MARKET UPDATE WEEK # 19 - 2020

Good Afternoon,

Here in the Sunshine State, heavy rains are expected for the weekend. The downpour is likely to force the hand of some South Florida farms to harvest ahead of schedule, and others to wrap up for the season. We will continue to see commodities like SQUASH, BELL PEPPER, TOMATO, and EGGPLANT move into Northern Florida.

ROUND TOMATOES are seeing the effects of transition this week. With South Florida harvests finishing up and North Florida production just getting going, there are some supply shortages. ROMAS are beginning to recover with some more volume crossing out of Mexico. We anticipate better numbers on tomatoes in the weeks ahead.

Although the heat is causing some minor issues in California veg, it is also forcing a ton of product through distribution channels and effectively lowering market prices. LETTUCE, ROMAINE, TENDER LEAF, BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, and most other commodities out west are in good supply. There may be some heat issues like tip burn on the romaine and some yellow beads on broccoli, but overall, the product is of fair to good quality.

FLORIDA ORANGE season is finishing up, forcing more and more buyers to move into more expensive California fruit. Supplies in California are near non-existent on sizes 113 and smaller. As we mentioned last week, we are transitioning into VALENCIA ORANGES and smaller sizes will be tight until we get through this gap.

KIWI prices continue to rise this week. Weak seasons out of Italy and Greece paired with a slow drip of supply out of Chile is causing the shortage.

ASPARAGUS pricing will stay strong next week as light supplies out of Mexico and Peru remain. With Mother's Day around the corner, demand has increased on Asparagus. Inbound flowers for the holiday are also eating up a lot of airspace, leaving fewer avenues for transportation. Limited supplies should get better in the next few weeks.

STONE FRUIT is starting in California. We are expecting some new crop PEACHES, NECTARINES, and APRICOTS next week. That means California CHERRIES are not too far behind!

More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill