. . . market outlook

WWW.PRODUCEEXPRESS.NET                                                                            May 13, 2010

Cherries

   We are now stocking early season varieties of California cherries. Our first shipment is coming from the Gotelli family farms.  The Gotellis have been growing cherries in the San Joaquin Valley and currently farm several hundred acres in orchards surrounding the towns of Lodi, Stockton, Linden and as far south as Bakersfield.

   Cherries are the first stone fruit to ripen.  Cherry trees need a cold winter to introduce dormancy, no frost during their spring bloom period and warm weather to ripen well.  Any untimely rain in May when the fruit has ripened will cause the cherries to crack and ruin the crop.  There are two main groups of cherries-sweet and sour.  Sweet cherries dominate the local crop. Early season varieties include Brooks, a firm, crunchy, light colored cherry; Burlat, a darker and softer variety and Bing, the more common and most popular variety. Bings have an unmatched crisp texture, a shiny black-red color and rich, sweet flavor.   Cherries are usually judged by their sweet flavor and the darker the color, the sweeter the flavor, which explains the popularity of the Bing cherry.  Royal Ann cherry is an old French variety, yellow with a red blush that has a balance of sweetness and acidity, which makes it perfect for canning and pickling.  Rainier is similar to Royal Ann, though not quite as sweet.  Sour cherries are tart, as the name implies and are actually best used for pies and preserves.  The two main varieties are Montmorency and Red Morello.

   The local cherry season can be short, lasting 8-10 weeks, from the first of May through the July 4th Holiday.  Cherries from Oregon and Washington extend the season through the summer months.

Sweet Cherries-10# case- $37.75

Available by the pound.

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

F.D.A. RECALLS: None

F.D.A. WARNINGS: SEE BELOW

FDA Recall

  Last week Freshway Foods announced a recall of all processed romaine products and salad containing romaine. The recall affects twenty four states east of the Mississippi. Produce Express does not buy ANY product from Ohio based Freshway Farms. There have been nineteen caseS of e-coli illness traced to Freshway Farms product.

Stone Fruit Update

  Cherries are here as well as Apricots. It may be a week or two too early for peaches and white peaches. No nectarines of quality have been seen yet. Our suggestion is to buy apricots and cherries this week and next before trying the peaches.

 Asparagus

  Typically this time of year the north west (Washington) asparagus season is in full stride. This year however due to cool temperatures extended days of rain and no warmth, Washington has yet to produce. For now California and its limited acreage are supplying the entire U.S. The current market is in the mid $50’s and relief will only come if Washington gets sizeable production. 

 

Gotelli Farms

    The Gotelli family emigrated from Italy in the early 1900’s and first planted cherries along the Calaveras River in San Joaquin County.  The first orchards eventually grew into a family business and the Gotellis have now been growing, packing and distributing cherries throughout California, the Pacific Northwest as well as overseas markets in Asia and Europe.

Farm owner-Gotelli family.          Farm established-1959.                       Location-San Joaquin County.

Crops-Cherries.                              Season-Late Spring, early summer.     Website-ogpacking.com.

 

APPLES

Red (Wa)- high $20’s*    Granny (Ca)- low $30’s*        Golden (Wa)- low $30’s*    Gala(Nz)- low $40’s* 

Fuji(WA)- mid $30’s*     Pink Lady- low $40’s*            Honey Crisp- N/A               Gravenstein- done

Pippens- N/A                   Braeburn- low $30’s                Crab Lady- N/A                  Crab Hyslop- low $20’s

AVOCADO-

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

BANANA-

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

BERRIES-

Strawberries (Ca.)- mid teens*         Stemberries- low $20’s                       Raspberry (Ca.)- low $30’s↓ 

Blackberries (Mex.)- high teens       Blueberry(Ca) – mid $30’s↓               Fresh Cranberries- done

Frozen Cranberries                           Frozen Huckleberries                          Gold Raspberries- pre-order

Local strawberries have full color and very good flavor, 12 pints $16.75.

CITRUS-

Grapefruit (Tx)- high teens*              Lemons- high $20’s*                        Limes- mid $30’s↓        

Oranges- high teens*                         Blood Oranges- Done                       Meyer Lemons 10#- low teens    

Pummelo-low $20’s                          Murcott- finishing                              Key Limes- limited

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

FIGS-

Black Mission- N/A                          Brown Figs- N/A                                 @Del Rio Black (40ct.)- N/A

GRAPES-

Red Seedless(Chlie)- high $20’s*    Green Seedless(Brazil)- high $30’s↑    Black Grapes(Chile)- low $30’s*

The green grape market is very strong as Chilean season finishes and quality issues arise. Mexico will start next week.

MELONS-

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

The desert is starting late and supplies are gapping from South America.

PEARS-

Bartletts- N/A                                   Bosc- limited                       Red- low 20’s*             D’Anjou- mid $20’s

French Butter- N/A                          Comice- N/A                       Seckle- N/A                 Asian- mid teens

Bartlett pears are done. Chilean Bosc pears will arrive next week.

STONE FRUIT-

Apricots- mid $30’s                 @Cherries- high $30’s                 Nectarines- N/A

Peaches- low $30’s                   White Peaches- low $30’s           Apriums- low $20’s

TROPICAL-

Pineapple- high teens*             Kiwi- low teens          Mango- $10/$11*          Papaya- mid $20’s*

Mexican Papaya- high $20’s   Starfruit- low $30’s     Coconut- mid $20’s      Green Thai Papaya- high $20’s

Manilla mangoes are available in the low teens.

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- high $20’s*              30’s- mid $20’s*                

36’s- high teens*          48’s- low $20’s*               Baby’s- mid $30’s*

The larger sized artichokes are limited, the best value are still 30’s and 36’s.

ASPARAGUS-

Large- mid $50’s         Standard- mid $50’s         Pencil- mid $50’s          White 11#- low $30’s

California asparagus growth has been slowed by cool temperatures and rain, Washington asparagus is non-existent.

BEANS-

Bluelake- high $30’s                 Baby French(Mex)- mid $50’s            Yellow Wax- mid $40’s     

@Fava Beans 25#- mid $20’s*     Chinese Long- mid $20’s                     Romano 10#- mid $20’s

Cannelini Beans 15#- N/A            Cranberry Beans 15#- N/A                  Garbonzo Beans 15#- N/A

The bluelake market is improving from Coachella. French Beans are still very limited.  

BROCCOLI-

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

Broccolini- high $20’s

CABBAGE-

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

Bok Coy- mid teens*                     Baby Bok Coy 10#- mid teens               Savoy- (limited) low $30’s

CARROTS-

Jumbo Carrots- $10/$12               Clip top Carrot- high teens                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- low $20’s*                  Broccoflower- mid $20’s                   Carnival- (6ct.)- mid teens*

CELERY-

Celery- high teens↓                          Celery Root- limited                       Celery Hearts- high $20’s*

Celery Root is very small (seasonal transition).

CHILIES-

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

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

Habanero 10#- mid $60’s↓            Red Fresno 10#- high $20’s↓             Thai Chile- $4.75 per pound

CORN-

Yellow- high teens↓                      White- high teens↓                             Baby Corn (100 count)- done

California grown corn has been very good.

CUCUMBER-

Cucumber- high teens↑                 English- high teens↑                        Pickling 25#- low $20’s↑

Lemon 10# N/A                               Persian- mid $20’s*                           Armenian- N/A

EGGPLANT-

Eggplant 18’s- low $20’s↓               Japanese 10#- high teens*                   Chinese 10#- mid teens*

GARLIC / SHALLOTS-          

X-jumbo- mid $50’s*                        Super Colossal- mid $60’s*               Peeled Garlic- steady

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

Cippoline- mid $20”s                        @ Spring Garlic- $3.95 per #             Black Garlic

GREEN ONIONS-

Green onions- low teens*                 Mexican Spring Onion- mid teens*    @Red and White Spring onion

  

* 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

Riverdog chards are back in stock.

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

Anise (fennel) market is very strong due to seasonal gaps. The cilantro market is stronger.

LETTUCE-

Iceberg- high teens*                      Green Leaf- high teens*                  Red Leaf- high teens*           

Romaine Hearts- mid teens*         Garden Hearts- low $20’s*             Hearts of Romaine- low $20’s*     

Butter- high teens*                        Romaine- mid teens*                      Hydro Butter- (12 ct.)- low $20’s*

Lettuce growers are fighting mold and mildew issues due to rain and inconsistent temperatures.

MUSHROOMS-

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

Portabella- steady         Chanterelle- imported $$$    Hedgehog- N/A              Morels- $18.75

Porcini- N/A                 Chef Sampler- high $40’s     Enoki- steady                  Black Chanterelle- N/A

Foothill morels are very good quality. Fresh porcini mushrooms should start in 1-2 weeks.

ONION-

Yellow Onion- mid $20’s↓           Red Onion (Ca.)- mid $30’s*        White Onion- low $30’s↓         

Sweet Onion-10# mid teens          Pearl Onion- steady                       @Torpedo 40#- done

Yellow onion market is dropping considerably. Vidalia sweet onions are starting this weekend.  

PEAS-

Sno Peas- mid $30’s*                   Snap Peas- mid $30’s*                  English Peas(Ca.)- high $30’s↑

Solorio Farms/Half Moon Bay English Peas have been very good.

PEPPERS-

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

Red and gold bells are returning to normal prices, slowly.

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                                Sweet Potato- mid $20’s                 Yams- low $20’s

New crop German Butterballs from Capay. Larger sized russets are slightly higher.

 

RADISH-

Bunched Radish- high teens*                     Daikon- high teens*                          Jicama- mid teens*

Watermelon radish still gapping for the next two to three weeks.

ROOT VEGETABLE-

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

Red Beets 25#- mid teens         Gold Beets 25#- low $40’s↓      Chioga beets 25#- low $40’s↓

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

SPINACH-

Bunched- high teens*                    Cello- steady                        Baby- steady         

Bloomsdale- mid $20’s                 Tatsoi- high teens

Bloomsdale from Coke Farms will be starting this week. All spinach growers are fighting mold and mildew issues.

  

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

 

 SQUASH-

Italian Squash- high teens↓        Yellow Squash- high teens↓                Grey Squash- low $20’s*

Gold Bar Squash- low $30’s         Summer Squash- low $30’s                 Sunburst Squash- low $30’s

California growers are finally getting production from the southern fields.

TOMATOES-

Large Loose- high $20’s*              5x6- mid $20’s*                          5x5- mid $20’s*                            

4x5- high $30’s↑                            #2 Tomato- low teens*               Roma- low $20’s*  

#2 Roma- low teens*                     Red Cluster- mid teens*             Yellow Cluster- low $30’s*        

Orange Cluster- low $30’s*          Cherry Tomato- high teens*        Red Grape 10#- low $20’s         

Mixed Medley- low $30’s*           @True Vine 20#-                        True Vine Roma 20#-

Supplies are still tight but the market is steady. Florida product is very pricey.

WINTER SQUASH-

Butternut Squash- low $20’s              Acorn Squash- low $20’s                Spaghetti Squash- high teens

Banana Squash-                                  Kabocha Squash- mid $20’s            Red Kabocha- done

Delicata Squash- done                        Dumpling Squash- done                  Del Rio Squash- done

Butternut squash is small, very good yield.

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- limited                   Orchids 100 ct.-       Violas-

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

LEAVES-

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

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

SEASONAL-

@Fava Greens              @Lambs Sorrel       @Dino Kale

@French Sorrel            @Arugula Rapini    @Baby Fava Beans                           

Rhubarb (20# Field Grown)- high $20’s (limited)          

Rhubarb is available by the case or the pound.

 

* 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

@Unsalted Butter                           @Butter With Salt

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