MARKET UPDATE WEEK # 23 - 2020

Good Afternoon,

This week has been a wash out in South Florida. Daily rainfall records were set with parts of Miami recording over 7 inches on Tuesday alone. The rain has been focused in the southern part of the state, but northern growing areas still saw significant rainfall.

PEPPER markets are tight. GREEN BELLS are transitioning up into North Florida and Georgia, facing tons of rain. RED, YELLOW, and ORANGE BELL PEPPER are gaping out in Mexico. Southern growing regions struggled through some turbulent weather. We are now on the brink of some northern production which should yield healthier pepper and better availability.

CALIFORNIA temperatures are rising this week and we are beginning to see some market activity.

California CHERRIES always seem to squeeze into a tight window and this year is no different. The rise in temperature this week is forcing most cherry growers to finish up early. Luckily, Washington fruit should be available in the next few weeks.

HOT weather in California has become a cause for concern. BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, and LETTUCE are all experiencing some shortages, but as of today, markets are mostly stable. Stable markets are nice and all, but we cannot get too comfortable! The word from most shippers is that supplies are looking tight over the next few weeks. We are experiencing some yellowing and certain heat related issues so be mindful when ordering.

Demand continues to push APPLE supplies into scarcity. The USDA program is driving orders and keeping prices high, especially on value added packs. Eastern shippers are still packing out fruit but only for a little while longer.

CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW imports are finished, and domestic fruit is not fully ready. Arizona melons are starting up this week but only in a light way. There will be a few weeks of extremely short supplies, but harvests should catch up with demand sometime in June.

More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill