Broccoli and Cauliflower--prices are much lower, especially for cauliflower and broccoli crowns.
Asparagus--the first Mexican asparagus of the season has arrived this week. There is about a $10 per case difference between the less expensive Peruvian asparagus and the new crop Mexican product. We'll default to the Peruvian asparagus for now until the prices are closer. If you would like to get Mexican asparagus, just let your salesperson know. I'm always happy when Mexican asparagus begins, because it signals, for me, the coming of spring. It's like the produce ground hog day. That means other products will start popping up, like California strawberries and California asparagus.
Lettuce--prices continue to fall as the weather in the desert warms up. Previously, there were frost conditions slowing the harvest. Spring Mix has come off a bit also.
Grapes--prices begin to drop as the Chilean harvest picks up steam. Being about one month behind schedule, has caused these very high prices. Prices should continue to drop and quality should continue to improve. Peaches, plums, nectarines and cherries are also available if you're interested.
Peppers--the pepper market seems to be a bit depressed especially for red peppers. Take advantage of these lower prices. The green pepper market is also beginning to weaken.
Pea Pods and Sugar Snaps--prices are lower here also. Both products are under $20 for a 10lb. case.
Cantaloupes--product here is flat out ugly. Prices are high and the taste is substandard. They just can't seem to get going in the "offshore" deal. It may take up to a few more weeks to get up to par.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash--after a week or two of very high prices, the market is beginning to fall. Prices should continue to drop rapidly.
Avocados--prices continue to rise as Mexico take advantage of the short crop in Chili. The upcoming Super Bowl is a big avocado holiday and that adds to the problem.
Tomatoes--I seem to be lulled into a false sense of security here. Prices remain stable or even dropping, and the quality is not bad. From everything I hear it's going to get very nasty. Florida has lost much of its crop in the freeze and Mexico will take advantage. What is that date on our calendars?? Was it February 15th. Blah, blah, blah!!
Berries--blueberries remain a bargain for now, while strawberries and blackberries have taken off. If the weather behaves in Florida and California, strawberries should come down, that is until that red holiday called Valentines Day comes into town.
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( 2.8 / 230 )Some products are beginning to settle down as the Mexican vegetable season and California desert season hits its stride, while other products need a bit more time.
Broccoli and Cauliflower--prices have dropped considerably from a few weeks ago. These should be able to be staples on your menu for awhile.
Peapods and Sugar Snaps--are also in the basement right now. Another good item for menus currently.
Blueberries and Blackberries --have been very inexpensive since the new year. Enjoy it while you can.
Strawberries--are a different story. Still feeling the effect of the freeze in Florida, the market is artificially high, though it shouldn't last for long if the weather in Florida and California cooperates going forward.
Lettuces --are a mixed bag right now. Iceberg prices have dropped considerably, while romaine prices are high. All tender lettuces and spinach, are very tight. This includes spring mix, boston, baby arugula, and baby spinach. Availability and quality is down.
Cucumbers --the market has fallen dramatically for slicing cukes and seedless cukes, though they still have a way to go.
Melons --are a disappointment right now. Honeydews and cantaloupes are expensive with variable quality. The winter "deal" was hyped so much from Latin America, and I'm still anxiously awaiting the positive results. Stay tuned!
Tomatoes--prices have fallen to reasonable levels for all varieties, but don't lose sight of past predictions of doomsday around February 15th. Stay tuned once again.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash--are very overpriced right now. These fast growing vegetables rarely stay high for long, though. Prices should fall soon.
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( 2.6 / 128 )While we Michiganders were experiencing unseasonably warm weather, much of the rest of the country was getting hammered. Where shall I start?
California is getting torrential rains and snow, while Florida felt the effects of a freeze. The produce industry is in a state of flux right now.
Broccoli and Cauliflower--prices are much higher for both vegetables. Cauliflower is very scarce and prices are in the mid $30 range, while broccoli is headed near $30. Yikes!
Lettuces--which have been stable for a long time are beginning to climb. This includes spring mix and romaine hearts. I've heard that warm weather in the growing areas could resolve this situation shortly.
Tomatoes--this is a strange one. Even with the freeze in Florida, prices of most tomatoes are falling. Don't get too used to this. Today I heard that in 42 days, which should be about February 15th, the tomato market should enter the zone of the Valentines Day Tomato Massacre! The freeze has created a blossom drop in Florida's upcoming tomato area which will significantly lower supplies of tomatoes (from Florida) in the middle of February. Circle the date on your calendar and let's see what happens.
Blueberries and blackberries--I need to drop some good news in this here blog. O.K., so it's not officially a blog since you can't respond. Yea yea, all good things in time! Both fruits are ridiculously inexpensive, so don't miss out. Prices are like $15 for both this weekend. Product is coming from Chili which missed much of the holiday business due to late developing crops. They need to make up for lost sales. That's why grapes are so high since they're late and there are none from anywhere else.
Citrus--this is the place to be right now. The freeze did not do much to the citrus crop in Florida, and California has a great deal of nice oranges right now. Cara Cara red navels (my favorite), blood oranges, navel oranges, minneola tangelos, meyer lemons and kumquats are all in peak form from California right now. From Florida, grapefruit either red, pink or white, red navels, juice oranges (we're shifting to the pineapple variety), honeybelles and temple oranges (right around the corner) are also very tasty. Spanish clementines seem to be the best of the bunch right now.
Cucumbers and Green Peppers-are very expensive right now. We always carry a " choice pepper" which is not as pretty but less expensive than a #1 or Jumbo pepper. If you want to save a few bucks and the shape is not important to you, ask for a choice pepper and see if it works for you.
Melons--cantaloupes are in a temporary gap as product shifts from Guatemala to Costa Rica. Prices are temporarily higher, though I continue to hear the weather in Costa Rica has been favorable to high quality melons this season. This is because temperatures have been moderate, leading to a high brix or sugar content for their melons. Only time will tell!!
Chinese Peeled Garlic --so the U.S. lost some confidence here. Once again, supply and demand at its best. Prices have dropped for Chinese peeled garlic because of lack of consumer confidence in their products. Hey, now's the time to jump in, since they're probably on their best behavior and shopping higher quality products. Let us know what you think! We always carry California peeled garlic if you want.
Check out the spices in Morocco.
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( 2.9 / 85 )Just as the tomato market was falling, a major freeze has affected the Florida tomato crop. Below is a copy of an produce industry letter that was forwarded to us from one of our suppliers. Florida strawberries, which have been wonderful lately were hurt also, so that market will rise. We'll keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Florida freeze update;
Tomato market will be tight. Expect significant price increases.
Hurt probably the worse, grapes, cherry and round tomatoes. Immokalee area lost some of all items, including grapes, cherries and romas.
South Naples farm fared the best. Some damage but not destroyed.
Homestead area next picking point got hurt but not too bad volume planted is low.
Planting Spring crop in 10 days.
Weather Report
Plant City 23 degrees to 37 degrees for approx 6 hours winds 18/25mph
Immokalee 28/33 degrees ALL NIGHT wind damage was significant 20/30 mph thru the night
Punta Gorda 27 degrees 95 to 100% of that areas tomato crop was burned by freeze
Miami @ 5:00 am 37 degrees froze the inside of tomatoes
Our Growers preparing to go Act of God.
We will keep you posted as more information comes in from the fields
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( 3 / 178 )As the year 2008 approaches, we at Frog Holler Produce Company, want to thank all of you for the relationships we've formed and hopefully strengthened this past year. As a relatively small sized wholesaler who's been around since 1973, we realize that you have many choices of companies with which to do business with. We pride ourselves in servicing you with honesty and integrity, trying to provide high quality products at a fair price. Our role is to be your eyes and ears at "the market", delivering products to you in a timely and courteous manner. Your requests have made us a much better company!
Market News
These past few weeks are always a bit herky jerky due to the holidays. Things should become clearer in a week or so. Here are some updates about a few produce items.
Berries--strawberries are a bargain right now as Florida and California compete for business. The blueberry market is showing weakness with lower prices and raspberries seem to be stable.
Melons--the markets seem to be a bit weak here also as product is available from a few different areas. Guatemala is the primary source for cantaloupes, though Costa Rica should be starting shortly. Honeydews are available from Mexico and Central America. Prices are reasonable for both products.
Pineapples--this is one commodity which is showing higher prices. Product has been somewhat variable and ripe pineapples have been a bit hard to come by.
Grapes--are in very short supply. Chili is about 2 weeks late with their harvest, as is the case for stone fruit like peaches and nectarines. Product should ease up a bit next week, though prices are very high.
Tomatoes--prices remain high, though the market is showing signs of relief. This has been a difficult tomato month and hopefully January will reverse the trend.
Lettuce--all appears to very calm here. All varieties are stable and reasonable, with good quality. Now that's spooky!!
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