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Market Alerts & Produce Updates
For the week of May 6, 2024
The following updates and alerts were culled in collaboration with our growing family of brands. Scroll through both lists to help prepare for upcoming obstacles and opportunities.
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Grain
Soybean oil had a minor increase last week. The harvest in South America is almost over, but there are reports that Argentinean strikes are delaying exports. The US's wet weather has hindered planting, but it's not a serious problem. Soybean oil prices are down. Concerns about output are tight for Palm. Soybean oil is leading the way in canola. -
Dairy
The market for shell eggs is collapsing, and demand has decreased. Block and barrel sales are steadily rising. There have only been nine loads appearing on the spot market so far this week, down from 71 three weeks ago. Butter producers continue to accumulate large butter inventory while managing hectic production schedules. -
Beef
Demand is not keeping up with supply in the complex. Owing to seasonal demand, the best cuts include brisket, top butts, tenderloins, and short loins. Thin meats, strips, and ribs keep slipping in popularity. Bid pressure is coming from end cuts, insides, and chucks. Because of the holidays and grilling weather, demand for grinds has increased. -
Pork
The weak demand for B/I butts last week caused the market to slightly decline. Boneless buttocks are growing more and more popular because of the continuous increasing demand. Ribs are becoming more and more popular as grilling season approaches. Pork is being promoted in retail ads, increasing market share. Bellies are erratic again, but they will settle over the course of the following week. -
Poultry
Cinco de Mayo drove the demand for random breasts. The demand for wings has increased. There is a high demand for tenders, yet they are still the hardest to locate offering. The desire for dark meat is still high. The majority of whole birds are balanced. -
Seafood
Markets remain stable from week to week. The seafood industry is preparing for the summer season and updating their menus in anticipation of the major holidays.
- Unfavorable weather conditions across various growing regions, including Florida, Mexico, and California. These adverse conditions have significantly impacted several commodities, leading to reduced yields and subsequently causing an increase in market prices. All wet veg items will be shipped from the Salinas Valley as supplies are increasing for most commodities and the quality continues to improve. However, romaine and iceberg supplies remain slightly below budget due to cooler temperatures and quality issues such as anthracnose and mildew. Additionally, we are seeing lighter weights and head sizes.
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Artichokes
Overall supplies are still light but improving, quality is good. -
Asparagus
Asparagus production from Caborca & San Luis, Mexico, continues to drop due to seasonality. Their season should be done by next week. Obregon, Mexico, continues with low production. Peru continues to increase production. Peruvian production continues to increase. Markets remain slow, except for XL/jumbo, which may be limited next week. White asparagus continues to be very limited to non-existent from Peru. -
Avocado
Last week’s harvest closed at 68.4M pounds same as the previous week. Projections for this week call for another 60M pounds, but harvest out of Mexico is tracking 15% lower, and California is expected to follow suit and slow down harvest. Also, this Wednesday was a holiday in Mexico, and there was no harvest; regular operations will resume on Thursday. The Normal crop continues to mature, with dry matter averaging 35%, ripe cycles are shorter, and fruit is at a peak eating experience. The size curve continues to adjust weekly, and larger sizes are opening again. Looking for a mix across all sizes will help keep supply & demand in balance. USDA pricing is steady for larger sizes and down for smaller sizes. -
Bananas
Steady supply and quality remain good. -
Blackberries
Mexico's quality is good, with medium to large sizing, nice sheen, and good firmness. Conventional counts are 22-35 and organic counts 32-45. High temperatures in regions cause regression and softer fruit. Volume is taking a dip, with a minor peak expected in mid-June. Watsonville's flowers are starting to bloom, with small volumes expected in the next 3-4 weeks. -
Broccoli
Salinas broccoli volumes have improved, and the market has adjusted down. Supplies look steady going into next week with very good quality. -
Brussels Sprouts
Overall supplies and quality remain good as Mexico and the Oxnard growing regions are in full production. Supplies are heavy to Mediums with Jumbos and Smalls in short supply. -
Cabbage, Red
Quality is good although supplies continue lighter. Market is steady. -
Carrots
Steady supplies continue with good Quality. Shippers still have light volume on Jumbos out of California. -
Cauliflower
Quality is very good. Pricing is still escalated although supplies are quickly improving. -
Celery
Quality in Oxnard has been a challenge for the industry with fusarium impacting many of the growers with lighter supplies continuing into next week, market is very active. -
Cilantro
Cilantro supplies, and Quality continue to improve. -
Corn
Good supply available out of Florida, Mexico, and Coachella. Quality is good out of the southeast and South Georgia projected to start the 2nd week of May. -
Cucumber
Steady supply available out of McAllen, Nogales, and Florida. South Georgia is ramping up; Baja is scratching. -
Grapes, Green/Red
Grape availability is slowly improving, but we do expect elevated pricing through the first part of next month. We are starting to see a bit more availability from Mexico on both coasts which is putting downward pressure on the market. We hope to see this trend continue over the next 3 weeks. Quality is fair and we are still asking for subs to black grapes since they seem to have the best quality and legs over the red and greens. -
Herbs
Basil quality continues to improve each week, but rain in Colombia has slowed down harvesting. -
Lemons
We continue to see a significant size shift on lemons in California. Small fruit continues to get exceptionally short with reports that 70-80% of the crop is running 95's/115's/140's with no relief in sight until imports start next month. -
Lettuce, Green Leaf
Green leaf is in limited supply as the industry continues to reach into acreage early. Mildew has been an issue, while the same cool growing conditions create issues for size and weight. Leaf items will continue to be active through next week. -
Lettuce, Red Leaf
Production in Salinas Valley is steady. Overall quality is good and current markets are steady with good demand. -
Limes
Overall demand is improving and the market is strengthening as we approach Cinco de Mayo and pricing will remain firm. We continue to see increased crossings on small sizes; large sizes will become more limited in supply. Due to lack of rain, scarcity of large fruit could be extended, and pricing may even climb. 110's & 150's are in extremely short supply to almost non-existent market wide. -
Mushrooms
Stable supply and good quality available. -
Onions, Green
We continue to see better supplies out of Mexico, with very good quality. -
Peppers, Anaheim
Record low supplies and higher demand are pushing prices higher across the entire category. Overall, the Quality is fair, but we expect to see a large imbalance in supply over the next 4-6 weeks. Once some of the newer growing areas begin production, we hope to see some relief, however in the meantime we will continue to see the potential for shorts and extreme escalation in pricing. -
Peppers, Green
Good supply available across all sizes and quality is good out of all locations. -
Peppers, Red
Excellent supply and good quality available on all sizes. -
Potatoes, Russet
There are no significant changes or obstacles anticipated. The market is projected to remain relatively stable. In May, we anticipate a slight increase in Burbanks and a decrease in Norkotahs. By the end of the month, all growers should have completed harvesting Norkotahs and transitioned exclusively to Burbanks until the new crop of Norkotahs is harvested in August. -
Raspberry
Mexico has experienced hot and sunny weather with cooler mornings and less wind, promoting plant health. Temperatures are in the high 90s and mid-50s, with fruit looking good with a strong red color. Sizes are medium, with berries ranging from 40-48. Overripe and crumbled fruit are sporadically seen, but crews are preventing them. Volume has been decreasing due to heat, and it will be limited for the next few weeks until a minor peak occurs in May. Watsonville flowers are behind, and small volumes are expected in the next 5-6 weeks. -
Spinach
Supplies are good, Quality is fair but improving. -
Squash, Yellow/Zucchini
Shipping out of Florida, South Georgia, McAllen, and Nogales. Good supply and quality available in general. -
Strawberries
Strawberry supplies are steady, and markets remain low. Weather in Watsonville/Salinas has been overcast and cool, with daytime temperatures in the low 60's and nights in the high 40's. No rain has been reported this week, but the next week is expected to warm up with high 60's and nights in the high 40's. Growers are eager to see an increase in production volume, with conventional and organic counts ranging from 10-12 a case and 14-16 a case, respectively. However, they are seeing misshapen fruit, dry calyx, spongy tips, and low pin rot. Production will start picking up soon, and growers will begin piece-rate picking next week. As Mother's Day approaches, Stem 12 count is ideal in this area. Oxnard has been overcast and gloomy, with daytime temperatures in the high 60's and nighttime temperatures in the low 50's. No rain has created a steady supply in production and quality. Next week is expected to be mild, with temperatures in the mid-60s and low 50s. -
Tomatoes, Cherry
Out of the east, we expect to see very short crops, escalated pricing, and potential for pro-rates continue for the next few weeks. Crops out of Mexico are slowly improving, and we are seeing a downward trend on price as the volume increases. Unfortunately, with the imbalance on the East Coast due to less acreage planted and weather-related pressure, markets remain at record highs. We will see this continue until Florida can produce volume consistently. -
Tomatoes, Roma
Out of the east, markets remain unstable with good volume available this week. Quality is much better this week. Out of the west, good supply and Quality are available this week. We expect volatility in the roma market over the next three weeks.
California Weather Alert
December 13, 2022 – The West Coast and San Joaquin Valley of California, has been receiving rainfall over the last few days, impacting all growing areas including Salinas, Santa Maria, Oxnard, into southern California and the Central Valley.
As a result, this has caused delays as fields are too muddy to harvest. Unfortunately, there has not been enough rain to reverse the major drought conditions they continue to experiencing, but is enough to affect harvesting for a few days.
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