Produce Market Update 1/20/22
Berries-
Blueberries-
The market is extremely tight due to delays at the piers.
Weather, labor issues and the Monday have compounded delays.
Supplies should loosen up this week, but expect the market to remain very strong until the pipeline is replenished.
Pints will be high and in short supply
6oz availability is unknown currently
Strawberries-
Markets are firm and as we get closer to Valentine’s Day we should see prices remain this way.
Demand remains strong as many chains continue to promote.
Florida weather has been cooler than optimal for berry growth adding additional strain to pricing.
Overall quality is good.
Blackberries-
Mexico supplies have increased slightly improving the market.
Quality and berry size are excellent.
Raspberries-
Supplies remain snug affecting overall pricing.
Potatoes-
Idaho-
Pricing remains strong due to freight rates coming from the Northwest.
Freight rates continue at record highs loading in Idaho and available trucks continue to be a struggle.
Weather issues are compounding delays loading and getting trucks to travel in and out of the region.
Local markets remain strained on supplies due to these numerous factors.
Red-
Quality is very good and pricing is steady from Canada.
Yellow-
Pricing is mostly steady with only slight increases on C size.
White-
Starting to see some small spikes as some Eastern suppliers availability is dwindling.
Carrots-
Carrots-
Prices continue to strengthen as supplies from Canada become less available.
Canadian product is still advantageous over Mexico because of freight.
We will soon need to transition to Mexico and will see a big jump in prices.
1/2/5lb are stronger and have jumped a couple of dollars.
California mini carrots remain tight and orders continue to be prorated due mostly to labor issues.
Apples-
Granny Smith-
Market is steady from Washington and Eastern growers.
Fuji-
Market is steady with good Eastern availability.
Gold-
Prices are climbing as utilize more Washington fruit.
Eastern Golds are becoming less available quickly.
Gala-
Markets are steady from Washington.
Eastern supplies are depleting quickly.
Red-
Supplies are continuing to come from the East with good availability and steady pricing.
Honeycrisp-
Market is slightly firmer coming from Washington.
Pears-
Bartlett, D’Anjou & Bosc-
Markets are stronger as supplies dwindle.
Quality is very nice from Washington on US#1 grade.
Bartlett are nearing the end in Washington which will push that market up.
Trucks from Washington are a nightmare, especially on partials.
Most apples remain steady with freight causing most higher prices.
Weather and truck shortages causing shipping delays and higher costs.
Loads are outnumbering trucks 30-1 in apple country.
We are seeing $3k to $5k increases.
Red Grapes still extremely tight and prices are high White grapes tight as well and prices are high as well---Prices will be high and product will be tight month of January going into February!
Mexico went up another 5.00+ on Bulk limes this is a reoccurring issue from last couple weeks- key limes are extremely tight driven Persian limes up
Tomatoes 5x6 6x6 are up---Florida is going into their late winter crop, colder nights are driven yields down on plants, big fruit is harder to harvest than small fruit just does not grow in the cold
All ports up North are having issues with getting containers off loaded and loaded due to a major shortage of employees do to sickness, this is effecting all import products such as-- grape, clems, stone fruit, melons, berries, pines Kiwi etc
Citrus
Grapefruit- 40ct-48ct-Steady, product out of Florida
Oranges CA- 56-72ct 88ct 113ct up slightly
Oranges Florida Juice –up and in scarce supply
Lemons-up across the board again
Limes-Small box-Up 175-200ct Up drastically
Melons
Honeydews -Steady
Cantaloupes-9-12ct-Steady
Grapes-Red-Steady but are extremely tight and high in price, Whites Grapes-Steady again extremely tight and high
Kiwi- Bulk and Flats up just slightly
Mangoes-Steady
Pines-steady
Tomatoes
All varieties are up just a bit except for grape tomatoes they hold steady
Banana up on 40# on 10#. Port issues getting shipment unloaded, Covid issues in South America at the farms and packing supplies shortages.
Beans steady
Cabbage steady on green, red and savoy. Bok choy’s steady. Napa back in stock but is pricey.
Corn is up . Rain in Mexico and California has added demand to the already short Florida crop
Cucumber are steady
Eggplant steady
Greens steady
mint and dill both are up drastically Quality issues in both Texas and Florida’s crop.
Chili pepper steady
11# pepper down
15# red down and bushel down by a few dollars
Green pepper up slightly
Hard squash up and Green and yellow squash up big time in Mexico and colder nights in Florida has slowed production
Watermelons steady