October 13, 2016

OVERVIEW

Garlic,tomatoes,andgrapefruitarealllightinsupplyandweareseeinghighprices.Theberrymarketseemstobebackandforth.Lettuces,saladmixes,broccoli,andcauliremainingoodsupplyandaresteady.Avocadosareinaforcemajeure,pleasereadbelowformoredetails.

MARKET ALERTS

AVOCADOS(FORCEMAJEURE)

GARLIC

GRAPEFRUIT

LEMONS(200CT,QUALITY)

TOMATOES

GOOD BUYS

HERBSIt’sagreattimetoaddHerbstomealsordrinks,flavorsaregreatlyenhancedanditlooksreallygood.Nothingwarmsacoldspellbetterthanabowlofhotsoup.Soupscanbecustomizedandtinkeredwithsothatnotworecipesarethesame,andeventhesamerecipecanbemadeindifferentways.Asageneralrule,addherbstosoupsatthebeginningofthecookingprocess;tounleashthemostflavor,addmoreherbsbeforeserving.

• Parsleyaddsflavorandalovelyaromatovirtuallyanysoup.Potato-basedsoupstakeonasoothing,freshtastewithfreshparsley.

• Oreganohasazestyflavorthatismostprevalentwhenfresh.Tryitwithminestrone,whichcanbemadewithavarietyofveggiesandpastas.

• Basilwillgiveanysquashdishanauthentic,satisfyinglyfreshtaste;tryitinasquashbasedcreamsoupwithgarlicandchickenbroth.

• CilantroiswidelyusedinMediterraneanandIndiancooking.Tryitwithbean-basedsoups,theflavorcanbeenhancedimmensely.

• Dillhasaunique,refreshingflavor.Tryitwithchickennoodlesoup,sprinklesomedillonandhaveasoupwithacrisp,heartytaste.

TRANSPORTATION & WEATHER

TrucksareinadequatesupplyinmostregionsthroughouttheUnitedStates.Availabilityinthenorthwestismoderatelyactivebycomparison.

Thefirstsignificantrainfalloftheseasonisinthelate-weekforecastforCentralCaliforniacoastaldistricts;upwardsofone-halfinchispredictedforSalinas,FridaythroughMonday.LightrainisanticipatedintheSanJoaquinValley.Temperatureswillbebelow-normal,with60salongthecoastand70sinland.Recentcool,cloudyconditionsinSouthernCaliforniawillgivewaytoawarmingtrendnextweek.WarmweatherandplentyofsunshinewillcontinueinthedesertsouthwestandNorthernMainlandMexico,withhighsinthe90s.NorthCarolinacoastaldistrictswerehard-hitbyHurricaneMatthewlastweek,withfloodingresultingfromasmuchas18inchesofrain.DamagetoSouthGeorgiagrowingareas,locatedinland,wasmoderateatmost.Generallyclearskies,accompaniedbyawarmingtrend,areintheforecastfortheCarolinasandGeorgiagoingintonextweek.ThehighlandsofMichoacan,locatedintheavocadogrowingregionofSouthernMexico,willseehighsinthe70swithdailythundershowers.

FRUITS & VEGETABLES AVOCADOSForceMajeure:Theavocadomarkethasbeenexperiencingextremeshortagesandvery

highprices.TherehasbeenvirtuallynoharvestsincetheendofSeptemberduetoongoinggrowerdisputesatthefieldlevel.Tothisdate,westillhavenoresolutiononthegrowerside.Growerswillnotharvestuntiltheyreachsomesortofagreement.ThemainpointsofcontentionremainthesamefromthelaststrikethatoccurredinMexico.Duetothissituationwewillseehigherpricesandashortageinproduct,thisisatruestrikesopleaseknowthatanACTOFGOD/ForceMajeureisineffect.Wewillhaverelativelynoavocadosthiscomingweek.Pleasecontactyourcustomeraccountmanagertoseewhatyourfillratewillbe.Ourgrowersareworkingveryhardtofindaresolutionofsomekind.

BANANASanunseasonablystrongdemandhasdevelopedforgrowersinCentralAmerica,assupplyhasbeendisruptedfromthePhilippines.

BLUEBERRIESBlueberrysuppliesarealittlebetterthantheyhavebeenthelastseveralweeks.TransfersfromChileandCentralMexicohavebeguntoarriveearlierthanexpected.Althoughquantitiescontinuetobelow,alightuptrendinsuppliesisexpectedinthecomingweeks,asvolumefromChileandCentralMexicobecomesourpredominantsourceforblueberries.Orderfillwillimproveinthecomingweeksandthatisouroverallobjective.Chileanblueberryqualityisgoodtoverygood.CentralMexicoblueberryqualityisverygood.

BLACKBERRIESBlackberrysuppliescontinuetodecreaseasproductiontransitionsfromtheendoftheUSregionstothebeginningofregionsinCentralMexico.Thistransitionwillhappeninthenextthreeweeks,withlowsuppliescontinuingforthattimeframe.Therewasaslightimpacttooverallblackberrysuppliesduetothementionedhightemperatures,butwiththearrivalofcoolerweatherweshouldseeharvestschedulesgetbacktonormal.Qualityisgoodtoverygood.

RASPBERRIESRaspberrysuppliesarefinallyshowinganupwardtrend.Thehightemperaturesheldbacksomefruitbutplantsarereleasingnowthattemperatureshavecooled.TheweatherforecastforthenexttwoweekscallsformildtemperaturesforallCaliforniaregions.Thereislightrainforecastingfornextweek,andwewillsendanupdateifthismaterializes.Therehasbeenaslightincreaseinvolume

fromallareasasplantperformanceimprovesandproductiongetsbackonschedule.Qualitycontinuestobegoodtoverygood,withnosignthatberrieswereaffectedbythewarmtemperatures.

STRAWBERRIESStrawberryproductioncontinuestodeclineinthenorthernregions.VolumewasimpactedbytheextremetemperaturesonSunday,Monday,andTuesdayofthisweek.WeareseeingproductionincreaseoutofSantaMariaandbeginoutofOxnard,butvolumefromthesetwogrowingregionswillnotcompensateforthelossofvolumefromthenorthernregions;supplieswillcontinuetodeclineinthecomingweeks.Duetothehightemperaturesintheearlypartofthisweek,qualityonordersshippedwillbemarginal.

CALIFORNIA-ARIZONA CITRUS

GRAPEFRUITGrapefruitisdone.Floridahasverylimitedvolume.Expectverylightsupplyorpotentiallynosupply,withveryhighprices.Texasshouldstartinaweekortwo.

LEMONSWeareseeingshortsupplyon200’swithhighprices.Typically,atthistimeofyearthereisnotalotofbigfruitavailable,andwefindourselvesinshortsupply.Weneedtosizedownbyatleastonesizeandfocuson165’sand200’s.Thisyear,duetotherainthispastwinterandthefavorablegrowingconditions,allwehaveisbigfruit.Weareseeingthismarketslowlyimproveandexpecttoseeitgetbetterinthenextfewweeks.QualityisimprovingandshouldkeepgettingbetteraswegothroughOctober.Weexpectthismarkettoimproveweektoweekgoingforward.

LIMES(PERSIAN)Qualityisgood,pricesarehigher.The110&150ctavailabilityremainstighterthanothersizes.Colorandqualityareverygoodatthistime.

ORANGESValenciasareverytight,especiallythe138ct.NavelswillstartaroundOctober20th-26th.

PINEAPPLEDemandisgoodandpricesarestable.Marketisslowlygettingbetter

CALIFORNIA LETTUCE

GREEN&REDLEAFSuppliesongreenleafarenormal.Weareseeingtheoccasionalfringeburn.Demandisnormalforredleafwithgoodquality.

ICEBERGLETTUCEExpectedtoremainsteadyduetogoodweatherandloweracres.Overallqualityisgood.The100degreeweathercouldpossiblyaffectthequality.

ROMAINESuppliesaregreatanddemandisgood.Therehavebeensomereportsofinsectsandsomefringeburnduetotheheat,weareseeingsomereportsthatproductisbreakingdownfasterthannormalduetotheheat.

ROMAINEHEARTSSuppliesareplentiful!!Demandhasslowedwithqualityremaininggood.

EASTERN & WESTERN VEGETABLES

GREEN&REDBELLPEPPERSNewcropgreenbellpeppersarenowavailableintheCoachellaValleyofCalifornia,alongwithgoodsuppliesintheCentralCaliforniacoastalvalleydistricts(SantaMaria&Gilroy-Hollister).VariousgrowersintheSanJoaquinValleyarewindingdown.Themarketisbecomingmoreactiveforredbellpeppers,withsuppliestighteninginCentralCalifornia.ProductioninCoachellawillnotbeinfullswinguntilmid-November.PricesaresteadyforgreenbellscomingfromSouthGeorgia,asthehurricanedidlittledamagetoinlandgrowingareas.

CUCUMBERSGoodsuppliesinNogalesfromNorthernMainlandMexico(Hermosillo,Sonora).DemandisfirmforcucumbersfromSouthGeorgia.ProductioninwesternNorthCarolinaisbeginningtowinddownfortheseason.

ENGLISHCUCUMBERSContinuedtightavailabilityfromgrowersineasternCanada.SteadyavailabilityfromCentralCaliforniacoastaldistricts;NogalesshipperswillnothaveconsistentsupplyuntilearlyNovember.

GREENBEANSSupplieshavetightenedandpricesaremovinghigherintheeast,asgrowersinNorthCarolinasuffertheeffectsofHurricaneMatthew.Inaddition,awhiteflyinfestationhascausedsignificantcroplossinGeorgia,withnoreliefexpecteduntilDecember,whentheFloridaharvestwillbeinfullswing.AwiderangeinpriceexistsforbeanscomingfromCentral&SouthernCalifornia.

ZUCCHINI&YELLOWSQUASHPlentifulsupplies,withmultiplegrowingareasintheeastandwest.SouthGeorgiaistheprimarydistrictintheeast,andNorthernMainlandMexicointhewest.

ACORN,BUTTERNUT&SPAGHETTISQUASHSteadyavailabilityfromNorthernMainlandMexicoonacorn;spaghettiandbutternutareintightsupply.

MANGOESSupplyisabundant,pricesarerisingslightly,andqualityisgood.

MELONS

Californiaseasonalproductioniswindingdownandshouldbecompletedwithinthenexttendays.Largersizedmelonswillbeextremelyshortwithmostfieldsproducingmid-sizedfruit,12/15sprimarily.CaribbeanGoldistheseedvarietybeingusedsoqualitywillremaingooduntiltheend.Arizonaproductionhasbeenveryslowtostart.Earlyfieldsinthedesertarealsoleaningheavilytowards12/15s,solargerfruitwillbeshortthereaswell.

Honeydew:Honeydewsupplyshortenedup,causingaquickpushintheCaliforniamarket.Arizonaproductionhascomeonoverthelast48hoursaswellasMexicansupplycrossingthroughNogales.CaliforniasizingisheavyonthesmallerfruitwhileearlyArizonafieldsareproducinglargersizes.Supplyisanticipatedtobesteadywithnotmuchchangeinthemarketexpectedoverthenextweek.

WATERMELONSQualityisgoodtoaverage.Weareseeingthismarkettightenup,astheraininSChasslowedharvests.WewillbetransitioningtoMexicosoon.

HERBSSuppliesoffreshherbsarelookingreallygoodandshouldremainsteadythroughoutthemonthofOctober.

Cilantro:Weareseeingmuchimprovementinthismarket.Priceshavecomedownandqualityisgood.

HERBS

HERB SUPPLIES QUALITY COUNTRYOFORIGIN

Arugula Good Good USA

Basil Good Good USA/MEXICO

OpalBasil Good Good USA/MEXICO

ThaiBasil Good Good USA/MEXICO

BayLeaves Good Good COLUMBIA

Chervil Good Good USA

Chives Good Good USA/MEXICO

Cilantro Good Good USA

Dill Good Good USA/MEXICO

Episode Good Good MEXICO

Lemongrass Good Good USA

Marjoram Steady Good USA

Mint Good Good USA

Oregano Good Good USA

ItalianParsley Good Good USA

Rosemary Limited Good USA

Sage Good Good USA/MEXICO

Savory Good Good USA

Sorrel Good Good USA

Tarragon Good Good MEXICO

Thyme Good Good USA

LemonThyme Good Good USA

Lavender Good Good USA

LimeLeaves Good Good USA

HoraSanta Good Good USA

ARTICHOKESWeexpectgoodsuppliesofArtichokesthisweek.Suppliesindustry-widehaveincreased.Bettervolumeisexpectedforthenextfewweeks.Demandisoffabit,typicalforthesummer.Pricesaresteadytoloweronsomesizes.

ARUGULASuppliesofbothbabyandwildarugulaaregood.Qualityisfairbutimproving.

ASPARAGUSThemarketisstableandqualityisgood.

BOKCHOYAvailabilityisgood.

BROCCOLISuppliesaremuchlowerthisweek.Pricesaresteady.Goodgreencolorandtexture.

BRUSSELSPROUTSThemarketisimproving.Suppliesaregettingbetter.Qualityisgood,althoughthereisoccasionalinsectdamageanddiscoloration.

CARROTSGreatqualityandgoodsupply!

CAULIFLOWERSuppliesaregood.Qualityisgoodwithgoodweight,andwhitetocreamycolor.

CELERYSuppliesareplentiful,withmanygrowersinSalinasnow.Qualityisgoodandpricesarelow.Somelightinsectdamageandlightdirtinbottomofstalks.

CORNMidwestSweetisstillavailablebutthepriceshavegoneupandstabilized.Qualityisstillgoodbutproductionwillbefinishingupoverthenextfewweeks.NewCropGeorgiaSweetCornwillbestartingnextweek,withFloridatofollowsoonafter.ColoradoCornisstillavailable,finishingupinOctober.

FENNELSuppliesfortheweekwillbegood.

GARLICCaliforniaiscurrentlyharvestingtheircrops,howevertheCAcropisstillverytight.Wehavemoredemandthanwedosupply.Weexpectthismarkettoremainprettytight,aswearesimplynotproducingasmuchUSgarlicasthemarketdemands.Thismarket’sfutureiscurrentlyupintheair.WewillknowmoreasChinesegarliccomesintoplay.

GINGERChinesegingerisingoodsupplyandisbeingofferedatasubstantialdiscountcomparedtotheGingerfromBrazil.

GREENCABBAGECoolernightsandshorterdayswillhavevolumedownoncabbage.Steadythisweek.Pricesareclimbingabit;qualityisgoodwithsomereportsofinsects.

GREENONIONSThemarketisimproving.Wearestillseeingaveryhighpercentageofsmallsbeingpacked.Pricesaremoderateandsuppliesaregettingbetter.

KALE(GREEN)Demandissteadyandqualityisaverage,weareseeingmildewinthisproduct.

MACHEAdequateavailability.

NAPASuppliesaregood.Demandisstrongwithlowerprices.Qualityisgood,withincreasedreportsofinternaldefects,primarilywithseeders.Pricesarehigh.

PARSLEY(CURLY,ITALIAN)Pricesarenormalandqualityisexcellent.

RADISHESQualityisgood!Plentifulsupply.

REDCABBAGEQualityandsizinghasbeengreat,withgoodcolor.Overall,themarketisstrong.

SNOW&SUGARSNAPPEASSnowandsugarsnappeasarestillinhighdemand.Qualityisgood.

BABYSPINACHBabySpinachandClippedSpinachsuppliesarelight.Qualityisfairtogood.Pricesaregood.Somereportsofinsects.

BUNCHEDSPINACHSupplyisgoodanddemandisstrong.Qualityhasimproved.Wearestillseeingsomesunscaldingandtipburn,butthishasimproved.Therehavebeensomereportsofinsects,butthisisgettingbetter.

ONIONSTheonionmarkethashadasluggishfeel,assupplieshaveoutpaceddemand.Thesizeprofilesaregettinglargerandtherehasbeenasurplusoncolossalandsupercolossalyellows.Growersarestartingtofinishharvestingandareexpectedtofinishentirelyinthenext7-10days.Onionswillbeexclusivelycomingoutofstorageandmoregrowerswillbeginshippingrailcarsatthispoint.

POTATOES(IDAHO)Thestateshouldbefinishedbytheendoftheweekwith98%ofthecropundercover.Overalltheharvestwascompletedwithouttoomanyheadaches.Therewasaslightraindelayforacoupleofdays,butnomajorheatorcoldweathertoharmthecrop.Thebignewsisthatwewillstore7.4millionmoresacksofthiscropthanlastyear.Thisisaverylargeincreaseandthestatewillhavetoworkveryhardtomovethiscropinanorderlyfashion.Demandontheretailsidehasbeenverygood,withthecropof70ctthroughthe100ctfair.Demandforthelargersizecartons,40/60ct,hasbeenpoor.Thereisalargeamounttomove,atleastintheNorkotahcrop.TheBurbankcrophasagoodmixwithallsizes,notoverwhelmedwith40/60'slikeyouhaveintheNorkotah's.Wedonotseethismarkethavinganysignificantmovementafterthiscropisundercover.Nomajortransportationissuestoreport.

TOMATOES

East:• Rounds-Suppliesintheeastcontinuetoremainlightthisweek,dueto

ongoingproductionGAPSandshortfalls.Expecttoseesomereliefinthenext

COMMODITY PRICE EXPECTEDPRICETREND QUALITY

Avocados-California

2-3weeksfromproductioninQuincy,FLFOBpricesarehighertodayandqualitycontinuestobeachallengeduetoweather-relatedpressures.

• Roma–Suppliesarelimitedandqualityisonlyfair.ExpecthigherFOB’s.• Grapes–Supplieshavetakenadownwardturn,withpricesrising.Qualityisfair

duetoweather-relatedimpacts.• Cherries-SuppliesarelighterthisweekandFOBpricesareup.Qualityisfairdueto

weatherrelatedimpacts.West/Mexico:WillseeincreaseddemandandhigherFOB’sinthewestasinventoriesintheeastwinddown.

• Rounds-Vine-ripeproductionisunchangedfromBajaandCentralMexico.Californiamaturegreengrowerswillcontinuetoseesomeongoingissueswithqualityandcolorweektoweek,duetoweather-relatedimpacts,aswellasoverallvolumedecreasingasthesummercropwindsdown.FOBpriceshavetickedupwardsduetotheincreaseddemandfortheeast.

• Romas-SuppliesareslowtoimproveoutofsouthernBaja.Stillseeingsomeweather-relatedqualityissuespost-harvestandexpectthattodeclineoverthenext10-14days.Californiasuppliesaredownthisweek.Noongoingqualityorcolorissues,FOBpriceswillincreaseconcurrenttoEastCoastdemand.

• Grapes–Suppliesaredownduetolowproductionandweather-relatedqualityissues.FOBpricesarehigherthisweek.

• Cherries-FOBpriceswillremainhigh,qualityisgood.

TREEFRUIT-Seasonhasended

WASHINGTONAPPLES&PEARS

NewYork/EastCoast

• overallcropisupslightly• growingconditionshavebeenfavorable• sizeprofileunknown,possiblysmalltomedium(duetothefreezeinApril)• harvestingonscheduleformidtolateAugustwhichisnormaltime

Michigan(26-28millioncases)

• overallcropup(possiblysignificantly)• growingconditionsveryfavorable• sizeprofilemediumtolarge• harvestingisontime,midtolateAugust

Washington(150millioncases)

• overallcropupsignificantly• growingconditionsextremelyfavorable• harvestinginthreeweeks(about3weeksearly)• Foodservicetypeappleswill,yearoveryear,continuetobeavailablebuteachtimein

lessandlessquantity.Smallersupplyisgoingtocausehigherdemandwhichinturndrivescostsup.

COMMODITY PRICE EXPECTEDPRICETREND QUALITY

Avocados-Mexican HIGH VariesbySize Good

Blackberries Moderate Steady Good

Blueberries Moderate Steady Good

Raspberries Moderate Steady Good

Strawberries Moderate Steady Good

Grapefruit Moderate Steady Good

Lemons Moderate UP Good

Limes High Steady Excellent

Oranges-Navels Navels Good Good-Navs

Pineapple Moderate Steady Good

GreenandRedLeaf Good Down Good

Iceberg Moderate Up Fair

Romaine Moderate Down Good

RomaineHearts Moderate UP Good

Eastern&WesternVegetables

Cucumbers Moderate UP Excellent

GreenBeans EXTREME Steady Excellent

GreenBellPeppers Moderate Up Good

RedBellPeppers Moderate UP Good

YellowSquash Moderate UP Good

Zucchini Moderate UP Good

Grape&TreeFruit

Grapes-GreenSeedless High Down Good

Grapes-RedSeedless ModeratetoHigh

Down Good

Plums Moderate Steady Good

Melons

Cantaloupes Good Steady Good

Honeydew High Steady Good

COMMODITY PRICE EXPECTEDPRICETREND QUALITY

MixedVegetables

Artichokes Good Steady Excellent

Arugula Good Steady Good

Asparagus Good Down Good

BokChoy Good Steady Good

Broccoli Low Steady Good

Carrots High Steady Good

Cauliflower Low Up Good

Celery VeryHigh Down Good

Frisbee Moderate Steady Good

Fennel/Anise Moderate Steady VeryGood

Garlic,Peeled High Steady Good

GreenCabbage High Steady Excellent

GreenOnions Moderate Up Fair

Kale(Green) Low Steady VeryGood

Mache Moderate Steady Good

Napa Moderate Up Fair

Parsley(Curly/Italian) Moderate Up VeryGood

RedCabbage Moderate Steady Excellent

SnowandSugarSnapPeas Steady Up PoortoFair

Spinach(baby) Low Steady Good

Spinach(bunched) Low Steady Good

SpringMix Low Steady Good

Onions

Red Moderate Up Good

White Moderate Lower Good

Yellow Moderate Lower Good

Potatoes(Idaho)

IdahoRussets Variable Steady Good

Tomatoes

Round,Grape Moderate Steady Good

Romas Moderate Steady FairtoGood

COMMODITY PRICE EXPECTEDPRICETREND QUALITY

WashingtonApples&Pears

RedandGoldenDelicious,GrannySmiths,Pinks Steady Steady Good

GoldenDelicious,Fuji–NewCrop Steady Steady Good

Galas,Honeycrisp–NewCrop,D’Anjous,BoscPears High Up Good

BartlettPears Moderate Steady Good

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