Produce News - May 9, 2013
Market Movers
California Avocados are very consistent. 60ct cases are in the mid 30's, 48ct in the low 40's. The Strawberry market is up slightly due to heavy demand and lack of East Coast supply. The market in in the mid teens. Stem-Berries are available, pre orders suggested for Mother's Day. Blackberries (Mexico) are in the mid 20's, Blueberries (California) are in the low 30's, and Raspberries (Calif.) are in the low 30's. Chilean Grapes are winding down, the market is in the low 30's on Red and mid 40's on Green. Cantaloupe and Honeydew are in the low 20's. Watermelon continues to improve. Pineapple supplies are tight but quality has been very good. The market is in the mid-teens. The current supply of Mango is outstanding. In addition to Cherries and Apricots, Peaches and Nectarines have arrived from Southern California. The fruit is firm and lacking flavor. Artichoke supplies are plentiful on all sizes. 12ct/18ct/24ct/30ct are in the low 20's. 36ct are in the high teens, Small Loose or Baby are in the low 30's. The Asparagus market has been very, very strong and is currently in the low 70's on 28# cases. California and less-than-average Washington crops are supplying the entire nation. Bluelake Beans are slightly higher. French Beans are in the mid 20's. Yellow Wax Beans are in the low 30's. Coastal Favas are outstanding. Brussels Sprouts are in the low 30's from Mexico. The Cucumber market is steady, in the low teens. English Cucumbers are steady, in the mid teens. Iceberg, Greenleaf, Red Leaf and Romaine are all in the low teens. Butter Lettuce is slightly higher. Romaine Hearts are in the high teens. Green Bell Peppers are in the low 20's, Red and Yellow Bell Peppers are in the mid-high $30's. California Chile Pepper supplies continue to be light. Tomatillos are climbing drastically again into the mid-high 50's. Italian Squash is easing slightly into the mid teens. Yellow Squash is in the high teens. Summer, Sunburst, & Gold Bar Squash are available by the case-high 20's. Mexican Tomato supplies are tightening and Florida has weather issues causing all sizes to increase by several dollars. 4x5's are up into the mid 20's and are very tight. Roma Tomatoes are the best value. Black Chanterelles are limited. Hedgehogs are done. Morels are available with a pre-order, in the mid 30's. Nettles are finishing. Ramps will be around for a couple more weeks. Fiddlehead quality is improving. We are still stocking Castelfranco and Sausalito Springs Watercress.
Produce News - May 2, 2013
Market Movers
California Avocados continue to be very good. Ripening typically takes an extra day or two. Best value for Cinco de Mayo is 60ct size (low 30's, 48ct size is in the low 40's. Strawberries are stable. Salinas, Watsonville and Santa Maria at peak production. Local farmers market type berries have been very good. Raspberries are finally easing into the mid 30's. 6oz Blueberries from California now in stock, in the mid 30's. Blackberries, low 20's, offer best value. Blood Oranges are done, Cara Cara's and Meyers are finishing. Limes are down into low 20's just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Clementines are the last of the Tangerine varieties. Chilean Grapes continue to be very strong. Reds are in the low 30's, Greens are in the high 30's. Quality is fair to good. "Off Shore" Melon (South America) season is winding down. Cantaloupes are in the low 20's and Honeydew are in the low 20's. White Peaches and Apricots have started from Southern California. The fruit is very hard, we recommend waiting another week or two. Cherries have been seen! Supplies should start early next week or sooner. 36ct Artichokes continue to be the best value in the low 20's. Mid West weather, North West failures causing heavy demand of California Asparagus. The market is currently in the mid 60's on 28# cases from the Sacramento Delta. The market will remain strong until Mother's Day. French Beans are easing into the high 20's. Very nice Wax Beans from Coachella are available in the low 30's. Coastal Fava Beans have been outstanding in the mid 20's for 25# cases. Green Cabbage is at seasonal norms, in the mid teens. Coachella White and Yellow Corn continues to improve in size and flavor. The market is in the mid 20's. All Leaf Lettuce and Iceberg are in the low-mid teens. Quality has been very good. Green Bell Peppers from Coachella are in the low 20's. Red and Yellow Bells up considerably, in the low 30's. The Italian Squash market is stronger-high teens. The Yellow market is steady, in the low 20's. Summer Squash, Sunburst and Gold Bar are available by the case only from Fresno. 22# cases in the high 20's. The Tomato market is steady. Larger sizes (4x5) are slightly higher. New crop Mexican Red Onions are dropping drastically in the mid 20's. Hedgehogs are done. Black Chanterelles are available by the pound or case. Morels are very expensive, in the low 30's lb w/pre order.
Produce News - April 25, 2013
Market Movers
The Avocado market is steady and quality has been very good. The Strawberry market is expected to increase slightly as Mother's Day approaches. Raspberry supplies continue to be very limited, the market is in the low 40's. California Blueberries remain strong, in the high 30's. Blackberries from Mexico are the best value, in the mid 20's. The Lime market has eased into the mid 20's. Blood Oranges should be done this weekend. The Cantaloupe, Honeydew and Watermelon markets are up slightly, mostly due to "shipping" issues. Pineapple from South America is late to arrive and custom delays are tightening supplies. The Mango market and quality continue to be inconsistent as fewer shipments cross. Mid West and East Coast Asparagus growers were snowed on last week and Washington crops are slow to produce. National demand as well as local demand (Asparagus Festival this weekend) is very strong. The market is in the low 50's and expected to climb higher. The Artichoke market is steady on all sizes, 36ct offers the best value. The quality of Beans from Coachella has been very nice, the market has eased into the mid 30's. The Broccoli market is in the low teens on Bunched and Crowns. The Cabbage markets are rising again due to east coast demand after last weeks heavy rains and snow. There is a severe shortage of Cauliflower as northern and central California hit gaps. East coast demand is very strong, the market is in the low 30's. The east coast demand of Celery is very strong, the market is in the high 20's and climbing. The Iceberg market is stronger, in the high teens. All other Leafs remain in low to mid teens. Coachella Green Bell Peppers have finally started; the market should begin to ease. Anticipate Red and Yellow markets to strengthen as Mexico finishes. Chilies are steady, Tomatillos remain strong, in th high 30's. Italian Squash is up slightly as Coachella gaps. Yellow Squash is in the mid 20's from Coachella. The Tomato market is steady on all sizes and shapes from Mexico. Hedgehog Mushrooms will finish this weekend. Black Chanterelles are available. Morels are available with a pre order (over $30 per pound) Natural or "burnt" Morels will start in two weeks and prices will improve drastically.
Produce News - April 18, 2013
Market Movers
California Avocados are peaking on smaller sizes. There is a five dollar spread between 60ct and 48ct. The Strawberry market is steady in the low teens. Raspberries are limited and in the low 40's. Blackberries from Mexico are in the low 20's. California Blueberries are in the low 40's. The Lime market is easing into the mid-low 30's. The Lemon market is steady. Blood Oranges will finish this week. Clementine Tangerines are available by the case or 3# bag. Cara Cara Navel Oranges will finish in 2-3 weeks. Red Grapes are in the low 30's, Green Grapes are in the high 30's, Black Grapes are done from Chile. Cantaloupe and Honeydew markets are improving into the high teens. Product is still arriving from South America, sugar content has been good. Watermelons from Mexico continue to improve in color, flavor and price. Pineapple continues to improve and the market is easing into the mid teens. Due to labor strike in South America, Mango supplies are inconsistent. The Artichoke market is starting to ease on all sizes. 36ct size offers the best value. The Asparagus market is slightly higher as Mexico finishes. Delta Grass has been very nice, all sizes available. Desert Diamond Bluelake Beans from Coachella are in the mid 30's on 30# cases. Wax Beans will start this weekend. Coastal grown Fava Beans have started from Solario. They are available by the 25# case or the pound. The Broccoli market is improving from Salinas into the low teens. Vierra Farms is gapping locally. White and Yellow Corn from Coachella is in the mid 20's for 48 ears. English Cucumbers from Patterson (Central California) in the mid teens. Iceberg Lettuce is up slightly, in the mid teens. Leaf Lettuces are steady in the low teens. Romaine Hearts are in the high teens. All processed lettuces have returned to normal pricing. Coastal English Peas are available from Solario by the 25# case or pound. Quality and flavor are excellent. Sno Peas and Snap Peas are in the low 20's. The Green Pepper market continues to be strong, in the low 20's. Red Bells are up slightly, in the low 20's. Italian Squash is in the low teens, Yellow Squash in the high teens from Coachella and Fresno. The Tomato market is steady. Larger sizes 4x5 and 5x5 are slightly higher than 5x6. The Roma market is in the mid teens. New crop Mexican Red Onions are very expensive, in the low 30's. Hedgehog Mushrooms are limited, in the high teens per pound. Black Chanterelles are in the mid 20's. Morels available with a pre-order.
Produce News - April 11, 2013
Market Movers
California Avocados are easing slightly, 60ct best value. Strawberries from Watsonville in the low teens. 8/1#clamshells. Farmers Market Strawberries are very large with outstanding color and flavor. $19.75 12/1 pint baskets. Raspberries and Blueberries are very tight, the market is in the low 40's. Blackberries are slightly better, in the high 20's. The Lemon market is up slightly while the Lime market is down slightly. Murcott Mandarins are done. Now stocking 10/3# Clementines sold by the case or 3# bag. Blood Oranges will finish next week. Cantaloupe and Honeydew continue to ease, markets in the low 20's. Watermelon is down slightly as well. The Pineapple market is down slightly, while quality (color and flavor) are improving. The Artichoke market is considerably higher on all sizes. Frost free, but plants are slow to recover from winter damage. The Delta Asparagus market is steady. The quality has been outstanding. All sizing options are available. Local grower is gapping on Purple Asparagus. The California Bean harvest from Coachella has begun. The quality is outstanding and the market is starting to ease downward. Wax Beans should start in a couple of weeks. The Broccoli market is very strong, in the low 20's. Green Cabbage continues to ease into the mid teens. Napa Cabbage is in the high teens. The Cauliflower market is very strong, in the low 20's. White and Yellow Corn is available from Coachella Valley. Quality is very good but sizing is a little smaller than Mexican product. The market is in the mid 20's. California grown English Cucumbers start this week. The market is down slightly into the mid teens. The Lettuce market is down to seasonal norms, low teens on all varieties of Leafs and Iceberg. Romaine Hearts are in the high teens. Green Bell Peppers are very strong, in the mid 20's. Red Bells are in the low 20's and Yellow Bells are in the mid 20's. The Tomatillo market continues to ease slowly, the market is in the mid 40's on 40# case. California grown Italian Squash and Yellow Squash now available. The market is in the low teens on Italian and high teens on Yellow. The Tomato market is steady on all shapes and sizes. The Red Onion market is very strong, currently stocking New Zealand grown red onions. Remaining northwest storage product has quality issues. New crop is several weeks away.
