Week 51 2024 Market update
Berries
Strawberries: Strawberry supplies are improving but Florida is off to a slow start. We should see increasing volumes over the next few weeks
Still not the time for stores to be ordering, merchandising, or trying to sell large amounts of Strawberries. It is not time yet to be aggressively selling as they will not hold up and do not eat well. It is critical to display in reduced allocation and order for quick turns... delivery to delivery!!! Please do not over order to cherry pick or request credit on slightly bruised berries… any stores that are taking high credits will be prorated. Sell what you can but do not over merchandise or over order.
Mixed Berries:
Blackberries and raspberries: Starting to see improvement in supplies as the Baja California region of Mexico has begun harvest
Blueberries: The Blueberry supplies tightening as Peru harvest is winding down and Chile is delayed two weeks
Citrus
Clementines: We have seen a handful of stores taking credit on the loose peel varieties that are shipping. Loose skin on a clementine is a varietal characteristic not a defect. Please peel them and you will see that the fruit is not decayed. Credit will not be repeatedly given for product that is not decayed
Navel Oranges: California fruit is in stores, quality is good
Lemons: Good supply and quality as we have transitioned to California.
Limes: Good supply, promotable volumes
Grapes: The industry has moved into the Peruvian and Chilean import deal quality is good although supplies are tight
Apples: New crop apples are available. This year’s crop is smaller than last year. Honeycrisp volume down 30% year over year
Asparagus: Peru continuing to supply most of the market, Mexico very limited due to cold weather.
Avocados: Good supplies, promotable volumes
Melons
Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Mini Watermelons Imports – Late vessels have created a severe industry wide shortage
Eastern Veg (no change until January)
Cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, and eggplant – Light supplies at the tail end of Georgia and moderate supplies in Florida.
Bell Pepper and Green Beans – Light supplies in Georgia and very light supplies in Florida with an elevated market on the beans.
Hard Squash – Good supplies out of Mexico
Green Cabbage – Good supplies out of Georgia.
Hothouse
Beefsteak Tomatoes – Rising market and tight supplies as a result of low supplies on the field grown tomatoes from the hurricanes
TOV –Good supplies, but markets will begin to tighten up through December and remain scarce until western Mexico starts.
Colored Peppers – Moderate supplies, Canadian crop are all done and Spanish bells are now permitted into the USA. Markets will hold in the low $20s through January. Once February arrives, we will experience a drop in the market.
Hydro Cukes– Good supplies and currently promotable
Mini Cukes – Moderate supplies, once Canadian season is over, which should be in a week or two, prices will climb, and availability will tighten. Mexico will not start until next 12 weeks.
Eastern Vegetables
Hurricane Helene and Milton Planting delays will lead to product shortages this winter… gaps in the planting cycles will lead to gaps in the harvest this winter. We are starting to experience some of the effects
Green beans: Extremely short crop, not promotable for the holidays
Green Pepper: Very tight supply as a result of the hurricane damage in Florida
Field grown tomatoes: 85% of Florida’s crop was wiped out and needs replanting, leading to limited supply until January. This will also affect hot house market demand.
Cucumbers, squash, corn, bell pepper, and eggplant – Moderate to good supplies in Georgia, but Florida’s delayed planting will cause a gap when Georgia’s harvest ends in two weeks.
Lettuces and Leafy Greens: Transition to Yuma is complete and quality has been excellent, we will be in that growing region until March
We still have a handful of stores taking invalid credit on Iceberg and Romaine hearts. Rib discoloration does not mean product is out of grade and if only cap leaves are affected credit is not appropriate... The quality evaluation on all lettuce needs to follow two criteria and credit should not be requested if one of these things is not present:
1. Decay
2. Discoloration affecting the product deeper than the first three leaves If it is just brown or pink discoloration on the bottom of the iceberg head it is in tolerance and credit should not be requested.
Mango- Good supplies as Peru and Ecuador containers arrive. Honey mangoes will be unavailable until February
Pears: Bartlett supplies from Washington have increased, but quality is variable. Bosc and Anjou market pricing remains strong as yields are due to early-year freezes
Potatoes: Russet harvest is complete. The smaller sizes are limited this season with an abundance of the 40-60cts available
Hurricane Helene and Milton Planting delays will lead to product shortages this winter… gaps in the planting cycles will lead to gaps in the harvest this winter. We are starting to experience some of the effects
Green beans: Extremely short crop, not promotable for the holidays
Field grown tomatoes: 85% of Florida’s crop was wiped out and needs replanting, leading to limited supply until January. This will also affect hot house market demand.
Cucumbers, squash, corn, bell pepper, and eggplant – Moderate to good supplies in Georgia, but Florida’s delayed planting will cause a gap when Georgia’s harvest ends in two weeks.
