Vegetables
Asparagus
Market firming up, with strong demand up on both coasts. The retail pull for the upcoming 4th of July holiday in the US is causing the market to adjust.
Avocados–Alert
Mexico and California avocado volumes have dropped to very low levels and available inventory is in the hands of very few. Markets have increased significantly during the past week on most sizes.
Peruvian avocados are in good supply and are a great option to fill in the void during this time, as well as Colombian avocados. Expect active market to continue over the next few weeks until Mexico’s Loca crop volume increases to help replenish the pipeline. Flexibility on size, grade and country of origin is needed to fill orders to minimize prorates and shortages.
Brussel Sprouts
Good supplies are available, however, quality issues persist. The sprouts are showing seeder as well as puffiness, which is causing the sprout to feel less firm and a bit soft. Issues will last through end of July.
Cabbage – Red – Alert
Limited supplies on red cabbage available on the west coast. Green cabbage very limited out of MX.
Corn–Alert
East – Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas are where most of the domestic corn supply is coming from currently. Starting to see a decent push on demand prior to the holiday. Markets are stabilizing and firming up. West – In transition from the Desert to Central California, but expecting better supplies late next week, but this week will still be limited.
Cucumbers–Alert
East –Cucumber supply finishing up in Georgia and Eastern North Carolina due to heat. Supply will be very light, quality good, and market will drastically increase. West– Baja volume to decrease next week, Central Mexico crossings through Nogales diminishing. Expect active market conditions.
Eggplant – Alert
California volume is very light this week, should see better supplies by late next week.
Green Beans–Alert
East – Bean supply light, quality good, and market strong. Georgia beans are slowing down and new areas are about to start. West – California central coast beans will start this week with minimal volume, still in transition.
Hot House
Supplies very tight and demand exceeds on Red Peppers, TOV and Campari tomatoes.
Iceberg, Leaf and Romaine
Due to higher-than-normal temperatures and record heat on June 21st, some growers are reporting losses and quality issues on their leafy greens, iceberg, and romaine. There is anticipation that the result following the heat event could cause the markets to increase as yields may be reduced as a result of the damage caused by the heat.
Peppers
West – Very short on all elongated chilies with jalapeno and serrano not too far behind.
Peppers – Bell –Alert
East Coast – Georgia bell pepper slowing down with heat being the main factor. Anticipate this to be the last week of pepper for most Georgia shippers. North Carolina has started pepper; market getting active. Red and yellow supply light; market strong. West Coast – California fancy red peppers extremely short supply for another 10 days or so, market will remain active. Choice reds in better supply.
Yellow bells are short but should get better in the next few days. Quality on reds is good to fair, due to heat in Coachella. Will rebound once production moves north and west. Green bells finished in Coachella, production coming out of Bakersfield; market remains active.
Potatoes
The market is very strong and is anticipated to continue until new crop. The demand is exceeding supplies across the board of sizes. Fingerling potatoes will be short and limited in supply for the next two months.
