BELL PEPPERS - Green bell pepper supplies are increasing out of Bakersfield and Oxnard, California. The market is expected to trend downward at the end of weekend and expected to stabilize next week. Quality from both areas is excellent. Mostly ex-large and large sizes are available; very few mediums. The red bell pepper market is increasing because supplies are limited out Coachella, California. Quality is good and all pack sizes are available. Supplies from Bakersfield will be available in seven to ten days. Expect a small harvesting gap in the next two weeks until Gilroy and Bakersfield begin harvesting the week of July 12th
BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER – Good supplies of broccoli are currently available. The fields are yielding more bunch cuts then crown cuts so better deals are available on bunch 14’s and 18’s. The cauliflower market is fairly stable on 12’s and 16’s. Deals are available on 9’s. Prices could decrease at the end of the week because of light demand. The cauliflower quality is very nice; white to off white domes, full packs, and good green jackets
CELERY - Celery is available for shipping out of Oxnard, Santa Maria and Salinas, California. Supplies are steady. There are still seedars in Oxnard because of the warmer temperatures. Market pricing is expected to remain flat this week. Demand is soft and freight pricing is high.
CORN – The corn production is in full swing nationwide. Production from California, Texas, Georgia, and Florida is providing numerous opportunities for promotions. Shippers have set their promotions for the 4th of July holiday, but early indications are showing that enough crop will be available for orders that did not pre-book. All colors of corn are available from California. Other regions are producing only colors demanded in their individual regions. Call your Moore representative for further updates.
CUCUMBERS - Cucumber supplies are tight nationwide because of the decrease in production out of Central Mexico. The decrease is typical for this time of the year. High prices are expected from all growing regions.. Cucumber supplies are coming from the following regions; Central California; San Diego, California; McAllen, Texas; Nogales, Arizona and Southern Georgia. Overall quality is very good with good color and sizing
LEAF LETTUCES - Leaf lettuces are available for shipping out of Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas, California. Romaine pricing has remained soft this week. Expect this market to stay steady over the next week because of weak demand. Pricing may rise incrementally during the next week due to lighter weights as a result of mildew issues.
LETTUCE - The lettuce quality is improving, but there are still some minor issues with russet spotting and mildew on the outer wrapper leaves. The weights on liner and wrap lettuces are ranging from 39 to 41 pounds. The frame size is still rather small and deals are available on cello 30’s packs. Demand has decreased primarily because of high freight rates, so the market could weaken as the week progresses.
ONIONS – California and New Mexico are currently the primary sources of onions. Texas is done for the season. The yellow onion market is steady from last week. The market is expected to increase because demand is increasing for the 4th of July weekend. The red and white onion markets are steady.
POTATOES - The potato market will remain tight on all sizes and varieties through the Fourth of July holiday.
Russets – Expect Russets to remain tight and demand to exceed supply. Idaho is producing the bulk of available product and some product is available out of Wisconsin. Quality is good. Expect chipping to begin in the middle of August which will tighten the market because storage supply availability will decrease.
Reds – Red potatoes are extremely tight because demand is exceeding supply. New California red crop potatoes will start out of Stockton, California in the next few weeks. Quality is expected to be good. Compared to the early summer varieties, coloring will be dark and full exteriors appearance. The new crop is expected to balance demands.
White and Yellow – Product is available out of California and a great promotional item. Demand is steady. Ten pound bags are fairly easy to book and available, harder pack sizes are the five pound range.
Klondike, Rose, and Gold – Arizona is finished for the season.
SPRING MIX – Spring Mix is loading in California’s Salinas Valley and supplies are good.
TOMATOES – Nogales, Arizona is done for the season with tomatoes and Romas out of Sinaloa; there are still Romas available from Obregon and Sonara. Quality and condition is fair. Expect Nogales to be completely done with Romas in a few weeks. San Diego, California is receiving tomatoes and Romas out of Baja; quality and condition are very nice. The market pricing is reacting on small fruit; shippers are crown picking and receiving mostly bigger fruit. Expect the market to react more next week.
East Coast Tomatoes – The East Coast tomato market is improving. Georgia and Arkansas supplies are available in a light way. Florida shippers are done for the season. Anticipate Alabama and Tennessee product to be available soon with small harvesting gaps during the Fourth of July holiday .
