Primo

 Primo Weekly Market Update 3/30/23 

 Lettuce: 

Lettuce markets are active and sold out. Warm temperatures in the Yuma region brought production up by two weeks and now supplies have tightened up. The weights average 40-44 pounds. Common defects include misshapen heads, pinking, and discoloration. Yuma production is expected to run through April pending the heat in this region. Huron looks to begin production in a week. Quality is fair to good. 

Leaf: 

– Romaine markets are steady, but expect markets to tighten up next week. The warm weather in Yuma has increased production by two weeks and shippers are catching up with production numbers. Production is expected to run through April in Yuma. Common defects include fringe burn, blistering, and peeling. Quality is fair to good. 

– Romaine Heart markets are up. Expect markets to tighten up next week. The warm weather in Yuma has increased production by two weeks and shippers are catching up with production numbers. Production is expected to run through April in Yuma. Common defects include fringe burn, blistering, and peeling. Quality is fair to good. 

– Green and Red Leaf markets are steady, but expect markets to tighten up next week. The warm weather in Yuma has increased production by two weeks and shippers are catching up with production numbers. Production is expected to run through April in Yuma. Common defects include fringe burn, blistering, and peeling. Quality is fair to good. 

Lettuce Tender Leaf: 

Supplies continue to be available for parsley, cilantro, spinach, spring mix and arugula due to the current and recent warm weather in Yuma. The weather in the growing region will continue to be good into the weekend. Overall, quality is expected to be fair. 

Broccoli: 

Markets are active and sold out. Supplies are limited in Yuma as we approach transition. Quality is fair. 

Cauliflower: 

Cauliflower markets are active and supplies are getting tight as we approach the end of the Yuma season. Expect this market to rise as we approach the weekend. Quality is fair. 

Carrots: 

– Cello and Loose markets are elevated but steady. Quality is good. 

– Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good. 

Celery: 

Celery markets are steady. Santa Maria and Oxnard will have plenty of supplies throughout the week. Although there has been plenty of rain in this growing region, this commodity continues to be available to meet all demands. The quality continues to be good, with only slight seeder being reported. Florida’s production is light but available. 

Strawberries & Bush Berries: 

– Strawberries markets are very active. Production is extremely low this week and next due to cold weather and rain in the California growing regions. Baja production is behind and the production out of this area will be very limited. We are now in the midst of our transition from FL to CA. Florida is done for the year. This week and next the strawberry industry is going to experience a small supply gap due to the weather conditions out west. Production will start to increase in the coming weeks once we start getting some warmer weather patterns. Until that happens, we are going to be in a demand exceeds supply situation and markets will be increasing. This is an industry wide issue and is forecasted to continue until the weather improves. Quality is fair at best. 

– Raspberries markets are up. Central Mexico’s production is much lower for this commodity. Cooler than normal temperatures combined with rain in California are holding up fruit maturation causing a gap expected to last over the next 2 to 3 weeks. Quality is fair. 

– Blueberries markets are still active with demand exceeding supply. Mexican crossings have decreased leaving shippers reliant on decreasing numbers until the weather warms up in Central California and Baja, starting the season in those areas. This is expected to happen over the next 2 to 3 weeks. Florida and Georgia should start slowly over the next 2 weeks. Quality is good. 

– Blackberries markets are up and availability is tight. Central Mexico production has dropped significantly while cold weather and rain have delayed start dates in the central California area creating a gap. This gap is expected to last until mid-April. Quality is fair. 

Potatoes: 

The potato market is strong and starting to tighten up. 40ct through 80ct are becoming tighter. We will be in old crop for another 4 months, Quality is good 

Onions: 

The onion market is steady. Overall availability and quality are good. 

Cucumbers: 

– Cucumber market is steady. Quality is good. 

– Euro cucumbers are elevated but steady. Quality is good. 

Peppers: 

– Green bells markets are softening. Quality is good. 

– Red Pepper markets are down. Quality is fair to good. 

Herbs: 

– Basil: We are still seeing quality issues and some availability issues as well. Overall, quality is fair to good. 

Citrus 

– Orange markets are steady, but will tighten up with the rain/cold weather in the forecast. Quality is good. 

– Lemon markets are up. Small fruit is tight due to rain increasing fruit size. The market continues to climb. Quality is good. 

– Limes Supplies in Mexico are still a mess and costs are rising rapidly. Availability should continue to get worse throughout most of April. Overall quality is good. 

Tomatoes: 

Markets are stable in all regions. Good quality and availability of all varieties. 

Cabbage: 

– Green Cartons: markets are steady. Quality has been good. 

– Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality has been good. 

– Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is fair to good. 

Market Alerts: 

The items listed below are being prorated by Shippers. 

1.) Broccolini 18ct & 3/2lb 

2.) Basil 

3.) Blueberries 

4.) Strawberries 

5.) Veggie Power Blend 

6.) Cauliflower florets