1. Art and Diseño

Market Report MARKET ALERT!
January 29, 2015
ARTICHOKES, ASPARAGUS, BROCCOLI, CARROTS (JUMBO SIZE), GARLIC-PEELED, GINGER, GRAPEFRUIT,
GRAPES, HERBS (ALL), LETTUCE (RED AND GREEN LEAF, ICEBERG, ROMAINE, ROMAINE HEARTS), MELONS,
PEAS (SNOW, SUGAR SNAP), TRANSPORTATION (NORTHWEST)
Commodity
Price
Avocados–Mexican
Moderate
Blackberries
Expected
Trend
Quality
Commodity
Price
Expected
Trend
Quality
-
Good
Artichokes
High
̵
Fair to Good
Moderate
- ↓
Good
Blueberries
Moderate
↑
Good
Moderate
̵
Good
Raspberries
Moderate
-
Good
Arugula, Cauliflower,
Cilantro, Celery,
Frisee, Fennel/Anise,
Mache, Spinach
(baby)
Strawberries
Moderate
-
Fair
Asparagus
High
↓
Good
Grapefruit
Moderate
-
Good
Good
Bok Choy, Napa,
Spring Mix
̵
Good
Moderate
↑
High
Lemons
Limes
High
-
Excellent
Broccoli, Parsley
(Curly)
Moderate
̵
Excellent
Oranges Navels
Moderate
-
Good
Carrots
Moderate
↑
Good
Pineapple
Moderate
↑
Good
Moderate
↓
Excellent
Green and Red Leaf
High
↓
Fair
Green Cabbage,
Spinach (bunched)
Iceberg
Moderate to High
↑
Fair
Red Cabbage
High
̵
Excellent
Romaine
Extreme
-
Poor
Garlic (peeled)
Extreme
̵
Good
Romaine Hearts
Extreme
-
Fair
Green Onions
Moderate
↓
Fair
Cucumbers
Moderate
↓
Good
Green Beans
Low
-
Good
Parsley
(Italian)
Moderate
̵
Very Good
Green Bell Peppers
Low
-
Good
Kale
Moderate
̵
Excellent
Red Bell Peppers
Low
↓
Good
High to Extreme
‐
Poor to Fair
Yellow Squash
Moderate
-
Snow and Sugar
Snap Peas
Fair
Zucchini
Low
↓
Good
Red, Yellow, White
Onions, Potatoes
Moderate
̵
Good
Green and Red
Seedless Grapes
High
-
Good
Round, Roma, Plum,
Grape Tomatoes
Low
̵
Good
Plums
Moderate
̵
Good
Cantaloupes
High
̵
Good
Moderate
̵
Good
Honeydews
Moderate
̵
Good
Red and Golden
Delicious, Granny
Smith, Fuji, Gala,
Bartlett, Red Anjou,
Braeburns, Cameos
D’Anjou
High
̵
Good
Overview
Supplies are becoming more available as the warm weather pattern continues though many supplies remain
short. Prices are beginning to stabilize to more moderate levels. Lettuce and leaf growers in Western Arizona
(Yuma), the Imperial Valley of California continue to deal with the effects of the week-long freeze that
occurred in late December and early January. Although ideal growing conditions have returned to the growing
areas during the past two weeks, the damage to the crop is irreversible. Growers continue to report damage
such as blister and epidermal peel. Harvest crews are attempting to minimize the damage from the epidermal
peeling, removing as many outer leaves as possible, resulting in small heads and lightweight cartons
Market Report (mainly in iceberg, where
various lots weigh as low as
36-38 lbs., compared to 4446 lbs.).
Looking ahead,
winter harvest cycles have
been greatly accelerated this
season in the desert districts,
due
to
ideal
growing
conditions
that
occurred
during December (prior to
the freeze). Grower-shippers
are currently three weeks
ahead of harvest schedules,
and anticipate a gap in
supply occurring sometime in
April.
Transportation
Unfortunately, we are not
seeing a reduction in freight
cost. Trucks and drivers are
in a demand exceeds supply
situation. Truck companies
have to abide by new laws
that mandate their drivers to
get a 34 hour re-start
rule. Their time on the road
is cut back and although this
enforces safer driving, it does
take longer to get from one
side of the country to the
other.
Freight companies
must
comply
with
the
California West Coast air
regulations, and if they do
not, they are fined 10,000.00
per day. The upkeep on the
actual trucks is more costly,
and companies are struggling
to replace equipment at the
rate they are used to. To
make matters worse, getting
loans to pay for new
equipment has been harder
to secure. As a management
company, we will continue to
keep
investigating
all
avenues that we can to
ensure the best prices on
freight as well as produce,
however at this time we are
not seeing the drop in price
we had so desperately hoped
to see.
Weather Update
Chance of rain is expected in
Yuma this evening, becoming
more probably overnight into
tomorrow; potential for over
0.20” of rainfall, favoring
west
and
southcentral
Arizona.
Cooler highs are
forecasted for Saturday with
little change in temperatures
through Monday. A cooling
trend is in the late week
forecast for Central and
Southern Mexico, including
rain in Culiacan, Sinaloa
(Central Mexico).
Avocados
There are good supplies of
Mexican avocados and fairly
good supplies of new crop
California. Sizes are heavier
to smaller on new crop.
Berries
Blueberries:
Quality and
availability have improved.
Raspberries: Availability is
limited but better than it has
been, weekly fruit will
transfer.
Strawberries: Availability is
good. The Florida market
has good quality and strong
supply.
California-Arizona
Citrus
Grapefruit:
Very limited
availability
continues
in
California, with good supplies
available in both Texas and
and Florida.
Lemons: Lemons continue
to move well.
However,
small fruit remains tight.
165s are tight as people have
to move up a size to get
covered. Prices are mirroring
the change in availability.
There are currently good
supplies of 95s and 115s.
Fruit is coming out of all
growing areas, so trucks
should not be an issue.
Meyer lemons are available in
abundance and quality is
superb. Meyer lemons are
very thin skinned so fruit
tends to be on the soft side
which is normal for this
variety. Organic lemons are
also ready.
Limes (Persian):
Prices
continue to trend downward
with good supplies on most
sizes.
Navel Oranges: Heavy fog
in central California has
limited picking to a few hours
in the afternoon creating a
shortage on the most desired
sizes.
Texas/Florida Citrus:
Florida grapefruit/juice
oranges are in good supply.
There are good supplies of
Texas grapefruit. There is
very limited availability on in
between varieties.
Pineapple: Supplies are in
line with movement.
Specialty
Citrus
Items: Cara Cara and blood
oranges look and taste great
and are selling very well.
Pummelos are next on the list
and
sales
have
been
brisk. Please order ahead.
Minneola are going well. Fruit
has been solely out of the
desert but will start to see
some fruit being picked and
Page 2 Market Report packed in the central
California region later this
week or early next week.
Sizes will be smaller as we
move
north.
Murcott
should be available also
starting late this week or
early next week. In the
meantime, some Moroccan
Clementine are available on
the east coast.
California
Lettuce
Green and Red Leaf:
Supplies are light again this
week on all mix leaf. Green
and red leaf cartons are 1821 lbs. with 9-10" heads.
Green leaf has 5-6 leaves
with blister (3 brown), while
red leaf has 11-12 leaves
with blister (10 brown).
Iceberg Lettuce:
Light
supplies
are
forecasted
again this week. Warm
weather is also forecasted
which could help increase
supplies,
size
and
weights. Weights are low
forties (normal). All lettuce
is showing epidermal peel
or frost damage.
Rain
could affect quality.
Romaine: Supplies will be
extremely light both this
week and next. Cartons are
packing on the lighter side
with 34-35 lbs. each. The
heads are 10-11" in length
and have 10-11 leaves with
blister (7 are brown).
Overall quality is poor so
please communicate the
issues within your QA
departments.
Romaine Hearts: Overall
supplies will continue to be
well below average. The
lack of supplies is due to
the blister and peel issues,
along with being 14-20 days
ahead of schedule. Overall
quality is good. Crews are
trimming the product down
due to the blister and peel,
so there is limited amount
of peel that gets into the
finished product.
Eastern &
Western
Vegetables
Green and Red Bell
Peppers: There is good
availability for green bell
peppers in Florida and
Nogales.
Supplies are
plentiful on red and yellow
bells in Nogales.
Cucumbers: There are
good supplies and favorable
prices in Nogales, although
recent heavy production
volume is beginning to
return to normal. There are
indications that the market
may firm next week.
Steady
availability
for
cucumbers from Honduras,
shipping from South Florida.
English
Cucumber:
Supplies
are
improving
more and more as product
becomes readily available
out of Mexico. Expect to
see improvement as the
weeks continue.
Green Beans: Continued
plentiful
supplies
in
Nogales;
prices
have
strengthened slightly in
Florida.
Squash:
Zucchini & Yellow: There
is an oversupply for zucchini
from
Southern
Mexico;
good availability for yellow
squash.
Good
availability
for
zucchini and yellow in
Florida.
Acorn,
Butternut,
Spaghetti: Supplies are
moderately tight in Nogales
caused by the freeze in
early January. Prices will
continue to advance with
supply
disruption
a
possibility during March.
Grapes
Green seedless are very,
very active. The market is
advancing,
and
most
shippers will finish by the
end of the month.
Red
Globes and black seedless
are getting in fewer hands
and will clean up quickly.
There are good supplies of
red seedless with a wide
range of sizes and prices.
Imports should arrive in the
East coast by mid-month.
Herbs
Fresh herbs are having a
good start as the weather
continues to be favorable
with warm days. Lemon
Thyme will be short this
week as the crop is growing
very slow. When harvest is
possible, length will be
shorter than usual.
All
other herbs are recovering
from the frost.
Yields
continue to be down, but
hoping for normal supplies
for this time of year by late
February.
Melons
The market on melons has
tightened up. Cantaloupe
quality is fair
Page 3 Market Report and availability is low;
supply exceeds demand as
offshore fruit is impacted by
weather.
Mexican
cantaloupe is just about
finished, and quality is fair.
Offshore is scarce.
Watermelons
Rains in Mexican growing
regions
have
affected
supplies
and
size
of
available melons.
Size
profiles are heavy to 60 and
80 count bins.
Some
supplies of seeded are
available FOB Nogales. Mini
seedless are also available
in light numbers, as several
suppliers are winding down
on their northern Mexico
season.
There are light
supplies from North and
Central Florida, however
this is improving daily.
Imports are starting to
arrive from Central America
and
the
Dominican
Republic.
Quality
is
inconsistent.
Mixed Vegetables
Artichokes: Light supplies
continue this week and next
week. Chokes this week will
be both lightly frosted and
frost free. Frosted chokes
have a more nutty taste to
them. Once they are
cooked
any
cosmetic
discoloration disappears. Arugula:
Supplies
of regular Arugula are very
light, and quality is fair.
Expect some yellowing and
frost damage. Supplies of
wild arugula are also
very light
with
some
yellowing and frost damage.
Asparagus:
Asparagus
production remains low this
week. Demand is on the
rise from the West; pulling
from Peru to meet demand,
alongside of having labor
issues that are causing
delays in unloading. Expect
to see an increase of price
at the LA port.
Mexico
production has been dealing
with weather related issues
for the last month and
freezing temperatures that
stopped
majority
of
production. The forecast
seems to look better next
week, and we are hoping to
see production out of
Mexico ramp up in the next
week.
Bok Choy: Tight supplies,
high prices.
Broccoli: With the warmer
temperatures
broccoli
continues to be more readily
available. Expect supplies
to improve over the next
few weeks to meet demand.
Crews are staying on top of
fields to provide only the
finest
quality
broccoli
(reports of some brown
bead and other heat related
issues).
Carrots:
Availability has
tightened for jumbo carrots
in California as size and
yield have declined, the
result of a slower growth
cycle during the late season
fall harvest at higher
elevation (2,150 ft.) in the
Cuyama Valley of Southern
California. Prices will trend
higher until the harvest
returns to the Southern San
Joaquin Valley (Bakersfield).
Cauliflower: Supplies are
good
this
week
on
cauliflower.
The majority of sizing
available will be 12ct, with
minimal 9 and 16 ct.
available each day. Quality
remains very nice with
medium plus white curds
and good strong jacket
leaves.
Celery:
Supplies are
steady in both Mexico and
Yuma. Demand is fair and
the market remains steady.
Quality is good with the
exception of very light
blister. Color is a strong
green and weights are
between 54-56 lbs.
Cilantro:
Light supplies
continue this week. With
warmer weather in the
forecast, better supplies are
expected as early as this
weekend. Quality is nice
with 8-10” in length and
good green color.
Fennel/Anise:
Fennel
supplies this week are
projected to be slightly
above
demand.
Percentages of larger sizes
will be close to needs for
contracts. Demand should
remain decent. Garlic: In the past few
weeks,
some
Chinese
pounds
have
become
available in the market.
Although
pricing
still
remains high, it is anyone’s
guess whether more pounds
will continue to become
available or if “the pipeline”
will run dry again. While
U.S. Customs allowed some
Chinese importers to have
their pounds released (after
being held at ports for long
periods), promises were not
made to have additional/
new shipments released as
well.
Page 4 Market Report Moreover, some importers
may now be “thinking
twice”
about
sending
further shipments so soon,
when they had such a
difficult time getting the
previous
containers
released. Time will tell. On
the domestic side, the
demand
continues
to
remain high and supplies
tight. We are under the
impression the majority of
Chinese
exporters
are
having to pay a duty rate
assigned by the U.S. Dept.
of Commerce (although we
do not know this with
100% certainty). There is
some discussion that with
the assigned duty, Chinese
exporters are observing
little to no margin at the
present market pricing.
Ginger: There is a supply
and demand situation that
happens from time to time
with ginger. The crop in
storage remains tight. This
is causing a lack of supply
and very high prices.
Green Cabbage: Supplies
have returned to average
and size continues to
improve.
Supplies will
continue
to
increase
throughout the month of
February in advance of St.
Patrick’s Day demand in
March.
Green Onions: Supplies
continue to improve. Sizing
is more towards smaller
onions for most shippers.
Good supplies are expected
over the next three weeks.
Kale (Green):
Plentiful
supplies continue. Overall
quality and appearance
continues to be superb.
Bunches are averaging 1416” in length with dark
green color.
Mache:
Adequate
availability.
Napa:
Limited supplies,
high prices.
Parsley (Curly): Supplies
are plentiful this week.
Quality is extremely nice
with bunches o 9-11” in
length with dark green
color.
Parsley
(Italian):
Supplies are up from last
week and should continue
to improve as the week
goes on. Overall quality is
very nice with bunches a bit
on the shorter side (7-9”) in
length, but both color and
texture are excellent.
Red Cabbage: Supplies
are steady and expected to
increase
as
warmer
weather continues. Quality
and sizing should stay
strong.
Demand and
production have been slow
over the past few weeks,
keeping the market steady
with higher prices.
Snow and Sugar Snap
Peas:
Snow peas and
sugar snaps are in tight
supply (Peru, Mexico, and
California). Prices remain
in the highs for both.
Quality is poor, and limited
availability will continue
through next week.
Spinach (baby):
Baby
spinach supplies are light.
Quality is fair due to frost
damage.
Spinach
(bunched):
Steady supplies this week
from Yuma and Mexican
growing areas. Favorable
weather
should
keep
supplies consistent for the
next
several
weeks.
Bunches are large and full
with 10-11” in length and
weights of 20-21 lbs.
Demand is fair.
Spring Mix: Spring Mix
supplies are light, and
availability
is
limited.
Product is showing quality
issues of yellowing and
wetness due to rain and
possible freeze damage.
Price is up.
Page 5 Market Report Onions and
Potatoes (Idaho)
Although sales are brisk,
there are plenty of supplies
available. Fobs could drop
further as the Mexican crop
will be crossing volume in
approximately two weeks.
Things could become quite
disconcerting for domestic
growers.
Potatoes: There is a good
balance between supply
and demand.
No price
increases are expected for
the foreseeable future.
Tomatoes
Round, Roma, Plum, and
Grape: The market has
improved, prices are down
and promotional volume is
available. The quality is
excellent on vine ripe out of
Mexico and Mature Greens
from Florida.
Washington
Apples & Pears
Demand and movement are
very
good.
Supplies
continue to be short on all
small
fruit
in
all
varieties. There are still
great
promotional
opportunities on 88s and
larger red delicious. Quality
remains excellent.
Pear
demand
is
exceeding
supply, especially for 110s
and
smaller.
Supplies
continue to be tight on
these
sizes.
Crop
is
running heavy to U.S. #1,
peaking
90s
and
larger. Trucking continues
to be an issue with more
booked loads than trucks to
haul them.
Rates have
eased somewhat but not
reflecting
lower
fuel
prices.
Tree Fruit
Chilean Stone Fruit is now
available, please call for
details! There are good
supplies on persimmons,
pomegranates and Asian
pears.
Granny Smith
apples are starting to clean
up on small sizes and bags.
Kiwi: Chile is the main
supply area. California is
starting. Italian is available
off East Coast and will be
available on the West Coast
in a week.
Produce Alliance, LLC
1 Vantage Way
Suite B-440
Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: 615-259-0290
Fax:
615-259-0295
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