December 20, 2018

 

Commodity Updates

    

 AVOCADOS

The demand is light as there is an abundance of fruit in the pipeline. Mexican fruit is ripening nicely and continues to improve as we progress into the peak of the Mexican season (March/April). There is a good supply on the trees to feed the Super Bowl demand.

      

BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER

The broccoli market has started to adjust downward as supplies have picked up.

   

ALERT!  CELERY

Transition-related light harvests and wet weather has lead to demand exceeding supplies; 

pricing is escalated on valued-added items.    

  

GRAPES

Domestic grapes are finishing up; imports have started. By the new year, we expect improved supplies and prices.

   

ALERT!  LETTUCES

Romaine has reached rock bottom pricing, yet customers are shying away.

Iceberg supplies have finally caught up with demand. Supplies currently exceed demand with schools going on winter break. Escalated prices on value-added item should be coming down soon. Case weights have also picked up, currently 40-44 lbs.

Tender Leaf (spring mix, arugula, and baby spinach) with demand coming down over the holidays, suppliers are catching up despite the recent cold weather in Yuma, AZ.  
  

  ORANGES

California Navels are plentiful; quality is excellent. Cara Caras & Blood Oranges supplies are light, but will improve over the next few weeks.

    

PEAK SEASON  PEARS

 Bartlett, Bosc, and Red Pears are abundant with excellent quality.

      

ALERT!  PINEAPPLES

Industry-wide, we're anticipating tighter supplies now through January. "Basal Staining" in Costa Rica is significantly affecting supplies from this growing region.  Basal Staining causes a discolored ring around the base of the pineapples causing too much moisture in the soil from previous heavy rains. Shippers have stepped up their selection process for packing to ensure the best quality arrives, this will cause lower volumes moving

forward. (Ecuador and Nicaragua are not experiencing this quality defect, but their production will not be able to fill the supply gap from Costa Rica.) The timing of this situation, unfortunately coincides with Christmas Demand. Volumes should gradually increase as we move through the first quarter of 2019.

     

STONE FRUITS

Imported stone fruits are just starting to become available. Quality is good. Prices are high, but will come down over the next couple weeks as shipments increase.

   

 ALERT!  STRAWBERRIES

Supplies are extremely limited and pricing is escalated. We expect this to last through the holidays and improve after the new year. Avoid use. If you have to use strawberries, keep in mind that quality and shelf-life are not up to par. Mexico is exporting sporadic amounts of strawberries. The Florida berry harvest has been severely curtailed by intermittent periods of heavy rains over the past week with more on the way.

  

ALERT!  TOMATOES

Cool weather last week coupled with forecasts for more chilling weather this week has

developed a market where mediocre supply is expected for at least another week. The

weather has also impeded quality causing softer tomatoes as fruit continues to ripen after harvest. The Roma tomato market is beginning showing signs of recovery. Immokalee/Naples farm operations are beginning to ramp up operations but will not have any significant volume until late December providing for a steady marketplace through the end of the month.

 

 

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Holiday Hours

     

Seashore will be Closed:

   Christmas Day and New Year's Day

  

  If Tuesday is your scheduled delivery day, you may place an order for the prior Monday or the following Wednesday, which ever is most convenient for you.  

  

As always, orders can be placed online at www.SEASHOREEAST.com

or via our voicemail system 609-345-3229.   

 

Inclement Weather Reminder

 

Should you not be able to accept an order due to inclement weather,

 please contact us. Alerting us to cancellations allows us to safely re-route our drivers, keep them moving, and get them home to their families.

 

   Outside of normal business hours, you may leave a message in our ordering mailbox at 609-345-3229 or email [email protected]

Order Online:  www.SEASHOREEAST.com

Customer Service:  609-345-3229 or [email protected]