We Solve Your Produce Needs.
Volume 34, Week 2
Monday, January 11, 2016
“HYDRO”-THERAPY
Drinking water during the
winter season is crucial.
One hardly feels thirsty
during winter months, but
staying ahead
of cold
season requires some
good old fashioned “hydro
-therapy”.
Often neglected during the
winter season, keeping
oneself hydrated is of
utmost importance. In light
of staying healthy and
promoting optimal wellness, explore the benefits
of warm or hot water.
The biggest benefit may be from the mere
temperature of the water and not even any added
flavors (lemons, ginger, mint, etc.). Drinking any
water, especially warm water, the first thing in the
morning can help flush the digestive system and
rehydrate the body.
A body at rest for 6-8 hours has been water
deprived . Replenishing with adequate water when
you first wake up is a great way to get both body and
mind going.
Adding lemon to water is an easy way to get some
of this citrus fruit's nutritional benefits. Lemons are a
good source of folate, potassium and vitamin C.
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin known to prevent
cognitive decline, cancer, certain psychiatric
illnesses and cardiovascular conditions.
Potassium builds protein and
muscle, maintains normal body
growth and controls the
electrical activity of the heart.
It stimulates brain and nerve
function and helps control
blood pressure.
Vitamin C is needed for the
growth and repair of tissues in
all parts of the body. As an
antioxidant, it contains
nutrients that block damage
caused by free radicals, which
may play a role in cancer, heart disease and arthritis.
Water also plays a key role in cleansing the system.
Water infused with lemon contains citric acid,
which can clean out calcium stones and prevent
calcium deposits from building up in arteries.
Lemon water can serve as a tasty alternative to
other, less healthy beverages. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention says that while
calories in drinks aren't "hidden," we may not realize
just how many calories beverages can contribute to
our daily intake.
In a 12-ounce serving, apple juice has 192 calories,
orange juice has 168 calories, lemonade has 168
calories and a sports drink has at least 99 calories.
In contrast, lemon water has zero -- making it a great
choice for a flavorful drink without the calories.
A new year morning ritual may begin with
a therapeutic cup of hot water. Sip up!
P.O. Box 308, Sacramento, CA 95812 • Phone 916.441.6431 • Fax 916.441.2483 • www.generalproduce.com
FRUITS
Berries: Strawberry demand
exceeds supply. California’s
Southern growing district has
experienced significant rainfall
over the past several days.
Production has been disrupted
as harvests are being delayed and/or cancelled due to
weather and lack of ripe fruit. Some thunderstorms
have brought excessive wind and even hail. Once
the rain has subsided, fields will be evaluated for
harvests. Growers will spray fungicide to control effects of the moisture. Harvesting crews will focus on
cleaning up the wet fruit and plants before fruit can be
harvested for fresh market. Quality expectations
should include light color, white shoulders, wetness
and wet bruising on the berry. Counts are still small,
ranging in the mid to upper 20’s. More rain is
forecasted for CA this coming weekend as well.
Florida has struggled with sizing and quality as temperatures have remained warmer than average over
recent weeks.
Bananas: For the first time in several years, we are
seeing some adverse weather conditions in major
banana growing belts. The “summer weather” was not
as needed for maturity and volume of fruit. There is an
anticipate industry shortage in the coming weeks. We
will stay close the situation and move to multiple labels
to cover needs. Pricing may take a sharp increase if
short projections hold true on inbound vessels.
Citrus: California Navel growing areas have received
a good amount of rain this week. There has been no
harvesting and none expected until weather dries out.
The rains are much needed for the health of the trees,
but with no harvest, bin inventory of picked fruit is
falling off and supplies are tightening up. Many
shippers will be clean of inventory by the weekend and
leaving very little to shipped the start of next week.
Like navels, Cuties were not picked this week and are
short on supply.
Lemon demand is strong.
Size peaking on 140’s and
larger, with 165’s and
smaller fruit remaining very
tight. Limes are steady on
all sizes. Good demand and fewer supplies have
caused the market to rise. The overall quality level is
good with some lots coming in with a bit of yellow
mixed in with the green.
Grapes: The red seedless grape market is demand
exceeds supply. The current arrivals at port are selling
out almost before arrival. We expect this situation to
change slightly in the coming weeks as volumes
arriving at port continue to improve. The pipeline is dry
and it will take several weeks to show improvement.
The green seedless grape market is steady with
good demand and light supplies out of Chile. We are
currently suffering from late vessel arrivals and limited
quantities upon arrival. This looks to be improving
slightly as volumes shipped are improving. The
arrivals are still erratic but this too looks to improve
over the next few weeks; barring weather related
issues.
Melons: As the first cantaloupe cycle in Guatemala
finishes we are getting a nice spread of sizing for the
first time all season. Honduras production is gradually
gaining momentum and we anticipate the market
holding in this range over the next 7-10 days. Overall
honeydew production remains very short with the
transition in Central America and Nogales waiting for
the southern growing region to begin. Quality on the
Guatemalan dews have improved as production has
moved away from fields affected by November rains.
Seasonal Fruits: The cherry
market
is
fluctuating
as
supplies begin to tighten up. The
Chilean deal is two to three weeks
from finishing for the season.
Supplies will become more erratic
as we move forward. The current
market is steady with light
demand and light supplies. Chilean peach, plum and
nectarine supplies are improving.
Pineapple supplies are dropping and volume will be
lighter, but steady through Easter. Hawaiian papaya
are being prorated due to shortages. Washington
Bartlett pears remain flat on all
sizes, but is still strong due to
light supplies. Bartletts continue
to peak on 110/120’s and the
larger sizes are especially short.
Bosc pears are steady and
continue to peak on US#1
90/100/110s. Fancy Bosc are short on all sizes.
D’anjou pears are steady on all sizes. Red pears are
steady on all sizes and are still producing mostly half
carton 45/50s and full carton 90/100s. The quality on
Bartlett pears has varied. The D’anjou, Bosc, and
red anjou pear quality has been good.
Tomatoes: The round market is steady / higher.
Weather conditions out west continue to play havoc
with production and yields. Supplies still looking tighter in all regions. Back east, weather also continues to
hamper supplies.
Demand still strong. Quality is
Good / Fair. Roma market is steady. Supplies out of
Mexico looking better out west. Supplies on grape
tomatoes but new rains and colder temperatures will
likely change that picture on most tomatoes.
VEGETABLES
The weather continues to be colder than traditional averages. This is affecting the ground temperature which
is delaying growth. Although we are seeing improvement on a few commodities the weather is not improving
and this is affecting more items than it is not. Broccoli is improving. Cauliflower is still behind, although
slowly improving. Strawberries, lettuces, green onions, radishes, asparagus, peppers, celery and
tomatoes are all being affected by the weather. We are seeing quality issues because of the cold weather .
Broccoli, Cauliflower & Celery: Broccoli is still
suffering from supply issues in all growing regions.
There seems to be better supplies of bunched
broccoli versus broccoli crowns. Shippers are
having an easier time packing bunched based on the
much smaller crown size. Visualize tall stalky stems
with very small tops. This trend seems to be in Santa
Maria, Salinas, Mexico, and Yuma. Processors are still
struggling to cover orders and continue to purchase
broccoli crown acreage keeping the carton market
active.
As this week continues, cauliflower
supplies are much better and the
market is correcting itself. The quality
is still fair at best with yellow
discoloration in some lots. Some
arrivals have been showing up with
black to brown spotting. The celery
market is softening a bit with a few suppliers as
demand has lessened. Yuma will not begin production
for another two to three weeks at the minimum.
This will keep supplies snug throughout the week.
Crews will be delayed in harvesting product. Sizing will
be more readily available with thirty and thirty-six
count packs.
Lettuces: The iceberg lettuce market is demand
exceeds supply. Several weeks of freezing and below
normal temperatures have brought growth to a stand
still. That, coupled with the frost and freeze damage
that comes with it, has drastically reduced yields.
Supplies are at much lower than normal numbers
even as demand is improving. The outlook for the
coming weeks and months is poor. The frost and
freeze has damaged much of the young plants as well
as the product ready to harvest. We see a much
stronger than normal market well into next month; and
possibly through the Yuma.
Freezing temperatures of the past several weeks in
the desert growing regions is taking it’s toll. Quality is
suffering with all leafy greens showing epidermal peel
both on the outer ribs and down into the heart.
Additionally, we have had recent rains that will only
exacerbate the quality issues. Romaine, red and
green leaf will all show some discoloration and
‘breakdown’ where the blisters on the epidermis occur.
Yields are suffering as a result. With this drop in
production we are seeing a much stronger market
and expect it to continue to strengthen through the
month of January.
Mixed Vegetables: Green Bell peppers supplies
have dropped. Quality is only fair. The market is much
higher. Red bell peppers are in limited supplies will
continue, New crop from Sinaloa district have started.
Market is demand exceed supplies, production is
increasing a little. Golds are in very limited supply,
quality is good. Production will increase as we move
into this month. Orange are very limited supply and
demand. The market is strong. Production is limited on
all cucumbers due to cold weather. Slicers, Euros,
hothouse, Persians and pickling are all in very short
supply. Cabbages have been greatly affected by the
recent weather conditions. Wrapped green cabbage
has been unavailable all week. We hope to be back
oin business by the start of next week. Industry wide,
green onions are extremely tight and short. Cold
weather, labor issues, and rain in growing regions has
put a major strain on this market.
GINGER LEMON HONEY HOT WATER
Ingredients:
½ a fresh Lemon
1 Teaspoon of Honey
1 cm cube of fresh
Ginger root
Hot water
Method: Boil a tea kettle of water.
1. Cut the lemon half into quarters and place into a heatproof bowl or jug.
2. Add the ginger and honey and top with a cupful of hot
water.
3. Cover and leave to infuse for about 3 minutes.
4. Taste and add more honey/lemon juice as preferred.
5. Strain and decant into a mug or glass.
Relax & Enjoy!
SERVES 1
Recipe by Coriander Queen
Here is your personal update
MARKET REPORT
For updated prices and availability contact
GENERAL PRODUCE
916.441.6431
E-Mail: [email protected]
“Write it on your heart
that every day is the
best day in the year”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson