Berries, Veggies, Melons, Tomatoes, Desert veggies, Onions & potatoes, Market Report

MARKET REPORT 2/8/10

Berries:
Not a whole lot of change in the bush berry markets this week. Strawberry packers are still recovering from last weeks rains and assessing losses. This weeks’ high demand due to Valentines Day should push this market higher, especially on stemberries. Cold nights and heavy rains have slowed down maturity on stems and sizing will most likely be off. We are expecting to see more 70/75ct stems rather the normal 60ct. Please advise customers to pre-order stems as quality product will be very hard to come by.

Veggies:

Asparagus looks to be the thriftiest veggie of the week. Good supplies from Mexico are driving this market down and quality has been very good. Italian squash, cucumbers and eggplant all seem to be perking up a bit this week after a great deal of heavy rains slammed Mexico. Yellow squash remains extremely short and prices are up. Mexican blue lake crossings are still very light and prices are reflecting. Quality has been good. Green and yellow bells remain fairly tight and red bells remain the best buy of the three.

Melons:
Seedless watermelon just keep getting shorter and shorter. Prices are as high as we have seen in years and quality is just average. Avoid if possible. Cantaloupes are also on the rise as arrivals from Central America are off. Honeydews look steady this week and will be the thriftiest of the three.

Tomatoes:
The round tomato market looks steady this week. Shippers are trying to push this market up but with very little business it doesn’t look to be going anywhere. Roma prices are on the rise as crossings are down from last week. Quality has been excellent. Cherry tomatoes seem to be getting short again and color is crossing very light. Grape tomatoes should see a good push this week and prices will most likely back off. Quality has been very good.

Desert veggies:
All leaf coming out of Yuma is reaching seasonal peaks and prices are about as good as we will see. Celery production is up and prices are getting easier. Romaine hearts will be a very good buy all week. Quality on all desert products has been excellent. Rapini and fennel both remain very short with firm prices.

Onions & potatoes:
It seems as if yellow onions have peaked and prices have stabilized. It looked as if this market was going to push higher but with decent supplies out of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, we should be okay until we run into the new crop Mexican onions. Still slim pickings on small red potatoes. Prices won’t budge as reds with good dark color are demanding higher prices. Red A’ and baker sizes are a cheaper alternative.

Tags: Produce Reports, Vegetables