Yes, it's time for the sun to set on the winter, Mexican produce deal. Supplies of tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash, cucumbers, eggplant and the like are dwindling, and spring harvests are not quite ready in California and Florida, In addition, there is a Mexican truck strike which is hampering loads coming in to the states. So, prices are on the rise. Here's a look:
Tomatoes--after a very reasonably priced winter, it's time to buckle up your seat belt. Prices are escalating rapidly, with roma tomatoes leading the way. Romas are in the mid $20's today and that will seem like a bargain next week. Grape tomatoes and 20 pound slicers have hit the low $20's this weekend and will continue to rise. Florida gas green tomatoes are moving higher a bit more slowly. We've really been lucky all winter and I'm not sure how long these high prices will last. I don't see much help in the near future.
Cucumbers--remain ridiculously expensive, costing in the high $40's to mid $50's. Mexico is the only game in town. Thankfully, the Canadian hot house season is fairly strong right now and seedless cucumbers have been very reasonable and the quality is very good. You might think of switching.
Eggplant--prices are moving much higher here also. Florida product hasn't really begun shipping yet, putting all the pressure on Mexico for supplies. Supplies are very scarce.
Green Peppers--now here is a different scenario as spring production has begun in Florida and product is abundant, causing prices to be low. Quality is great, especially for the larger sizes.
Corn and Beans--product is slow to recover from winter freezes, and the spring harvest will begin in mid April. In the meantime, prices will remain high and quality has been only fair at best.
Berries--strawberries from California are a dream come true. Prices are low and and the berries have very good flavor. In the biz we say the berries have good "legs", meaning they can last long for berries. Raspberries, on the other hand, are very scarce and prices are very high. Product is coming predominantly from Mexico, and Driscoll is virtually the only game in town and they can name their price. Blueberries are winding up from Chili as quality is only fair. The good news is that late next week, there is a chance of new crop Florida and/or California blueberries starting. California is new to the spring blueberry deal, and it should be advantageous for consumers to have both states producing at this time. Let's see how it goes.
Asparagus--We've shifted the smaller 11 pound cases to California product this weekend and quality looks great. Next week, I think the larger 28 pound crates will also be from California, which should improve the quality. Prices will move higher as we approach Easter.
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( 2.8 / 68 )Well here's to the U.of M's basketball team for getting back to the big dance. Congratulations! But the March madness I'm talking about is in the produce industry. California vegetables are transitioning from the California desert and Yuma Arizona, to further north in the Central Valley. As spring approaches, prices can rise if there is no overlap between growing areas or fall if there is an overlap. You also have Easter and Passover, two big food holidays looming up ahead which create a big demand situation. So, we're seeing a few prices beginning to move after slumbering around all winter.
Cauliflower--prices rise sharply this week as demand outstrips supplies. Few places outside of California grow cauliflower at this time of the year. Prices could remain high throughout Easter.
Broccoli--is trying to follow cauliflower, but the move is slower, partially due to supplies from Florida, which compete with California. Prices are rising slowly, though the price of broccoli crowns has jumped.
Asparagus--Mexican "all green" product is still plentiful, though we're noticing it's becoming a bit seedy around the tips. California product from Stockton has been slowed a bit by cool weather. I'm looking forward to the change to California product, and before too long product will be harvested from you know where ---Michigan.
Lettuce--you never know quite what to expect here. The lettuce shift is really a temporary step on the way to Salinas, where most of the vegetables and lettuce are grown for the rest of the summer. Companies now need to shift harvesting equipment and processing equipment to handle commodities such as spring mix, romaine hearts, baby spinach etc. Currently prices have remained quite stable, though iceberg lettuce is up a tad.
Artichokes--thrive in the coastal moist areas near Castroville, aptly named the artichoke heart of the U.S. Artichokes are known as a spring vegetable, but it's still a touch early for major production. Let these babies grow for another month and then we should be in full bloom .
Strawberries--California berries are now the berry of choice. Florida is still shipping large quantities, but their taste seems a bit muted now. Supplies of California berries are abundant and prices could fall a bit this weekend.
Onions--we've decided to switch to new crop Spanish onions from Mexico as opposed to last fall's U.S. ones. This is a similar transition period where prices can fall or spike, depending on the overlap. This year, the new crop onions are a few dollars more, but we feel the quality warrants it. Red onions, on the other hand, seem to still be a better bargain for U.S. onions. I wonder what language a Mexican Spanish onion speaks.
Cucumbers--prices are through the roof, as the Florida freeze awhile back has given Mexico a free hand in naming their price. I'm not sure when and where help will come from. Seedless cucumbers, on the other hand are quite stable, so this might be a better option for you.
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( 2.9 / 47 )
NO SCUBA GEAR NEEDED HERE!
California is entering the 3rd year of a drought in the Central Valley, which most likely will affect the produce industry this summer. The situation is becoming a political football in the California House of Representatives, where everyone in the valley is competing for water. It's the first time where some farmers are being told they will receive a zero allocation of water from the Central Valley Project for the upcoming year. I guess receive is the wrong word. The Central Valley is often referred to as the bread basket of America. Complicating the issue is the recession, and the result is that tens of thousands of California farmers and farm workers are losing their jobs. Of the towns in the valley, I'm most familiar with Mendota which is the home of some of the best cantaloupes in late summer. For the past 20 years or so I've touted Mendota "lopes" as the best cantaloupes of the summer. Well, it gets really hot in the summer in Mendota, often over 100 degrees. You just can't farm melons on a large scale without water. I've recently learned Mendota and its neighbor Firebaugh are very poor towns where unemployment is approaching 35%. Yikes! Go Detroit. Start Doing the Rain Dance.
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( 2.9 / 54 )
How would you like fresh black winter truffles flown directly from Italy. Frog Holler can procure this prized mushroom at the special price of only $750 per pound. No kidding!
So, even if you're not interested in the truffle today, there's an abundance of great produce items available at special prices. As I've stated before, the horrendous global economic situation has resulted in one of the least expensive winters for produce prices. Global demand is down and growers had geared up for a big year. The weather has straightened out in Florida and California, which has gotten items like strawberries back on track. Here's a look at some of the items.
Celery--prices have dropped like a rock after a quick high ride. Florida product is competing for market share with California celery, leading to lower prices.
Melons--both cantaloupes and honeydews are very reasonable. Costa Rica and Honduras lead the way for supplies. Both melons are about $15 per case.
Peppers and Cucumbers--supplies are increasing from Florida to compete with Mexican product and prices are falling here also.
Florida Potatoes--for me are a sign of spring I look forward to. Like how exciting can spuds be? Well let me tell ya', you need to put your sun glasses on to check out these beauties. New crop Florida red and white potatoes, from tiny C size to regular A size potatoes, standing tall and proud. A sure menu item!
Cauliflower and Broccoli--the cole crop family needs a president to promote them. Prices are a deal.
Grapes--Chilean red and green grapes are in the last phase of their season. Product is abundant and prices, especially for green grapes are the lowest of the season. Product usually lasts through March. Chilean muscat grapes, a real specialty item, should be available in a few weeks.
Mangoes--hurray, the Mexican mango season has begun. Now, it will take a little time to gear up, but we have already seen the ataulfo and haden varieties show up. At the beginning of each mango season I reiterate that the mango is the most consumed fruit in the world. Well, there you go.
Strawberries--California and Florida are both harvesting good quantities currently and prices should drop this week. Florida berries are winding up for the season, while California is just finding its groove. Strawberries will be a staple for many upcoming months.
Other vegetables associated with springtime are English peas and artichokes. Both are just getting started, though steady supplies are not usually seen until April.
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( 2.6 / 33 )Two Florida freezes and rain throughout California is creating issues with some produce items. Otherwise there are still some great deals out there.
Here's a look at some of the goings on in the produce industry.
Strawberries--rain has halted harvesting of strawberries for a few days in Santa Maria and Oxnard, the two current major growing areas. The second freeze in Florida has also hurt production there. Prices are higher and quality has slipped a bit.
Beans and Corn--both vegetables were hit by the freeze affecting supplies. Price are much higher. Corn is in the low $30 range for a crate of 45 ears, while green beans are in the $40 range.
Celery--prices are climbing for celery, another victim of weather issues in Florida and California.
Blueberries and Raspberries--are on the down slope of their winter supplies. Prices are higher for both after a long ride of very reasonable prices.
Sugar Snaps and Snow Peas--are both very reasonable. Prices are less than $20 for a ten pound case. Quality has been very good for this Central American product.
Red Peppers--are another bargain out there. Mexico is dominating production and currently prices are about $1.25 per pound for a 15lb. case.
Eggplant--another Mexican veggie where pricing is reasonable and quality has been excellent.
Seedless Cukes--Canadian product is back on the market and quality is much improved. Prices are significantly lower.
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