MARKET REPORT 7/13/10

From Moceri Produce:

It seems that summer doesn’t really want to get started this year as the entire west coast continues to wallow in May/gray, June/gloom, or July/whatever. The lack of our normal summer temperatures has been delaying and/or stalling a lot of crops we have been waiting for. It looks like we are about to finally emerge from all this dreary weather and get back to more southern California like temperatures. However, it will take a few of these markets some time to bounce back.
Berries: Strawberry production has been curtailed greatly by the mild temps and lack of sunshine. The market has been slow to react due to lackluster demand.but you can expect higher prices next week Even our local farmers like Stehly Farms have seen production fall off greatly and are struggling to meet demand on their organic blackberries. California raspberries and blueberries are in the same predicament. Fortunately, berries rebound fairly quickly, so with a week or two of sunshine this market should be back on track.
Veggies: The bell pepper market is one that has been delayed this season as the cooler weather has kept us in Coachella for red and yellow bells for about a month later than we normally are. Northern California crops are due to start this week and provide some much
needed relief. Quality has been the real issue as Coachella has been way too hot for summertime bell production but with no other choice we have had to grin and bear it. Green bells started almost on time in Gilroy but sizes have been greatly compromised by the weather. California Italian and yellow squashes continue as good buys. Northern California eggplant is finally starting to pick up and prices should ease over the next couple weeks. The supplies of green asparagus are somewhat limited currently due to wet and windy weather in both Central Mexico and Peru. This is impacting the volumes we get into the market and as a result the prices have strengthened. We do expect this trend to continue through next week. It is typical for this time of the year since it is still winter time in the southern hemisphere.
Tomatoes: The round market is just taking forever to get going this year and is still leaning heavy to the larger sizes. Prices and availability are very difficult as crossings are down and color is light. Roma tomatoes are also in very short order and prices are up sharply. Cherry toms are a good buy as grape tomatoes have risen sharply.
Northern veggies: Most of these markets remain steady as demand is light. Iceberg lettuce continues to hold its own as the summer crop has not settled in yet. There is some pressure on the romaine and romaine heart market this week. We will have to wait and see if it materializes or not. White corn is slated to begin in the next week to 10 days in Salinas and should make this market very affordable.

Tags: Produce Reports