Good afternoon,
As we celebrate Labor Day here in the states, perhaps the most significant change in the market this week is the cost of TRANSPORTATION. Each year, the September holiday converges three factors that lift freight prices up, holiday ads, back to school demand, and a driver shortage. Heading into Labor Day weekend FREIGHT RATES held a higher floor than years past and have been climbing consistently since March. This is affecting all commodities, and like the elevated costs of supplies and labor, rising waters look to raise all boats with it.
New crop APPLE supplies are starting up in Washington and Michigan. Much of the availability is still in early GALAS, but we are also seeing PAULA REDS and GINGER GOLDS harvested, a sign of good things to come. BARTLETT and STARKRIMSON PEARS are also getting their start in Washington.
BRAZILLIAN MANGOES are here! The new crop fruit will be slightly higher in price but well worth it for its vibrant color and sweet flavor.
WATERMELON supplies have been rained out in the Southeast. We have supplies coming out of Indiana instead of the usual option this time of year, North Carolina. The wash out in Georgia and the Carolinas tightened up supplies, leaving the market is stronger.
We have reached peak prices in the RUSSET POTATO market. Large sizes are still expensive, but they won't move any higher. With new crop coming on we should be in for a steady decline in price on large sized RUSSET POTATOES.
California VEG has tightened up this week! BROCCOLI, LETTUCE, and LEAF prices are moving higher. Recent supplies have fallen due to the heat and demand is up thanks to back to school business and the Labor Day pull.
GREEN HOUSE PEPPERS, TOMATOES, and CUCUMBERS look to overlap in supply over the next few weeks. Barring conventional market demand bleeding into greenhouse supplies, this should provide opportunities for specials and weekly ads on green house items through the month of November.
More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill