The supply of cauliflower from California is steady despite significant fluctuations over the summer due to changes in the weather. "Overall the supply numbers are comparable to this time last year," says Natalie Macedo, cauliflower sales/commodity manager for Coastline Family Farms. "However this year has seen more pronounced peaks and valleys in supply, primarily due to weather disruptions such as excessive rain during planting."
This year's cauliflower supply has more pronounced peaks and valleys.
Supply is currently coming from Monterey County and there, the conditions have generally been good though weather challenges continue to persist. Meanwhile, other regions producing the vegetable include Mexico, the Eastern coast of the U.S., and parts of Canada.
The cauliflower season in Monterey County began on time this year in mid-February following wrapping up the season in Mexico. It is expected to move back to near Mexico and the Imperial Valley around mid-November.
A recent boost in demand
As for the demand for cauliflower, it is steady, though there has been a recent increase in demand that's helping lift the market. "There is optimism that this demand surge will continue," says Macedo.
In turn, that's leaving market prices higher than typical summertime levels due to the variable supply. "Last week, an abundance of supply caused prices to drop, while this week's lighter supplies have driven prices back up, reflecting a volatile pricing environment," says Macedo.
Broccoli harvest in the Salinas Valley began in early April.
Meanwhile, in broccoli, production in the Salinas Valley began on schedule this season in early April.
"The broccoli supply in the Salinas Valley has remained consistent over the past several weeks but we expect to see a decline in this region in the upcoming weeks due to lighter plantings," says Tina Gularte, sales/commodity manager for broccoli for Coastline Family Farms. "With production starting up in other areas, we intentionally reduce acreage/plantings here as the volume shifts to Canada and the Eastern regions."
Other broccoli-growing regions
While Mexico grows broccoli year-round and it accounts for nearly 75 percent of the volume in the U.S., Canada will start up its broccoli production in mid-June and run until October. (The East Coast typically runs from June to November.)
Gularte says that with Mexico's volume decreasing because of extreme temperatures in recent weeks, it's anticipated that broccoli demand will shift to the Salinas Valley in the next few weeks.
The production from other growing regions reduces the demand for Salinas Valley product–demand to date has been moderate due to the lighter supply in the area. "The weather plays a crucial role in all growing areas, and any unexpected changes can disrupt the entire industry," adds Gularte, noting that with Mexico's volume decreasing because of extreme temperatures in recent weeks, it's anticipated that demand will shift to the Salinas Valley in the next few weeks.
As for pricing, over the past few weeks, the prices have been relatively low to maintain inventory and keep the product fresh. "Broccoli 14s have been in the mid-teens, with crowns in the high teens to low $20s--comparable to the same period last year," says Gularte. "Given the lighter supply of broccoli and the increased demand from reduced volume in Mexico, I anticipate that pricing may reach the high $20s to low $ 30s this week."
For more information:
Coastline Family Farms
Tel: +1 (831) 755-1430
[email protected]
https://coastlinefamilyfarms.com/