October 2- October 9, 2022
Lettuce:
Lettuce markets are active. Light supplies are expected for the next two weeks as yields continue to suffer with all suppliers. High temperatures, rain, INSV, and fusarium in the soil are all contributing variables that are hurting production of this crop. Pinking, lightweights, discoloration, puffiness, and internal burn are common defects being reported. Value-added lettuce items are on second-tier escalation. Quality is fair.
Leaf:
- Romaine markets are very active. Erratic weather conditions as well as INSV and fusarium in the soil are the cause for low yields. There is an increase in pricing on romaine value added items. A common defect seen upon arrival is light weight, tip and fringe burn, as well as discoloration. Quality is fair.
- Romaine Heart markets are very active. Erratic weather conditions as well as INSV and fusarium in the soil are the cause for low yields. There is an increase in pricing on romaine value added items. A common defect seen upon arrival is light weight, tip and fringe burn, as well as discoloration. Quality is fair.
- Green and Red Leaf markets are very active. Erratic weather conditions as well as INSV and fusarium in the soil are the cause for low yields. There is an increase in pricing on green leaf value added items. A common defect seen upon arrival is light weight, tip and fringe burn, as well as discoloration. Quality is fair.
Broccoli:
Broccoli markets are active. Supplies are limited as a result of the heat wave. Look for the market to rise steadily moving into the weekend. Quality is fair.
Cauliflower:
Cauliflower markets are very active. Supplies are limited as a result of the heat wave. Look for the market to continue to rise moving into the weekend. Quality is fair.
Carrots:
- Carrot markets for Cello and Loose are steady. Quality is good.
- Jumbo’s out West are steady. Mexican jumbos are steady. Canadian product is starting to become available but the price is still elevated. Quality is good.
- Value-add snack carrots are steady. Quality is good.
Celery:
Celery markets are steady. Quality is good.
Strawberries & Bush Berries:
- Strawberries markets are active. There are extremely lower yields due to the recent rain as shippers opt to strip fruit and prepare the fields for better quality next week. Expect markets to firm up throughout this week. Quality has been fair to good.
- Blackberry markets are active. We are being prorated 50%. Raspberries and Blueberries are steady/coming off. Quality is fair to good.
Potatoes:
The potato market is still tight on large potatoes. 40ct through 70ct are still tight but availability is improving, pricing is still elevated. Quality has been good.
Onions:
The onion Market is becoming stable. Quality is good.
Cucumbers:
Cucumber market is steady. Quality has been fair to good out of the north. Southern product will be arriving soon with the anticipation of better quality depending on the impact of hurricane Ian.
Peppers:
- Green bells have been steady. Quality has been fair to good.
- Red Pepper markets are still active. Quality has been fair with product coming in under color.
Citrus
- Orange markets are active and still tight on all sizes and expected to be throughout the season. Quality is fair to good.
- Lemon markets are increasing. Oxnard/Ventura County is nearing its end. In early October, harvesting will begin in the California Desert/Arizona Region. The San Joaquin Region will get started in a light way starting in October. Supplies across the board will be tight for the next couple of weeks. Quality has been fair to good.
- Limes – color and shelf life have improved but skin defects are throughout. We should be seeing improvements to the product over the next two weeks.
- Tomatoes:
Supply continues to be light out east as growers deal with rain in some areas. Significant supply is not expected until Florida starts in mid-October. Out west, California is also finishing up their deal in about 3 weeks. Mexico’s availability out of Baja and Eastern Mexico is good, but active as well.
