Asparagus – Mexican fields have started producing, adding a lot of much needed product to the marketplace. Pricing is way down with the increase in supplies. We expect to see another spike in about 2 weeks as retailers begin pulling for Thanksgiving demand.
Broccoli – The market is falling rapidly as east coast farms increase their harvests. Pricing is improving.
Melons – Production is winding down in California as we transition to Arizona. With shorter days and cooler weather, expect to see a green cast to cantaloupe and sugar content will be slightly lower. Honeydews and watermelons have become increasingly shorter in supply as most domestic growers are done for the year and we look to Central American growers.
Corn – Remains extremely tight as Georgia struggles to fill the orders on the board. Bi-Color has been the nicest so that’s what we’re focusing on right now. Quality has been very pretty, though sizing remains small as it always is during the fall.
Cucumbers and Squash – A few are still coming in locally but supplies are dwindling on all local vegetables due to the cooler weather. Georgia is getting their season going and pricing is very good on the heavy supplies.
Lettuce – Iceberg and leaf lettuces continue to be in short supply this week. Higher demand combined with lower yields are the primary factors. Other substitutes for iceberg are also climbing as people look for alternates, but prices continue to climb. Eventually demand will fall off at the higher pricing and the market will settle back down.
Peppers – Demand for Georgia product has increased, but unfortunately volume is short. Cooler weather is having an impact on overall growing conditions. Pepper will remain higher for the next two weeks and hopefully ease when Florida gets started the 20th of November. With the higher pricing of green peppers, farmers will elect to pick them green rather than waiting for them to ripen to yellow or red, creating shortages in colored peppers.
Tomatoes – This market changed almost overnight. Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama all finished their seasons at the same time, creating an extreme shortage. Georgia and South Carolina are hoping to start in another couple of weeks but we’ll see very limited supplies and high pricing until they do.
Q: What happened to the frog who parked illegally?
A: He got toad.
