PRODUCE UPDATE

Be your customers produce expert.

Let them know how the market conditions
 look now and for the next few weeks.

You are the answer.  

ICEBERG LETTUCE:

Well, the wheels fell off this thing over the weekend, as the market fell like a rock! Supplies are stronger out of Yuma, and Huron has begun production, and demand is light. The quality has picked up considerably compared to past weeks. The weights and quality will vary amongst the different shippers. Yuma production has weights ranging from 45 to 47 pounds. Discoloration, and some blister have been seen upon arrivals, however the frequency is much less, in comparison to past weeks. We will spend about another 30 days in Huron and then we will be back to Salinas.

  ROMAINE & LEAF:  

The romaine market too has tumbled. Many suppliers are looking to move on this commodity and deals are being offered for volume orders. Yields are better and demand is off. Blister and epidermal peel is still an issue but not nearly the problem as in past weeks. Romaine Hearts have better availability and the market has come down dramatically on this commodity. Green and red leaf has come off as well. Huron has begun production and supplies look to increase next week.

 CARROTS:

California carrots supplies are very tight. Cool weather slowed growth early on. Shippers have moved into the Imperial Valley to raid the fields for jumbo carrots, but it is still to early to be effective. Expect high prices and pro rates to continue. We could see this shortage go into June. Georgia does have some supplies but markets are firm there also. Mexico / Texas carrots are available.

 Strawberries: 

California market is rising. Some parts of California received up to 5 inches of rain over the weekend. This took what was a stable market on Friday and turned in to a free for all by Monday morning. Expect to see the typical damages associated with rains present for the next few days.  Mexico supplies are almost done for the season and quality of the fruit that is crossing is just fair at best. It is time to get out of this area. Florida supplies have peaked and will be slowly winding down for the season. Quality is fair out of this area. Market has firmed slightly.

 POTATOES: 

Grower and shippers will continue to balance supplies with demand; look for pricing to be higher than normal through summer.  Despite the prices, potatoes will continue to be promotable throughout the season. Idaho prices continue to strengthen for No. 2 potatoes and smaller cartons (80- through 120-count).  All other carton prices are steady, and bale prices are stabilizing.  Large cartons remain limited, and packaging facilities are packing Russet Burbank potatoes. A wet spring has currently delayed early potato planting in Western Idaho.  The Wisconsin russet potato market is steady and experiencing some temporary downward pressure via consumer packs.

  ASPARAGUS:

This market is softer on all sizing. The best availability is coming on extra large and jumbos. Mexican supplies are better and California production is getting stronger out of the Bakersfield region. Peruvian product is moderate in availability on standard and large sizes. The jumbo and extra large sizing is on the light side as well.

  AVOCADOS:

California Fruit:

The California crop has started packing light numbers of their new crop. This year’s crop will be about 50% lighter than last year’s crop, start later and be a shorter harvest season this year. The new crop harvest should start ramping up in March.

Mexican Fruit

Avocado supplies crossing are lighter. Mexico has already packed over 60% of their crop, and is curtailing their harvest in an attempt to spread supplies out through the spring.

Chilean Fruit:  

Chile is almost done, and has little fruit left to bring to market. We do not expect them to be a factor in the markets.

CUCUMBERS:

Western Cucumber:

Nogales is starting to see the first of  very light supplies coming out of Mexico. Baja has begun their spring acreage and will increase weekly. Mainland Mexico will start replanted crop the first week of April.

Eastern Cucumbers:

With the majority of Florida’s cucumbers coming out of Mexico this time of year, the cucumber market remains strong. Heavy demand, scarce supply and weather related quality issues will make this a tough commodity for awhile. Prices continue to go up and quality remains marginal, at best. Florida should be back into domestics by the first part of April.

PEPPERS:                                                                                                        

Western Bells:

Green bells out of Mexico have increased production even though they are into the tail end of their crop. There will be a few small Mexican growers starting their spring crop in early April. California’s Desert crop will start around the mid April. Colored bells are starting to lighten in production as some growers are finishing for the season and the effects of the bloom drop caused by the freeze. We expect supplies to lighten through April.

Eastern Bells:

The pepper market has loosened up considerably as supplies and quality improve. As Florida begins to transition northward in the coming weeks, the market should stay steady. Excellent weather throughout all the growing regions means continued good quality.

TOMATOES:

Eastern:

The market continues to be high from the past freeze in Florida coinciding with the freeze in Mexico. While the quality is considerably better than the Mexican fruit, it is not close to the quality we come to expect from the Florida product. Weather, however, has been very cooperative and we should start to see improvement in the quality and supplies as well over the next few weeks. This deal will ramp up come first of April and reach its peak around the middle of April. Look for a steady market on rounds for the next couple of weeks and then it should begin to drop off.

Western:

We can expect high markets and poor quality crossing from Mexico for the next 2-3 weeks. Most of the fruit has greatly reduced shelf life due to the fruit coming off stressed or dying plants. Fruit is only holding up for 3-4 days then starts popping. Eastern fruit will now be the focus of the tomato world, as Nogales product has become barely.

Posted by Chef Bill Brooks, Corporate Chef, U.S. Foodservice, Inc

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily

reflect those of U.S. Foodservice, Inc