. . . market outlook

WWW.PRODUCEEXPRESS.NET                                                                            January 28, 2010

California Olives

For the past ten years, we have been stocking a particular mix of California olives that come to us from M&CP Farm, located near Orland (Glenn County) in the Northern Sacramento Valley. Olives are an important agricultural crop in this area and a trip along the side roads in the area is likely to reveal any number of farms that grow the gray-green olive tree. Maurice and Cindy Penna own one of these farms and, along with their neighbors, grow an impressive variety of olives. Maurice Penna is a recognized authority on olives and responsible for all phases of olive production for the family owned business. In addition to growing and harvesting, the Penna’s supply their customers with fresh olives for curing and pack and distribute their own cured olives to both wholesale and retail operations.

California grows 95% of the U.S. olive crop and these olives are most likely to be used in one of two ways-crushed for olive oil or cured for the food industry. Freshly harvested olives are eternally bitter and must be cured before eaten. The traditional method of curing uses lye to neutralize the natural bitterness. Maurice Penna uses the second method-fermenting with lactic acid, which leaves more of the natural olive flavor intact. The Late Harvest Mix is a blend of seven varieties of green and tree ripened California olives (whole, with pit). This week we introduce a pitted Kalamon olive, more commonly known as Kalamata, named after the nearby Greek village from which it was originally grown. The Kalamon is a large size, purple black olive, rich and fruity in flavor. The Kalamon is an excellent table olive and great for tapenades. Both the Late Harvest Mix and Kalamon olives are packaged in a light brine.

Late Harvest Mix-Sevillano, Mission, Manzanillo, Lucque, Picholine and Frantoio olives-10# (net weight)-$29.75.

Pitted Kalamon Olives-10# (net weight)-$39.75.

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

F.D.A. RECALLS: None

F.D.A. WARNINGS: None

 

Strawberries

With Valentines day less than three weeks away, many of you have contacted our office regarding strawberries and their future availability. Although the past ten to fourteen days have not been very kind to California strawberry growers, the extended forecast looks like there will be windows of opportunity for harvesting. We will also have the ability to purchase strawberries from Baja, Mexico. We expect to see some minor quality issues from both areas. Strawberries will be somewhat limited and should be pre-ordered as soon as possible. The market will most likely stay around the low to mid $30’s.

Mandarins

Satsuma mandarins have finished for the season. We are however offering Murcott tangerines as well as Tahoe Gold mandarins as substitutes. The Murcotts are small, very similar to a Satsuma. While the Tahoe Gold is larger, seedless and closer in sweetness to the Satsuma.

Asparagus

All sizes of asparagus will now be shipped in 28 pound cases. Be sure you adjust your orders accordingly. We anticipate California asparagus to start next week and the Delta on or around Valentines day. The market on 28 pound cases is currently in the mid $40’s ($1.75 per pound) and will continue to improve as the season progresses.

 

 

           

M&CP OLIVES

The Pennas own M & CP Farms, 90 acres of olive production, processing and packing, located in the fertile northern Sacramento Valley of California. They have owned the lanavailable the finest California olives at a
price that won't blow a grocery budget.

Owners- Maurice and Cindy Penna Location- Sacramento Valley. Website- Greatolives.com

 

APPLES

Red (Wa)- mid $20’s Granny (Ca)- low $30’s↑ Golden (Wa)- high $20’s* Gala- high $30’s*

Fuji(WA)- high $20’s Pink Lady- mid $40’s* Honey Crisp- done Gravenstein- done

Pippens- mid $30’s Braeburn- low $30’s Crab Lady- high $20’s Crab Hyslop- low $20’s

Apple Hill supplies have finished for the season. Granny Smith market is stronger.

AVOCADO-

California 48 count- high $30’s* California 60 count- mid $30’s*

Wind and rain have caused some damage and harvesting issues. Be cautious of cheap damaged fruit.

BANANA-

Banana- low $20’s* Plantain- mid $30’s Petites- limited

BERRIES-

Strawberries (Ca.)- high $20’s* Stemberries- limited Raspberry (Ca.)- low $40’s↑

Blackberries- mid $20’s* Blueberry(Chile) – mid $20’s Fresh Cranberries- done

Frozen Cranberries Frozen Huckleberries Gold Raspberries-

California strawberry growers are stripping plants this week. Mexican market is down with rained on berries.

CITRUS-

Grapefruit (Tx)- low $20’s* Lemons- high $20’s* Limes- mid $20’s↓

Oranges- high teens* @Blood Oranges- mid $20’s Meyer Lemons 10#- low teens

Pummelo-low $20’s Satsuma- done Key Limes- high $20’s

Mex. Juice Orange- high teens Kumquats- low $30’s Cara Cara- low $20’s

Satsumas are done for the season, subbing Tahoe Gold and Murcott tangerine.

FIGS-

Black Mission- done Brown Figs- Done @Del Rio Black (40ct.)- Done

GRAPES-

Red Seedless(Chlie)- low $30’s↓ Green Seedless(Brazil)- low $30’s↓ Black Grapes(Chile)- high $40’s*

All grapes are now arriving from South America, the market continues to improve.

MELONS-

Cantaloupe- low $20’s↓ Honeydew- mid teens* Seedless Watermelon- $9/$10↑ PEARS-

Bartletts- low $30’s* Bosc- high $20’s* Red- low 20’s* D’Anjou- mid $20’s

French Butter- done Comice- mid $20 Seckle- high $20’s Asian- mid teens

All pears are now arriving from the Northwest.

PERSIMMONS-

Fuyu- $$$ Hachiya- done Cinnamon- done

Domestic/California persimmons are done, imported/Israeli product is very expensive.

TROPICAL-

Pineapple- high teens↑ Kiwi- low teens Mango- $9/$10* Papaya- low $20’s*

Mexican Papaya- high $20’s Starfruit- N/A Coconut- mid $20’s Green Thai Papaya- high $20’s

Pineapple market is stronger due to lack of supply from Hawaii. Mango regions in transition market is stronger.

DRIED FRUIT-

Apples Cranberries Pineapple Raisins Golden Raisins Cherries Pears Apricots

Mango Black Figs Blueberries Peaches Mixed Berries Papayas Currants Nectarines

JUICE-

Orange Lemon Lime Grapefruit Carrot Apple

@PUREE’- (Frozen) PERFECT PUREE’ FROM NAPA VALLEY

Raspberry* Blueberry White Peach Blood Orange Kiwi Mango Coconut

Pomegranate Lychee Nut Strawberry Passion Fruit Guava Cherry Key Lime

Blackberry Papaya Meyer lemon Lemon Zest Apple Pear Lime Zest

Pineapple Citrus Tangerine Mixed Berry Cocoa Mojito Sweet & Sour

El Corazon Apricot Rum Runner Passion Colada Yuzu Luxe Sour Tamarind

Red Sangria Black Currant Orange Zest White Sangria Caramelized Pineapple Concentrate

* Market steady ↑ Market up ↓ Market down @ Local Farms

ARTICHOKES-

18’s- low $30’s↓ 24’s- low $30’s↓ 30’s- high $20’s↓

36’s- high $20↓ 48’s- high $20’s↓ Baby’s- high $30’s↓

Frost damage is almost non-existent, supplies and pricing are improving.

ASPARAGUS-

Large- mid $40’s Standard- mid $40’s Pencil- mid $40’s White 11#- low $30’s

All sizes are now arriving in twenty eight pound cases. California should start next week.

BEANS-

Bluelake- mid $40’s* Baby French(Mex)- high $40’s* Yellow Wax- limited

Fava Beans 25#- done Chinese Long- low $20’s @Romano 15#- done

Cannelini Beans 15#- done Cranberry Beans 15#- done Garbonzo Beans 15#- done

Bluelake and French Beans are arriving from Mexico. Yellow wax beans are very limited.

BROCCOLI-

Broccoli 18’s- mid teens↑ Broccoli Crowns- mid teens↑ Broccoli Rabe- high teens*

Broccolini- high $20’s

CABBAGE-

Green- low $20’s↑ Red- mid 20’s↑ Napa- mid teens*

Bok Coy- high teens Baby Bok Coy 10#- mid teens Savoy- low $20’s

Red and green cabbage is gapping, markets are very tight.

CARROTS-

Jumbo Carrots- $12/$13 Clip top Carrot- low $20’s* Iced Bunched- high teens*

Peeled Mini Carrot- low $30’s* Baby Bunch- low $20’s↓ Baby Mixed Carrot- mid $20’s↓

Peeled Baby Carrots- high teens*

CAULIFLOWER-

Cauliflower- mid teens↓ Broccoflower- mid $20’s Carnival- (6ct.)- mid teens*

Carnival consists of purple, orange and green cauliflower.

CELERY-

Celery- high $20’s↓ Celery Root- mid $20’s Celery Hearts- high $20’s*

Finally seeing some relief, market is easing into the mid $20’s.

CHILIES-

Jalapeno 40#- low $20’↓ Long Green 25#- low $20’s* Pascilla 25#- low $20’s*

Serrano 10#- low teens* Tomatillo 40#- low $20’s* Yellow Wax 10#- mid teens*

Habanero 10#- mid $40’s↓ Red Fresno 10#- mid $20’s↓ Thai Chile- $4.75 per pound

CORN-

Yellow- mid $30’s↑ White- mid $30’s* Baby Corn (100 count)- done

Corn is very limited due to lack of supply as well as east coast demand after Florida freeze.

CUCUMBER-

Cucumber- mid teens* English- mid teens↓ Pickling 25#- high teens↓

Lemon 10# done Persian- high $20’s↓ Armenian- done

EGGPLANT-

Eggplant 18’s- high teens↓ Japanese 10#- mid teens↓ Chinese 10#- mid teens*

GARLIC / SHALLOTS-

X-jumbo- low $50’s↑ Super Colossal- low $60’s↑ Peeled Garlic- steady

Elephant 10#- high $30’s Whole Shallots- steady Peeled Shallots- steady

Cippoline- mid $20”s @ Spring Garlic- done Black Garlic

California whole garlic is stronger as Asian imports fall short.

GREEN ONIONS-

Green onions- low $20’s* Mexican Spring Onion- mid teens*

Growing gap and weather issues have supplies very light.

 

 

* Market steady ↑ Market up ↓ Market down @ Local Farms

GREENS-

Mustard- low teens Collard- mid teens Red Chard- high teens

Leeks- low $20’s Green Chard- high teens Dino Kale- high teens

Green Kale- mid teens Rainbow Chard- low $20’s Cello Flowering Kale- high teens

Still no Riverdog greens available at this time.

HERBS-

Basil Baby Arugula Arugula Chives Cilantro

Baby Dill Oregano Italian Parsley Mint Thyme Parsley Rosemary Tarragon Watercress Sage

Chervil Opal Basil Thai Basil Sorrel Savory

Mint tips Hydro Watercress

Weather issues in Baja causing many shortages.

LETTUCE-

Iceberg- mid teens↑ Green Leaf- mid teens↑ Red Leaf- mid teens↑

Romaine Hearts- mid teens↓ Garden Hearts- low $20’s* Hearts of Romaine- low $20’s* Butter- mid teens* Romaine- mid teens* Hydro Butter- (12 ct.)- low $20’s*

Iceberg and leaf lettuce issues are being caused by rain and harvest delays.

MUSHROOMS-

Domestic- steady Shitake- steady Oyster- steady Crimini- steady

Portabella- steady Chanterelle- done Hedgehog- $12.75 / lb. Morels- N/A

Porcini- done Chef Sampler- high $40’s Enoki- steady Black Chanterelle- $13.75 / lb.

ONION-

Yellow Onion- mid teens↑ Red Onion- low teens* White Onion- low $40’s↑

Sweet Onion- 10# $7/$9 Pearl Onion- steady @Torpedo 40#- done

Yellow onion market is stronger as storage issues surface. White onion market is very strong.

PEAS-

Sno Peas- high $20’s↑ Snap Peas- low $20’s* English Peas(Mex. Org.)- high $60’s

Organic English peas have started in Mexico, sold by the case only.

PEPPERS-

Green Bells- high teens↓ Red Bells- high teens↓ Gold Bells- low $20’s↓

Markets are improving on all colors.

POTATO / SWEET POTATO-

Russet- mid teens* Kennebec- high teens Red Potato- steady White Potato- steady Yukon Potato- low $20’s Purple- high $30’s Fingerling Gold- high $20’s Fingerling Red- low $30’s Yellow Finn- N/A

German Butterball- N/A Sweet Potato- mid $20’s Yams- low $20’s

We are subbing butter cream potatoes for German butterballs, mid $30’s.

RADISH-

Bunched Radish- low $20’s↑ Daikon- high teens* Jicama- mid teens*

Watermelon and black radish are available by the pound.

ROOT VEGETABLE-

Turnips- mid teens Rutabagas- high teens Parsnips- low $20’s

Red Beets 25#- mid teens Gold Beets 25#- mid $40’s Chioga beets 25#- mid $30’s↑

Horseradish- steady Ginger- low $30’s Sunchokes 10#- high teens*

Gold and chioga beets are much stronger due to gaps and harvesting issues.

SPINACH-

Bunched- low $20’s* Cello- steady Baby- steady

Bloomsdale 4#- limited Tatsoi- high teens

 

* Market steady ↑ Market up ↓ Market down @ Local Farms

SQUASH-

Italian Squash- low teens↓ Yellow Squash- low $30’s* Grey Squash- high teens↑

Gold Bar Squash- done Summer Squash- done Sunburst Squash- done

Italian squash is back down to seasonal norms, yellow squash remains very strong.

TOMATOES-

Large Loose- low $20’s↓ 5x6- high teens↓ 5x5- high teens↓

4x5- low $20’s↓ #2 Tomato- low teens↓ Roma- high teens↓

#2 Roma- low teens↓ Red Cluster- mid $20’s Yellow Cluster- high $20’s*

Orange Cluster- high $20’s Cherry Tomato- mid $20’s↓ Red Grape 10#- low $20’s

Mixed Medley- high $30’s↑ @True Vine 20#- done True Vine Roma 20#- done

Tomato market is improving rapidly; Mexican two layer product is best value.

WINTER SQUASH-

Butternut Squash- high teens* Acorn Squash- high teens Spaghetti Squash- high teens

Banana Squash- Kabocha Squash- low $20’s Red Kabocha- low $20’s

Delicata Squash- low $20’s Dumpling Squash- limited Del Rio Squash- done

Del Rio winter squash is done for the season.

SPRING MIXES-

Spring Mix- Lettuce Only 7 way- Del Rio Salad Mix-

Organic Spring Mix- Organic lettuce Only-

BABY LETTUCES-

Mixed Baby Lettuce- Lola Rosa- Baby Romaine- Red Oak-

Baby Red Romaine- Mache- Green Oak- Lil Gem-

CHICORIES & GREENS-

Radicchio- Frisee’- @Belgian Endive-

@Red Belgian Endive- @Mixed Belgian Endive- Travisio-

@Braising Mix- Mizuna- @Del Rio Arugula

BABY GREENS-

@Baby Red Chard- @Baby Red Mustard- @Baby Gold Chard-

MICRO GREENS-

Arugula- Basil- Cilantro- Rainbow Mix- Bull Blood-

Mache- Mizuna- Wasabi- Mint Lavender- Radish-

Chervil- Asian Mix- Celery- Intensity Mix- Italian Mix-

BABY VEGETABLES-

Red Beets- Leeks- Italian Squash- Yellow Squash-

Gold Beets- Fennel- Summer Squash- Sunburst Squash-

Chioga Beets- Turnips- Mixed Squash- Radishes- Baby Corn- N/A

EDIBLE FLOWERS-

Mixed- Pansies- Roses- Orchids 100 ct.- Violas-

Nasturtiums- @Confetti- @Rose Petals- @Squash Blossoms- done

LEAVES-

Green Ti- Red Ti- Palm- Leather Leaf- Bay-

Banana (frozen)- @Avocado- Kiefer Lime- Babies Breath-

SEASONAL-

Lemon Verbena- N/A Pomegranates- done Rhubarb (15# hot house)- low $50’s

Lavender- (no flowers) Rampicante Squash- N/A Cardoon

Pumpkins White Pumpkins Blue Pumpkin

Pomegranates are done for the season. All pumpkins will also be finished soon.

 

 

 

 

* Market steady ↑ Market up ↓ Market down @ Local Farms

CHEESES-

Cheddar Jack Mozzarella Fresh Mozzarella Pepper Jack Buratta

Parmesan Cotija Feta Mascarpone Swiss Brie

Queso Fresco Ricotta Goat Jack/Cheddar Mix Blue Cheese Cottage

White Cheddar Dry Jack Gruyere Point Ryes Blue Sharp Cheddar Parmesano Reggiano

DAIRY-

Manufacturing Cream Half & Half Buttermilk Whole Milk

Sour Cream Yogurt (Plain) Whipping Cream 2% Low Fat Milk

EGGS-

Large↑ Xlarge↑ Medium↑ Large Cartons↑

Liquid Hard Boiled Egg Whites Organic

DRIED BEANS-

Cannelini Cranberry Green Flageot Marrow

@Fava @Early Lady Pinto Small Red

Black Small White Garbonzo @Jade Pearl

LENTILS-

French Green Black Beluga Golden Crimson

RICE-

Arborio Carnaroli Basmati Jasmine Long Grain

Wild Chinese Black Purple Sticky Himalayan Red

GRAINS-

Barley Couscous Bulghar Wheat Polenta Quinoa Spelt

SPICES-

Peppercorns Chile Flakes Oregano Fennel Seeds

Mustard Seed Sesame Seeds Paprika Cinnamon

Cayenne Pepper Cinnamon Sticks Cumin All Spice

N. M. Chile Powder Vanilla Vanilla Extract Vanilla Puree’

OILS-

@California Pure Olive @Extra Virgin Olive Rice Canola

@VINEGARS-

White Wine Red Wine Cabernet Champagne Pear

Zinfandel Apple Cider Dark Balsamic Golden Balsamic

NUTS-

Pine Nuts↑$$ Walnut Meat Cashews Almonds Pistachio

Pecans Pepitas Macadamias Hazelnuts Chestnuts

TORTILLAS-

@Flour 6”/ 8”/10”/12” 6” Corn @Sonora Corn 6” Thin Corn

@Flavored (Tomato/Basil, Spinach/Onion, Variety Pack)

WOOD-

Hickory Chips Apple Chips Mesquite Chips Cherry Chips

Mesquite Apple Walnut Kindling

Mesquite Charcoal

FROZEN PRODUCT-

Strawberries Blackberries Blueberries Raspberries

Peaches Mixed Berries Boysenberries Cherries

Spinach Green Beans Edamame Corn

Peas Onion Rings 3/8” Fries Steak Fries

Shoestring Fries Curly Fries Egg Whites

DiNAPOLI CANNED TOMATOES-

San Marzano- Peeled & Ground- Fire Roasted- Marinara-

Sauce- Diced- Paste- Puree’-

 

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

 . . . . previous "seasonal and specialty produce" issues