PRODUCE MARKET REPORT

August 17, 2008

MOTHER NATURE’S DECISIONS

Demand for small apples will get stronger when schools get under way. It will be late September before things improve. Strawberry quality is marginal and supplies are shrinking. A bad combination that will result in not great, high priced berries. High-end quality oranges are the rule right now with higher prices. Lemon supplies are a bit better. Red grape demand is heavy as supermarkets are featuring them while green grapes are in a bit better shape. Cantaloupe and honeydew supplies are in good supply.

Jumbo & x-large asparagus remain tight but demand is lower. Western pepper supplies are tighter but eastern are growing. Eastern prices will drop some. Broccoli is higher and cauliflower supplies continue to be on the tight side. We can expect western cucumbers to be on the high side but eastern supplies are good and getting better. Carrots and celery are stable/lower on good supplies and demand. Romaine and romaine hearts are very tight and prices are higher. As we mentioned last week, iceberg could go up due to romaine shortages. Potatoes are tight in all colors and prices reflect that shortage. Squash from all over is in good supply and prices should be pretty steady. Tomato supplies are growing and demand is low so prices have nowhere else to go but lower. With romaine shortages, this is a good time to consider chopped romaine even with the price increasing, it won’t increase as fast as non-processed product.

PRODUCE EXCHANGE TRENDS

This section of the Newsletter is designed to give a quick overview of the trends of individual items. “Mother Nature’s Decisions” gives more info on the market and “Pics worth a Look” will give approximate up or down % for the week.

Tomatoes – All globe sizes are lower. Grape is lower. Cherry tomatoes are lower.  Plum / Roma tomatoes are lower.

Potatoes – prices are steady to down a little. Red are lower and a decent buy now.

Romaine is way up, Iceberg Lettuce is even and leaf is higher.

Cauliflower is even to a bit lower this week.

Broccoli is up some this week.

Grapes – California red are steady to up slightly and white/green are even to down a bit.

Lemons– prices are steady to a little lower with 140-165 sizes being the better value. 

Strawberries – prices are higher. 

Honeydew Melons – are steady to down a bit this week.

Cucumbers – Prices are even this week.

Peppers – Prices are lower.

Celery – prices are down some.

Cantaloupe – is lower this week.

Corn – prices are down some this week.

Fairly Price Stable Items:  Cabbage, Mushrooms & Onions

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