MARKET UPDATE WEEK # 39 - 2020

Good Afternoon,

With only a week or so left in summer, one would think that things would be cooling off. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Summer conditions continue to linger, and summer crops are feeling the effects.

BROCCOLI supplies struggle again this week as shippers' sort through product with heat damage. Yellowing is becoming very difficult for shippers to grade out. As the temperatures get out of control, growers will lean on the USDA standard that allows for yellow bead clusters less than the size of a small coin. Please be conscious of the conditions that the growers are facing when placing orders.

LETTUCE and LEAF markets are stronger today. Yields have decreased from the high temperatures and growers look to squeeze what returns they can out of the stymied production. PUFFINESS, DISCOLORATION, and some RIB BRUISING have been common upon arrival.

SPINACH is also seeing the difficulty of the warmer weather. Retail packs have come in with some moisture due to the high temperatures.

BERRIES can also be grouped in the category of, cannot catch a break. Out of all the items we have already mentioned, berries are the most fragile and we are seeing the repercussions of that.

BRAZILIAN MANGOES have started here in S. Florida and the color is beautiful. The round shape and high color will look great on a retail shelf!

GRAPE markets look to hold on this week. Quality is still looking great on arrival and it seems the fruit is holding up well to the heat.

ORANGES do not look to get any better for next week. The continuation of the USDA Farmers to Families program has shippers on edge with an already short supply. The market on sizes 88 and smaller is SUPER TIGHT and as soon as the bids are confirmed next week for the USDA, things will most likely get worse. Please put in orders early for the best chance at 100% fill!

TOMATOES and other commodities on the East Coast have been a struggle the past few weeks. Along with intermittent showers posing a problem, the lack of production in Mexico and California due to the heat has sucked up any excess volume from the East Coast. ROMA TOMATOES seem to be in a much better position than ROUND TOMATOES.

We have seen some heat damage as well on the east coast, SQUASH and EGGPLANT seem to have a lot less shelf life the past few weeks. GREEN PEPPER and CORN markets are looking to increase this week as product is becoming very difficult to source.

More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill