Note: We have heard from most of the growing regions affected by T.S. Hermine. Fortunately, in Florida, where the storm came on-shore as a hurricane, the plants are young with no fruit or blooms. In Central Florida, it was mainly a rain event. In north Florida and southern Georgia, where the track of the storm was much closer, the fields were located in the southwest quadrant of the storm which was less violent. The winds only got up to around 35 MPH and was mainly a rain event. The biggest concerns from both regions will be bacterial pressures brought on by the rains. It will be several weeks before those affects can be determined. The biggest concern is the fall crop on the eastern shore of Virginia which is expected to start producing toward the first of next week. Fortunately, this area was not hit has hard as we were anticipating. Like all storms that bring a lot of rain, it will be a couple of days or weeks before the full impact can be determined. The same is true for the inland NC and SC fall fields that are currently being harvested. No report was available for the Jersey fields. As was noted last week, practically all of the summer growing regions experienced hotter and wetter than normal weather conditions. We reported how the weather has affected the quality and quantity of various commodities throughout the summer. As we get toward the end of the summer season and the fields continue to experience hot and wet weather and now have gone through a tropical depression, quality and shelf-life remain suspect. Therefore, we suggest that inventories continue to be kept as close as possible.
Tomatoes
East
Rounds- Supplies in the east continue to be light and fragmented. Demand is good. The hot and rainy weather has caused volume and quality to remain spotty. Being a holiday week, some eastern growers are waiting until tomorrow to come out with pricing for the week. We expect rounds to remain steady from last week. The Eastern Shore fall crop is expected to start up this weekend or early next week. We expect volume and quality out of these fields to be below average.
Romas- There is a wide range in FOB prices which correspond to the quality of the fruit. FOB prices for good quality product is up for all sizes and the market continues to be very active.
Grapes- FOB prices are higher again this week for quality fruit and quality continues to more variable.
Cherries- Supplies continue to be generally light as demand has strengthened. FOB prices are up again compared to last week. Quality and shelf-life are variable.
Weather forecasts- NC/TN Mountains: No rain expected until at least the end of the weekend. Unseasonably warm days with highs in the upper 80s to near 90 and lows in the mid-60s. Skies will be mostly sunny. Cooler weather moving in on Sunday. Western SC: Sunny hot days with highs in the low to mid 90s through the weekend. No chance of rain until Sunday. Eastern Shore: Chance of storms tomorrow but little chance of rain after that through the weekend. Daytime highs mostly near 90 with partly cloudy to sunny skies.
West/Mexico
Rounds- Vine-ripes continue to cross primarily at Baja. Few to none are crossing at McAllen. CA mature-green growers continue to harvest. Supplies are light with a wide range in quality. FOB prices on the better quality fruit is slightly higher than last week. We expect to see slightly more volume later this week.
Romas- Supplies continue to come out of Baja and CA with a very wide range in FOB prices which correspond to the quality of the fruit. Few to none are currently crossing at McAllen. Prices on quality fruit is higher from last week on all sizes.
Grapes- Product continue to cross mainly out of Baja. Markets are active with extremely wide ranges in quality and FOB prices. FOB prices are up substantially for quality product.
Cherries- Supplies continue to be light and prices are higher from last week. Quality is fair to good.
Green Bell Pepper
East- FOB prices for Jumbo, Extra-Large, and Large sizes are higher this week and choice grade is generally steady with upward pressures. Too early to tell how the tropical storm rains will affect quality and volume out the southern GA fields.
West- FOB prices are down on all sizes this week. New fields continues to come on-line. Quality thus far remains good.
Yellow Squash
East- The West is determining market FOB prices this week for most dry veg commodities. FOB prices for yellow squash are steady with downward pressure this week as the growing regions remain fragmented. Quality and shelf-life continues to be suspect due to heat and rain.
West- Supplies are still relatively tight and demand remain light. FOB prices are lower from last week. We expect supplies to remain tight until mid-September at which time new fields will begin to produce.
Green Squash
East- Like the yellow squash FOB prices are lower this week on both grades. We continue to harvest fields in NC, MI and the Northeast.
West- FOB prices are down this week. Nogales will start in a light way this week. It will be the 3rd week of September before good volume begins to cross.
Green Beans
Western & Central New York: FOB prices steady no change from last week. Supplies good and quality good.
Cucumbers
East- Supplies are coming mainly from MI. FOB prices are generally steady with some downward pressure this week on all sizes and grades. Our eastern NC fall crop starts this week. We will keep a lookout for bacterial pressures due to the rains.
West- Supplies crossing mainly from Baja and quality is extremely variable. FOB prices are generally higher this week.
Eggplant
East- MI is the main source this week. FOB prices are generally lower on all sizes and grades.
West- FOB prices are lower this week. Quality is good.
Jalapenos
East- FOB prices are steady with downward pressure this week. Sourcing mainly from MI.
West- FOB price are generally steady to higher this week
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