A newly published USDA report provides trend analysis of the volume and prices of Seasonal Perishable commodities. Volume represents current week, and prices represent open (spot) market sales by first handlers on product of generally good quality and condition unless otherwise stated and may include promotional allowances or other incentives. The charts provide graphic representation of the volume and prices of the major commodities this week based on seasonal volume.
From multiple reports, Canada rail workers union to challenge government decision to refer dispute to labor board (Reuters- Allison Lampert, August 23, 2024), Canada Rail Stoppage Poised to Disrupt North American Agriculture (Reuters-Tom Polansek, Karl Plume, Promit Mukherjee, August 20,2024) and Major Canadian rail strike could hit the same time as an East Coast port strike (Bobby Dalheim, August 21, 2024): Late in the evening of August 22, 2024, The Canadian government, stepped in to end the possible rail stoppage by the rail workers union. The union representing the two biggest Canadian freight railroads said they would challenge the constitutionality of the government decision.
The government issued return-to-work order had some workers return to the job on Friday, although the union had not received any back-to-work protocol from the railways. Workers at the Canadian National Railway returned to work on Friday, August 23, while workers at Canadian Pacific Kansas City have yet to return to work. The Canada Industrial Relations Board, an independent body, will consult companies and unions before issuing a clear order. 75% of all product Canada exports to the U.S. travel over rail. A strike could devastate Canadian businesses and impose significant impacts to the U.S. economy, as both countries crisscross rail lines. In 2023, the U.S. exported 28.2 billion of agricultural products to Canada, while the U.S. imported $40.1 billion of Canadian agricultural products. In the U.S. a strike could materialize on the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports in the coming weeks, as some dockworkers will see labor contracts expire on September 30. Importers are shipping cargo early and others are shifting cargo to the West Coast.
Agricultural Weather Highlights, provided by Eric Luebehusen, Agricultural Meteorologist, USDA/OCE/WAOB August 22, 2024; Monsoon showers continue from Arizona into Colorado, while showers from a cold front are drifting into the Northwest. Extreme heat persists in the western Gulf Coast region, with temperatures approaching 100°F. Florida continues to experience hot and humid weather. Across the remainder of the South, dry and near normal temperatures are ideal for summer crop maturation and early-season harvesting. Extreme heat across Texas (100-110°F) continues to impact summer crops, pastures, and rangeland.
The hot and dry weather continues to impact the drought across northern Texas. Conversely, heavy showers associated with a cold front improved soil moisture in Nebraska and northern Kansas, while cool and dry weather settled over the northern Plains. Below normal morning temperatures covered much of the Ohio River Valley as showers fell over the western Corn Belt, with short term dryness and drought in eastern Ohio.
Avocado sizes of 60-84s from Mexico crossings through Texas continue to fall as supplies increase. 32-40s continue to maintain strong prices as shippers anticipate steady markets heading into the next couple of weeks. Movement is expected to increase. Trading of conventional 32-48s is fairly active, others is moderate. Prices of conventional 32-40s are higher, 48s are generally unchanged, others are lower. Cartons 2 layers Hass 32-36s are mostly 68.25-71.25, 40s are mostly 68.25-70.25, 48s are mostly 67.25- 70.25, 60s are mostly 53.25-56.25, 70s are mostly 40.25-42.25, and 84s are mostly 28.25-30.25; organic 48s are mostly 73.25-76.25, 60s are mostly 68.25- 70.25, and 70s are mostly 58.25-61.25.
Extra services are included. There continues to be a wide range in price between sizes. Movement from South District, California is expected to decrease slightly. Trading of conventional 32-36s is fairly active, conventional 40-48s is fairly active at lower prices, others are moderate. Prices of conventional 40-84s are lower, others are generally unchanged.
Cartons 2 layers Hass 32-36s are mostly 68.25-71.25, 40s are mostly 68.25-70.25, 48s are mostly 67.25-70.25, 60s are mostly 54.25-56.25, 70s are mostly 42.25-45.25, 84s are mostly 30.25-32.25; organic 48s are mostly 76.25-78.25, 60s are mostly 68.25-70.25, and 70s are mostly 62.25-64.25. Extra services are included. There continues to be a wide range in price between sizes. Movement from South Florida district is expected to increase. Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged. Prices of 2-layer cartons, mostly Miguel, Simmonds, Dupuis, Bernecker, Nesbitt and Beta varieties, 16-24s are mostly 25.00.
Cucumber movement from Mexico crossings through Otay Mesa, California is expected to decrease slightly. Supplies are fairly light as some shippers are in gap and don't expect to have much volume in the next two weeks. Trading early was fairly active, late is active. Prices are much higher. 1 1/9-bushel cartons medium are mostly 16.00-17.95, large are mostly 15.00-16.00, fair quality are mostly 13.95-15.00, ordinary quality are mostly 9.00-10.00. Cartons 36s are mostly 10.00-10.95. Quality and condition are variable. Movement from Mexico crossings through Texas is expected to decrease.
Trading is moderate. Prices are generally unchanged. 1 1/9-bushel cartons medium are mostly 13.95-15.95, fair quality are mostly 8.95-10.95, ordinary quality are 6.95-7.95, large are mostly 16.95-18.95. Quality and condition are variable. Movement from Michigan is expected to remain about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are higher. 1 1/9-bushel cartons medium are mostly 18.85-19.85, fair quality are mostly 8.85. Cartons 24s are mostly 6.85. Movement from Western and Central New York is expected to remain about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are higher. 1 1/9- bushel cartons of medium are mostly 18.00, fair quality are 8.00-10.00. Movement from Western North Carolina is expected to remain the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are slightly higher. 1 1/9-bushel cartons medium are 16.00- 20.00, fair quality are 10.00.
Green Bell Pepper movement from San Joaquin Valley, California is expected to remain about the same. Trading early was fairly active, late is moderate. Prices of large are lower, others are slightly lower. 1 1/9-bushel cartons of extra-large are 22.95-24.95, large are 19.95-21.95, irregular sized fair quality are 15.95-16.95. Quality is generally good. Movement from Michigan is expected to remain about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are unchanged. 1 1/9-bushel cartons jumbo are 20.00, medium fair quality are 16.00. Quality is generally good. Movement from Western North Carolina is expected to increase. Trading is moderate. Prices are unchanged. 1 1/9-bushel carton jumbo are 16.00, extra-large are 14.00-16.00, extra large-large fair quality are 14.00.
Tomato movement from Central District California is expected to increase. Trading early was active, late is moderate. Supplies are plentiful and prices are expected to be lowered in the hopes of moving product. Prices of extra-large are generally unchanged, others are slightly higher compared to last week. Prices of 25-pound cartons loose Mature Greens extra-large are mostly 24.95-25.00, large are mostly 25.00-27.00, and medium are 20.95-23.00. Quality is generally good. Movement from Mexico crossings though Texas is expected about the same. Supplies are light as heat continue to cause supply and quality issues. Trading early was active, late is moderate. Prices of 4x4-4x5s and 4x4-4x5 sizes are slightly lower, others are lower. Vine Ripes cartons 2-layer 4x4-4x5s are mostly 24.95-26.95, 5x5-5x6s are mostly 22.95-24.95; 25-pound cartons loose 4x4-4x5 sizes are mostly 24.95-26.95 and 5x5-5x6 sizes are mostly 22.95-26.95. Quality is generally good. Movement from Mexico crossings through Otay Mesa, California is expected about the same. Trading early was very active, late is moderate. Prices are much lower. Buying slowed with buyers expect prices to continue to fall. Cartons 2-layer Vine Ripes 4x4-4x5s are mostly 24.95-26.95, 5x5-5x6s are mostly 24.95. Quality is generally good. Movement from Alabama is expected to remain about the same. Trading is fairly slow. Extra services are included. 25 pounds carton loose 85 percent US One or Better Mature Greens 5x6 and 6x6 sizes are 20.00-24.00. 25-pound cartons Vine-Ripes jumbo and extra-large are 20.00-24.00. Quality is generally good. Movement from Western North Caolina is expected to increase. Trading is active at slightly lower prices. Vine Ripe 25lb carton extra-large are 16.95-22.00.
Blueberry quality from Oregon and Washington is mostly fair, with some buyers refusing delivery. Shippers attempted to raise the price, despite having a good supply and lower quality of fruit. The Pacific Northwest received rain that will delay harvesting but help with future quality. The season is expected to last about another 3 weeks. Movement is expected to decrease. Trading is moderate. Prices are higher. Flats 12 6-oz cups with lids medium-large are mostly 14.00-16.00, flats 12 1-pint cups with lids medium-large are mostly 18.00-20.00; organic flats 6-oz cups with lids medium-large are mostly 16.00-18.00, 12 1-pint cups are mostly 24.00-26.00. Quality is variable. British Columbia, Canada crossings through Northwest Washington quality improved along with available supplies. Canada prices remain a few dollars below Washington and Oregon berries, even with better quality. Movement is expected to decrease. Trading is moderate, with higher prices. Canada One flats 12 6-oz cups with lids medium-large are mostly 14.00-16.00, flats 12 1-pint cups with lids medium-large are mostly 16.00-18.00. Movement from Michigan is expected to remain about the same. Trading is moderate. Prices are slightly higher. Flats 12/1-pt cups with lids large are mostly 18.00-20.00. Quality is generally good.
For the full report, including more graphs, please click here.