Good afternoon,
LETTUCE and ROMAINE prices have returned to seasonal levels! Consist cool evenings and warm afternoons have helped bring production back to life. Canadian leaf is also up and running, helping to ease the burden on California lettuce. The lack of demand as schools close for the summer is another factor working in our favor.
BROCCOLI harvests have run ahead of schedule for several weeks and we are now seeing the other side of an oversupply. Several shippers are now gapping on broccoli through the holiday weekend, pushing market pricing higher.
VALENCIA ORANGES are in season as the market remains tight on smaller fruit. We are just entering the valencia season and all reports indicate that small fruit will be scarce for the remainder of the crop.
East coast commodities like SQUASH and CUCUMBER have been impacted by rain and severe heat in growing regions. Softer tips of the occasional cucumber or squash may not appear at first glance but can break down into decay in just a few days with any temperature change. We are sourcing some squash out of Michigan this week for better quality.
CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW prices are at historically high levels. Crop loss due to white fly pressure has been significant resulting in a massive shortage of fruit right around a major melon holiday pull. We are in the worst of it now. As California supplies come on in the coming weeks, markets should improve.
GRAPE supplies out of the SJV growing region are beginning to improve. We should begin to see better size, flavor, and price in the next few weeks. Although GRAPE pricing is easing, the Fourth of July freight rush is going to keep things steady for another week.
More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill