MARKET UPDATE WEEK OCT 19-23 2020

Good Afternoon,

As the end of October approaches, seasonal changes are afoot. HALLOWEEN items are available, Northern supplies are starting to finish up, and there are early harvests in Southern states like Georgia, Florida, and Arizona.

HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS, MIXED GOURDS, MINI PUMPKINS, PIE PUMPKINS, and INDIAN CORN, are all available to help set the fall mood!

We are nearing the end of LETTUCE AND ROMAINE in a few areas. CANADIAN LETTUCE is going to wrap up in the next few weeks, sometime by the end of the month. CALIFORNIA LEAF is going to hang on until about mid-November, when we transition into Arizona supply. Supplies are already incredibly tight on ROMAINE, and quality is below average on both lettuce and leaf. Look for a possible gap in production the first week of November.

CAULIFLOWER condition has suffered from the heat. We have seen product from at least FIVE different suppliers, and all share the same issues of occasional browning. We are working to fix these problems but we most likely will not see any change until transition, where the CAULIFLOWER in Arizona is a different variety and takes on a creamier color.

ASPARAGUS markets have reached their peak and prices should start to slide in the coming weeks.

Arrivals remain delayed this week out of Costa Rica. CALABAZA and PINEAPPLE markets will continue to be volatile.

NAVEL ORANGES were set to start this week, but the condition of the fruit is not quite ready. Internally, reports are fine when it comes to structure and brix levels. Externally, however, the fruit is still mostly green due to unseasonably hot nights. As temperatures drop, the fruit should color up and become available around the first few weeks of November.

FLORIDA GRAPEFRUIT will be available this week! There are some FLORIDA ORANGES kicking around, but the flavor is mostly sour due to the heavy gas ripening process. We should see some FL ORANGES with a more natural ripe flavor very soon!

Check out our WEEKLY FRESH for some seasonal items and great deals!

More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill