| Market Report 02-20-09
|  | MARKET REPORT
Weather Update:
A warming trend is in the late week forecast for California and Arizona growing areas. Heavy rainfall in Ventura County early this week has made the greatest impact on California strawberries. Rain will resume early next week in Central and Southern California. Highs will be in the 60s in Central and Southern California, with a high of 80 predicted for Western Arizona this weekend.
Transportation:
Availability is adequate for trucks in all regions, including California, Arizona, Texas, Florida and the Northwest.
California Lettuce & Mixed Vegetables:
Iceberg & Leaf: Iceberg supplies have improved and recent bullish price activity has stalled. Demand has increased, however, for romaine, which is now priced at a premium to palletized iceberg. The market has also firmed for leaf. With the warming trend now occurring in the desert districts of Western Arizona and the Imperial Valley, we do not expect to see much additional upside to romaine prices. Growers continue to be 14 days ahead of harvest schedules and at some point most likely by mid March, we will see a gap in supply.
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery, Carrots: Good supplies continue for broccoli, broccoli crowns and cauliflower. Prices are steady. Quality has been affected by rain in the coastal districts and cold temperatures in the desert…purple caste and yellow beads in broccoli…yellow caste and soft shoulder in the cauliflower. The celery market is in the process of adjusting lower, with various growing areas in full production, including Oxnard, Coachella, Imperial Valley, Yuma and Florida. Supplies are adequate for California carrots, with good supplies coming from Mexico.
Mixed Vegetables: The Mexican asparagus harvest will soon be in full production, with a warming trend developing in the growing areas. The harvest will begin in the Salinas Valley late this week; however volume shipments are not expected until early March. Mixed vegetables are in good supply, including bok choy, napa, cilantro, leek, cabbage, parsley and snow peas. Spinach is in tight supply for baby and conventional flat leaf bunched. Spring mix is in good supply…also arugula and mache.
Strawberries :
Almost two inches of rain fell in Southern California coastal districts early in the week, effectively curtailing the strawberry harvest. At this point, it is expected that production will return to normal by next week, however a chance of rain threatens the anticipated recovery. Driscoll strawberry distribution areas include Yuma, Arizona, McAllen, Texas and Dover, Florida; these areas currently have the best availability. The harvest in Oxnard, California, barring any further weather issues, will be in full production by early March. Supplies are on the decline for raspberries and blackberries from Mexico and prices are strengthening. Chilean blueberry availability is steady.
California-Arizona Citrus:
Despite significant rainfall during February, Navel orange growers have been able to harvest on a regular basis, with minimal disruption in supply. All sizes and grades are available and prices are steady; quality and flavor are excellent. The season has begun for California Valencia oranges, with the smaller sized 113s & 138s now available. Navels will be available through early April; the transition to Valencias will be smooth. The lemon harvest in the desert regions of California and Arizona will be finished by mid March. Supplies are currently plentiful.
Locally grown grapefruit and Mexican Valencia oranges are available for shipment from Texas. Oranges are also available in Nogales. The recent freeze in Florida has not affected citrus production. Navels, juice oranges and grapefruit are in good supply.
Variety citrus items currently available include Cara Caras, Moro oranges, Pummelos, W. Murcotts (similar to Clementines), Minneolas, Royal Mandarins and Shasta Gold Mandarins. Mexican limes are in good supply, available for shipment from Texas. The crop is now heavy to 200s & 230s, with adequate supply on the larger sizes for the near term. Pineapples are in good supply.
Melons:
Availability continues to increase for cantaloupes from Honduras and Costa Rica, and prices are moving lower. Honeydews are in adequate supply; while the ongoing shortage of watermelons is diminishing. Supplies from Central America and Mexico are gradually increasing.
Apples and Pears:
Apples continue with good supplies in the Northwest for the various varieties, including Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious. Bosc and D’Anjou pears are in good supply; prices are steady. There are better supplies for the smaller sizes this year for both apples and pears, which is favorable to the foodservice industry. Trucks are in good supply.
Grapes & Soft Fruit:
Demand is strong for both red and green seedless grapes. The harvest in Chile is currently 14 days behind schedule, as the harvest transition from Flames to Crimsons is currently underway. Availability is improving for Thompsons and Sugarones. Red and black varieties of plums from Chile are in good supply, with limited availability currently for peaches and nectarines. The market is firm for California kiwi; Italian kiwi is available for shipment from Philadelphia.
Avocados:
The size of the California Hass crop is significantly less than normal this year, and availability is currently limited. The harvest will not be in full swing until April. Prices are firming for Mexican Hass, as growers have reduced the volume of export to the U.S. following the Super Bowl. We can expect to see a substantial price rise for California Hass later in the season as California becomes the primary supply source. The Chilean season is essentially finished.
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