Bondi Produce Market Report July 18th 2023

Overview:

Cucumbers and beans seem to be the most active; there are a few items left in Georgia and should wrap up this week for the season, returning late September. The hot pepper market is very active with Sinaloa completed, Baja is late to start, and this is driving prices higher with strong demand on the Mexican national market keeping a majority of the Mexican crop in Mexico, with most active items are Poblano, Anaheim, Serrano, Red Fresno and Shishito. Tomatoes are tighter this week crossing from Mexico, the east is ramping with production in Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina. California is showing better numbers this week on local mature greens and vine ripes. Cantaloupe and honeydews are now done in the desert, we have transitioned to the Central Valley. With improved weather, supplies on celery, red cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce are slowly improving in Salinas with very good quality. With more avocado volume coming from the Loca crop, larger sizes (48cts and larger) are tightening up. Loca is historically strong on the 60s and smaller, and limited on large sizes and #2s, this year is no different. The pricing gap between large and small fruit is expected to grow.