Retail Market Update
March 4th, 2017
Tomato Update
Weather Outlook
California: A high pressure system out west moves in late this
week as a cold front travels from the north over the weekend
cooling temperatures across California. A chance of showers
are expected along the Central Coast as this system looks to
develop into a cut-off low pressure system off the Southern
California and Baja coast by early next week cooling
temperatures.
Mexico: Increased moisture moves into Central Mexico with
scattered showers and seasonal temperatures.
Florida: A cold front moves through Florida Thursday into
Friday with rain and thunderstorms across the state. A warming
trend is then forecasted going into next week.
Organic Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes: Supplies out of Mexico are light and
California is another 7-10 days away from any measurable
volume. The market is elevated as demand exceeds supply.
Cherry Tomatoes: Supplies will be tight for the next several
weeks due to the current crop transition.
Hot House Tomatoes: Volume improving out of Mexico.
Grape Tomatoes: Steady supply out of Mexico.
Roma Tomatoes: Steady supply out of Mexico.
Vine-Ripe Tomatoes: Volume improving out of Mexico;
markets are down.
Florida: Immokalee has finished production for the
winter 2017 season. The Ruskin/Palmetto springsummer tomato harvest is now in full swing
production. Temperatures in these growing regions are
extremely warm with increased production over the
next several weeks.
Mexico: Culiacan has for the most part finished
production. A few shippers continue to bring in 5x5 and
smaller sized tomatoes. The region of Jalisco is now in
production. We anticipate a ramp up of larger sized
vine-ripe tomatoes to gain momentum. Roma
tomatoes from Sonora and Obregon are in full swing
production, excellent promotional item for Cinco de
Mayo.
Baja California: Several shippers have started
production on vine ripe and roma tomatoes. Expect to
see abundant volume by June.
Indio California: Extremely warm temperatures in
this region and begin tomato harvest by early next
week.
Outlook: Plentiful supplies out of all growing regions!
Great time to promote all sizes and varieties.
Heirloom Tomatoes: Supplies are plentiful; deal
opportunities readily available.
Grape & Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomato varieties
are in good supply. Demand is low and the market is
steady for cherry tomatoes. Quality is good and there
is no immediate weather concerns in the forecast to
cause a sudden reaction to the market.
Berries
Strawberries: Favorable weather conditions out of all
growing regions. Production has increased and excellent
quality is being reported in Salinas and Santa Maria. Salinas
production is improving and volume is anticipated to build
as we move closer to the summer season. Santa Maria
continue to have ample availability of high quality berries.
Oxnard continues to have fruit available this week, though
winding down rapidly. Several shippers in Oxnard have
already stopped harvest due to quality. As we approach the
Mother’s Day pull period, we can expect prices to elevate.
Expect supplies to be ample with spot buy opportunities
available.
Blueberries: Supplies continue to improve. New California
crop is ramping up in the central valley. Market price on new
crop remains high, though expect to see them decline as
harvest volume increases.
Avocados
Mexico: Shipments have fallen by 10 percent, though
remains nearly 74 percent of the entire market share of fruit
shipping into the U.S. Field prices remain strong. Mexican
volume will continue to decline in the coming weeks as the
remaining crop will begin to reduce going into summer.
California: Demand remains strong with only 20 percent
of the current crop being harvested. Sizes are peaking on
48s/60s/70s and larger. Sizing is expected to improve
toward the end of May going into the first part of June.
for the next two weeks, then gradually wind down. Southern
California onion supplies are going in full force production
against all colors and sizes. The overall market is steady to
slightly weaker out of all growing regions.
Citrus
Lemons: All shippers have reach a demand exceed supply
situation on small fruit (140s/165s/200s) which will last
through summer.
Limes: Prices are high and demand for Cinco de Mayo is
strong. Stocks are projected to remain tight until the second
week of May, then return to normal levels
Bell Peppers
Eastern: The market is steady, revealing sign of
strengthening. Supplies out of the southern region of Florida
are starting to wind down with only marginal quality. Plant
City is currently shipping steady volume and good quality,
though acreage is down for this region. Georgia will begin
harvest with light supplies by the middle of May. Expect
overall volume to be light from the east over the next three
weeks.
Western: Green bell pepper supplies have declined
substantially. Prices are steady and will remain for the near
future. Larger sizes on number one grade are limited.
Colored bell pepper volume is increasing for both the blocky
and elongated varieties.
Onions
Northwest storage onion supplies are almost done for the
season out Idaho, anticipated to finish up by next week.
Washington shippers will begin to ramp up production by
the middle to end of May. Texas growers are gaining
momentum in supply; quality is being reported fair. Texas is
anticipated to maintain good supplies for the next two
weeks, then gradually wind down. Southern California onion
supplies are going in full force production against all colors
and sizes. The overall market is steady to slightly weaker out
of all growing regions.