CROP OUTLOOK

All of us involved in the produce industry have witnessed some abnormally exaggerated high markets over the past few weeks.  Broccoli, cauliflower, iceberg lettuce, and romaine have all been affected by Mother Nature’s events; extreme heat, followed by heavy rains, then followed by extreme heat again, and then winds which are said to have rivaled some of the worst winds that have come through the valley since the 1960’s.  The ensuing combination has created the Perfect Storm for the Salad Bowl Capital of the World.

The most prevalent effect will be a considerable drop in usable product, both for the carton and for the salad plants. We are beginning to see this happen now, but the next three weeks will be much worse.  Romaine has suffered the most of the crops referenced above, but other leaf and iceberg lettuce will also be affected.  Many shippers will be struggling with dealing with the realities of what is left for the carton after the cut salad plants pull to meet their needs.  The product that eventually makes it in carton lettuces can show signs of wind burn, excessive red rib, twisted ribs (romaine), and an overall weaker appearance that what you are typically used to seeing.  Shelf life will definitely be challenged. With this being said, expect the following characteristic on these commodities:

• Romaine- Issues on this commodity include fringe burn, tip burn, decay, brown butts, rib discoloration, and brown spotting on outer leaves.  These quality defects are industry wide with all suppliers and these defects will continue throughout this week with product being purchased from the Salinas Valley. Yuma production will begin the 9th of November with light production numbers to start. Escalator pricing has occurred.

• Romaine hearts- Characteristics of this commodity include severe twisting, fringe burn, internal burn and decay. These are defects reported to be seen upon arrival. Again this is industry wide problem and all suppliers are dealing with these issues. Expect these defects to be seen over the next two weeks until we can start production in Yuma. Escalator pricing has occurred.

• Lettuce- Issues on this commodity include lightweights, rib discoloration, poor shelf life, and pale color. These defects are industry wide with lettuce being harvested out of Salinas and Huron. Yuma will begin production on Monday.   

   The last few weeks has been challenging for the spring mix and spinach business. Slow growth, mildew and bacterial leaf spot are the main issues we are dealing with.

• Spring Mix- Spring mix is extremely short because of weather conditions. We saw tremendous growth after the rain and we cut that product. The rain caused bacterial leaf spot on the current spring mix which made it difficult to cut due to not meeting product specs. Mildew is also prevalent in the spring mix because of the humidity which has also caused a loss of acres of spring mix. Further more, the new fields that should have been cut last week and this week are behind because the bed tops sealed up leaving no air to get to the roots and the cool weather has stopped growth.Slowly, there will be an increase in volume the next few weeks but expect less than normal supplies until the desert crop starts which will be 11/16/09.

• Spinach- Spinach is tight industry wide and will continue to be tight. The quality is fair with bruising and mechanical damage seen upon arrival. Full rates have begun with a few suppliers.

• Cauliflower- Supplies will be light as we transition into Yuma. Most suppliers are reporting the quality as being moderate to good with light brown spotting being seen from certain lots. Salinas and Santa Maria production is light and Yuma will be light in production to start. Yuma is expected to have product available the third week in November. Twelve week averages has started on processed cauliflower items and this will continue over the next weeks upcoming.

• Broccoli- Supplies will be light over the next three weeks out of Salinas and Santa Maria growing regions. Yuma production will be light to start. Production is expected to begin the third week in November in Yuma. Some defects that have been seen include pin rot, pale color and slight mildew. Some suppliers will implement twelve week averages due to light raw product availability.

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