Primo

 Lettuce: 

Lettuce markets are active. Weights range from 35 to 41 pounds. Defects such as puffiness and discoloration of the outer leaves are common. Quality is fair to good. 

Leaf: 

Romaine markets are slightly up. Fringe and tip burn are some common defects reported. Quality is fair to good. 

Romaine Heart markets are slightly up. Fringe and tip burn are some common defects reported. Quality is fair to good. 

Green and Red Leaf markets are steady. Fringe and tip burn are some common defects reported. Quality is fair to good. 

Lettuce Tender Leaf: 

The heat over the last few weeks has affected Parsley, Cilantro, Arugula, Spring Mix, Arcadian, and Spinach. Yellow/brown/black leaves may appear at receiving due to heat-related quality issues. Quality is poor to fair. 

Broccoli: 

Markets are active. Brown bead and pin rot are being reported on inbound. There is a AOG price increase on broccoli florets. Quality is fair. 

Cauliflower: 

Markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Carrots: 

Cello markets are steady out West. Quality is good. 

Loose market is steady. Quality is good. 

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

Celery: 

Markets are still active. A strain in production has been caused by INSV in some fields in Salinas. Quality is fair. 

Strawberries & Bush Berries: 

Strawberry markets are steady, but tight. Production out of Salinas and Watsonville is on the decline while Santa Maria and Oxnard begin to build momentum with steadily increasing yields. Quality is fair. 

Raspberry markets are steady, but tight. Small numbers are beginning to show up out of this crossing from CMEX. Quality is fair to good. 

Blueberries markets are active. There is a very short supply on this item. We are experiencing a market where demand exceeds supply. Shippers expect better availability in two more weeks for import fruit coming out of Central Mexico, Peru, and Argentina. Quality is fair. 

Blackberries markets are steady, but continues to be very limited in availability. Most shippers are covering contracts and previous commitments. There is very little open market fruit available until Central Mexico begins to produce in mid to late October crossing in through McAllen, Texas. Quality is fair. 

Potatoes: 

Quality is good, just seeing some skin Immaturity from the potatoes not being able to set yet. 

Onions: 

The onion market is stable. Overall quality is good. 

Cucumbers: 

Cucumber market is steady. Quality is good. 

Euro cucumbers markets are very active. Quality is fair to good. 

Peppers: 

Green bells market is steady. Quality is good. 

Red Pepper markets are steady, but still tight. Quality is fair to good. 

Herbs: 

Basil: We are still seeing minor quality issues. Overall, quality is fair to good. 

Citrus: 

Orange markets continue to be strong as school demand is in full effect. Through the remainder of the Valencia season, 113ct and 138ct prices will remain elevated. The peak sizes are 72ct and 88ct. The hot temperatures in the Central Valley will soon cause fruit to re-green (a normal occurrence at this time of year). It is purely cosmetic and does not affect the flavor of the fruit. Domestic Navels are expected to start up mid/late October. Other quality issues in play are softer fruit/pack pressure & stem-end aging due to increased temperatures in the growing region. Quality is fair to good. 

Lemon markets are still up and extremely tight out West. District 2 is nearing the end of its season, and markets remain elevated across the board. Lemons are tight across the board and will remain so until District 3 gets going. District 3 (California Desert/Arizona) is scheduled to start shipping late-September/early-October. Import Lemons are gapping until Mexico starts in the next two weeks. Quality is fair to good. 

Lime Mexican Independence Day last week had harvest of limes down, resulting in lower inbounds to start the week. There was also a software issue at the border on Monday that caused long lines and delayed hundreds of loads of produce from being able to cross into the US. As of Tuesday afternoon, the backlog was still in the process of getting cleared up, but trucks were at least being processed. We continue to see a widening gap in pricing between US #1 fruit and the lower grades, as inbound fruit has to be regraded and repacked, and shippers are seeing higher and higher amounts of lost fruit on the inbounds in order to get a true US #1 pack. As long as demand remains strong, the market will continue to be active. 

Grapes: 

The grape market continues to advance in price as the industry deals with the sudden crop loss from the storm. This market will most likely remain high and tight for the balance of the domestic season. Quality is fair to good. 

Tomatoes: 

Overall Round and Roma tomato markets are firm. Grape and Cherry tomato markets are coming down each week. 

Cabbage: 

Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Market Alerts: 

The items listed below are being prorated by Shippers. 

1.) Scallions 4/2lb 

2.) White B Potatoes 

3.) Broccolini 18ct & 3/2lb 

4.) Lemons 140ct & 165ct 

5.) B&W arugula 

6.) Brussel Sprouts Halves 2/5lb & Shaved 5/2lb