Dews and Lopes – Harvests are getting started in Central America, and though supplies are beginning slowly, quality is reported as very good on both.
Asparagus – The market is very short on volume and prices are going up as Mexico is not yet showing an increase in harvests seasonally. Temperatures are still cold there, so the asparagus is not developing at expected rates. Peru is harvesting healthy volume but will only continue to have product until the end of January, weather permitting.
Broccoli & Cauliflower – Markets are crashing as shippers scramble to sell what they have as quickly as possible. Though supplies aren’t that improved in California, Mexican shippers are crossing a lot at the border and pressuring prices and markets.
Cabbage – Christmas week cold weather shut down Georgia’s cabbage harvest and they’re struggling to get started back up. They went from a glut of product to a shortage situation almost overnight.
Cucumbers, Squash and Peppers – Are recovering quickly after the Christmas week freeze. Mexico has plenty of squash and Florida is ramping back up on peppers and squashes also.
Lettuce – Iceberg and leaf lettuce supplies are readily available this week with good overall quality. The primary harvesting regions have fully moved to new fields in Yuma and the Imperial Valley. The weather forecast calls for cooler temperatures with no rain forecast into the weekend. So things are quickly returning to normal levels.
Potatoes – markets remain strong as we wind down shipments for the holiday season. Large sized russets remain especially tight. Prices might ease off a bit after the New Year as demand typically dwindles as people make their New Year’s resolutions. That said, prices will remain elevated compared to historical averages as we continue to deal with a short crop.
Strawberries – We’re waiting to see what the epic rainstorms California is having will do to the strawberry fields. They’re currently in the middle of historic flooding in many areas and that usually spells disaster for berries. This may be really bad going into Valentine’s Day, but we’ll keep you posted.
Tomatoes – Supplies are much stronger out of Mexican and Florida fields. Prices continue to ease downward.
A tomato and a lettuce are in a race.
The lettuce is a head but the tomato has to ketchup.
