Week 17 2024 market update:
Fresh Cilantro, Parsley, Italian Parsley: MPG has moved back to a bulk herb program. We will be shipping these items in a 30ct bulk pack going forward.
Berries:
Strawberries: California has stabilized after last weeks rain, harvest is in full swing in Salinas and Santa Maria. North Carolina harvest should take us through the month of April. We expect good quality as long as the regions are spared any unforeseen inclement weather
Lettuces and Leafy Greens: Transition from the Arizona desert to California. The Salinas growing regions have experienced various weather patterns; from rain to cold, hail, recent warm temps all of which are impacting various crops. Romaine and iceberg is experiencing disease pressure, mildew, and lower weights reducing overall yield. Cauliflower production has recently slowed down due to the cold weather. Production teams are doing everything they can to keep on top of the crops, monitoring quality, and get product harvested.
We are still experiencing elevated credits and returns from a handful of stores 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.
Limes: Mexican supplies have loosened and more supply has become available
Blueberries: The Georgia harvest is fully underway, this will carry us into the end of May
Asparagus: Mexican Supplies continue to be flush
Avocados: Mexican crop is fairly limited and markets are high we expect Columbia and Peru to begin by May and will see some relief at that point
Cantaloupe and Honeydew: We will receive off-shore product from South and Central America until Mid may
Clementines: California Clementines will be available going likely through May however this is an off-harvest year and markets are going to be high all season with yields peaking this month.
Colored Pepper: Supplies have improved dramatically and we are now being offered promotions
Eastern vegetables: Little to no change this week… good supply and quality out of Florida
Corn: Very good supply
Cabbage: Quality has suffered recently as a result of hot temperatures and rain in the growing regions
Cucumber: Florida supplies are good and markets are falling Green Pepper: Supplies are plentiful.
Zucchini and Yellow squash: Some scuffing is prevalent as recent storms with high winds in the growing regions caused some challenges
Grapes: The industry has moved to the Chilean season. We continue to have tightly supplied markets and expect that to be the case until Mexico begins harvest at the end of May
Jalapenos: Mexico is facing an unusual supply gap as a result of decreased plantings, water supply issues, and high demand
Lemons: California harvest is ongoing. Supplies are good
Mini Cucumber: Pero has been struggling with the cucumber quality and supply. We have moved to another source of supply to bridge any quality gap
Mixed Berries: Out of Mexico, tight raspberry market with plenty of supply on Blackberries
Onions: Yellow, Red, and White onion harvests are underway in Mexico and California. Supply is improving. The Vidalia season is in full swing with good quality and supply.
Tomato:
Nature Sweet Snacking tomatoes: We have received our full orders for the first time in months on the snacking tomatoes. We expect supply to be better going forward
Hothouse:
Beefsteak Supply is now meeting demand and we are heading into some promotable opportunities in the next few weeks
TOV – Supplies are plentiful
Watermelon: Harvest has begun in Florida but supply is very minimal and costs are prohibitive… Melon bins will be in store the first week of May.
