Market Trends: Week of 01 August, 2016



Rounds- Supplies in the east continue to be fragmented and light.  Demand is also relatively light which is keeping supplies and demand in equilibrium and FOB prices steady from last week.  In the near future we may be some upward pressure on prices to keep in step with the western market. The east continues to have to go west to meet demand. Due to the heat and afternoon storms quality continues to be only fair to good. AL, AK, VA, SC and NC fields continue to produce.  

Romas- Like the rounds, roma supplies are light and fragmented in the east. Quality is variable and weaker this week due to the heat and storms.  FOB prices are steady on XL and L sizes and up slightly on the medium size.

Grapes- Good supplies are being harvested from our NC and VA eastern shore fields. FOB prices have continued to drop this week and quality continues to be good.

Cherries- Supplies and demand continue to generally light.  FOB prices are down slightly compared to last week. Quality is good.

Weather forecast- NC/TN Mountains: A little cooler with daytime highs in the mid to upper 80s through early next week.  Lows will be generally in the mid to upper 60s.  A chance of storms everyday with the chances increasing going into the weekend and into next week. Western SC:  Partly cloudy to mostly sunny and continued hot with highs in mid 90s.  A chance of storms everyday with the chances increasing toward the end of the weekend and into next week.


Rounds- Vine-ripes continue to cross at Baja and McAllen. CA mature-green growers continue to harvest but are currently picking only three days a week.  It has been extremely hot for the past seven straight days with highs between102-108 each day.  We expect day time highs to continue to exceed 100 degrees through Friday.  Quality of the mature greens is variable and continues to deteriorate. However, the real effects of these extreme temperatures will not be seen for another 45 days.  We expect both quality and quantity to suffer around the first of September. There is currently a wider than normal range in FOB prices corresponding to the quality being sold.

Romas- Supplies continue to come out of Baja and CA. Demand is sluggish.  Like the rounds, quality is not as good as it has been and is much more variable. There is a wider than normal range in FOB prices and are generally down from last week for all sizes.

Grapes- Supplies continue mainly out of Baja with very good volume. We continue to see a wide range in quality. FOB prices are variable (depending on quality) but are down again this week.

Cherries- FOB prices are steady this week.  Quality is fair to good.


Green Bell Pepper

East- Good supplies and weak demand is causing FOB prices to fall again this week.  Supplies continue to be fragmented with supplies coming from NC to MI.  Quality is generally very good.

West- Supplies continue to be weak but demand is even weaker.  FOB prices are down on all grades compared to last week.


Yellow Squash

East- Supplies, demand and FOB prices remain generally steady from last week.  Quality is generally good.

West- Slight upward pressure on FOB prices this week.  Quality is variable but continues to improve.


Green Squash

East- Strong supplies continue and FOB prices are generally steady with downward pressure on both grades.  We continue to harvest fields in SC, NC, MI and the Northeast. Quality is very good.

West- FOB prices are generally steady this week. Supplies are coming from Santa Maria andWashington fields. Quality is good.



East- MI, NY and NJ are seeing strong supplies. Demand continues to be sluggish.  Growers in MI are letting their older fields go due to the low market prices.  FOB prices are steady at low levels with continued downward pressure.

West- Supplies coming from Baja and quality is extremely variable. FOB prices are generally lower on all grades and sizes compared to last week.



East- Better supplies have put downward pressure on FOB prices. Quality of eggplant is very good.

West- FOB prices are down again this week.  Quality is good.



East- FOB prices are down this week.  Quality continues to be generally good.

West- FOB prices are steady with upward pressure.