Melon, Grapes, Vegetables, Berries, Tomatoes Market Report

6/23/09

Northern veggies: Warmer weather over California is helping ease the leaf and veggie markets. Iceberg, broccoli, cauliflower, and all leaf have backed off from last weeks prices. Romaine and romaine hearts are a little slower coming off but will follow shortly. Brussel sprouts and broccolini are more readily available with better pricing. Leeks have become very short this week. Prices are higher and sizing is smaller.
Berries: Warmer weather and lackluster business is making this a good week for strawberries. Prices are down from last week and quality is excellent. California raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are all steady from last week with comparable prices.
Vegetables: Northern California is starting to take over the bell pepper market. Green and red bells should get easier as the weather warms up and Gilroy breaks new fields. Yellow bells will be a few weeks behind. Eggplant will be winding down in Coachella and making the transition to Fresno. Prices will be higher over the next few weeks. Blue lake bean volume is really picking up now. Quality is better and prices are off considerably. Santa Maria andFresno are kicking down big numbers on Italian and yellow squashes. Look for good quality and prices for the foreseeable future. Cucumbers crossings through Baja have picked up and there is plenty to go around. Hot house cucumbers have started out of California. Prices are higher than the Mexican cux but are much straighter and greener.
Tomatoes: Mature green rounds have started out of central California and are trying to bring this market down. The east coast is still pulling heavy and keeping strong demand on this market. Mexican shade house vines are still the best bet for quality and prices. Roma tomato prices are very fair and quality is excellent. Numerous shippers crossing through Baja should keep this market down barring any weather. Cherry crossings are finally picking up and prices are backing off.
Melons: Good supplies on cantaloupes and honeydews coming out of Arizona and the California desert have brought these markets down. Both melons are showing brix upwards of 12% and cantaloupes are showing full, healthy slips. Seedless watermelons are still fairly tight. Prices are up and down depending on weekly production out of Mexico. California product is slowly becoming available and will help to bring this market down over the next month.
Tropicals: Bananas are holding steady this week but imports are down and prices will be rising over the next few weeks. Foul weather from over a month ago in Ecuador is now causing gaps in the market. Pineapples are having a strong push this week. Central American pines are showing excellent quality. Tommy Atkins mangos out of Mexico are showing very good quality and eating very well. Look for smaller sizing this year, heavy to the 12/14ct.

Tags: Produce Reports