Ford's Produce Supply Update
June 15, 2009
High truck freight prices persist because there are so many items coming from California that the truckers can not keep up with demand. Trucks have gotten tight, and the law of supply and demand rules on the road. Just like every summer, freight rates soar as shippers struggle to find a ride for their produce. This adds to the cost of all items and offsets the drop in prices on the produce itself.
California’s fruit harvests are just now hitting full stride, with huge volumes of stonefruit and grapes coming out of the orchards every day. Quality has been great, and prices are beginning to reflect the strong supplies.
Good supplies of excellent quality asparagus are still coming from both California and Washington, though Washington’s appears to be a bit better. Both of their crops will end within the next few weeks, and then we’ll fall back to Peru as the only show in town.
Mexico and Texas onion growers are finishing their harvests, and California supplies have been limited. This jumped the market up several dollars late last week when onions suddenly got tight.
Idaho potatoes are still in very good supply and look to have a strong summer. The storage crop this year has been great, and there have been almost no gaps in availability this season like normally occurs during the spring and summer. Prices are remaining steady.
Round white and red potatoes have been a bit limited ever since Florida’s fields were flooded out. We’re waiting for other areas, like North Carolina, to bring their spuds to harvest and increase volumes back to needed levels.
Strawberries are abundant in California, but have cleaned up locally. Other berry varieties like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are plentiful both locally and in California. Quality has been beautiful on all berries.
North Carolina continues our vegetable season, with beans, squash, zucchini, cabbage, berries, cucumbers, and other items now being harvested locally. Give us a call to find out what’s coming in from our local farmers today!
Q: Why wouldn't the reporter leave the mashed potatoes alone?
A: He desperately wanted a scoop.