WEEKLY MARKET REPORT 07.12

OVERVIEW

Weekly Market Update | 05 July 2024

Extreme heat continues in the East with record-high overnight temperatures likely in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast In the West, a high-pressure ridge causes Excessive Heat Warnings and temperatures 10-30 degrees above average, severely impacting crops California's San Joaquin Valley adapts with reduced harvesting hours, while Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys face increased crop damage and reduced shelf life

Cherries, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, and yellow onions are all in peak season. Enjoy the sweet, juicy cherries; crisp and fresh leaf and romaine lettuces; and versatile yellow onions that enhance various dishes Perfect for summer culinary creations

Gem lettuce demand is exceeding current supplies, and supplies will be very short for the next few weeks

Demand exceeds supply as both Mexico and Peru struggle to fill orders Sizes affected are mostly Jumbo and Extra Large The market is much higher and is expected to increase Quality is good to fairly good

Mexico continues to produce limited amounts of fair quality For the next few weeks, expect the market to remain steady

Operations in Mexico have resumed only in Uruapan, while other Mexican cities remain closed for export to the US and still undergoing negotiations

Red and yellow peppers are limited in volume due to regional growing shifts and uncooperative weather, affecting quality Market prices are high and expected to remain so for up to ten days Demand for hothouse peppers surpasses available supplies

Anaheim peppers are extremely limited with substitution requests possible CA’s Central Valley product should start to come on strong mid next week

Prices for corn out of Georgia are rising, with yellow corn currently unavailable

Demand is exceeding supplies, and the market continues to move higher Seasonal quality and transitional challenges have significantly reduced yields Supply remains tight, especially on larger sized fruit, and demand is very good Larger sizes are at a premium right now Quality remains good with 12-14 Brix, and most on the high side

165ct and smaller will be tight all summer There is significant import volume from Argentina and Chile Tropical storms have reduced

Re-greening due to summer heat is upon us, but with no effects on taste, just appearance Extra time may be needed to gas Valencias which may cause some delays at packaging houses

FLORIDA

CALIFORNIA

Expect consistent warm temperatures with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms likely through the week Rainfall amounts will vary from 0 05” to 0.30”, with higher totals in thunderstorms. Winds may gust near 20 mph through midweek across Southern Florida.

MEXICO

Strong high pressure will continue to bring above-average temperatures inland through mid-week Morning lows will range from the low 50s to low 60s, with daytime highs in the low 60s to low 70s near the coast, mid 80s to low 90s in the coastal valleys, and mid 90s to 109°F south of Soledad By Thursday, the high pressure will shift eastward, causing onshore winds and a deepening marine layer, leading to cooler temperatures on Friday, with highs in the low to mid 80s in the coastal valleys and low to upper 90s further inland

Isolated to scattered showers will persist through Thursday, with rainfall ranging from 0 02” to 0 30”, potentially higher with thunderstorms Temperatures will remain seasonably warm, slightly below normal, with highs from the mid 70s to mid 80s and overnight lows in the upper 50s to mid 60s through July 13th.

ARIZONA

Temperatures will remain stable through Friday, with Southeastern California warming slightly, potentially surpassing 120°F in Thermal Morning lows will range from the low to mid-80s A slight cooling trend is expected by Friday and Saturday as humidity rises and cloud cover increases, possibly leading to scattered showers and thunderstorms over central Arizona on Saturday.

The heat continues across the East, with record high overnight temperatures likely in the MidAtlantic and Northeast Remnants of Beryl will bring heavy rainfall of 2-5” and possible flash flooding as it moves from the Great Lakes into upstate New York and Vermont.

Out West, a strong high-pressure ridge remains, causing Excessive Heat Warnings across California, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and western Utah and Arizona Temperatures are 10-30 degrees above average, posing a significant concern for growers Many crops, from apples, onions, and potatoes in the Northwest to regional production in the Midwest and Eastern Seaboard, are at risk

In California's San Joaquin Valley, crops like bell peppers, melons, onions, tomatoes, and grapes are more heat-tolerant, but reduced harvesting hours and increased irrigation are necessary to mitigate heat damage In the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys, iceberg lettuce is seeing increased fringe and tip burn, while leaf lettuce and romaine face internal burn, seeder issues, and reduced shelf life Broccoli and cauliflower are experiencing discoloration and texture issues due to the heat

Tender leaf crops like spinach, spring mix, parsley, and cilantro are particularly vulnerable, showing signs of bolting, yellowing, and weakened texture The extended heat wave will challenge the quality and shelf life of most crops, especially processed items, leading to increased mechanical damage and discoloration

This week's extreme weather poses significant challenges to crop quality and yield across various regions.

Hot weather is sweeping across the country, boosting the backhaul market. This makes it an ideal time for advanced pricing and LTL planning to maximize efficiency and cost savings

APPLES

CLICK ON COMMODITY NAME FOR DETAILED MARKET INFORMATION LETTUCE TENDER

ASPARAGUS

AVOCADOS

BANANAS

BELL PEPPERS

BERRIES (BLACK)

BERRIES (BLUE)

BERRIES (RAS)

BERRIES (STRAW)

BROCCOLI

BRUSSEL SPROUTS

CARROTS

CAULIFLOWER

CELERY

CITUS (GRAPEFRUIT)

CITRUS (LEMON)

CITRUS (LIME)

CITRUS (ORANGE)

CITRUS (TANGERINE)

CUCUMBER

EGGPLANT

GARLIC

GRAPES (GREEN)

GRAPES (RED)

GREEN ONION

KALE

LETTUCE ICEBERG

LEAF LETTUCE

MELON (CANTA)

MELON (HONEY)

MELON (WATER)

PEARS

PINEAPPLE

POTATOES SQUASH

STONE FRUIT

TOMATOES

APPLES

Apple supplies remain strong, but expect some inventory gaps in July Golds, honeys, and pinks will decline, while Galas remain tight Reds, Granny Smiths, and Fujis will stay in good supply throughout the summer

The volume of premium bananas remains stable this week, but #2 fruit volume continues to decrease, making programs difficult to fulfill Ripening times are expected to stay consistent with previous patterns

ASPARAGUS

BELL PEPPERS

Mexican asparagus supplies remain tight due to the heat, particularly for XL and Jumbo sizes However, Peruvian supplies are beginning to improve with cooler temperatures Expect overall asparagus availability to increase on all sizes and both coasts in the next couple of weeks

Ripening times for the current normal crop will remain shorter until the next crop is ready Flora Loca will start appearing within the next couple of weeks, although its maturity levels are still lower compared to the current crop Shippers are taking precautions to avoid mixing different crops on the same pallet California's season will continue through August Colombian arrivals on the East Coast are expected to decrease as the current crop winds down, while Peruvian supplies will continue through late August

Hot weather in California's Central Valley is causing harvest delays and heat stress Colored bell peppers are set to start harvesting this week in Bakersfield Western supply is mostly finished in Bakersfield, with Fresno/Selma now being the primary region for green bell peppers More local programs are expected to come online as we move into early August New Jersey has started lightly, and Michigan is about two weeks away from starting

Recent heat in California and Mexico has led to decreased yields

BLUEBERRIES

RASPBERRIES

Broccoli supplies remain limited due to the extreme heat in the

Valley Expect this market to stay steady heading into the weekend

BRUSSEL SPROUTS

The current heat has led shippers to approach harvesting with caution, leading to reduced yields Expect to see a gradual rise in Baja fruit quantities over the next couple of weeks, which is expected to ease the shortage

Strawberry production is bouncing back as shippers address the heatrelated challenges from last week The upcoming cooler temperatures predicted for this week are expected to enhance the quality even more

There is a shortage of Brussels sprouts As a result of the warm weather in Mexico, discoloration and an increase in bugs are occurring Next week, the market is likely to trend higher

CARROTS

Bakersfield remains the main growing region for about two more weeks Following that, the Cuyama/Santa Maria area will take over, running until nearly October Currently, all carrots are steady in supply and quality

However, if issues arise due to the extreme heat wave, the summer season may need to start a week or two earlier than expected

Salinas

CAULIFLOWER

The market is steady at the start of the week with all sizes available A few shippers are accommodating volume orders, so promote as much as possible Expect good availability in both northern and southern California throughout the week Quality remains good, with only slight seeder issues being reported

Fruit is peaking at 115ct and larger sizes, while 165ct and smaller sizes will remain extremely tight until District 3 starts in mid/late September Markets for 140ct and smaller will stay strong With District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) finished, District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County) is now the main growing region, peaking on larger fruit Offshore production on the West Coast has begun to provide some relief for domestic lemons

Fruit continues to peak at smaller sizes, ranging from 200 to 250ct Recent rains will help increase fruit size slightly, but the extreme drought over the past few months may result in a lighter supply in August

Valencia oranges remain the predominant variety with a strong market presence Harvesting is minimal due to reduced demand during the school break period, and fruit sizes are peaking at 72ct and larger Sizes like 88/113/138ct will be scarce throughout the season post-summer break Valencia oranges are available in the Central Valley and Riverside, with Brix levels averaging around 12 Additionally, Chilean oranges are beginning to arrive on the West Coast this week

Mexico continues to produce limited amounts of fair-quality garlic, keeping the market steady for the next few weeks Domestic supplies are expected to begin arriving from late July to early August

New Jersey is demonstrating robust volumes and high quality, primarily grading out as selects Pennsylvania and Michigan are experiencing slower starts New York and surrounding regions are anticipated to commence harvest by early next week Baja California and central Mexico report moderate to ample volumes, with Baja showing superior quality Central Mexico might see a slight volume decrease due to recent weather conditions

In general, there is a robust supply available in various regions Eastern areas like GA, NC, NJ, KY, and soon VA are experiencing good availability Fresno is consistently upholding high quality standards and a plentiful supply

In the next week or two, Mexican grape season will come to an end Some growers have already called it quits due to quality issues due to massive heat in the growing areas Meanwhile, some growers in Bakersfield have already started harvesting this week, and the rest will follow throughout next week Most people will start with reds, then move on to greens three to four days later The district should be full speed by July 15th

In the next week or two, Mexican grape season will come to an end Some growers have already called it quits due to quality issues due to massive heat in the growing areas Meanwhile, some growers in Bakersfield have already started harvesting this week, and the rest will follow throughout next week Most people will start with reds, then move on to greens three to four days later The district should be full speed by July 15th

Green onions are in good supply this week, with better quality Next week should be a good week for supplies

Kale supplies are expected to be plentiful and of good quality this week There is a great opportunity for Kale to be promoted at the moment

Lettuce tender leaf items like spinach, spring mix, parsley, and cilantro have been significantly impacted by recent high temperatures Expect yellowing, wilting, and softer textures over the next week Supplies are anticipated to be tighter heading into the weekend

This market has shown improvement over last week Growing regions' Elevated temperatures have caused internal burning, reducing field yields All value-added products are now stable, and this trend is expected to persist throughout the week Weight consistency remains strong, typically ranging from 38 to 44 pounds in the Salinas Valley Southern California has seen availability of jumbo-sized produce, though some irregularly shaped heads and instances of pinking may be encountered

Shippers began harvesting in Central California last week, with operations continuing through the summer The Cantaloupe market remains steady, with increased demand for the new crop Due to the recent heat wave, Jumbo 9s and 9s are in peak supply, while smaller fruit commands a premium Harvest crews are adjusting schedules, often shutting down by noon Retailers are preparing to promote Advanced Shipping Point (ADS) deals by late July or early August for all melons

The honeydew market remains tight during the transition from the desert to the Central Valley Westside growers are building inventory, but market conditions are expected to persist as crossings from Mexico are lower, creating a gap for smaller fruit Peak availability is in Honeydew 5s and Jumbo 5s, while Honeydew 8s are commanding a premium Tight conditions are likely to continue as growers shift operations to Central California

Watermelon season is now in full swing in California, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida as the Arizona season concludes There is a notable surge in demand post-holiday, with retailers actively promoting these fruits as essential summer staples This increase in availability and promotion is driving significant consumer interest and sales

California and New Mexico have excellent supplies of yellow varieties Reds and whites have seen increased availability due to high export demand

In the second week of July, new crop California Bartletts will begin shipping just south of Sacramento Early California crop looks to be about 80% of last year's Almost all Washington shippers have sold out of domestic pears and only small quantities of Anjou, Bosc, and Red Anjou are left Only a few shippers will still have Anjou at the beginning of July Bartletts are now available on both coasts

Supply and availability are excellent

Currently, pineapples are in short supply relative to demand Costa Rican pineapples have been impacted by reduced rainfall, leading to lower crossings compared to last year Meanwhile, Mexican pineapples are facing internal quality challenges due to heavy rains, resulting in lower Brix levels that fail to meet US standards

Prices are up for 40 - 70 CT sizes, while there are ample supplies of 80120 CT and #2s New crop Washington norkotahs are expected to hit the market later this month

Market prices remain high as demand outpaces supply Tennessee crops are starting to harvest, with volumes expected to increase through the month Western heat and past weather issues in Mexico are driving market activity throughout the summer Despite crop transitions, supplies from Baja and Central Mexico are currently adequate amid high demand

Squash production is scattered across the East, with higher v Michigan and New Jersey, though New Jersey faces lower qual heat and rain New York will soon join in production Santa Maria Mexico, are increasing production, but Santa Maria may see a t decline in 2-3 weeks during its field transition Washington good quality squash with sufficient supply

The apricot season is over The heat in the central valley ha finished them off A good supply of peaches, plums, and nec available Although the heat will limit harvest crew time, it s affect the crop long-term The size will increase throughout t with better varieties coming on in July Washington cher reached the halfway point of their season Chile's kiwi market to slightly lower

herbs

Welcome to the Herbs Guide, a comprehensive resource featuring detailed descriptions of a variety of herbs. Discover the unique flavors, aromas, and culinary uses of each herb to enhance your dishes and elevate your culinary creations. Explore this guide to find inspiration and refine your herb usage in cooking.

Microgreens

on of Microgreens year-round, many of which are available crogreens add a layer of distinct flavors and beauty that can epth of flavor to any dish. We invite you to experiment with these items on your menu today!

SIZES AVAILABLE 4OZ AND 8OZ

edible flowers

Micro Flowers™ may be tiny but they are extremely colorful These small flowers are versatile standalone products in terms of their Flavor, aroma, and visual appeal. They are perfect for fine pastries and other delicate dessert presentations, can be scattered over just about any menu item and are particularly popular with mixologists.

PACK SIZES AVAILABLE: 50 CT EXCEPT WHERE STATED