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October 13, 2015

Commodity Updates
Keep up-to-date on how weather and other conditions across the country and the globe affect the quality, availability, and pricing of your fresh fruits and produce.

COMMODITY ALERTS...

Blackberries - Demand exceeds supply; production is gapping as we transition from Californian to Mexican growing areas.

Blueberries - Demand exceeds supply. Offshore arrivals are not enough to cover the current demand. Continuous challenges with rain and weather across South America's growing regions have severely affected volumes sent in to the US.

Strawberries - Demand exceeds supplies in all California growing regions. Abnormal weather conditions over the last several months has caused the sizing to be smaller than normal for this time of year. Record heat and very warm overnight temperatures have caused the ripen process to continue throughout the nights. As a result, growers have not been able to successfully pack many long stem berries.

Iceberg - There are quality issues that need to be addressed including small and irregular head size, large seeder, puffiness, insect damage, and internal burn. These defects are directly related to past and current high temperatures. These defects are industry-wide and will continue throughout the month. Weights are averaging 38-46 lbs.

Romaine - Again, warm remperatures in the California growing regions is causing havoc. Quality continues to be fair at best. Issues on quality include fringe burn, small and irregular sizing, insects, dehydration, seeder, and internal burn. The weights on romaine cartons are averaging 26-34 lbs.

Red and Green Leaf - Markets are stronger. Fringe burn, mildew damage, internal burn, and insect pressure continue to be defects. Expect moderate to light supplies for the entire week.

Lemons - Demand remains very high. Availability is better on 140-count and larger fruit. Demand is still exceeding supplies on 165 counts and higher, this shortage on smaller fruit should continue through the month.

Oranges - Valencias are in an extreme demand-exceed-supply situation as the season comes to an early end. Some shippers will begin to harvest California Navels this week in limited volume and others will start over the next couple of weeks. Start up will be slow, but should come on quickly if the weather cooperates.

PEAK SEASON...

Avocados - Mexico is beginning to harvest this year's crop. Volumes are good; quality is very good. This early season fruit will have a tendency to remain green when ripe, as the skin isn't mature enough for it to darken. Color is not an indication of ripeness, pressure is. >>Click here for information on avocados<<

Kale - Quality and availability are good; pricing continues to be competitive.

>> Click to View All Commodity Updates<<

Local Availability

Potatoes, various

New crop Red, White, and Yukon Gold from Huntsinger Farms are in stock!

Apples, various

Cool nights are helping color development. Our "local" apples are sourced from Frecon Farms! >> Click here to view Frecon's Apple Availability <<

Pumpkins, various

Harvesting good quality due to good growing conditions the past two months. A lack of disease pressure should result in better hardness and shelf-life. Smaller sizes are also being seen due to a lack of regular precipitation. >> Click here for our Autumn Ornamental list <<

Mushrooms, various

All year long we source fresh mushrooms from Chester County, Pennsylvania-- Crimini, Portabellas Maiitake, White, etc.

Local Organics - advance notice required.

Our friend Matt with Jah's Creation Organic Farm in Egg Harbor Twp, NJ is harvesting Mixed Greens, Tuscan Kale, Broccoli Raab, Eggplants! Ask your sales representative for a complete listing. Advance notice is required.

>> Click here to view our Locally Sourced list! <<

I hope you found this communication informative and interesting. Your feedback is always welcome. Send your questions or comments to: LizG@seashoreeast.com