Growers are optimistic about the upcoming Florida cucumber season. "We're about halfway through planting for the spring season and everything is looking good so far," says Hank Scott of Long & Scott Farms. "The weather has been perfect, unlike the fall."
Planting for the grower is happening at a normal time this year and there have been no changes in acreage. Harvest will begin around April 10th and the season goes until the first week in June. "That's when they start coming in via Georgia and the Carolinas and they have the freight advantage," says Scott.
He's also optimistic about the demand for field cucumbers this season. "I've got a lot of existing customers telling me their business has picked up and that they want more and some new customers as well who are looking to buy from us this year as well," he says.
Competing with imports
However he is awaiting on the effects of this presidential administration's potential tariffs on incoming product from both Mexico and Canada–a decision that was yet again put on pause last week. "I hope that they'll slow down Mexico's imports. Even though they come through Nogales and that's far from us, their freight is so high to get to the northeast, they still come in so cheap," says Scott.
After all, Scott's costs on labor particularly have increased this season by .50 cents/$1 a bushel or bag. While the process prices are set for the season, Scott says he hopes that fresh market pricing will be stronger to keep growers like him in business. On the whole, pricing is about mid to upper $20s/bushel.
For more information:
Hank Scott
Long & Scott Farms
hank@longandscottfarms.com
www.longandscottfarms.com