Supplies of Brussels sprouts are picking up locally but it will still be a few more weeks until better supply is available. “There have been gaps in supply due to all the rain we received at the beginning of this year. The abundance of rain caused planting schedules to be pushed back and delayed,” says Crystal Chavez of Gold Coast Packing, adding that the lack of supply was not helped by cooler-than-normal temperatures through the spring.
Compared to last year at this time, supply is much less. “This year was a bit of a rough start with supply, but we are starting to see a bit of relief as more Brussels sprouts are becoming available,” says Chavez. Average supply levels though aren’t expected until, at the earliest, the end of June or even into mid-July.
Supplying regions
Right now, Brussels sprouts are still primarily coming out of Mexico with a gradual increase of supplies out of the Santa Maria Valley.
As for demand, it’s not high which is normal at this time of year given there’s typically a decrease in demand in the summer months. “Consumption of Brussels sprouts has increased over the past few years as consumers find new and exciting ways to prepare sprouts. The green vegetable is also being added to more menus which in turn has increased the demand at retail as well,” says Chavez, noting that it recently added retail packs of Brussels sprouts in both 2 lb. and 12 oz. sizes.
As for pricing, it has decreased compared to a few weeks ago. While prices had hit as high as the low $50 range, it’s now sitting in the mid $40 range. “Pricing is currently higher than a year ago which was in the $30 range,” she says.
For more information:
Crystal Chavez
Gold Coast Packing
Tel: +1 (805) 928-2593
[email protected]
www.goldcoastpack.com