Produce Market Alerts:  as of June 19, 2024

Apples - Apple supplies remain strong. In July, some holes in inventories are expected to appear. Pinks, honeys, and golds will thin out. Galas will remain tight. There will be a good supply of reds, Granny Smiths, and Fuji throughout the summer

Asparagus – ***ALERT*** - Asparagus supplies will be very light for the next couple of weeks leading into the 4th of July. Many retailers are taking ad volume leading into the holiday. Southern Baja has seen about a week of temps above 100 degrees causing asparagus to go dormant. This is also yielding more smaller sizing as opposed to larger sizing. Peru is also battling very warm weather as well and producing less asparagus. Look for this market to be tight through the 4th of July holiday

Avocados – ***ALERT*** -  On Friday, June 14, 2024, the USDA suspended avocado harvesting and shipments. In Aranza, Michoacán (Mexico's main avocado-growing region), roads were blocked by a social protest unrelated to avocado production. A USDA inspector's vehicle was detained. USDA security protocol was activated to protect inspectors. After safe transit, both inspectors returned to Uruapan, Michoacan. USDA staff members are working with Mexican authorities to resume harvesting as soon as possible. USDA and Mexican officials will meet this afternoon. While many suppliers have fruit en route that was shipped before the suspension, there is no harvest until an agreement is reached, so supplies will become scarcer. Mexican supplies are insufficient to fill the gap left by California and Peru. Markets will continue to increase until the suspension is lifted due to a shortage of fruit. Some suppliers want force majeure to take effect this week, others want it to take effect next week.

Bell Peppers – The transition of Green Bell out of the Central Valley and NC has been slow, but prices are high and demand is high. The Reds are winding down from Coachella and the markets are reacting positively. Markets will be active until we complete the transition in early July.

Berries (Blackberries) – From Mexico and the West Coast, we are seeing good numbers of new products entering the market. Georgia's season is coming to an end. Central Mexican transfer trucks continue to arrive in moderate numbers.

Berries (Blueberries) – Due to recent high temperatures, fewer products are coming into the market from the West Coast and Mexico. The Pacific Northwest has begun from Oregon, with Washington and Vancouver not far behind. Michigan will come into play in another two weeks. New Jersey's season is also underway. Central Mexican transfer trucks are still arriving in moderate numbers.

Berries (Raspberries) – The Central California Coast area is experiencing steady supplies due to continued Mexican fruit transfers. Central Mexican transfer trucks are still arriving in smaller numbers. The majority of the product is being sent to DCs on the west and east coasts of the US.

Berries (Strawberries) – The production in the Salinas and Watsonville areas is still strong. Only a few weeks remain until Santa Maria's season ends, and numbers are declining there. The markets have firmed up ahead of the Independence Day holiday.

Broccoli – ***ALERT*** - In Salinas, Santa Maria, and Mexico, broccoli is in short supply. Low yields caused by quality issues are driving overall lighter supplies. There are signs of pin rot, yellow beads, hollow cores, and decay reducing production in the fields. The majority of these quality issues are visible at harvest, and harvesters are leaving affected heads behind. As a result of the warmer weather and recent hailstorms, Mexico's supplies are also limited.

Brussels Sprouts – Brussel sprout supply remains tight. Mexico's warm weather is causing discoloration and an increase in bugs. Next week, this market is likely to trend higher.

Carrots – There is a steady market for whole carrots. The main growing region is now Bakersfield. The size looks good. For the foreseeable future, there will be no issues.

Cauliflower – The quality and supply of cauliflower are improving this week. The market is likely to trend downward heading into the weekend.

Celery – This market is steady. All sizes are available, but the better availability is in the large sizes, especially the twenty-four counts. The quality of the crop remains above average, aside from the light seeder. Production is coming out of northern as well as southern CA.

Citrus (Lemons) – ***ALERT*** - The fruit is at its peak in 115ct and larger sizes. 165ct and smaller sizes will remain extremely tight throughout the summer. Markets for 140ct and smaller will remain strong. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is finished, leaving District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County) to produce the largest fruit. The offshore weather on the West Coast is expected to come into play early July, providing some relief for domestic lemon growers.

Citrus (Limes)– Veracruz is expected to receive much-needed rain this week. The rain will delay harvest and the 4th of July pull next week, resulting in slightly higher prices. Rain will, however, help fruit as we move into summer. Larger sizes remain limited, with fruit peaking in the 200-250ct range.

Citrus (Oranges) - Navels are pretty much finished; Valencia’s are the main variety. The Valencia crop will mirror the Navel crop. Fruit will peak at 72ct and larger; 88/113/138ct will be tight through the Valencia season once summer break is over for schools. Valencias are currently available in the Central Valley and Riverside. Brix on the Valencia’s are in the 12 range.

Cucumbers – There are good supplies available from Baja, Nogales, McAllen, and Georgia.

Eggplant – Market is steady. The Fresno area is the main source of eggplant, while Georgia is the main source of eggplant for eastern markets.

Garlic - Garlic is in short supply on the domestic market. This week marks the beginning of the transition to Mexican peeled garlic. The garlic market is expected to become more volatile and tight over the next few months.

Grapes (Green) – Grapes from Mexico are crossing in Nogales at full speed with good volume and quality. As with Nogales, Coachella is in full harvest at much higher prices than Nogales. Chilean grapes are done. In the second week of July, Bakersfield will be the next district to start.

Grapes (Red) – Grapes from Mexico are crossing in Nogales at full speed with good volume and quality. As with Nogales, Coachella is in full harvest at much higher prices than Nogales. Chilean grapes are done. In the second week of July, Bakersfield will be the next district to start.

Green Onions – There is a good supply of green onions this week, with better quality. It should be a good week for supplies next week

Kale – This week, kale supplies are expected to be plentiful and of good quality. There is a great opportunity for Kale to be promoted at the moment.

Lettuce (Iceberg) – With this commodity, better supplies have been available, but the market remains firm. The escalation of pricing on value added products is likely to continue into the middle of next week at least. Thus, both northern and southern California have seen an increase in supplies over the past few weeks. Quality has been above average with weights ranging from 38-42 pounds with multiple shippers.

Lettuce Leaf – Multiple suppliers have been able to supply romaine, green leaf, and red leaf due to ideal weather conditions. It is a very competitive market. Quality has been good, with minimal tip and fringe burn reported. Weights and sizes have been above average. There is no escalation on value-added leaf items of any kind. As much as possible, promote romaine hearts to shippers. Supplies look to be good throughout the week.

Lettuce Tender Leaf – The supply of tender leaf items such as cilantro and Italian parsley remains limited. Quality is experiencing bacterial spotting due to all the rains and excessive moisture. These markets will remain tight for the next few weeks.

Melons (Cantaloupe) – After the holidays, Cantaloupe demand has normalized and the market has remained steady. This week smaller cantaloupes are harder to come by and larger sizes have been supplied. The week of 6/24 is expected to bring lower yields as growers transition to central California. There are organic and specialty varieties available in the Brawley, CA/Holtville area.

Melons (Honeydew) – As a result of additional crossings from Mexico, the honeydew market has remained stable. Domestic honeydews are peaking in larger sizes, while smaller sizes are becoming at a premium. During the week of 6/24, growers will transition to Central California, which may tighten markets.

Melons (Watermelon) – This week, Mexican watermelons are available from Nogales and Texas. There has been steady demand for Mexican Fruit and California product will be available this month. The warmer weather in Northern Mexico has improved the quality and yield of the crops. The quality of Florida watermelons has improved, and additional supplies are available. Suppliers are looking to capitalize on the upcoming holiday and deals will be available for ADS.

Mushrooms - Supply and availability are excellent.

Onions – Supplies are improving in CA's Central Valley. The red onion market remains elevated, however with more regions coming into play, prices for all colors are softening.

Pears - New crop California Bartletts will start shipping just south of Sacramento during the second week of July, causing the pear market to remain tight. About 80% of last year's crop is expected to be harvested in California in the early part of the year. There are only small inventories of Anjou, Bosc, and Red Anjou remaining for Washington shippers. Only a few shippers will still have Anjou at the beginning of July. Early California crop looks about 80% of last year's. Both coasts now have imported Bartletts available.

Pineapples – Suppliers have limited spot market opportunities since they focus on contracts. Fruit matures faster in the tropics, resulting in lower yields. The lack of rainfall in the tropics is expected to continue throughout the summer. Larger fruit is impacted after the holiday and demand remains steady. The Mexican pineapple shortage has been supplemented by tropical pineapples.

Potatoes – There is a limited supply of 40 - 70 CT. 80 - 120 CT are in surplus with load volume deals available on 6 ounce #2s. The quality is excellent, although pressure bruising usually begins to appear at this time of year.

Squash – Several growing districts across the west and east are contributing to the increase in supplies. Prices are trending down as supplies start to regionalize. As availability increases, expect steady to lower markets over the next few weeks.

Stone Fruit – There is a good supply of peaches, plums, and nectarines in the central valley. Throughout the month, the size of the plants will increase, and better varieties will be available in July. Cherry season is over in California. Washington cherries are starting to come into better volume at the end of June and the beginning of July. Chile's kiwi market is stable to slightly down.

Tomatoes – Western Mexico and Central Florida are finished, so markets are active. As newer areas on both coasts get going, markets should remain fairly active until early July.

Weather

The active weather patterns continue to impact production and quality across the U.S. and Mexico as we move into summer. Out west the heat wave continues in the interior valleys of California and the Southwest as the strong high-pressure ridge remains in place. Temperatures look to peak over the weekend with some relief expected around the middle of next week.

Another heat wave will settle in across the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and the Northeast over the next few days. Widespread record to near record high temperatures is forecast with overnight lows only reaching the mid-70s providing little relief from the heat. These types of temperatures generally occur later in the summer months in the August/September time frame across these regions. Local/regional production is set to begin in the near future across the various production regions and these temperatures may impact supplies and quality when harvests begin.

A disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico will likely become the first Tropical Cyclone of the season before making landfall in Northeastern Mexico by early Thursday. Heavy rain and tropical-storm-force winds well north of the circulation are expected to move on shore across southern Texas today. Rainfall totals of 5-10 inches are possible from northeast Mexico into South Texas before tapering off by early Friday. This will bring much needed precipitation to Mexico which has been ravaged by drought. Of course, too much rain too fast can cause flooding, landslides and road closures depending on where and how much rain falls.

Back in California Growersremain ahead of schedule in many fields due to the cool spring temperatures holding back acreage causing growers to reach for supplies. Iceberg lettuce supplies while gradually improving remain on the light side for the near term. Cilantro and parsley production continues to be impacted by disease pressure and weather issues. Very hot temperatures are now expected to impact these fields in the near term. These tender items do not handle extreme heat well and supplies may once again feel the impact. Broccoli fields remain behind schedule mostly due to cool temperatures and growers reaching for product. Brown beads, discoloration and hollow core are also prevalent in the fields lessening yields and overall supplies for the mid-term. Supplies look to remain limited for the next couple of weeks at a minimum.

All these factors will keep overall supplies on the lighter side as we move through June.

Freight 

Summer temperatures across the US are putting strain on equipment this week. We highly encourage using a Copeland Locus Traxx temperature recorder to keep a close eye on your temperatures in transit. Stay cool out there.