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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( 2.7 / 179 )
Well. I underestimated the strength of the tomato market. It's getting creepy like the above picture, which by the way are eels at a Vietnamese market. Romas and slicers are right around $40+, with romas becoming a problem to find ripe product.
Asparagus is a hot commodity also. Prices look like they'll be in the $40 plus range for the holidays.
Cauliflower--is heating up also. Been down so long it looks up to me, said an author of renown.
Pineapples--are beginning to show some strengh as prices are higher and fruit is a bit greener. Quality is still good.
Lettuces--it must be raining in the growing areas since I see mud on the boxes. Markets are basically stable. California is getting hit with cold weather which could become a problem if it lasts. Watch the weather channel!!
There's is good news out there also!
Strawberries--California and Florida strawberries are competing for shelf space. Prices are significantly lower, at least for the weekend.
Cantaloupes--prices are dropping quickly after, an ugly ride. We've carrying xtra large size 6 count melons, since that's where the value is!! A case has dropped to under $20. The melons have good flavor and color, though they may be a bit crunchy.
Peeled Carrots with Tops--are back in business after busting the illegal Mexican border deal. Prices are lower.
Eggplant--not a hottie for the holidays, prices are low and quality is very good.
Green Peppers--the same is true here. Prices are lower.
Red Peppers--are a different story. High quality red peppers are expensive.
Sugar Snaps and Sno Peas--prices tending downwards. They're both in the mid $20 range.
Next week is the week before Christmas. The Produce Terminal is open Saturday and Sunday, and closed Monday and Tuesday. Please, try to anticipate your orders no later than Thursday, so we can have ample time to fill your needs.
Thanks,
All The Two Legged Frogs
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( 2.8 / 71 )With Christmas approaching, many produce prices are beginning to feel the effects of increasing demand, though it’s not across the board. Some products seem to be in good supply currently with stable prices.
Asparagus—prices are escalating quickly and should stay this way until after the holidays. Availability should not be an issue as Peru has a lot of product planted. Prices are in the mid $30’s for all sizes.
Berries—a big hit for the holidays, prices of all berries are beginning to rise. We’re happy to see Florida strawberries which are deep red and gaining flavor each week. Raspberries and blueberries are moving higher.
Grapes—prices are on the move mainly due to a shortage of product. Green grapes are basically non-existent as we wait for product from Chili to get going. The few Brazilian green grapes available are fetching in the $65 range. California red seedless varieties are quickly drying up as are black varieties. Come on Chile!
Tomatoes—there’s just not enough product around. Romas have followed slicers and prices are in the mid to high $30’s. There is not a lot of product to choose from. Grape tomatoes have not been affected too much.
Green Beans--are usually a big mover during the holidays, but they are very reasonable right now. Florida supplies are good now, though I expect prices to rise closer to Christmas.
Lettuce—prices are holding their own as product shifts to the California desert.
Cantaloupes—prices fall as supplies increase from Guatemala. Quality continues to improve as shippers are touting their new variety named “Harper.” The interior flesh is deep orange and seems to have a high brix (sugar) rating. The outside is still not the prettiest. Honeydews remain very reasonable.
Onions—prices are the lowest in years as a worldwide oversupply has depressed onion markets. Prices have been $6-$10 below last years’ prices. Green onion and leek prices have fallen also.
Specialty Citrus—available now are blood oranges, kumquats, pummelos, cara cara (red) navels, Satsuma tangerines, and clementines.
Produce Tidbits
Potatoes are the #1 vegetable purchased for several years running. This year, carrots were #2; last year onions were #2 and the year before that tomatoes were #2. Pretty exciting, eh!
The vegetable with the highest rate of decline this year compared to last is the radish. Shoppers 21-39 are the least likely to buy radishes. Is that you?
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( 3 / 67 )The demand for most produce remains relatively weak once again as most people are shopping non food items right now for the holidays.
Asparagus-- a repeat of last week with prices stable in the mid $20's except for jumbo size. This is one item that most likely will become active closer to the holiday.
Green Beans--prices are lower for hand picked beans. Wax beans and pole beans are also available.
Broccoli and Cauliflower--remain in the bargain basement. Very good quality at prices in the mid teens.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash--product from Mexico and Florida compete with on another resulting in oversupply and low prices.
Cabbage--Michigan product is almost done for the year, so prices are moving higher. Texas cabbage is next.
Texas--speaking of the Lone Star State, many vegetables and herbs come from Texas at during the winter. The list includes parsley, arugula, dill, cilantro, dandelion greens, bunch beets and swiss chard.
Russet Potatoes--prices are higher for all sizes of russets. Product is coming from Idaho, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Washington and Oregon. Varieties are mostly Burbank and Norkotah.
Tomatoes--prices are still strong for slicers. Roma tomatoes are coming off a bit while grape tomatoes remain the same.
Citrus--California Navel oranges are gaining maturity and moving into better varieties. California Valencia oranges are finished for the season so we are now mixing various Florida oranges for our fresh orange juice. Fresh grapefruit juice has begun. Clementines from Spain and California are excellent right now, as are California Satsuma mandarins.
Cantaloupes--Del Monte melons from Guatemala have begun, providing some relief to the melon market. Product is a bit immature as the season gets underway, but should improve in the upcoming weeks.
Pears--quality has been excellent for northwest pears this season. Bartlett pears are winding down as we are getting ready to move into D'anjou pears for the winter. Comice, Bosc, Red and Forelle Pears are also available.
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( 3 / 61 )The break between the holidays is here and demand for produce is quiet.
Good news for us as many prices are lower!!
Berries—while strawberries remain about the same, raspberries and blackberries are significantly lower. Blueberries hover around $30 for 12 /4.4 oz. containers, but quality is much better.
Broccoli and Cauliflower—broccoli is lower at around $17 per case, while cauliflower never got off the ground for Thanksgiving and prices remain low.
Green Beans—quality should be improved this week and prices are a bit lower. French beans or haricovert from Peru and Guatemala have been beautiful.
Asparagus—product from South America is stable if not a drop lower. All sizes are plentiful.
Green Onions—prices are about $3 lower after the holiday run. Quality is excellent.
Sweet Corn—product is still scarce but at least available. The freeze in South Georgia affected the corn, bean and pepper supply, though supplies of the above are trickling in from Florida and Mexico.
Tomatoes—vine ripe product has been a major problem and we’re trying our best to at least find tomatoes with color. The Mexican deal is supposed to begin this week which will help a ton, and future weeks should be okay. We may have to offer hot house tomatoes this week to keep you in red color. Grape tomatoes remain inexpensive, while romas show a downward trend.
Zucchini and yellow squash—are a bargain right now. Product is coming from both Florida and Mexico and prices are dropping.
Melons—cantaloupes are remarkably poor and expensive right now. If you can substitute, do so. Arizona has virtually no supply, and the off shore deal is still premature. It has to change one of these weeks. Honeydews and watermelons are in much better shape as Mexican product fills the void nicely.
Cranberries—if you want them between now and Christmas, order them now. Product is virtually gone!
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