May 16th, 2024 Market Report
Lettuce: Alert
Lettuce markets have become very active and sold out. The cool weather in Salinas has slowed production of this commodity industry wide. There have been reports of discoloration, misshapen heads, and light weights upon arrival. There is an AOG increase on all Lettuce Value-add products. Quality is fair.
Leaf: Alert
Romaine markets have firmed up. The cool weather in Salinas has slowed production of this commodity industry wide. Expect to see discoloration, brown butts, lightweights, and twisting. There is an AOG increase on all Romaine Value-added products. Quality is fair.
Romaine Heart markets have firmed up. The cool weather in Salinas has slowed production of this commodity industry wide. Expect to see discoloration, brown butts, lightweights, and twisting. Quality is fair.
Green and Red Leaf markets have firmed up. The cool weather in Salinas has slowed production of this commodity industry wide. Expect to see discoloration, brown butts, lightweights, and twisting. There is an AOG increase on all Green Leaf Value-added products. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Tender Leaf:
Arcadian, Arugula, Spinach and Spring Mix markets are steady. Quality is fair to good.
Italian Parsley & Cilantro markets are active. Quality is battling bacterial spotting as a result of all the rain and excessive moisture.
Broccoli:
Markets have firmed up. Broccoli supplies and quality are good.
Cauliflower:
Markets are still coming down. Quality is good. Primo Weekly Market Update 5/16/24
Carrots:
Cello markets are steady out West and Georgia. Quality is good.
Loose market is steady on Mexican crossings, and about steady in Georgia. Quality is good.
Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.
Celery:
Despite a stronger market, supplies remain steady. There is an AOG increase on all Celery Value-add products. Quality is good.
Strawberries & Bush Berries:
Strawberry markets have come up from the bottom. There is still plenty of fruit available. Quality is good.
Raspberry markets are coming off. Product coming out of McAllen, TX is being transferred to DC’s on both the East and West Coasts. Quality is good.
Blueberries markets are a little stronger with rain affecting harvest in both Florida and Georgia. Florida and Georgia both with great quality.
Blackberries markets are steady. Product coming out of McAllen, TX is being transferred to DC’s on both the East and West Coasts. Quality is good.
Pineapples:
Market is steady to slightly lower for next week. Quality has been good on recent arrivals.
Potatoes:
The Potato market is at the bottom. 40cts and 50cts are tight with pricing firming up. Quality has been fair.
Onions:
The onion market is very strong. Pricing is up on the reds and expected to stay up for the next few weeks. Overall quality has been fair. Red Jumbo onions are very tight. Primo Weekly Market Update 5/16/24
Cucumbers:
Cucumber The market is a few dollars stronger on both selects, and on supers in Florida. Nicer cucumbers for retail are at a premium. Mexico is steady/ higher with light volume. Quality has good on inbound.
Euro Cucumbers markets continue to trade near the bottom with some reports of only fair quality. Great quality cucumbers continue to bring a few dollars more.
Squash:
The Green squash market is stronger with rain affecting markets, but remains a pretty good value. We are seeing good quality in both Florida and Mexico. Yellow supplies have improved and that market is steady. We are seeing good quality.
Eggplant:
Eggplant supply is lighter in both Florida and Mexico and costs are up a few dollars. Quality has been good on recent arrivals.
Peppers:
Green bells market is higher with supplies in North Florida much lighter. South Florida is about done for the season. Quality on inbound has been good overall.
Red Pepper markets are steady with good supplies. Quality has been sharp on recent inbounds.
Chile Pepper Jalapeno pepper supply continues to improve and cost are drifting downward. Quality has been sharp on recent arrivals.
Herbs:
Basil: quality is good.
Citrus:
Orange markets are up. With Navels coming to an end, Valencia’s will take over as the main variety within a few weeks. Valencia’s crop will mirror Navel’s. 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. As Navel supplies dwindle, Valencia will be the main variety within the next few weeks. Valencia’s crop will mirror Navel’s. Quality is good.
Primo Weekly Market Update 5/16/24
Lemon markets are steady on sizes 115ct and larger. Markets on sizes 140ct and smaller are up and extremely tight. Quality is good.
Lime The market continued to fall the back part of last week and this weekend but is starting to level out. With Memorial Day coming up in less than two weeks demand should begin to increase. The increased demand will be offset with increasing supplies, at least on the smaller fruit. Large fruit (110/150ct) are still tight as the new crop has not sized up that much and old crop is coming in with occasional quality issues. Quality on the 175ct and smaller sizes has all been really good with those sizes being new crop.
Grapes:
Markets are lower on red and steady on green. The import Chilean deal will finish within the next few weeks. Mexico is expected to start with light volume next week. Quality has been good on reds and mostly good on green. We will likely see some light ambering color on the green grapes through the end of the Chilean deal.
Tomatoes:
The market on Round and Roma tomatoes declined again with better supplies in Florida. Romas out of both Florida and Mexico are stronger. Good quality out of both Florida and Mexico. Grape tomatoes are up a few dollars along with cherry tomatoes.
Cabbage:
Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality has been sharp on product out of Texas and Florida
Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
Bagged Cabbage: Supplies are tight out of Canada and costs are steady but elevated. Quality is good.
Primo Weekly Market Update 5/16/24
Market Alerts:
The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.
1.) Red Jumbo Onions
2.) Idaho Potatoes 40ct & 50ct
3.) Special Chef Frying Potatoes
4.) Green Grapes
5.) Snow & Snap peas
6.) Specialty peppers
7.) Avocados
8.) White chef potatoes
9.) Pears 100ct & 135ct
10.) Artisan Romaine / Baby Romaine
11.) Red potatoes
12.) Lettuce Liner & Cello 24ct
