. . . market outlook

WWW.PRODUCEEXPRESS.NET                                                                              January 7, 2010

The New Year

   We will start this New Year with a resolution to continue to emphasize and offer to our customers an extensive array of local and seasonal fruits and vegetables.  This time of year might be considered a somewhat difficult time to do so as so many products have ‘gone south’ for the winter-however, using local and seasonal ingredients and an A-Z list, we have created a way to ‘Eat The Alphabet’.

·  A-Apple Hill Apples- See next page.

·  B-Blood Oranges, Beets, Brussel Sprouts.

·  C-Cauliflower, Cara Cara Oranges.

·  D-Dates, Daikon, Del Rio Botanical.

·  E-Endive, such as Escarole.

·  F-Fennel.

·  G-Greens-Collard, Mustard and Braising.

·  H-Horseradish.

·  I-I couldn’t find one, can you?

·  J-Jerusalem Artichoke.

·  K-Kiwi, Kohlrabi.

·  L-Lacinato (Dino) Kale.

·  M-Meyer Lemons.

·  N-Navel Oranges.

·  O-Olives and the Oil of.

·  P-Pears, Parsnips.

·  Q-Quince

·  R-Roots, of all kinds. Radicchio.

·  S-Satsuma Mandarins, Sweet Potatoes.

·  T-Tatsoi, Turnips.

·  U-Unsalted butter from Clover/Stornetta .

·  V-Vinegar, seven from Sparrow Lane.

·  W-Walnuts, Winter squash.

·  X-See the letter ‘I’.

·  Y-Yams.

·  Z-See the letter ‘X’.

   Happy New Year from Produce Express.

 

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

F.D.A. RECALLS: None

F.D.A. WARNINGS: None

Seasonal

      The New Year typically signals the end of many late Fall-early Winter seasonal favorites.  The following items are winding down or are already finished:

Fresh Cranberries-Winding down-we will keep frozen on hand.

Fuyu/Hachiya Persimmons-Finishing.

Pomegranates-Finishing.

California Grapes-Finished.

Pumpkins-Finished, except for stock on hand (inquire).

Sugar Pie Pumpkins-Finished, except for stock on hand.

Chanterelle Mushrooms-Winding down, price up.

Fresh Porcinis-Finished.

   On the other hand, January is an excellent month for varietal Citrus:

Blood Oranges-Twin Peaks Orchards (Placer County) is now supplying us with a local crop of this excellent orange.  Blood oranges are juicy and sweet with raspberry-red flesh that is slightly less acidic than regular table oranges.

Satsuma Mandarins-The local crop from Mandarin Hill Ranch (Placer County) will finish in the next week or two.  Quality remains excellent.

Meyer Lemons-Now arriving from Central Valley growers.  Good size, great flavor. 

Cara Cara Oranges-An excellent variety.  A cross between Navel orange and Pink Grapefruit-pinkish-red flesh, sweet, tangy flavor.

 

 Twin Peaks

  Twin Peaks is located in the low Sierra foothills, halfway between Newcastle and Lincoln. The orchard established by Japanese immigrants, the Nakae family, in 1912. The rolling foothills with its well drained soil-creates outstanding citrus with great color and high sugar content.

Farm Owners-Raul and Sheila Enriquez           Farm Established-1912       Location-Newcastle, Ca.

Crops-Blood Oranges, Stone Fruit, Persimmons.   Farm Size-100 acres.       Website-Twinpeaksent.com          

APPLES

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

Fuji(WA)- high $20’s      Pink Lady- mid $40’s*            Honey Crisp- low $50’s      Gravenstein- done

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

Apple Hill apples currently in stock include Golden, Pink Lady, Granny Smith and Fuji.      

AVOCADO-

Mexican 48 count- low $30’s*         Mexican 60 count- low $30’s*      Chilean 60 count- low $30’s

First California avocadoes are being conditioned and should be ready by Tuesday of next week.        

BANANA-

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

BERRIES-

Strawberries (Ca.)- low $30’s*         Stemberries- low $40’s*                    Raspberry (Ca.)- low $40’s↑ 

Blackberries- low $20’s*                  Blueberry(Chile) – low $30’s↓          Fresh Cranberries- finishing

Frozen Cranberries                           Frozen Huckleberries                          Gold Raspberries- pre-order

Fresh cranberries will be done by next week, frozen are available in 12oz. packages.

CITRUS-

Grapefruit (Tx)- low $20’s↓              Lemons- high $20’s↑                                Limes- low $30’s↑        

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

Pummelo-low $20’s                          @Satsuma- mid $20’s                               Key Limes- low $30’s↑

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

FIGS-

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

GRAPES-

Red Seedless(Chlie)- low $50’s↑     Green Seedless(Brazil)- low $50’s↑      Black Grapes(Chile)- low $50’s↑

All grapes are now arriving from South America.

MELONS-

Cantaloupe- mid $20’s↑                    Honeydew- mid teens*                       Seedless Watermelon- $6/$7↑                        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        Hosui- low teens

20th Century- done                           Shinko- low teens*            

All pears are now arriving from the Northwest.

PERSIMMONS-

Fuyu- very limited                           Hachiya- done                     Cinnamon- done

Persimmons are pretty much done for the season.

TROPICAL-

Pineapple- high teens*             Kiwi- low teens          Mango- $7/$8↓             Papaya- low $20’s*

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

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- high $40’s↑          24’s- low $40’s↑              30’s- high $30’s↑               

36’s- low $30↑             48’s- low $30’s↑               Baby’s- low $50’s↑

Frost damage is noticeable. Supplies are very tight.

ASPARAGUS-

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

Asparagus remains very tight, Mexico is very limited and there are quality issues with Peruvian.

BEANS-

Bluelake- high $30’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- mid teens*

Broccolini- high $20’s

CABBAGE-

Green- mid teens*                          Red- mid teens*                                     Napa- high teens*                  

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

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- high $20’s*

Peeled Baby Carrots- high teens*

CAULIFLOWER-

Cauliflower- low $20’s                   Broccoflower- high teens                      Carnival- (12ct.)- high teens*

Carnival consists of purple, orange and green cauliflower.

CELERY-

Celery- mid $20’s↓                         Celery Root- mid $20’s                       Celery Hearts- low $20’s↑

The celery market is easing into the mid $20’s.

CHILIES-

Jalapeno 40#- low $20’s*               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 $60’s↑             Red Fresno 10#- low $40’s                  Thai Chile- $4.75 per pound

Tomatillo market is strong. Red Fresno and Habanero chilies are very limited.

CORN-

Yellow- mid $20’s*                      White- low $20’s*                              Baby Corn (100 count)- done

CUCUMBER-

Cucumber- low teens↓                  English- mid teens↑                       Pickling 25#- high teens

Lemon 10# done                               Persian- mid $30’s                             Armenian- done

EGGPLANT-

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

GARLIC / SHALLOTS-          

X-jumbo- mid $40’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

GREEN ONIONS-

Green onions- mid teens↑                 Mexican Spring Onion- mid teens↑

     

 

 

 

 

 

* 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- high teens                   Cello Flowering Kale- high teens

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

LETTUCE-

Iceberg- mid teens↓                       Green Leaf- mid teens↓                    Red Leaf- mid teens↓           

Romaine Hearts- high teens↓        Garden Hearts- low $30’s↓               Hearts of Romaine- mid $20’s↓      Butter- mid teens↓                         Romaine- mid teens↓                       Hydro Butter- (12 ct.)- low $20’s*

All lettuces have returned to seasonal pricing norms.

MUSHROOMS-

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

Portabella- steady           Chanterelle- limited              Hedgehog- mid teens    Morels- N/A

Porcini- done                  Chef Sampler- high $40’s     Enoki- steady                Black Chanterelle- low $20’s

Chanterelles are finished; hedgehogs and black chanterelles are available. 

ONION-

Yellow Onion- low teens*            Red Onion- low teens*                  White Onion- mid teens*         

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

PEAS-

Sno Peas- high teens↓                  Snap Peas- low $30’s↓                    English Peas- done

PEPPERS-

Green Bells- mid teens↑              Red Bells- high $20’s↓                    Gold Bells- low $30’s↓

Red bells are easing into the $20’s.

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- mid teens                         Daikon- high teens*                         Jicama- mid teens*

ROOT VEGETABLE-

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

Red Beets 25#- mid teens         Gold Beets 25#- mid $20’s        Chioga beets 25#- mid $20’s

Horseradish- steady                     Ginger- low $30’s                 Sunchokes 10#- high $20’s↓

Watermelon and black radish are available by the pound.      

SPINACH-

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

Bloomsdale 4#- limited                 Tatsoi- high teens

Freeze and rain are limiting bloomsdale availability from all growers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 SQUASH-

Italian Squash- low teens↓         Yellow Squash- mid teens*                  Grey Squash- mid teens*

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

TOMATOES-

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

4x5- low $20’s↓                              #2 Tomato- $9/$10↓                    Roma- high teens↓  

#2 Roma- $9/$10                            Red Cluster- low $20’s               Yellow Cluster- high $20’s*       

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

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

The tomato market has greatly improved with Mexico in full swing.

WINTER SQUASH-

Butternut Squash- high teens↑            Acorn Squash- high teens                Spaghetti Squash- high teens

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

Delicata Squash-mid teens                 Dumpling Squash-mid teens            Buttercup Squash- done

SPRING MIXES-

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

Organic Spring Mix-                    Organic lettuce Only-

Mixes and ingredients are arriving from Yuma.    

BABY LETTUCES-

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

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

Supplies are still limited and transportation time is an issue.

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-                Long Island Cheese Squash      Pomegranates

Lavender-                           Rampicante Squash                  Cardoon                                              

Pumpkins                           White Pumpkins                       French Red Pumpkin- N/A      Blue Pumpkin

Pomegranates will finish soon. 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    

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

Pecans                          Pepitas                   Macadamias              Hazelnuts

Pistachio                      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

 

 

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms
 . . . . previous "seasonal and specialty produce" issues