Dry Vegetable Market Report For Week of May 2, 2016
Tomatoes
East
• Rounds- Nearly perfect tomato growing weather since Valentine’s Day has created a bumper central Florida crop in terms of both quality and quantity. Demand is still relatively weak but is showing signs of improving. Supply will easily be able to keep pace. In fact, we see strong supplies for at least the next 20 or more days. FOB prices have fallen to near floor levels and are the same for all sizes. Some western re-packers continue pulling from Florida. In the next week or two, we may see the large sized tomatoes be more plentiful than the smaller sized fruit which would lead to an inverted market where the smaller fruit becomes more expensive than the larger fruit. Quality is excellent.
• Romas- Like the rounds, yields from our roma fields have improved. FOB prices are down again this week for all sizes. Quality is excellent.
• Grapes- Excellent supplies continue to put downward pressures on FOB prices. Quality is very good to excellent.
• Cherries- Supplies continue to increase and FOB prices have fallen again to near floor levels. Quality is very good.
• Weather forecast- Ruskin: Continued good tomato growing weather is forecasted. Partly cloudy to sunny skies most days for the next week with highs in the upper-80s to low 90s and lows in the upper-60s to 70. There is a good chance of afternoon thunderstorms on Wednesday.
West/Mexico
• Rounds- Not as much has changed in the west as it has in the east. Vine-ripes continue to cross at McAllen and Nogales and continue to start up in Baja. Sizing continues to be smaller and little large fruit is available. Therefore, FOB prices for the larger sizes remain at a premium compared to the smaller sizes which remain at or near Suspension Agreement minimums. We will see changes in the up coming weeks as mature greens will begin to be harvested for the first time in over a month.
• Romas- Good supplies from several growing regions coupled with light demand continues to keep FOB prices are at or near Suspension Agreement minimums. Quality is very good.
• Grapes- Good supplies out of Nogales and Baja are keeping the FOB prices of grapes at low levels. The quantity and quality of the fruit crossing at Nogales is not as good as that crossing from Baja.
• Cherries- FOB prices at Nogales are at or near Suspension Agreement minimums but the quality is only fair. Cherries crossing at Baja are bringing higher FOB prices but has much better quantity.
Green Bell Pepper
East- Increase supplies from Florida and Mexico continue to cause FOB prices to fall on all sizes and grades. Quality is very good.
West- Demand is soft. Supplies are plentiful from Nogales and from the desert and FOB prices are down again this week. The desert product continues to bring higher FOB prices due to its better quality.
Yellow Squash
East- FOB prices remain at low levels. Supplies are plentiful and product is being harvested from Homestead, FL to south GA. Quality is variable but good quality can be found.
West- FOB prices are seeing downward pressure. Quality is generally good. Crossings continue at Nogales.
Green Squash
East- Like the yellow, FOB prices remain at low levels this week. Quantity is good.
West- Crossings continue at Nogales. FOB prices remain at or close to floor levels. Quality remains good. Demand is generally weak.
Green Beans - Florida supplies and quality still continue to be the best area to load. Coachella supplies continue to improve and soon will be in full swing. Mexico is coming to a close.
Cucumbers- East- Our Florida growers continue in full production and supplies are strong. FOB prices for supers continue to see downward pressure. Selects are generally steady with only slight downward pressure. Quality is good.
West- Product continues to cross at Nogales at good levels. FOB prices remain at near floor levels. Baja has begun to harvest. We expect FOB prices to remain low through April.
Eggplant
East- A few more supplies are coming online which is causing FOB prices to drop Quality of eggplant remains good.
West- Supplies have increased and FOB prices have responded downward. Quality is variable.
Jalapenos
East- FOB prices are generally steady. Quality is good.
West- FOB prices are down again this week as supplies remain strong.