UPDATE SUMMARY: WEEK OF APRIL 22, 2021

Bell Peppers
Green Bells

Mexican stocks are ample
Florida is seeing lower volume this week due to rain; muddy fields are delaying harvests
California yields are increasing and set to replace the bulk of West Coast supplies within two weeks; medium sizes are scarce
Expect lower markets for this week

Red Bells

Mexican production has dropped slightly as many growers harvested red pepper crops for the last two weeks and sold them on the high-priced green bell market
Canadian greenhouse growers are expecting lighter yields over next two weeks, further increasing demand in Mexico
Prices are high
Quality is good

Broccoli

Expect low prices and plentiful stocks for the next 10 to 14 days
Mexican-grown broccoli (crossing into South Texas) has transitioned into the Northern Guanajuato region
Overall quality is very good: hollow core is a minor issue that is common at this time of year due to warm spring weather
Demand is moderate; prices are expected to remain weak

California Strawberries
Oxnard/Santa Maria, California

Up to .25” of rain is forecast for this Sunday, April 25 and Monday, April 26 along with lower temperatures; these factors could potentially affect Monday’s harvest
Quality is good, but the ripening process is slow

Salinas/Watsonville

Volume is low as the season is just starting to come into play
Supplies are expected to ramp up in late May, barring any unusual weather events

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf and romaine prices will remain steady through the end of April; demand is moderate
Iceberg markets are active this week but expected to stabilize next week as supplies increase in Salinas and Santa Maria, California; demand continues to strengthen weekly
Quality is very good: minor internal burn, sunscald, and wind damage are present in some lots
Iceberg weights remain inconsistent but have increased on average

Limes

Mexican shipments (crossing through South Texas) are below normal
- Wet weather has curtailed harvesting as this week gets started
- Growers are also holding back additional limes to keep prices elevated through Cinco de Mayo
110- and 150-count sizes are scarce; few suppliers are quoting prices
Prices are slightly higher across the board
Expect elevated markets through May

Mixed Berries
Blueberries

Prices will remain elevated until production in Georgia, Southern California, and Florida ramps up in early May
The Chilean season is finished
Harvesting is past its peak in Central Mexico; stocks continue to diminish
New crop harvesting will begin in Georgia and Southern California by the end of this month
Florida is getting started in a limited way; production was delayed due to unfavorable weather

Raspberries

Pricing will remain active due to tight supplies and reduced harvesting
Cool weather hindered harvesting and tightened supplies in Central Mexico, Baja, and Oxnard; stocks were expected to increase, but plants are producing fewer berries due to reduced maturity
Supplies will remain tight through late May, at which point crops are expected to ramp up in Central Mexico, Baja, and Northern California

Blackberries

Supplies are slowly increasing as the industry enters peak season; markets will gradually decline over the next 7 to 10 days
Central Mexico is the primary growing region; plants are producing as planned

Idaho Potatoes

Expect Norkotah stocks to be depleted by mid-May
40- to 70-count potatoes will remain tight through the rest of the 2020/2021 season
Burbanks are typically smaller than Norkotahs, with crops dominated by 80- and 90-count sizes
A seven-day lead time is recommended, especially for orders consisting of large sizes

Onions
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

White onions are nearly depleted; stocks will be extremely sporadic as the season concludes
Expect diminishing quality in storage shipments as the season begins to wrap up

California

California fresh-run onions will have feathery skins and light color/exterior compared to Northwest storage onions
Markon First Crop Onions will start shipping next week

Texas

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