Produce Alerts

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August 2020 Fresh Produce Distribution Recap

According to weekly reports by National Produce Consultants, August fresh produce distribution was good overall, at least during the first half of the month. Fresh produce item alerts never went past six in a single week and good quality was reported among the rest. Things changed for the second half of August though, with California suffering from extreme heatwaves and the East Coast dealing with the repercussions of Hurricane Isaias. 

Potatoes began their transition to northern states, which heavily impacted quality and supply all month. Low yields on mixed berries continued throughout the month due to California being the primary producer and Mexico’s supply did not start until the last week of August. The biggest issue was of course the California wildfires, adding to the heatwaves the state was experiencing, the wildfires negatively influenced half a dozen fresh produce items. 

Fresh Produce Watch

Affected By CA Wildfires

Broccoli – Brussel Sprouts – Cauliflower – Celery – Iceberg

Affected By Hurricane Isaias

Cucumber – Tomatoes – Summer Squash

Other Issues

Romaine Lettuce (Quality) – Potatoes (Transition) – Limes (Weather) – Chinese Garlic (Import Issues) – Strawberries (Low Yields) – Corn (Weather) – Mixed Berries (Low Yields)

For the full reports, click here.

What to Expect at Your Local Fresh Produce in September

Containing the wildfires in California will be crucial in trying to minimize the impact on not only the food distribution chain but also on the overall environment of the state and preserving its nature. COVID-19 continues to be a major issue in the fresh produce industry as food distribution will have to continue to adjust and adapt now that schools, universities, and restaurants are continuing to reopen across the country. 

Mexico’s helping hand will come a long way in the production of mixed berries as California handles heatwaves and wildfires affecting its production on their end. Finally, new crops for potatoes will be in full swing in the coming weeks helping the low quality of the limited crop available at the moment.

Peddler’s Son Wholesale Food Delivery

As a family-owned wholesale produce distributor since 1988, Peddler’s Son is here to help your business grow. We provide exceptional customer service through transparency and integrity and continue to build valuable relationships by supplying Arizona customers with the best quality products. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a customer.

August 2020 Fresh Produce Distribution Recap Read More »

fresh produce

July 2020 Fresh Produce Distribution Recap

Here is your July fresh produce distribution recap. Weekly reports by National Produce Consultants showed two different stories for the month of July. Over 10 commodity items were on high alert during the first three weeks, peaking at 14 items in a single week. But by the end of the month, only six fresh produce items were on watch alert. 

Strawberries, Chinese garlic, and romaine lettuce were the three commodities on high alert all month long due to weather & labor issues, import problems due to COVID-19, and quality issues respectively. Additionally, transition issues affected several fresh produce items including oranges, green beans, bell peppers, potatoes, and asparagus. Overall as summer hits its stride, fresh produce began to be affected but by the end of the month, July produce distribution leveled out showing good quality and supply.

Fresh Produce Watch

Affected By Weather

Strawberries – Brussels Sprouts – Cantaloupe – Honeydew – Corn – Cilantro – Cauliflower – Broccoli

Affected By Transition

Oranges – Green Beans – Bell Peppers – Potatoes – Asparagus

Other Issues

Chinese Garlic (Import) – Romaine Lettuce (Quality) – Celery (Supply Gap) – Mixed Berries (Low Yields)

For the full reports, click here.

What to Expect at Your Local Fresh Produce in August

The transition of potatoes back to the northern states might be an issue throughout the month of August. Both bad quality and supply will be the result given the new crop won’t be taking place for another few weeks. 

Mixed berries will be another item to watch as Mexico’s supply will not be picking back up until mid to late August. This will leave California as the only supplier for mixed berries for the next couple of weeks. 

Supply for both strawberries and romaine lettuce is expected to not improve and Chinese garlic will still face import issues as long as COVID-19 remains. 

Speaking of COVID-19, the food distribution will have to continue to adjust to demand as schools and universities begin to open. This can quickly change if cases surge as is the case with restaurants reopening and closing across the country. 

Peddler’s Son Is Here For You

As a family-owned wholesale produce distributor since 1988, Peddler’s Son is here to help your business grow. We provide exceptional customer service through transparency and integrity and continue to build valuable relationships by supplying Arizona customers with the best quality products. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a customer.

July 2020 Fresh Produce Distribution Recap Read More »

July Produce

What To Expect in July 2020 for Produce

Produce production this July 2020 has been fluctuating due to the COVID-19 impacts. Below are the reports for a few of the market updates based on Alerts and Good productions. Source Produce Alliance.

July Produce Alerts

Asparagus

Volumes on asparagus are currently limited, but markets have come down slightly from last month’s spike. The U.S. crop out of Michigan is hampered by labor issues at packhouses due to COVID-19. 

Brussel Sprouts

Brussels Sprout supplies will be short this month; however, growers are expecting better supplies the following month. Growers are reporting quality to be good to excellent and there is a good demand for Brussels Sprouts at this time.

Cantaloupe

The domestic season has begun with a major obstacle. Growers have battled very low yields due to early rains in the growing cycle and are currently challenged with a labor shortage, leaving some fields unharvested. The labor shortage could potentially become an on-going issue throughout the domestic deal.

Celery

Celery supplies will be short for this month. The current harvest is going through a small supply gap. Good to fair quality has been reported by multiple growers at this time. Additionally, there has been a higher demand for Celery this month.

Cilantro

Supplies continue to be light with Cilantro for this month. Growers are expecting better supplies next month. Good quality has been reported by multiple growers and there is a good demand for Cilantro this month.

Corn

Similarly to last month, growers out of the East and West are reporting extremely tight supplies on corn. Production out of the West Coast isn’t sufficient to cover demands. Price is not a factor right now. The problem is that growers can’t fill orders. Please give shippers extra order loading lead times so that they can work to secure products to fill your orders and expect order cuts going forward. 

Chinese Garlic

Chinese garlic is on alert due to Coronavirus affecting labor and also ports allowing

product out of China. We anticipate this to remain and also continue to add pressure on garlic prices until the virus is contained. The overall outlook continues to look worse as more and more time passes and imported products are cut short. 

Green Beans

Green beans are on high alert. Heavy rain in Georgia and the Midwest has affected the green bean crop causing delays in harvesting. The colder weather has also pushed back the start date for harvesting out of the Midwest. This is causing a gap during a transition period resulting in low availability of green beans. Product quality could also take a hit. This is expected to last for a few more weeks.

Honeydew

The domestic season has begun with a major obstacle. Sizing has leaned towards larger size leaving 6/8 ct dews very limited. Growers have battled very low yields due to early rains in the growing cycle and are currently challenged with a labor shortage leaving some fields unharvested. The labor shortage could potentially become an ongoing issue throughout the domestic deal.

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine supplies continue to be very short this month. Growers are hoping to see an improvement with supplies next month. Growers are experiencing lighter yields at the time of harvest due to quality. Some fringe burn and internal quality issues due to the warmer weather in Salinas, California.

Oranges

We have seen some pressure on price over the past three weeks and are beginning to see certain sizes more limited and increase in price. Market alert on oranges as pricing has been escalated. Valencia’s have begun and will continue throughout the summer period. Navels will stay available throughout the summer but trend on the larger size until volumes return in MId October.

Green Peppers 

Green Pepper pricing worked its way up last month and continued working up this month. Production is in transition to different growing areas right now. This is putting pressure on supplies and costs.

Yellow and Red Peppers

Elevated pricing on Color Peppers due to tighter than normal supplies this month. Production is in transition to different growing areas right now. This is putting pressure on supplies and costs.

Strawberries

There has been a big turn in the outlook for the summer months with Strawberries. Production numbers are limited due to weather in growing regions back in May. In addition, there are still some spotty labor issues and also some fields on their last legs providing processor quality berries at best. 

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Peddler’s Son is ready to work with you to grow your business. We are food-driven, customer-focused. If you are looking for excellent customer service and wholesale food service delivery with solutions, contact us today to learn more about becoming a customer.

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