Vegetables
Anise/Fennel–Alert
Active markets and shorter supplies to be seen until Mid-March
Asparagus
Market expected to slowly improve as move into March and Mexican volume increases
Avocados –Alert
Mexico is in full swing with a decent harvest scheduled for this week. The overall availability of fruit is still limited as the industry aims to replenish a depleted pipeline. The crop out of Mexico continues to bring uncertainties on future shipments and U.S pricing. Larger fruit remains less than 3% of the size curve and is peaking on smaller and grade 2 fruit. The California harvest remains steady and is also peaking on small fruit.
Broccoli & Baby Broccoli
Markets remain steady on broccoli, but baby broccoli(broccolini) is active with limited supply.
Brussels Sprouts
Ample supplies continue conventional and organic sprouts.
Carrots-Alert
Carrot suppliers remain at max capacity on their snack pack carrots and now having issues with carrot sticks for some suppliers. Jumbo carrots out of CA are scarce with limited availably. Market to be active through March.
Cauliflower
Active market conditions have returned as yields have once again dropped for suppliers. Expect to see unsettled market conditions for the next 7-10 days
Celery-Alert
Value Added-Processed (sticks, diced) celery is under and demand exceed supply situation. Commodity celery out of CA, and AZ is more active this week as well due to overall lighter supplies. Active celery conditions expected through Mid-March.
Chili Peppers
Florida hot pepper supply light, demand strong and markets expected to get stronger. Mexico supplies moderate, with good movement; the Lenten season begins middle of next week and expect strong demand and active market.
Cucumbers–Alert
Honduran cucumber supplies in Florida very light. Mexico steady supplies coming as we see moderation in the market but with good demand from the Mexican national market less volume will be exported to the U.S. Expect market to remain active.
Eggplant
Florida supply better, quality good, demand down, market lower, more production to start. Demand could increase due to Lenten season. Mexico supplies moderate with good demand.
Garlic–Alert
Supplies of California garlic continue to decline. The next harvest will be in late June and early July. With less CA garlic available, orders will look to be supplemented with garlic from Argentina, Spain, and Mexico, starting in mid-March through the time of the new harvest. Expect to see stronger markets starting at that time.
Hot House
Peppers all colors demand exceeds supplies. Campari tomatoes short in supply and Cucumber are snug depending on region.
Iceberg, Leaf and Romaine
Stronger markets on iceberg, green, leaf lettuces for this week. Romaine markets are very active this week with some suppliers becoming increasingly more limited on supply. Organic romaine is seeing a very high amount of aphid pressure.
** West Coast Commodity Transition**
The annual move from the desert growing regions to the CA Central Coast growing regions is on the horizon. Look for more updates over the next 4-6 weeks.
Mushrooms-Alert
Shortages and active market conditions continue to plague the mushroom industry. All varieties are impacted. Conditions are not expected to change for the foreseeable future.
Onions-Alert
ID/OR – Onion market remains active. Quality on some lots are fair others fair to good. Texas crossings – Market is firming up, Rains in Mexico has curtailed harvest on all yellow onions. Red onions expected to get very tight until the Texas crop is ready in Late-March. VA red onions very active and will become very limited in supply in the coming weeks.
Peppers, red and yellow –Alert
Florida green bell supply decreasing (due to the impact of the freeze 5 weeks ago), demand increasing and market going up. Red and yellow bells extremely short. Mexico production on green bells limited as older fields fade away. Expect market to be active all month. Red peppers increasing in volume, market coming off a bit. Yellow bells continue to be tight/short.
