Greetings Food Lovers!
Strawberries
Strawberry prices will be higher this week. Good supplies are still expected; however,
demand is increasing due to Valentine’s Day. Good weather is expected to continue in
Florida and Mexico, so quality will remain good.
Blueberries
Chilean blueberries have increased in price by a few dollars per case as well as arriving product showing some mold. Supplies of pints will be ending and 6 oz. small packaging will be the size for the coming weeks. Switching back to the 6 oz. containers is occurring earlier than expected. Hope your enjoyed this great fruit, the party is over!
Raspberries and Blackberries
Supplies of raspberries and blackberries are expected to remain steady. Look for pricing on both to be reasonable.
Tomatoes
The tomato market is the weakest that it has been in years. This is the first year in over 3 years that Mexico and/or Florida has not suffered from a freeze (knock on wood!). Volumes are not showing any signs of slowing and some shippers in Nogales have told their growers to keep product in Mexico. Cold storage facilities have no more room in the warehouses to store tomatoes.
Florida growers are also at the point that if they cannot get more than $4.00 per case for
tomatoes, then they have opted to let the product rot in the field. Look for this market to remain extremely weak on all tomatoes. The good news—quality on all of these
tomatoes is outstanding!
Grapes
Supplies of grapes continue to arrive from both Chile and Peru. Chilean grapes are getting a bit higher price. There are ample supplies of both red and white seedless grapes.
The challenge is sorting through many different prices on a wide range of sizes and colors. For example, prices on red grapes can show a range of $12.00 per case from top to bottom. Quality on all red and white seedless grapes is very good.
Stone Fruit
There are good supplies of peaches, nectarines, and both red and black plums.
Apricots from Chile have finished, but supplies from New Zealand have arrived. Cherries are winding down, so expect to see seasonal quality issues, such as some
pitting and bruising.
Cantaloupes
There are a few cantaloupes arriving from Guatemala and a few beginning to ship from
Honduras. The Honduran vessels arrived last week, but are still on USDA hold. Until these supplies are released, expect limited volume. Once these melons are released by the USDA, the market will be in a ‘demand exceeds supply’ market. Prices will be firm at the start of the week.
Honeydew
The market on honeydew is tighter than on cantaloupes. There is a handful of fruit on these next vessels and the spot market has increased by $2-3 per case, IF you can
locate supplies. Look for some relief by the end of the week.
Snow and Snap Peas
The snow pea market continues to be weak. Supplies are steady and prices should remain low. Snap peas are also available and quality is excellent.
Broccoli and Cauliflower
This is still the perfect time for me to promote broccoli and cauliflower. Supplies are abundant and quality is delicious.
Green Bell Peppers
Green peppers are in excellent supply from Mexico and Florida. Although volumes have dipped in Florida, Mexico continues to put pressure on the market because higher than usual volumes continue to cross into Nogales. Look for this market to remain on the weak side for the next 8-10 days.
Colored Bell Peppers
Red peppers are in abundant supply right now from Mexico. All growers are making deals on 11 lb. hothouse red peppers, as well as 15 lb. field grown Le Rouge type red peppers. Quality is amazing on all varieties of red peppers. Yellow and orange peppers are also plentiful, but not as cheap or promotable as the red peppers. We will have excellent opportunities on choice yellow and orange peppers this week. The choice peppers are all hothouse grown and Extra Large in size.
Have a fruitful week!
