Market Update – December 15th, 2011.
Tomatoes
Origin: Mexico - Florida - California
The production on mature greens out of Florida is down; this is one of the reasons the market is firm along with holiday demand and cooler temperatures. Mature greens will be coming out of Mexico with volume by the start of the New Year.
Many vine ripe growers out of Baja are winding down which is also keeping the market active. Central Mexico production will pick up at the start of the New Year. Higher prices are expected until the end of the year.
Roma tomatoes market is up as production from Mexico is down; we are currently transitioning growing areas and should see the market ease off by the second week of January.
Avocados
Origin: Chile - Mexico
We are currently in the peak season for Mexican Avocados. Inventories are currently high which is keeping the price steady; prices usually climb around this time going into the holidays. Product is cutting very nice and taste has been great.
Chilean product is becoming available with limited supplies. Chilean containers due in at the end of the year will have volume and supplies will start to peak towards the end of January.
Onions
Onion market is steady on all colors (red-yellow-white) and sizes. Market is not expected to move. Quality has been very good.
Melons
Origin: Guatemala – Mexico
Cantaloupe market is up as we move into the offshore season; the product from Guatemala has great sugar and cutting very nice.
Honeydew market is also up, with very limited supplies coming out of Mexico. Honeydew from Guatemala has also been very nice.
Citrus
Origin: California – Mexico
Lime market is getting active as growers are now transitioning into new growing areas. Market usually gets very strong moving into the New Year and is expected to do the same this year once again.
Orange market is steady, we are currently in navels and quality has been very good.
Lemon market is active on smaller fruit (235ct-165ct-140ct); crops are running heavier on large fruit (115ct-95ct) there is a small savings on large size lemons.
Potatoes
Market is steady on all sizes; there is a small price break on smaller sizes (100ct-120ct). Quality has been very good.
Berries
Origin: California - Mexico
Strawberries are always the most affected by cold and wet weather which is exactly what the growing areas are getting right now. Product is expected to be short the next couple of weeks and prices will continue to stay high. Rain is in the forecast next week and how bad the growing areas get hit will determine how much more active this market gets.
Iceberg & Leaf
Origin: Yuma
Iceberg market is active as growing areas continue to be hit with very wet and cold weather. Product has shown some damage due to the weather and with more rain expected we will continue to see some of these issues.
Romaine is also showing the effects of the cold weather in growing areas with some blister peel.
Green Leaf has been holding up in the cold weather and has not shown many issues with quality. The weather issues plus good demand going into the holiday season has the markets very active.
Broccoli Crown & Cauliflower markets are extremely active as the cold weather usually affects these items the most, with more wet and cold weather on the way market should stay active for the next few weeks.
Squash & Bell Peppers
Origin: Mexico - California
Red bell market continues to stay high as demand currently exceeds supply. Growing areas are producing very small amounts of red bell. Green bell market is steady but the heavy demand for red is expected to take up the green price as well.
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