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Phone: (801) 359-2081
Fax: (801) 532-3859
sales@azproduce.net
www.azproduce.net
366 West 500 South
P.O. Box 1782
Salt Lake City, Utah
84110-1782
*** THE A & Z MARKET REPORT ***
A Weekly Produce Report for Our Produce Buyers
May 11, 2015
GENERAL OUTLOOK: The Pacific low pressure system that moved through the coastal growing regions last weekend brought
rain and cooler temperatures. The moisture ended Saturday, but lower than normal temps will linger through this week.
Growers are hopeful that improved weather patterns will return. This spring has generally had hot weather with an occasional
cool down mixed with rain for most California growers. These inconsistent weather patterns have taken a toll on quality and
yields of many veggie items—but especially LEAF and ICEBERG LETTUCES.
*** T I G H T
I T E M S ***
STRAWBERRIES: This market remained high going into the holiday weekend, but we expect a slight adjustment period
this week in California. Due to the warm spring, there is a seasonal gap because Oxnard ended three weeks early.
Santa Maria and the northern district (Salinas/Watsonville) are not putting out enough volume to cover the loss of the
southern region. High Mother’s Day demand only exacerbated the tight supply situation. Many growers anticipate a
firm market through Memorial Day. Recent cool temps and drizzly fog are impeding berry growth and not allowing
supply to catch up with demand.
LEAF LETTUCES: GREEN and RED LEAF availability continues to be very limited because of production gaps. ROMAINE is in better supply. Warm spring
temps and the general lack of rain have intensified insect damage for growers. They are spraying as much as they dare to help alleviate the problem.
Contractual business is leaving little for fresh market sales. Red and Green Leaf remain in demand-exceeds-supply position.
ASPARAGUS: This commodity is very tight with elevated levels and the market is expected to stay this way moving into summer. New production has
started in Baja, Mexico. Supplies are light out of Northern California and in the Northwest as the season wanes. Expensive arrivals from new production
in Peru will start to increase next week.
CAULIFLOWER & BROCCOLI: These companion markets continue to be active. Flower prices are actually higher due to the limited availability in Salinas.
Even with weaker post-holiday demand this week, prices will remain firm. Most broccoli production is taking place in Salinas, but there is also limited
harvesting in Santa Maria and in Mexico. CROWNS are in better supply this week. The firm prices continue!
STONE FRUIT: New California NECTARINE and PEACH harvesting continues to gradually increase weekly. Sizing is slowly increasing too as prices trend
downward bit by bit. APRICOTS are available but PLUMS are still about ten days away. The CHERRY market is slowly adjusting downward as early
variety supplies continue to build. However, larger sizing is still extremely expensive.
*** PROMOTIONAL ITEMS ***
APPLES: Washington State shipments continue at a good pace with over 3 million cartons shipped last week alone. RED
DELICIOUS accounted for about one-third of the total. CAMEOS and HONEYCRISPS are winding down, but we have plenty
in stock this week. Tremendous values continue to be available for multiple varieties, especially for the 100-count size.
Please call for apple deals and info!
POTATOES: Idaho RUSSET storage inventories are steady as the overall market remains weak on the retail poly packs. (Large count bakers are still in
short supply.) Call!
MELONS: New crop production in Mexico, crossing through Nogales, AZ, as well as new fields in Coachella, California has put larger size CANTALOUPES
and HONEYDEWS in promotional position this week. As more growers come on line (first with lopes and then dews) quality, supply and price will all
improve. WATERMELON production continues to build in Sonora, Mexico and new domestic fields in Arizona and the California desert area. The
promotion of the week is BIN SEEDLESS WATERMELONS. Color, sugar and size is superb!
C h e c k
O u t
A Z P r o d u c e . n e t
f o r
S o m e
G r e a t
R e c i p e s !
T H E
A
&
Z
M A R K E T
R E P O R T
( c o n t i n u e d )
CUCUMBERS: Steady production from multiple Mexican growing districts is keeping this market steady. Sonora harvesting is increasing as Sinaloa
winds down. Baja is also shipping high quality cukes. With Florida and Georgia now supplying much of the East Coast, price and supply should remain
very attractive. Call for details!
LIMES: Good supplies crossing from Mexico on the smaller sized 230 count fruit making prices finally hit promotional levels.
BLACKBERRIES & RASPBERRIES: Good supplies available this week on these two popular berries. Pricing is at the years lowest on both DRISCOLL
BLACKBERRIES from Mexico and VALLEY FRESH RASPBERRIES from the new growing district of Watsonville, California. Promote now and look for pricing
to continue to drop in June as the first ‘bloom’ hits and supplies jump ten fold.
TOMATOES: Mexican production continues to be prolific from mainland and Baja districts. ROUNDS, ROMAS,
CLUSTERS and GRAPE TOMATOES are all attractive!
SQUASHES: Soft variety (ZUCCHINI & YELLOW) markets in Mexico have settled because new crop domestic harvesting is beginning in Fresno and Santa
Maria, CA. Hard varieties (BUTTERNUT, ACORN & SPAGHETTI) are attractively priced too. Call!
*** FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES ***
MANGOS: The high-blush (Tommy Atkins variety) market is oversaturated with heavy volume coming from Mexico. (DID YOU KNOW? India is the
largest mango producer in the world, growing more than one-third of all production. However, almost all of it stays within the country to help feed the
large population. The mango is the national fruit of India.)
AVOCADOS: Over 600 loads crossed the border from Mexico last week for Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day business. The California HASS crop is
producing good volume too. Quality, oil and flavor are at a season high. The larger, 48-size is a good value this week. (Note: Peru will enter the fresh
market by the end of the month with large-size fruit.) Please call!
PEPPERS: REDS are inexpensive, but GOLD and ORANGE BELLS are higher priced. GREEN BELLS continue to be higher priced as growing areas transition
from Mainland Mexico to Coachella, California. Quality on all packs and colors continues to be excellent. CHILE PEPPERS are also transitioning from
Mainland Mexico to the Baja Peninsula and Coachella, California. Sizing and quality is superb!
ICEBERG LETTUCE: Post holiday demand is light, but so are supplies. Planting gaps and good demand have been driving prices up recently. The market
has eased just a bit. Due to the warm spring, rusting, ribbing and light insect damage are evident in some lots. We are purchasing only the best packs
available.
CITRUS: California is now harvesting the later variety NAVEL ORANGES. Quality is good and demand is steady for the plentiful larger sizes. Nice fruit
is expected to last into June. Smaller sizes remain scarce, but new VALENCIAS are filling the gap. (Note: This year’s Valencia crop will be the smallest
on record--think four-year drought-- and growers will be trying to schedule harvesting to last through the summer. This will translate into high prices.)
MANDARINS/TANGELOS are just about finished, but the first Chilean mandarins will arrive to the West Coast soon. New Fancy California GRAPEFRUITS
are very nice. LEMONS are a “hot” item and will remain so for the next couple of months as summer demand increases. Prices continue to rise. The
LIME market is lower on smaller sizes and a little firmer on larger sizes. Expected lighter availability through May will help prices from falling too far.
Quality has improved.
SWEET CORN: New crop harvesting in the Coachella Valley continues with yellow, white and bi-color varieties now available. Prices are falling to
promotable ranges.
CELERY: The California market is firm because Mexico and Florida have finished. Oxnard, Santa Maria and Salinas are all competing for the national
market.
SEEDLESS GRAPES: The new crop has arrived! Perfect spring weather in the desert area (plenty of sunshine, little
rain and mild temps) has produced an early start to the Coachella Valley crops. Though California is suffering
through its fourth year of drought, the Coachella area is not yet experiencing significant water shortages because
of the extensive federal canal system bringing water from the Colorado River. Although cooler temps this week
are limiting the harvest, GREEN Perlettes and RED Flames are available—but expensive. New crop harvesting has
started in Mexico just as the last of the Chilean crop is placed.
C h e c k
O u t
A Z P r o d u c e . n e t
f o r
S o m e
G r e a t
R e c i p e s !