November 1, 2016
 

STRAWBERRY ALERT!
Demand is exceeding supply. The industry is increasingly limited due to the recent weather in California coupled with the annual crop transition is leaving the fresh market severely short. After another round of rain this past weekend, Watsonville and Salinas are all but finished for the season. Santa Maria harvests will be limited this week as plants are being cleaned-up and stripped of water-damaged fruit. Oxnard has begun, but production has not ramped up as expected due to the cool and wet weather in that region. With the current challenges in all California growing regions, we are expecting a significant shortage for at least 2-3 weeks and will not see much relief until Mexican production has ramped up and with the start of Florida production at the end of November. Central Mexico production should ramp up in the next 2-3 weeks. Florida production is estimated to begin around the end of November.

THE SOURCE.
Stay informed on how weather and other conditions across the country and the globe affect the quality, availability, and price of you fresh fruits and vegetables.

ALERT! Avocados:  Mexico has been harvesting steadily now for 2 weeks, and fruit is getting to forward shipping points across the country almost daily, but the industry is still short of the needed supplies to fill the demand. Fruit size coming out of Mexico is skewed heavier the smaller sizes of 70s/84s/ 60s and starting to see the market easy off on these sizes. The 48s/40s size remains an real issue, and still very tight with strong pricing and may be a couple of weeks still before we start catching up on them. Preconditioned and ripe fruit orders will continue to be slow coming back in rotation in the ripe rooms until the supply pipeline fully rights itself over the next 2 weeks.
 
Broccoli:    Increasing demand has trended this market higher. Quality has been very nice with little dehydration and yellowing.
 
Brussels Sprouts:  Brussels sprout supplies are steady. As it gets closer to Thanksgiving, the market to take off. Quality is excellent with all sizes and vibrant green color.
   
Kale:    Supplies remain abundant, the market is steady as well, and quality has been excellent with minimal yellowing and dehydration.
 
Iceberg Lettuce:  Quality is much better out of California. Yuma began this week.
  
Leaf Lettuce:   This market is fluctuating. Quality issues in northern and southern California on romaine, romaine hearts, and all leaf items have been reported. The continued industry-wide issues include: sclerotinia, mildew, twisting, some insect damage, fringe, and tip burn. Weights on romaine are average 28- 33 lbs. Red, green, and butter leaf have had lighter weights reported. Yuma will begin today on romaine. Early reports indicate seeder of 3-4 inches.

Raspberries:  Raspberry supplies are steady with good production volumes out of Southern California and Mexico. Production is peaking over the coming weeks. Quality has been good.
 
Stone Fruit:  The last of the red and black plum supplies will stretch out over the next 2 weeks. Sizes and loading locations are limited. Quality seems to be holding strong on the late season fruit. Market prices have been escalated but steady. Chilean import fruit is expected to start Early January.
 
 

YOUR LOCAL UPDATE.
Seashore has partnered with the region's best growers to provide you with premium locally-sourced commodities!



  
 
 
Currently Available:
      
New York State Apples
 Varieties include: Courtland, Empire, Gala, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, and Macoun.
 
Cabbages, Herbs, Kale,  Lettuces, Peppers, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, & more!
Sourced from premier local growers.

Red, White, & Yukon Gold Potatoes
Sourced from Huntsinger Farms* in Hegins, PA.
 
Hydro Bibb Lettuce
Sustainability grown Butter Valley Harvest* in Bally, PA
Available all year round!

Fresh Mushrooms
"MJB Mushrooms" Avondale, PA / available all year round!
 
 

Pumpkins and Autumn Ornamentals are now available... and sourced locally!
 
* Huntsinger Farms and Butter Valley Harvest are both "local partners" in our sustainability initiative-- Green Fields Together. For more information, please visit:  www.greenerfieldstogether.org  

  
 
The Region's Leading Source
for Local Produce.

 

Customer Service- 609.345.3229

sales@seashoreeast.com

 

I hope you found this communication informative.
Send your questions or comments to: LizG@seashoreeast.com