Produce Supply Update January 12th, 2024
Apples – Harvest is complete and we have a bumper crop of apples to sell this season. The crop this year will be around 140-million cases which makes it one of the largest crops ever! The growing conditions were very good and, besides producing a large crop, it also created high color and high- quality apples this year. We expect to have good supplies and great opportunities to promote apples from now until the summer of 2024.
Asparagus – Asparagus market continues to be tight in volume since Mexico is still preparing to start the season in about two weeks. Prices are still high due to the demand over the holidays. Perú is projected to continue producing from both regions all of January and the transition to Mexico is expected to start by mid-January, depending on weather and availability.
Cabbage – Our local farmers are still harvesting good volumes of beautiful cabbage, though they’re wrapping up and Georgia will begin soon, bringing stronger volume to the market and easing pricing.
Grapes – Though a handful of California grapes are still making their way across the country, we’ll be making the switch to import grapes over the coming weeks. We should see improved quality with the move.
Peppers– Strong winds and heavy rains in South Florida curtailed harvesting and drove prices higher. Mexican fields are struggling to fill the gap and sellers are fetching a premium for whatever is available.
Potatoes – The new year begins with strong supplies of potatoes of all varieties. Idaho continues to deal with a bumper crop of russets and is looking for business. Reds and golds are in abundance in multiple growing regions. Traditionally, potato sales sag in January as not too many New Year’s resolutions involve eating more potatoes.
Strawberries – California has very light supplies on strawberries due to previous rain and cold weather. Central Mexico also has very light supplies. Florida has light production and California is seeing weather-related defects.
Squash – Squash continues to be extremely tight on both coasts. Cloudy skies and cooler weather both in Mexico and Florida are making a big impact on the development of the fruit. Both short- and long- term outlooks seem questionable, as we are entering the timeframe in which the growing regions hit the coldest fronts.
I told my doctor I broke my leg in 2 places.
He said to stop going to those places.
