MARKET UPDATE WEEK # 22

Good Afternoon All,

Conditions have been mostly seasonal all over the country providing us with some steady markets. However, CABBAGE saw some extreme heat in Georgia reaching up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions unfortunately melted almost the entire remaining acreage of Georgia cabbage supplies. North Carolina and New Jersey have started in a light way, but we are still at least another week away from any substantial supplies. Market conditions will last through the two-week gap and hopefully get better in mid to late June.

Smooth Skin AVOCADOES are finished in the DR. Prices remain strong as we are also seeing shortages in Mexico and California. Supplies should pick up as we move through the summer and new crop fruit becomes available.

We have finally moved past the planting gaps on CAULIFLOWER and BROCCOLI out in California. Markets have come down and shippers are loaded with product. Now is a great time for volume buys on BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, ROMAINE, and ROMAINE HEARTS.

LETTUCE is in an interesting position compared to the rest of California veg. Some shippers are completely sold out and others maintain a good supply. It really depends on when they planted and what part of California their fields are located. We are anticipating the recent market price levels to be a knee jerk reaction and hopeful that markets return to lower levels within the next week to ten days.

Apple supplies are dwindling as we move into summer. Some of the lesser utilized varieties are already done for the season with new crops starting up towards the end of the calendar year. EASTERN apples are very limited, with most varieties cleaned up out of New York and Michigan. Washington and Chile are the only major suppliers remaining and we are seeing a massive shortage on small size GALAS. The 198ct market has climbed up into the $30's and will remain high until new crop is available towards the end of the year.

STONE FRUIT supplies have picked up out west and more varieties are coming on strong. We will now have supplies on YELLOW NECTARINES, PEACHES, APRICOTS, AND PLUMS. Along with Stone Fruit, we are on the cusp of CHERRIES out of Washington. Harvests are expected to start next week so we should have availability to ship out the following week, around the 17th of June.

More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill