MARKET UPDATE WEEK # 40 - 2020

Good Afternoon,

Next week, we will see the first day of autumn. What hopefully signals a welcome change in temperature, will undoubtedly bring us fresh NEW CROP APPLES and PEARS, FLORIDA CITRUS, the beginning of the transition back down south, and the end of MELONS and STONEFRUIT in California.

ORANGES out west have been a tough go for the past month. Supplies on sizes 88 and smaller continue to be EXTREMELY LIMITED. We are seeing high levels of demand from increased retail business, as well as the USDA box program. Unfortunately, there is really no sign of relief until FLORIDA CITRUS starts, and even that remains a question mark with the heat and rain we are seeing. Florida oranges should start around the second week of OCTOBER.

HEAT STRESS is widely present in BERRY plants, among others. STRAWBERRY, BLACKBERRY, and RASPBERRY, plants have seen intense heat, resulting in lower yields and damaged fruit. BLUEBERRIES are wrapping up in BC and Peruvian imports are moving into play. All berry markets are FIRM.

Speaking of the heat, this week, the straw finally broke the camel's back. Veg markets in California are on the beginning part of the roller coaster, the part where you slowly keep moving higher and higher and you cannot quite see the top. HEAT is the main culprit moving prices higher. Loyal shippers are passing on business as quality is being shipped, "AS IS", on BROCCOLI, ROMAINE, LETTUCE, and all LEAFY GREENS.

The quality issues we are seeing on lettuce, romaine, leaf, and broccoli, are INDUSTRY WIDE. Instead of offering help on less than favorable quality, shippers would rather cut orders. Please brace for fringe burn and slight bruising on lettuce and leaf, as well as the occasional yellow beads on broccoli. It is hot out there and we are getting the best quality available.

CANTALOUPES and HONEYDEWS are in demand exceeds situations. We are nearing the end of the season out in California and with that, volumes will begin to decrease. Look for melons to get tighter as the next few weeks progress.

GRAPES remain in good supply. We are seeing some decent volumes and that should remain for the rest of the month.

TOMATO quality has been difficult the past month. The intense heat out in Western growing regions did some significant damage, especially to ROUND TOMATOES. On the East coast, we saw tons of rain and wind that threw off harvesting dates as well as quality. With everything going on, it is easy to forget there is a hurricane making landfall near the Western Florida Panhandle. Depending on the rain and wind damage, that could cause some real trouble once we move into Florida.

More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill