The Fresh Report
The Latest on Our Greatest
May 7th, 2024
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Vegetables
Asparagus
The market has become active as Mexico winds down for its season. Peru will be up next, but significant volume isn’t expected until later in the month, resulting in a minor supply gap. Market prices are currently elevated.
Vegetables
Avocados
Prices are elevated due to tight supplies and increased demand for Cinco de Mayo. Peru is slated to begin production within the next two to three weeks, while California has also commenced production in a limited capacity.
Vegetables
Green Beans
Demand currently meets supply and prices are steady. Quality remains high.
Berries
Blackberries, Blue, And Raspberries
Blackberries: Volume is expected to increase out of Central Mexico and California over the next few weeks. Georgia is also going strong. The market is steady. Blueberries: Florida and Georgia are currently at the peak of their seasons, with ample supplies and excellent quality. Additionally, some volume is still available from California and Central Mexico. Raspberries: Yields are lower in the western regions due to recent cold weather and excess rain. However, the warm and dry weather forecasted for this week should aid in increasing production numbers.
Berries
Strawberries
Production is steadily increasing out of California due to the highly favorable growing conditions seen over the past two weeks. Quality is excellent.
Vegetables
Broccoli, Cauliflower
Broccoli supplies have rebounded in the Salinas and Santa Maria area, resulting in a lower market and excellent quality. However, cauliflower remains limited due to the cooler weather in the growing regions over the past few weeks, which has slowed growth and led to elevated prices.
Vegetables
Celery
Oxnard and Santa Maria continue to produce significant volume with excellent quality, leading to a steady market.
Herbs
Cilantro, Parsley, Green Onion
Green Onions: Supplies are gradually returning to normal levels as crops recover from previous inclement weather. Quality is fair and steadily improving. Cilantro & Parsley: Cilantro and parsley continue to experience tight supplies due to the lingering impact of cold weather, rain, and quality issues on yields. However, the warm and dry weather expected this week should help facilitate a production boost.
Vegetables
Corn
Supplies are abundant out of Florida; the market is low and steady, and quality remains excellent.
Vegetables
Cucumbers
Supply is meeting demand and the market is steady as production is consistent throughout all growing regions. Georgia will be starting it’s season in a light way this week as well.
Fruit
Melons
Cantaloupe: Offshore supplies have increased this week, and the quality out of those regions is excellent. The market is steady. Honeydew: Supplies have picked back up and the market is coming off. Quality is excellent. Watermelons: The market is starting to come off as more product has started shipping out of Mexico and Nogales. The domestic season has also started in a light way, however supplies are expected to remain tight until Florida production can ramp up fully within the next few weeks.
Fruit
Pineapple
The weather in the tropics has caused early maturation of the fruit, which is reducing yields. Supplies are more limited and are expected to stay as such until after Mother’s day.
Citrus
Lemons, Limes, Oranges
Lemons: While supplies of large-sized fruit remain steady, smaller sizes are extremely tight due to heavy rains in the growing regions, causing the fruit to size up. Currently, 140/165ct fruit is peaking. Limes: The escalated prices seen last week for Cinco de Mayo are expected to level back off after Mother’s Day. Supplies are steady, with smaller sizes being slightly more limited. Oranges: Small sizes still remain extremely limited, while large sizes are in good supply. Expect these conditions to remain until the end of the navel orange season.
Vegetables
Peppers
Green bell pepper prices remain steady as both Florida and Nogales are going strong. Colored peppers are starting to come off as supplies improve out of multiple regions. Hot peppers have become tight and prices are escalated as poor weather earlier in the season in Mexico has caused a gap in supply.
Vegetables
Lettuce
Iceberg: Recent weather conditions have heavily impacted yields in the Salinas Valley. As a result, supplies are tight and quality is fair at best. However, the warm and dry weather forecasted for this week should help improve quality and increase volume. Leaf: Due to persistent heavy rains in the lettuce fields, growers are currently facing soil borne disease. The warm, dry temperatures in the upcoming weeks should help to battle these disease pressures, and conditions are expected to improve after Mother’s Day. Tender Leaf: Spinach and arugula supplies are much steadier this week as the fields have had a chance to recover from recent rain events. The markets are steady.
Fruit
Grapes
Due to inconsistent vessel arrivals, this market remains highly active. Expect sporadic supplies, elevated pricing, and color substitutions until Mexico can fully ramp up around mid-May. Green grapes are slightly more available than red varieties which remain extremely scarce.
Vegetables
Onions
This market remains active due to the transition from storage supplies to new crop onions. Red onions are the most limited and therefore the most escalated on price. The yellow and white markets are slowly easing off.
Vegetables
Potatoes
Smaller sizes in the 90-100 count range are plentiful, though the larger sizes are tightening up. The market remains steady.
Vegetables
Eggplant
Supplies are tighter out of Florida this week, and some quality issues have been reported. Due to light demand however prices have remained steady. Production in Georgia will be starting within the next two to three weeks.
Vegetables
Squash, Zucchini
Georgia has started their season this week. With multiple growing regions in the mix, prices are low. Quality is excellent.
Fruit
Stonefruit
Domestic stone fruit has started in a very light way as California has started picking cherries, apricots, and peaches. Volume is expected to pick up rapidly within the next two weeks. Nectarines are slated to start in roughly two weeks, followed by plums next month.
Fruit
Tomatoes
Round and Roma tomato varieties have tightened up again due to transitions in growing regions, heavy rains, and labor shortages. Production has just begun in new areas of Mexico and Florida which should help offset the markets within the next few weeks. Cherries and grapes remain steady.