Spokane Produce

May 24, 2023

Market News

Apples –Granny Smiths continue to be in short supply. With the
storage season nearing an end, Washington shippers are stepping
up Gala packing. Small reds, Golds, and Fujis are also in good
supply.
Asparagus –A lack of supplies coming out of Mexico is being
eased by good domestic supplies from Washington and Michigan.
Mexico’s supplies should start picking up in the first week of June.
Peru continues to produce only limited quantities from the south,
mostly in Ica. However, we expect the large growing areas to begin
in late June or early July. With overlapping production from Mexico,
Canada, Peru, and the United States, supplies will be good come
June.
Avocados –It is a lower market across the board on all sizes. Within
the next month or so, normal crop will end. Next is the Flora Loca
crop. As of yet, we do not know what the peak sizes will be for that
crop.
Bell Peppers –We should have steady supplies from both coasts,
with Florida and Nogales wrapping up over the next two weeks.
California Desert is at peak production and Georgia is ramping
up supply. Red bells will start out of the desert towards the end of
the month as some Nogales shippers will continue into late June,
weather permitting.
Berries (Blackberries) –This item is in very moderate demand. We
expect the California crop to begin production in approximately two
weeks, weather permitting. There have been occasional transfer
delays coming out of Baja and Central Mexico.
Berries (Blueberries) –Georgia is gapping due to weather and
Florida has finished for the season. Central Mexico is still producing
very few numbers. As soon as next week, the Central California
crop will begin in a light way.
Berries (Raspberries) –This item continues to be very tight. In
California, winter weather has reduced plantings and pushed start
dates forward. Mexico continues to cross light numbers into the U.S.
Berries (Strawberries) –At the moment, there are plenty of
strawberries available in Santa Maria, Salinas, and Watsonville. Run
offers through us where volume deals are being offered.
Broccoli –Salinas and Santa Maria continue to have good supplies
of broccoli, including florets. Overall, the quality is above average.
Going into the weekend, expect this market to stay steady with
good supplies and quality.
Brussels Sprouts –Brussels sprouts are in very limited supply.
Oxnard usually begins at the beginning of May, but it has been
pushed back a couple weeks. As the weekend approaches, the
market is expected to increase. Overall, seeders are being reported
and it is causing lower yields and smaller sizing.
Carrots –Whole carrot supplies are in a better position. There is a
slight decline in the markets. Imperial Valley growing region will go
until mid/late May. Bakersfield’s growing region is next up with no
issues forecasted on sizing.
Cauliflower –We are seeing good supplies of cauliflower in Salinas
and Santa Maria. We see no supply issues going into the weekend
as this market has come off.
Celery –As expected, there will be very limited availability of this
commodity throughout the week. Third-tier escalation is in effect for
value-added products. It is anticipated that the southern California
region will provide some relief in two to three weeks, but for now,
there will be light availability on all sizes. Seeder has been an issue
as well. Salinas is expected to begin production at the end of June.
Citrus (Lemons) – District 1 is the main growing region for FCY fruit.
District 2 will have more choice-grade fruit as it ramps up. Small
fruit is tight due to the rain helping to increase fruit size. The market
continues to rise.
Citrus (Limes)–The markets are fairly steady, and supply and
quality have both improved. The smaller fruit bottomed out while
the larger fruit is fairly tight. The market is expected to settle in the
coming weeks.
Citrus (Oranges) -There is a peak in supplies for
72/88ct. The quality is good. The market for small fruit
with significantly less volume is firming up. To help with
the shortage of 113/138ct navels, Valencias have begun
very lightly.
Cucumbers –There is a steady supply, good quality and
volume on both coasts.
Eggplant –On both coasts, supply is steady, volume
and quality are good. Eggplants are finishing up in
Nogales.
Garlic -Throughout the week, California’s production is
expected to remain steady. It has been reported that
the quality is good.
Grapes (Green) –New crop green seedless will be
available in Nogales this week. Demand still exceeds
supply and the market is in the high $40s to low $50s.
Grapes (Red) – Next week, there will be a new crop of
red seedless in Nogales. Demand will exceed supplies
until mid-June.
Green Onions –This week, Mexican-grown supplies
continue to improve. In Mexico, the warmer weather has
helped spur growth. The quality is good overall.
Kale –The market continues to be steady. The
availability is expected to be moderate to good
throughout the week. In general, the quality of the
product is good, and the market is stable.
Lettuce (Iceberg) –The supply of this commodity is
expected to be strong throughout the week in
Salinas and southern California. Suppliers are flexing on
large quantity orders so promote as much as possible.
Average weights range between forty-two and forty-five
pounds, with the majority coming from the Salinas
Valley. A few misshapen heads have been reported,
but otherwise, the quality is good. You can also expect
better quality on value-added products.Lettuce Leaf – The Salinas Valley’s ideal weather
conditions have led to an abundance of romaine and
other leafy items. Several shippers are flexing, so promote
as much as possible throughout the week. The average
weight of romaine is thirty-four to thirty-seven pounds, while
the weight of red and green leaf averages twenty-two to
twenty-four pounds. There is very little to no fringe or tip
burn to report. There will be good availability of romaine
hearts as well.
Lettuce Tender Leaf –Italian parsley continues to be the
one tender leaf item that’s limited. The product in Salinas is
still behind schedule due to the heavy rains we had when
the growers were trying to plant the product. We hope that
the Salinas Valley weather will warm up over the next week
and the growth will improve.
Melons (Cantaloupe) –The Nogales Cantaloupe season
has begun. The desert deal begins this week. The market
is up and supplies are tight. Florida offshore is done.
Melons (Honeydew) –Honeydew’s market is mostly steady.
5/6’s are in short supply. The quality overall is good.
Honeydews have started in Nogales. The Yuma and
Imperial Valley will begin next week. Offshore out of Florida
is done.
Melons (Watermelon) –The offshore fruit is done. There
are steady supplies coming out of Mexico. Florida is also
shipping.
Mushrooms –There is an excellent supply and availability.
Onions –There is a shortage of supplies. The main
growing region is the California Desert. After Memorial Day,
New Mexico and California’s San Joaquin Valley will start.
Pears –The market is slightly higher. It is expected that
prices will gradually rise from May to July as storage
supplies run out. The new crop of California Bartletts is
projected to start the week of July 10th, but weather
conditions could delay it.Pineapples –There is a light open market volume. The
quality of the product is good, and the market is steady.
Potatoes –Burbanks are the main variety being shipped.
There will be mixed manifests until Norkotah supplies run
out. The market remains extreme.
Squash –There is a strong supply on both coasts. Next
week, North Carolina will start followed by New Jersey,
promotable volume is available. As California squash
begins in the Central Valley, Santa Maria and Baja looking
to start early in June, Nogales is winding down quickly.
Stone Fruit –California has begun producing peaches,
nectarines, and apricots. As a result of the cooler
weather, cherry production has been delayed, but should
pick up in volume by the end of the week.
Tomatoes –As we are in transition, markets are
elevated. There is less fruit coming out of Mexico overall.
The new regions of Baja and Eastern Mexico will be in
better production by June. California is expected to begin
in the first week of July. Out east, the Ruskin/Palmetto
areas will go through May then move to Quincy followed
by Georgia and the Carolinas.

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