Market Report for week of December 23, 2014
8200 Berry Ave, Suite 140 | Sacramento | CA | 95828 | WWW.TRINITYFRESH.COM | (916) 714-7368
Cauliflower - market continues to be EXTREMLY tight. Shipper are only managing current customers.
Tomatoes – The west and northwest are buying most of their supplies in Florida, because Mexican supplies on vine
ripes are very short. The market is strong and demand is very good. Florida supplies should pick up this week and
next. Quality from Florida is fair to very good depending on the shipper or lot.
Strawberry - Strawberries supplies are starting to come around. Most shippers are filling orders at 50% this week, with an anticipated 75% next
week with the emergence of the Florida crop. Look for quality to start to come around, but will still show some concerns for about 2 more weeks.
Cantaloupes – Market is a extremely tight because of the heavy rains in Guatemala. Expect to see the market remain extremely tight for the next
few weeks.
Mushrooms - Market is slightly tight right now. Over the past year the mushroom sales have grown 3.1%. With the Holiday's approaching, suppliers
are stating that there will be shortages.
Squash – Market coming down right now. Prices on Yellow are still a little high. Green/Zucc are weakening.
Supply Range
Apples
Higher
Supply Range
Asparagus
Higher
Price
Steady
Higher
Price
Steady
Supply Range
Avocados
Price
Quality
Supply
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Reds – – Inventories in the state are a million boxes fewer than last year. Prices are strong. Supplies are in a few hands right now, with reports of several shippers being
out.
Gold's – Large goldens could possibly be an inventory problem most of the year.
Granny – Granny market is a relatively stable market. Product seems to be tight on the 80/88/100s size fruit.
Fuji – 80 and smaller seem to be in relatively limited supply. Bigger retail demand on the 100/113 sizes. 80 and larger seem to be pushing a little better in the follow weeks
leading up to Christmas.
Quality
Supply
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Asparagus production continues to increase in Peru, and quality is good. Demand is on the rise from the West; pulling from Peru to meet demand, alongside of having labor
issues that are causing delays in unloading. Expect to see an increase of price at the LA port.
Lower
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
The avocados market has been a little bit of a mix bag following Thanksgiving. Demand in the overall marketplace has struggled to match the volume Mexico has shipped
the last two weeks (approx. 32 million lbs.). The size feeling the squeeze has been 48s, while 32s-40s remain steady, and 60s and smaller have shown strength. Although
prices in the field have been stable prior to Thanksgiving they have been lower following. Overall, look for prices to head a little lower into the Holiday Season and then
level out over the holiday season as picking stops from Dec. 23rd to Jan. 1st. Following this break Mexico likes to try and raise prices as excess volume is always cleaned up
due lack of picking. Furthermore, Mexico has picked aggressively July- Dec. and is much further ahead on the crop compared to last year. If the estimates are correct on the
crop size then Jan/Feb/March could see higher prices. Lastly, heading into peak quality season for Mexico—Dec. – March.
Supply Range
Broccoli
Price
Higher
Steady
Quality
Lower
Excellent
Good
Supply
Fair
Short
Moderate
X
X
supplies are lighter and ahead of schedule. Only concern will be upcoming weather/rain and wind. Some minor pin rot showing due to rain. Market steady.
Supply Range
Cauliflower
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
X
supplies are steady. Quality is good, and markets are slightly lower as supplies improve.
Supply Range
Cantaloupes
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Fair
X
Short
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
X
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
X
Plentiful
Plentiful
X
X
X
Market very tight demand exceeds supply especially on the west coast as we are finished on domestic product and getting a few out of Mexico crossing and little to none
from the offshore fruit which will not start with any big volume until the first of the year, melons will remain very tight through the first of the year. The overall quality is
fair with some rough netting and green cast.
Supply Range
Carrots
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
X
There is a small shortage with carrots right now. Expect prices to be a little up.
Supply Range
Celery
Higher
Supply Range
Corn
Supply Range
Egg Plant
Quality
Good
X
Price
Steady
Lower
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Fair
Short
X
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
Quality
Supply
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
supplies are steady, expect supplies to remain the same all week; supplies are 25% below normal. Demand is good and quality is good. Harvest is out of Oxnard and being
transferred to Yuma for upcharge.
Excellent
Supply
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
WEST - Western Corn coming to an end in the west. EAST - Cold temperatures have crops slowing down in growth in Florida. Handfuls of yellow corn for the weekend and
possibly a few bicolor. Expect to see corn remaining tight for the next 5-7 days.
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
WEST - Mainland Mexico continues in good supply with more growers entering the market. With limited demand for holiday promotions, growers and shippers are
dropping prices to keep inventories fresh. Eggplant is both plentiful and at the right price to promote for the month of December.
EAST - Markets are slightly weaker. Volumes are fair in south Florida. The Plant City area is producing improved volumes but will be slowed over the next few days. There
could be some underlying strength in the market due to cold weather limiting harvests. No quality issues to report.
Supply Range
Cucumbers
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
WEST - Mainland Mexico continues to see an excellent supply of product, with demand beginning to increase and prices firming up before the holiday pull. There is a split
in overall quality as #1 product is moving quickly while off grade product is seeing less demand, resulting in more time in storage. East coast fields are down in overall
production due to inconsistent weather patterns. The East has been pulling the majority of their supply from Texas to cover demand. With cucumbers expected to remain
in good supply, look for potential ad opportunities through the end of December.
EAST - Supplies continue to be tight. FOB prices currently up slightly. Quality is variable. Off-shore cukes have just now started to arrive which will put downward pressure
on future prices
Supply Range
Grapes
Higher
Price
Quality
Supply
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Market is strong as we are finishing up harvest and pulling from our storage fruit, the overall quality is good with a range in color, but overall condition is good and sugar is
excellent. We will continue shipping California fruit through December as long as fruit quality holds up. There will be the first of the Chilean arrivals on the west coast next
week, there is already fruit on the east coast but size and sugar are not too special. There is a few Peruvian greens and reds on the East coast as well, we will try to keep
you in California reds and move to Chilean or Peruvian greens.
Supply Range
Green Beans
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Supply Range
Honeydews
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Supply
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Snow/Sugar Peas - Limited amounts available until the beginning of the year. Quality has been good. Snows are in more demand and prices are on the rise.. Snipped &
Green Beans – Due to cold weather and rain in Florida over the past couple of days, good quality beans are extremely limited in supply. Many growers have not harvested
over the past couple of days due to the weather and the result is that beans are arriving with quality issues and in much less volume than anticipated. French Beans –
market very tight this week due to holiday pull.
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Market very strong as Mexico is the only product crossing on the west coast a very few offshore showing up on the East Coast, the market will continue to stay very strong
through the first of the year. The overall quality is fair to good with mostly clean cream to green cast. The internal color is very good with descent sugar levels.
Supply Range
Iceberg
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
X
Excellent
Quality
Good
X
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
X
supplies are two weeks ahead of schedule and supplies are heavy. Quality is good and weights are perfect, as well as good green color and solidity; approximately 40-45
lbs.
Supply Range
Leaf Lettuce
Higher
Supply Range
Lemons
Higher
Price
Steady
Supply
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
GREEN LEAF, RED LEAF AND BUTTER – Green leaf supplies are normal and quality is good and demand is fair. Red Leaf supplies are steady and quality is good. Butter
supplies are a little lighter and quality is good.
ROMAINE LETTUCE – supplies are good, demand is fair. All product is a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. Weights and better, but still little cupping and some seeders as
well.
SPINACH/ARUGULA/TUSCAN – supplies are good to heavy, and quality is fair due to warmer weather. Supplies of regular Arugula are good and quality is also fair, expect
some yellowing. Supplies of wild arugula are good, quality is fair with some yellowing. Tuscan supply is good and quality ok. Heirloom Spinach supplies are good and quality
good. SPRING MIX - Spring Mix supplies are fair this week and there are more quality issues due to heat wave.
Excellent
Quality
Good
Price
Quality
Supply
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Market has steadied and seems to be firming up on 165’s and smaller as we are peaking on 140’s and larger out of the desert (dist. 3) and also starting to pack some in the
central valley (dist. 1) there is also some Mexican and Chilean fruit around but within the next 2 weeks that should be all cleaned up and we will see the market strengthen
on the smaller fruit. The overall quality is good with some spotting and some discoloration due to gassing showing up on some lots primarily in the choice and standards.
Expect the quality to continually get better as we decrease our gas hours in the next few weeks.
Supply Range
Limes
Lower
Price
Higher
Steady
Quality
Lower
Excellent
Good
Supply
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
According to Mexican growers in Martinez de La Torre, Veracruz. There is enough product availability on all sizes at this time. The sizes with more volume are the 110ct and
150ct. This is because the growers are leaving the fruit on the tree waiting for the US market to react and get a better markets. The current market is not very active. This is
not something usual at this time of the Year (December) prices should be a little higher that what current market. Growers and Packers agree that the next 2-3 weeks
prices will get a little higher but the outlook is calling for markets not be as high. January will be a very different story if the weather gets colder down in Mexico. At this
point they are not sure what the forecast will be with the weather changing daily.
Supply Range
Onions
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
X
Quality
Good
X
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
X
Plentiful
The weather has turned a bit warmer at the perfect time. If you want to ship onions on vented vans or even flatbeds you will have a chance to do it this week. Prices have
also stabilized making this a safe time to put a load on the road. The white and red market will continue to get stronger as the season progresses. In fact, now that Mexico
is back in and buying whites there may even be some more significant increases in the near future.
Supply Range
Oranges
Higher
Price
Steady
X
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
X
Fair
Short
Supply
Moderate
X
Plentiful
Market is steady with good supplies on all sizes we are peaking on 88’s-113’s followed by 72’s, the overall quality is very good as we are starting to see some cooler nights
which is helping to bring on some color allowing us to decrease our gassing hours to bring out the color. The fruit is eating excellent and is very strong, internal juice and
sugar is very good with minimal acid. This is a great time to promote California navels and we will have good supplies for the months to come barring any major weather
issues.Specialty Citrus: will continue to have others start in the next 2-3 weeks, this is a great time to promote some of these excellent eating pieces of fruit. We are
currently packing. Clementine’s, Meyer Lemons, Satsuma mandarins, Pummelos, Oro Blanco’s and will start Minneola’s, Cara Cara’s and Blood oranges over the next 2-3
weeks
Supply Range
Peppers (Colored)
Price
Steady
Quality
Supply
Higher
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
RED PEPPER WEST- Bakersfield has finished for the season. Hollister/Gilroy is increasing, anticipating peak supply the first week of September. Oxnard has hit some lighter
volume and with heavy demand on field reds, we are seeing higher pricing with a challenge to buy daily. Fresno remains light but steady. Field bells should continue to be
put on the back burner for ad promotions until we see better supplies in the month of September. Specialty Pepper EAST - Canada and Mexico are producing light
volumes. Markets are very strong. Expect markets to remain strong for the next couple of weeks due to light volumes. Off shore volumes are light. No quality issues to
report.
Supply Range
Peppers (Green)
Higher
Price
Quality
Supply
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
West Coast - California’s desert is done for the season on green bells. After wet weather in the East, and fields producing larger-sized fruit, demand will be forced to shift
out west. Mainland Mexico is finally seeing some larger-sized fruit as they reach the middle of their fields, with limited availability on smaller sized medium and choice.
East Coast - Markets are stronger. Florida volumes are lighter due to recent cool weather. Markets could have some underlying weakness as improved weather could lead
to better harvests. Could see some bruising if the pepper is picked cold over the next few days.
Chilies -begun to see steady supply out of the two major growing regions in Mainland Mexico: Sinaloa and Sonora. New fields are coming into play yielding reliable quality
on serrano, jalapeno, and tomatillo. With the holiday season approaching, and cooler nights, we are seeing strong demand on pasilla and anaheim on the Mexican National
Market. Do not expect relief until after the holiday when more growers hit their stride and the national market calms down. Tomatillos are proving to be consistent in both
quality and supply, with bright green husks and hard condition to travel. Seeing strong demand on both sides of the border.
Supply Range
Pineapples
Higher
Supply Range
Potatoes
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Supply Range
Squash
Higher
Price
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Price
Quality
Supply
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Pineapple - Significant increase in precipitation this week. Positive results in fruit quality with improved sampling efforts. Volumes are peaking as planned for Holiday
demand. It is about that time of year with the climate change so the age of harvest is being reduced to bring the sugar content and maturity under control.
Quality
Supply
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Growers are finishing harvest and should have their potatoes in their storages within a week. With some of the potatoes not completely through the “sweat period” this
did cause a slight strain on availability and caused the market to firm up a little. This should correct itself soon. Quality is being reported as good.
X
Quality
Good
X
Fair
Short
X
Supply
Moderate
Plentiful
West Coast -The Guaymas and Empalme areas of Northern Mexico are underway and should increase in production over the next few weeks as more players come into the
game. The southern area of Guamuchil and Los Mochis, Mexico have started and are also expected to increase in production. East Coast - Market is weaker. Florida
volumes are still moderate but volumes are expected to improve over the next 10 days. High prices leading to light demand is a main cause of the weakness in the market.
Volumes are also improving in the west which is another reason to the lower markets. No quality issues to report.
Hard Squash - Sonora, Mexico continues to produce excellent quality hard squash. We are seeing good volume on butternut, spaghetti, and kabocha. Acorn remains in
good supply but will not be the cheapest item to promote through the holiday. All varieties are showing clean shells with very little ground lay. Will see strong pulls through
Christmas and New Years week so now is definitely the time to tie up volume and get your promotions on the books on all varieties of hard squash.
Supply Range
Strawberries
Higher
Supply Range
Blackberries
Higher
Supply Range
Tomatoes
Higher
Supply Range
Kale
Higher
Price
Steady
Supply
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Availability is limited overall. The rain has played a huge factor in low berry harvests through the month of December. Conventional and organic forecasts have dropped
significantly this week and will continue to decrease each week through the end of the year. Watsonville (WAT) Salinas (SAL) are done, and Santa Maria is nearing the end.
CMEX fruit will gradually ramp up each week, while all other regions are declining. The Florida market will ramp up later than expected due to two cold fronts and rain. We
hope to see improvement in mid-January.
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Price
Quality
Supply
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Tight availability continues, and reports have decreased on quality issues except fruit from the Pacific Northwest (nearly finished). Quality assurance specs at the dock level
remain tight. New Central Mexico harvest will provide relief mid-November. Berry Valley production will continue into November
Price
Steady
Supply
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Round markets are weaker. Florida shippers are still trying to figure out their markets, and extra-large continues to have good demand, but mediums and large are
weaker. Many shippers are selling lower than the quoted market on 6x6 and 6x7's. 5x6's are still strong and tight. Mexican shippers are claiming to start receiving rounds
this week and a few new shippers have started. Markets are weaker than they were last week, but still considerably higher than the gas green
equivalent...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Grape markets are weaker. Mexican shippers are starting to come up with more volume and Florida shippers have lost demand. Florida shippers do not have abundant
supplies but demand has gone down considerably as well. Quality continues to be good. Markets could weaken a little more this week and then there could be some
strength if there are more ads before the holidays.
Roma markets are weak. More shippers in Mexico are starting to pick and send product into the US. There are a few shippers that are trying to protect their markets, but
there will be more volume as the week goes on coming from Mexico. Shippers that are finishing in Baja are starting to hit the minimums and a few shippers out of McAllen.
Lower
Excellent
Quality
Good
Price
Quality
Supply
Steady
Lower
Excellent
Good
Fair
Short
Moderate
Plentiful
X
X
X
Plentiful supplies continue this week. Overall quality and appearance continues to be very nice. Bunches are averaging 14-16" in length and showing good texture and
color.