February 2nd, 2024 Market Report
Lettuce:
Lettuce markets are steady, but expected to tighten up next week due to weather. The cold weather mixed in with the rain has created some pink ribbing, epidermal peel, and blistering. Weights are ranging from 39 to 44 pounds. Quality is fair to good.
Leaf:
Romaine markets are steady. Defects include blisters, peels, and discoloration. Quality is fair to good.
Romaine Heart markets are steady. Defects include blisters, peels, and discoloration. Quality is fair to good.
Green and Red Leaf markets are steady. Defects include blisters, peels, and discoloration. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Tender Leaf:
There is a shortage of tender leaf items due to the frigid temperatures, especially arugula and spinach. The recent cold weather is also causing Arcadian, Cilantro, Parsley, and Spring Mix to yellow. Look for supplies to continue to be tight going into next week. Quality is fair at best.
Broccoli:
Markets have come off. AOG trigger for VA broccoli items are off for next week. Quality is good.
Cauliflower:
Markets have come off. Quality is fair to good.
Carrots:
Cello markets are steady out West and in Canada. Quality is good.
Loose market is steady on Mexican crossings to slightly higher on Canadian product. Quality is good.
Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.
Celery:
Markets are steady. Product is coming out of Oxnard, Yuma, and Mexico. Quality is good. Primo Weekly Market Update 2/1/24
Strawberries & Bush Berries:
Strawberry markets are lower with a high volume of crossings from Mexico. Weather in Florida has improved and that market is also lower. Due to rain events in California, production estimates have been low. This week’s warmer temperatures will help dry out fields and improve quality. In Southern California, more rain is forecast for late next week. Over the next few weeks, Florida expects volume to increase after recent rain interruptions. Quality is fair to good.
Raspberry markets are coming off. There is a good amount of fruit being transferred from Baja and Central Mexico. McAllen, TX is expected to see a slight increase in volume coming out of Central Mexico. Quality is good.
Blueberries markets are steady to slightly lower with good supplies. Product from Chile and Central Mexico are now the dominant supplies being offered. Quality is good.
Blackberries markets are coming off. There is a good amount of fruit being transferred from Baja and Central Mexico. McAllen, TX is expected to see a slight increase in volume coming out of Central Mexico. We are still seeing red cells on inbound. Quality is fair to good.
Potatoes:
The Potato market is Stable. 40cts and 50cts are tight. Quality has been good.
Onions:
The onion market is very strong. Pricing is up and expected to stay up. Overall quality is good. White Jumbo onions are very tight.
Cucumbers:
Cucumber market remains very strong with very limited availability. Cold weather and rain are keeping production light in both Florida and Mexico. Supplies are very tight. Quality has been mostly good on inbound. We are seeing some minor scarring on both select and super select.
Euro cucumbers markets have declined sharply with better supplies available. Quality is good.
Primo Weekly Market Update 2/1/24
Squash:
Green & yellow squash remain critically short in supply in both Florida and Mexico. Markets are extremely high. Quality has been fair to good on recent inbounds.
Eggplant:
Quality Eggplant is in short supply in both Florida and Mexico. Markets remain high and we are told to expect some wind scarring. Availability is light.
Peppers:
Green bells market is rebounding with supplies lighter than expected in new fields in both Florida and Mexico. Quality on inbound has been good overall.
Red Pepper markets are lower with supplies improving. Quality is fair to good.
Herbs:
Basil: We are still seeing quality issues as weather in the growing regions continues to create poor growing conditions. Overall, quality is fair to good.
Citrus:
Orange markets are very active. There is a peak in fruit production for 72ct and larger; 88/113/138ct are extremely scarce and will remain so until the end of the navel season. Due to low fruit set and rain events, fruit will continue to grow in size as the season progresses. Brix is between 12 and 14. Currently, there is no gassing. Quality is good.
Lemon markets are steady. Currently, all three districts are shipping, with an overall peak size of 140/165ct. Mexico product is steady with good quality. Quality is good.
Lime The lime market is down significantly this week but seems to be leveling out. The extreme cold and snow storms across most of the US the last couple of weeks significantly decreased the demand. With weather warming slightly and the Super Bowl coming up in a couple of weeks, we should start to see demand return and even pick up. Weather in Mexico looks to remain dry this week and for the next 10+ days. We are hearing that the current crop is shaping up to run heavier on the large sizes than typical of this crop, which is why we continue to see 110ct/150ct cheaper than the mid-sized fruit. This also means as we get closer to the end of the current crop, we may start seeing 230/250ct tighten up. Overall quality remains good, with good color as well. This should continue to be the case with the weather in Mexico cooperating as it has been.
Primo Weekly Market Update 2/1/24
Grapes:
Grape supplies remain tight and costs are high. Quality overall has been very good. There are no vessels arriving on the west coast this week, and existing inventory is very low. Chile is just getting started, while Peru is winding down. Volume on the east coast is tight, but much better than on the west coast. For the next few weeks, this market will remain high and tight.
Tomatoes:
The round tomato market has declined from last week. Overall, supply remains short. In all regions, demand still exceeds supply. Quality is mostly good on rounds and cherries. Grape tomato quality is fair to good with a slight decline in costs. Roma quality seems to be improving and markets are declining with a lot of volume crossing from Mexico.
Cabbage:
Green Cartons: Markets are mostly steady. Quality is fair to good.
Red Cartons: Markets are snug with elevated costs. Quality is good.
Bagged Cabbage: Markets are mostly steady. Quality is good.
Market Alerts:
The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.
1.) White Jumbo Onions
2.) Rounds, Grapes, & Cherry Tomatoes
3.) Green & Yellow Squash
4.) Eggplant
5.) B&W Arugula
6.) Red & Green Grapes
7.) Escarole
8.) Basil
9.) Green Beans
10.) Yellow & White Corn
11.) Cucumbers
12.) Green Onions 4/2lb
