The Produce Report
The Produce Report August 16 to 21 
By Moceri Produce
Berries: Strawberry production is down and color is lighter due to cloudy weather and cooler evenings. The raspberry market is similar and prices remain higher than normal. Blueberries are excellent quality with moderate pricing. Blackberries are having limited shelf life, stay close on inventories.
Vegetables: Asparagus continues to be a challenge as very limited product availability keep prices extremely high. Green, red, and yellow bells are heading back up again as night temperatures have been lower than usual. Italian and yellow squashes are higher. Eggplant remains stable with good pricing. Look for slightly higher prices on white and yellow corn as production has dropped off. Cucumber production is down but prices remain stable.
Tomatoes: Both round and roma tomatoes crossings are down this week and look to be for the foreseeable future. Quality has been very good. The cherry tomato markets have been very depressed as large volumes are coming in but quality has been below average. Grape tomato quality has been much better with slightly higher prices.
Melons: Northern California seems to be hitting their stride as cantaloupes and honeydews begin their summer crops. Prices are getting cheaper and the quality has been excellent. Seedless watermelons are lagging behind but are showing signs of really getting going.
Nuts & bolts: Pineapple volume is way down and prices are higher, this will probably last through August. Mangos remain a very good buy with excellent quality. Stonefruit quality has been good with diverse plum and pluot varieties.
White peaches and nectarines have been eating very well. Central California grapes are picking up volume and quality is superior.
Tags: Produce Reports
