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Commodity Updates

Jun 21, 2017

Berries (Blackberries) Berries (Strawberries)

The warm weather slowed down the blackberry harvest The weather has
this week, but we expect to be back on track for increased not been kind to the
supplies over the next 2 weeks. Salinas, Watsonville and strawberries recently.
Santa Maria are all expected to continue to increase Last week we were
gradually as we move into July. Demand has been steady recovering from a shot
and quality has been strong. Market prices have firmed up of rain which put us in
slightly this week. Georgia production has been steady but limited supplies going
light. North Carolina is starting with light harvest this week into the weekend. Then
and is expecting better supplies next week. Overall we temperatures shot up
expect to see steady supplies through July. over the weekend and
into the front part of this week. Growers have been fighting
Berries (Blueberries) soft fruit and quality issues since. We have another week of
80s-90s in the forecast. We should see quality recovering
gradually with each day we get further past the rain.
Blueberry supplies have been very limited. This week will However, warm days have the potential to keep fruit on
be the worse of it. As we wait to transition to the Pacific the dark red / soft side. That being said, yields have been
North West (expected to start June 26th), we only have down and supplies are limited this week. Market prices
limited availability of Central California fruit remaining. have increased over the last few days and will remain firm
Because of the very warm weather over the weekend, through the week. We expect to see better supplies next
much of the remaining crop was damaged. Yields are week.
lower than expected and the fruit we were counting on to
bridge the gap is now much more limited than anticipated.
Shippers in Salinas and Watsonville will have very little fruit Broccoli
until middle of next week. If loading direct in the Central
Valley is an option, we will have more options for order Supplies are driving this market as all growing areas have
fulfillment. We expect west coast supplies to improve next decreased volume due to the extreme heat. That has
week and be back on track by the first week of July. On firmed up the market and now it looks to trend higher.
the east coast, New Jersey started production this week There will be lighter supplies for the next two weeks as
and is expected to increase volume over the next 2 weeks. the much warmer temperatures has brought acreage
Michigan is expected to start by the end of June. forward. Quality has been really nice with decent crown
size and minimal yellowing. I would suggest to switch to
Berries (Raspberries) iced broccoli this week due to the heat. We could see
dehydration upon arrival in the iceless packs.

The recent warm weather has slowed down production of Brussels Sprouts
Raspberries in all areas. Santa Maria, Salinas and Watsonville
will all experience lower yields this week, making supplies
limited through the weekend. Demand has been steady We continue to see insect damage is most lots from Mexico.
and market prices did jump up slightly this week. Quality The has taken its toll on supplies as suppliers scramble
has been strong, but with the warmer weather, we may to sort through the damaged commodity. The market
see some occasional soft berries. We expect better continues to be elevated at current levels. This will trend for
supplies next week. Although some areas have past peak the next three weeks. Quality is fair at best.
production, we expect to see consistent supplies through
summer then an increase in supplies as we move into
August.

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