MARKET UPDATE WEEK # 30

Good Afternoon,

We are still seeing quality and supply issues with ASPARAGUS. LARGE SIZES are really struggling on supply and quality. Cooler weather in Southern Peru is helping to create more supply, unfortunately, mostly in sizes STANDARD or SMALLER. If the price is to high or you are seeing quality issues with LARGER SIZES, consider moving into a STANDARD sized grass.

EASTERN VEG commodities, such as GREEN BELLS, CUCUMBERS, EGGPLANT, SQUASH, and CORN, are still a mixed bag. Supplies are getting going up in Michigan and Canada, however, the markets are spread out with to harvests coming from so many different areas. As the next week or so goes by, we should see a greater concentration of different commodities in Michigan, and then followed by Canada.

BERRY markets have also been hit or miss for the past few weeks. BLACKBERRY markets are average. There are some imports hitting Miami that have helped keep down some of the cost, but other parts of the country are seeing higher pricing. STRAWBERRIES are in good supply but some of the intense heat from a few weeks ago has caused the occasional overripe berry. BLUEBERRRIES are in good supply due to several growing regions producing. RASPBERRIES are in shorter supply than the rest of the berries. CALIFORNIA is the main producer right now and shippers are struggling to keep up with demand. That same heat that hit the strawberries is bringing a few challenges to RASPBERRIES as well.

Speaking of California heat, CILANTRO is now in a gap! Heat out west brought on supplies ahead of schedule so now we are seeing the shortage on the other side. Look for this market to gap for about another week and get back into healthy supplies.

ONIONS are starting to come off.. Slightly. We should see these markets come down slowly over the next few weeks.

POTATOES are on the other side of the coin, trending up in price and down in availability. We mentioned POTATO supplies nearing an end the past few weeks but we seem to have reached a tipping point. This market should remain tight for another few weeks waiting for new crop to come on.

RED, YELLOW, and ORANGE PEPPERS are trending at over a buck per pound. Harvests are moving into new growing regions, but this transition is happening slowly. Look for markets to be high through next week.

PINEAPPLE markets are still strong. The struggles in Costa Rica we have previously mentioned continue, and there are no immediate signs of relief yet.

We may only have another week or two left in cherries so get them now while you can!

Have a great rest of your week -
Parker Tannehill