider pushing ORANGE sales where you can!

As Florida finishes production on strawberries, we are also seeing the beginnings of seasonal changes in Mexico and on the West coast. CAULIFLOWER supplies are improving for one last push before harvests move up to Northern California around the first week of April. As we near the end of the Yuma season, we will see plenty of market activity on the west coast veg staples. Dramatic weather events in Salinas, California have added a cloud of doubt looming over the month of April, but we will remain nimble and source product from wherever quality and price meet harmoniously.

Although transition is right around the corner, there have been several growers who are looking to extend their Arizona and Southern California seasons due to the extremely poor growing conditions in Salinas, CA. The early part of the Salinas season is going to be a challenge this year. We have seen major wind and rain events, including significant flooding in growing areas due to the overflowing of the Salinas Valley River.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill