So here are the facts as I understand them today:
There is more product in Mexico than they anticipated after the freeze so we will see some price relief next week. However, the vines are dead, so I expect the lower prices will only last for about a week. After that most likely we will be right back to where we are today. Product will be in short supply for the next several months and prices will be high.
Florida will be our hero in the next few months. The weather and growing conditions have been great for the spring crops (so far). If all things remain steady we should see volumes increase and real relief begin by the first of April.
What is still unknown? What will remain to be available at any price? I have been told that some items very well could become unavailable over the next few weeks. We will continue to keep you updated, and as always, feel free to call us if you have any questions.
Thanks for reading,
Matt and the other frogs
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( 3 / 21 )Honestly this is the worst that I’ve seen in the 30+ years I’ve been in the business.
It seems like every item has been affected in one way or another. The perfect or not so perfect storm has hit both of our major growing areas for this time of year. The freeze in Mexico coupled with the cold snaps in Florida and other growing regions, has severely damaged crops causing immediate volatile prices, limited availability and mediocre quality. Growers are reporting 60% to 100% crop failure. These shortages could last until April, potentially some items June.
Here’s is a brief run down
Green Peppers Showing significant damage. Quality and availability will continue to drop over the next few weeks. Colored peppers seem to have survived the best for now. In a few weeks we expect to see blossom drop take affect which will impact volumes in approximately 6 weeks.
Broccolini
Will be in very short supply. The harvest has been reduced to 30% of normal.
Cucumbers Currently we are at 30% of normal harvest volumes. It will be at least five weeks before new growing areas will begin to make a difference.
Eggplant Showing significant damage. Supplies will continue drop over the next 6-8 weeks.
Squash There is a lot of number two quality being packed. Supplies will heavily drop off over the next two weeks. First reports are showing 45-60days before we see new supplies kick in.
Tomatoes Still don’t know the extent to all of the damage. Some initial reports say that there will not be any relief until the spring plantings come in. In other words, June.
Lettuce They are reporting that demand will exceed supply next week. Epidermal peel, bottom rot, as well as blistering is affecting overall quality and appearance. This coupled with the issues that the Yuma’s growing areas are having with sclerotinia will continue to plague all lettuces.
Summing it all up. It is ugly out there. We are doing our very best to hold down prices and maintain quality. While I am holding out hope that this is more hype than fact, we should prepare for the worst. My staff and I will pursuing any and all options that will keep us in the best quality available.
Unfortunately, in the produce business, as the price goes up the quality usually goes down.
Feel free to call the office for up to date information.
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( 3 / 20 )The Frog Blog has been revived! Well, at least for just this post. As you may have heard, there was a terrible freeze in Mexico last week, and things are about to go a little haywire.
This freeze is said to be the worst in over 50 years. While the full effects of the freeze are still to be seen, they are estimating the following losses on products:
40-50% loss on cucumbers and bell peppers
70-90% loss on squash (yellow squash and zucchini)
Up to a 50% loss on tomatoes, including grape and romas
Other products that were also affected are eggplant, asparagus, melons, and lettuce varieties including romaine, head, leaf, spring and spinach.
Prices will be changing daily while growers asses the total damages, and it is rumored that many of their products won't be available at all for the next month or so. We are doing our best to resource product from other growing areas. Please call us if you have any questions and we will be glad to help.
Here is an article from The Packer with more details.
http://thepacker.com/Freeze-hits-Mexica ... d=&fid
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( 3 / 20 )It's getting mighty cold in the eastern half of the country, but there are some prices for fruits and veggies that are red hot!
Here's a look at today's news!
Tomatoes--this defies gravity. Florida is virtually wiped out for much of the winter, but the tomato market has hit rock bottom this week. Vine ripe tomatoes out of Mexico are flooding the market and prices are much lower. Roma tomatoes are a bargain also, while grape tomatoes are on the high side. Don't expect this pattern to last long. There is already pressure on the tomato market to raise prices, so this weekend could be the bottom of the market.
Strawberries --California is out of the game for awhile and could adversely affect the market if a new wet weather front hits this weekend. Here's what one periodical had to say.
(UPDATED COVERAGE, Jan. 26) Southern California strawberry grower-shippers suffered a series of storms barreled through the state that could keep them from harvest until late in the week of Jan. 25 — placing Valentine’s Day promotions into jeopardy.
The rain started with a few showers Jan. 17, bringing some torrential downpours by the time the wet weather went away Jan. 22. An estimated 6 inches of rain to parts of Ventura County, where Oxnard growers didn’t expect to be picking again until late in the week of Jan. 25.
Even with California temporarily out of the picture, Florida berries have come back from their freeze and volumes are high. Prices are a bargain this weekend, though this too might not last too long.
Asparagus--new crop Mexican asparagus is picking up steam, and 28 pound cases will be available next week for a tad over $2/lb. This trend should continue for awhile. A good time to put asparagus back on your menu.
Cucumbers--both slicers and seedless cukes are lower this week. Mexico, once again, carries the load as supplies begin to increase.
Limes--the market is retreating for limes out of Mexico after hitting their high point last week.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash--usually follow each other when it comes to prices, but strangely enough they are going in opposite directions. Zucchini is quite reasonable in the mid teens, while yellow squash is over $30. Now isn't that something!
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( 3 / 20 )There's been quite a bit of downward price movement in the last week, which should ease the jitters some. The effects of the Florida freeze is settling down a bit and prices are seeking new and better (for us) levels. I imagine the maturing of Mexican product is spearheading much of these changes. Tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini have dropped several dollars over the past few days. California strawberries have filled the gap nicely, while we wait for Florida berries to regain their stride. The biggest issue out there now is the rainstorms pelting California. This the second of two big storms that will are drenching the fields. The timing is poor, here, since California commodities have been quite reasonable lately. Here's a closer look:
Lettuce--prices have settled down nicely, as favorable weather over the past two weeks has enabled product to mature nicely. It wasn't too long ago that romaine and iceberg were in the $40-$50 range. Most lettuces are now under $20, and quality continues to improve. Unfortunately rain has invaded the desert and is supposed to continue through Saturday. This could cause interruptions in the harvest, which we could see by the end of next week. Stay tuned!
Broccoli and Cauliflower--both vegetables are in a supply exceeds demand situation and prices are quite reasonable. Almost all the production is from California so we'll have to see if the rain affects prices here.
Strawberries--rain could be a problem here. These large, new crop, spring berries were beginning to ripen nicely (the first few shipments had white shoulders), and it was quite convenient to be able to shift to California while the Florida berries recuperate from the freeze. Florida berries are beginning to work there way back to the marketplace and we might shift back and forth depending on how things sort themselves out.
Collards and Mustards--for you greens lovers out there (I'm one) Georiga product was frozen in last weeks freeze and product has shifted to Texas. The quality is superb, though prices are much higher.
Celery--a shortage of product from California and Florida has caused the market to climb. There may not be relief in sight until February. Anise/fennel is in the same boat.
Green and Red Peppers--red peppers are quite reasonable as product is available from both Mexico, Florida and Spain. Green peppers after rising quickly post freeze are beginning to retreat.
Mangoes--it's been awhile since I've been able to recommend mangoes, but these Kent mangoes from Peru get my stamp of approval.
Green beans and corn--are both in extremely short supply and very expensive. Shift to other vegetables if you can, as this shortage could last until spring.
Grapes--from Chile are finally coming along as prices drop over $10 per carton. This trend should continue and quality should begin to improve.
Blueberries--another Chilean crop that is in full swing. Prices are very reasonable for the dead of winter (here), and quality is quite tasty.
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