Tomatoes
East
• Rounds- Supplies continue to be light. As previously reported, adverse growing conditions in the Quincy region due to weather and a white-fly issue has caused much lighter than normal yields out of those fields. Quality also continues to be variable and shelf-life suspect. Sizing remains on the minimum side of specs. Pricing in the east continues to be dictated by the west. FOB prices for eastern round tomatoes are up again this week with the larger sizes increasing the most. We expect the Ruskin region to start harvesting toward the end of next week but yields will be very light until we get into the 3rd plantings which we forecast will be around the middle of November. Therefore, western yields will continue to dictate the eastern market. We do not see much improvement in quality and shelf-life until that time. We advise to keep inventories as tight as possible until then.
• Romas- Unlike rounds, the supply of romas has increased in both the east and the west.Therefore, FOB prices are lower this week on all sizes by a couple of dollars. A few growers in Immokalee have begun to harvest in a light way. Quality is variable.
• Grapes- Supplies are still tight but is are able to meet demand at current prices. Therefore, little to no change in FOB prices this week. Quality continues to be variable.
• Cherries- Supplies continue to be light and FOB prices are up slightly from last week. Quality and shelf-life continue to be variable.
• Weather forecasts- Quincy, FL: Mostly sunny days with highs in 80s until this weekend. Highs will be in the 70s over the weekend. Lows will be in the 60s until Friday night. Temperatures will drop in the 40s Friday and Saturday. Little to no chance of rain until next week. Ruskin, FL: Mostly sunny skies through the weekend with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s. Little chance of rain into next week.
West/Mexico
• Rounds- Vine-ripes continue to cross at Baja, Nogales and McAllen. Supplies should continue to cross at Baja until mid-November at which time more volume should begin to cross at Nogales. CA mature-green growers are expected to continue to harvest for no more than two more weeks. Quality and shelf-life of this product remains variable and suspect.
As forecasted last week, the growing regions did receive some rainfall over the weekend but had little detrimental effect on harvesting. Sunny skies have returned. FOB prices are seeing continued upward pressure, especially for the better quality product. Prices for the largest sizes crossing from MX are also higher compared to last week. Volume is light and we expect it to remain so until January when the Culiacon crop should begin.
• Romas- Supplies are more plentiful this week. Product continues to be available out of Baja and CA with a wide range in FOB prices which correspond to the quality of the fruit. Supplies are tight out of CA but Baja and new product crossings at Nogales is putting downward pressure on FOB prices.
• Grapes- Sourcing primarily from Baja. Quality is extremely variable. Supplies are tighter andFOB prices are up from last week for the better quality fruit.
• Cherries- Supplies remain extremely tight and market FOB prices remain generally steady from last week. Quality is fair to good.
Green Bell Pepper
East- Product remains plentiful this week with the southern GA and FL crops in full production. FOB prices are generally steady with continued downward pressures. Quality is good.
West- FOB prices are lower again this week as more supply comes online. Quality remains good.
Yellow Squash
East- FOB prices are generally steady from last week. Supplies are fragmented all up and down the eastern seaboard. Quality is variable but improving.
West- Crossings have begun at Nogales. Supplies continue to be plentiful causing FOB prices to be lower again this week. Quality is good.
Green Squash
East- FOB prices are generally steady this week. Quality continues to be generally good.
West- FOB prices are lower again this week on all grades and sizes. Crossings at Baja and Nogales. Quality is good.
Cucumbers
East- Harvesting continues in the south GA and FL fields and FOB prices are generally steady from last week with upward pressures on supers and downward pressures on selects. The FL crop is better quality.
West- Supplies have improved with product crossing at Baja and Nogales. Prices are down againthis week on all grades and sizes.
Eggplant
East- FOB prices are steady with downward pressure. Quality is good.
West- FOB prices are seeing downward pressure this week. Rains in Fresno is causing quality concerns. Nogales crossings should begin mid-November.
Jalapenos
East- FOB prices are steady with downward pressures this week. Quality is good.
West- FOB price are generally steady this week. Quality is good.
Beans
East- Extremely light yields from the GA fields due to the white fly. FOB prices are up again. We see high market conditions continuing for another week at which time we should start to see some relief as new fields start to produce.
West- Supplies remain tight and FOB prices are higher from last week. Supplies in the west will continue to be tight for the next 30 or so days.