The California Broccoli situation remains active. Supplies are limited and the quality is average at best. Supplies were scheduled to increase this week and into next week, but the quality of these new fields is poor. Next week we will still see demand exceeds supplies and the market will continue to be very expensive.
Light supplies from Georgia as shippers are generally done for the season. Prices are unchanged. Quality is variable.
The carrot market is relatively steady on processes product… due to the influx of USDA box program it has shippers harvesting slightly ahead of schedule. Causing a tightening on conventional jumbo and cello availability. Expect to see Jumbo and Cello markets increase over the next month as late June and July will have very light supplies of big carrots.
Cauliflower demand has been fairly good. Quality and condition are good. Better numbers through next week. Markets look to be softer due to warmer weather bringing more product on.
Salinas is now the primary shipping region. The market has firmed up as suppliers struggle with labor issues. Quality overall is good, higher-priced.
Reduced supplies for the next few weeks as we start seeing higher temps in Mexico. Quality is good, except for some leaf miner due to higher temps. Demand is good, market pricing is steady.
Green leaf supplies are much like the Red leaf situation. Local farms throughout the country will be taking care of local business. Salinas farmers have cut back plantings for this time period, thus limiting available supplies.
During these Summer months, Consumer demand is focusing on Fruits, Melons, and Corn versus the Iceberg Lettuce. But there still will be demand for California Iceberg. The market will fluctuate, but we should not see the spikes we have been seeing lately.
Going into the Summer months, local Salinas growers cut back on the acreage of all leaf because of competition with local farms throughout the country. While the supplies will be adequate for mixer business, we will not see an overabundant of leaf supplies.
Limiting plantings for the Summer will decrease available supplies on a daily basis. Each day will bring different available numbers to sell. This will keep the market for Romaine and Romaine Hearts unstable for the next couple of weeks