The California Broccoli market continued to be very active this past week. Poor quality and limiting supplies helped to keep the market high. Hopefully, supplies from Mexico and local farms throughout the States and Canada will ease demand for California product.
Moderate supplies from Georgia expected to decrease as most shippers will be finished harvesting by June 12. Prices on green type lower, others generally unchanged. Light supplies from North Carolina expected to increase as more producers begin to harvest. Unseasonably low temperatures and higher than normal precipitation delayed production in most areas. 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.
Lighter supplies throughout the week. The demand is steady. Quality and condition have been good. Look for markets to stay firm for the next week or so.
Celery market continues to stay relatively flat as demand has dropped off a bit. Salinas is now the primary shipping region which should improve the market in the weeks to come. The quality overall is very nice.
Growing region: Mexicali Valley. Reduced supplies for the next few weeks, as we start seeing higher temps in the Mexicali Valley. Still seeing longer than normal border crossing delays. Shelter In place is keeping some employees at home due to age restrictions & the inability to travel to fields and/or packing shed. Quality is good, except for some leaf miner due to higher temps. Demand is very strong, market pricing is trending higher.
Still, very good supplies coming out of the Salinas Valley. The quality looks good, with head size and heavyweights. Steady pricing next week.
The Iceberg Lettuce market started to make price adjustments this past week. The Protesting/Riots throughout the country have slowed down demand, as consumers focus more on Fruits, Melons, Corn, and Squash. Local farms throughout the country have started producing lettuce to supply local consumers.
There is still plenty of red leaf being harvested out of the Salinas Valley. Local farms throughout the country have started producing supplies of all leaf items. This will pull some focus away from California veg for the next month.
Much like all leaf being harvested out of the Salinas Valley, Romaine seems to available in good numbers. The quality problems that a few shippers had last week have cleaned up. The market should be steady next week, as consumers’ focus for the next couple of months will be soft fruit and melons.