Fresh From The Farm Market information on produce August 9, 2012

1. Fresh From The FarmMarket information on produceAugust 9, 2012 Produce Fact: New crop potatoes must go threw the “Sweat Stage”. This consists of 21- 30 days in storage to toughen up the skins. Potato The potato market continues to tumble, fueled by surpluses as storage crop and new crop overlap. Overall production is up 7.8-percent versus one year ago. New crop Idaho potatoes are available in a wide range of sizes. Prices are steady for the Idaho new crop potatoes, but Idaho Russet Burbank potatoes are very limited and so prices are higher, as a result most shippers have already begun shipping Russet Norkotah potatoes. All major shipping regions (WA, CA, MN, ND, WI) have new crop reds potatoes available. New crop yellow potatoes are available out of every major shipping area. Lettuce Iceberg- supplies are normal and demand is good. Prices and supplies are steady . Field inspectors are seeing some light weights and a few issues with misshaped heads but most suppliers are able to meet the CVF specs. Overall quality is good and good supplies are coming out of Salinas. Romaine & Leaf- Romaine and leaf items are in good supply and market is steady but we are expecting to see an increase in price because of rain in Mexico and excess heat in Michigan and Canada. When these markets can’t produce the supplies needed demand is shifted to the west putting extra pressure on that market, which leads to higher prices. Tomato Overall we can expect to see prices increase because of demand in the East that is not being filled, this is increasing demand on the West; also the weather issues are only adding to the already stressed markets. It is normal for California to have a downward turn in supplies this time of the year. Normally, this isn’t an issue because the Midwest and Southeast are in full product but this year they don’t have the supplies to fill the demand. Carolina and Tennessee continues to struggle with its crop because of excess rain that has hit the states, leading to quality issues. Mexico is running short on Romas and causing pricing to increase. Vine ripe, cherry, and grape tomatoes are still crossing over and we can expect that until October. Onions The new Idaho onion harvest has started and looks to be a good crop. Farmers did plant less this year versus last year but prices should be stable throughout the year. The medium yellow onion market is beginning to soften as more growing regions are starting their harvests. In addition to Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Michigan growers are beginning to ship product. New Mexico is finished with its harvest but California is still going strong with very good quality product available. The jumbo yellow onion market remains strong, due to good demand and shorter supplies but this should change in the next few weeks. Red and white onion prices are climbing on all sizes due to supplies being limited. Medium white onions and jumbo reds are especially limited at the moment. Citrus Oranges- We expect to get through October on Valencia’s and should have a smooth transition into navels the first part of November. The interior quality is excellent with good juice content and excellent sugar. Lemons- Market steady with good supplies of fruit . Chilean and Mexican fruit are on the market which will help the market ease off a bit. The overall quality is fair to good with good color and excellent juice content. Limes- Quality is fair with the effects of the heat and rains taking its tool.  We are seeing lighter color and some yellowing/shading is appearing. The big concern is the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto. We will have further information next week, but look for the market to strengthen this week regardless.

2. Vegetables Peppers-The market is steady on all bells but we are expecting to see prices rise in the next few weeks. Growers are going to have less product on the market but demand is expected to remain stable. In the east overall quality has been good on all peppers. With plenty volume coming out of the Northeast and Carolinas, and Michigan now working its own peppers, the market has softened a bit. Squash- Both prices and demand are increasing on both Italian and Yellow Squash. As a result of low markets and poor quality, reduction in production is being implemented by some growers. Weather has impacted both varieties, especially yellow. Yellow squash has wide range of quality. In the East there is ample volume on squash. The weather has been warmer than average and that means plentiful supplies on both colors. Quality is excellent. Cauliflower- This market is steady to start the week. Light brown spotting continues to be seen sporadically upon arrivals, so please be aware. Supplies are expected to pick up by the end of the week, which should lead to lower prices. Asparagus- The market on Mexican is very active on all sizes and supplies continue to be light at best. Peruvian product continues to be very light in supply as well. Jumbo size continues to be the lightest size for availability. Cucumbers-In the west warm weather is affecting production, which is leading to demand not being filled and pries increasing. New Jersey and Michigan supplies continue to increase with quality being excellent. However, the market has been low over last few days and will continue so until end-of-week Berries Strawberries- Increased demand and poor quality are leading to higher prices. The main CA growing areas are past their peak. We are seeing full color and heavy bruising upon arrival. Nobody is making CVF label at this time. Raspberries- CA has peaked and demand exceeds supplies at this time. Look for the market to be tight for the next few weeks. Quality is reported as fair. Blackberries- This market is still tight, but supplies have caught up with demand. Blueberries- Michigan continues to pack, supplies continue to run light due to the early season weather issues. Good volume is coming out of the Northwest, but they are experiencing high temperatures which are impacting quality. Melons Cantaloupes- This market has hit rock bottom. Supplies are plentiful in the Westside growing region and look to stay that way unless weather changes things. The overall quality is excellent again and sugar levels are recovering from previous weeks. Honeydews- Market steady to strong with fair supplies out of the Westside, the overall quality is very good and demand is excellent keeping the market strong. Expect good supplies of fruit through October. Watermelons- Demand and prices have drop slightly. Demand has lessened on seedless watermelon and quality is also being reported as excellent for both. Production is steady and the product is sweeter due to the hot weather! Fruits Apples- Be prepared for a wild ride in apples! While Washington was poised to bring in a record crop, recent hail has left shippers in a tough position. The US Apple Crop as a whole is going to be less, but final numbers won’t be released until the end of next week. What we do know is Michigan will only harvest 10% of normal volume and New York about 50-70%. Washington will start up on gold varieties next week with additional varieties starting each week after. Avocadoes- Product from California and Peru shows currently aggressive pricing, with good volume available on 48s and larger. The Mexican crop is entering off-bloom crop known as "FlorLoca". This crop is projected to be higher in production than in years past. Later in the year, Mexico will then move to the start of their "new" crop Hass, which begins mid-September. Chilean Hass production is also on the horizon, with official start in September and very few early shipments to arrive within the next two weeks. Stone Fruits- California stone fruit season is still going strong. Peaches, plums and nectarines are currently available in good volume, with great varieties from here on out.