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Market Trends Updated 7/26/2010

	Lettuce Leaf Lettuce: Supplies are a lighter compared to past weeks on romaine this week. This market is getting stronger. Green leaf is steady. Some mildew and tip burn continue to be seen upon arrival sporadically. Foggy, overcast mornings continue to be in the Salinas growing region. This will cause some mildew issues. Red discoloration will be seen in certain lots. Most shippers are having these issues. The market is steady. Lettuce: This market is higher. The availability will continue to vary amongst all the suppliers. The warm afternoon weather, coupled with foggy mornings has caused for irregular growth patterns. Mildew and burn are going to be seen randomly. Suppliers are cleaning up product as best they can, but expect some defects upon arrival. Other quality issues include pink ribbing, discoloration, and mechanical damage. The availability of this commodity will be light throughout this week. The market is steady.
	Strawberries Strawberries: Strawberry quality is fair due to the wet cool mornings the strawberry growing areas have been receiving the last few weeks. Weather this week should be mild between 55- 75 degrees, which should help quality. Strawberries have hit their peak production in the Watsonville/Salinas growing areas about two weeks ago. Harvest numbers will continue to go down each week; this should keep the markets firm with upward trend into August. It is that time to keep your inventories down and only order what you need. Demand is still good. Sizing is medium with counts in the mid teens. Stem Strawberries are limited out of all areas. Market is higher.
	Broccoli This market is soft. The availability is stronger with all suppliers. Mexico supplies will be moderate throughout the week. The quality is expected to be strong throughout the week in all of the growing areas. Suppliers are willing to deal on sharp pricing for volume orders on both bunched and crown business. The market is steady.
	Tomatoes Eastern: Several growers are packing rounds, grape and some cherry tomatoes in the new growing regions. Roma tomatoes continue to be behind on production compared to the other crops, and we are seeing higher fobs on the Romas compared to weeks previous. Growers are saying they should have better production for roam tomatoes next week. Although the heat that the east has experienced will keep sizing on the smaller side with more fruit coming on faster than usual, compounded by heavy rainfall. Michigan and Ohio should be going by the end of this month. The market is steady. Western: Supplies out of San Diego continue inconsistent with transition into the northern growing areas, and predominantly bigger sized fruit. There are fewer round and roma tomatoes than in weeks previous. We can expect the remainder of the week to be short in short supply but increasing into next week. Grape production is down but Cherry production is strong. Weather has been favorable in Baja with no major issues. Central California continues going strong with production and plenty of good quality fruit behind it. The market is higher.
	Berries Blueberries: Supplies are improving out of Oregon, BC and Michigan with good quality fruit being harvested. California supplies will also be done by the end of this week. The main pack size on both coasts is pints with a few 6oz being packed. The market is steady. Raspberries: Demand is good with lighter supplies. Market is firm. Quality is good. Market is steady. Blackberries: The wet cool mornings in the blackberry growing areas is keeping the quality of the fruit to be just fair. California supplies are coming out of Watsonville at this time. Demand is moderate with a steady market. Market is steady.
	Summer & Zucchini Squash Western Squash: Baja looks to have good steady supplies for the next few weeks. Santa Maria has good steady volume now the weather has warmed up. The market is steady. Eastern Squash: Michigan’s wet weather is starting to affect the squash market as supplies have tightened up considerably lately. The market should continue to rise going into the weekend but steady out for the better part of next week. Watch for weather related quality issues such as soft spots and light color. The market is steady.
	Grapes Nogales is finished up with the Mexican fruit this week and central California product is starting out slow. The reds are flame seedless and with some Scarlet Royals going as well. Sugarones are still going strong with good size and eating very well. Black seedless is limited this week but should have more volume by the end of the week. Globes are available with good quality. The market is higher.
	Peppers Western Green Bells and Colored Bells: Bakersfield harvest on greens is in its seasonal decline. Other districts in California are starting this week. Demand is good. Bakersfield crop for colored bells is in its second week of production and volume will steady the end of the week. The market is steady. Eastern Bells: Bell peppers are still shipping primarily out of Tennessee with Michigan set to start in about seven more days. Demand is staying strong and the supply is limited to minimal regions right now, creating a rising market. Quality is good.
	Cucumbers Western Cucumber: Baja production is steady. Some growers are expecting slight decreases as they move into next week. Demand is good. The market is steady. Eastern Cucumbers: Cucumbers are in ample supply out of Michigan and Ohio and the market continues to drop. By the weekend, if not sooner, this market will be on the floor. Quality from those regions has been excellent. The market is lower.
	Melons Cantaloupe: The Westside melons continue to be a struggle for availability this week. The sizing is still peaking to 9’s for most shippers and sugar levels are very good on the fruit that is coming out of the field. Unfortunately, there is very little fruit available to pack. We are again being told next week should see better availability. Market is higher. Honeydew: Mexican and Arizona fruit is all but done for the season. The West side fruit is available but peaking to 5’s leaving minimal 8’s available. The market is higher.
	Asparagus This market is firm on all sizes. Thunderstorms have been occurring in Mexico throughout the last week. Peru is experiencing very cold weather also and hence production is down as well. Jumbos will be extremely difficult to purchase throughout this week. Pre-booking orders as early as possible is highly recommended. The market is higher.
	Stone Fruit Domestic peaches are readily available with good volume to promote and excellent quality. Nectarines are a little more limited but quality is very good. Both red and black plums have better availability this week. Tree ripe or preconditioned peaches, nectarines and plums are now available. Apricots are available for loading out of California and Washington. Washington cherries are available but still very limited. The market is steady.
	Carrots California carrots are in good supply. Yield and quality are good and there should not be any gaps for the next couple of months. The market is steady.