It has been unseasonably cold in Mexico, slowing down the growth of many produce commodities. "In the past two weeks, growers have reported morning time temperatures between 38°F and 43°F to us," says Frank Camera with Delta Fresh Produce. While the low temperatures didn't kill the plants, they slowed down growth. "We're now at the end of the Hermosillo squash production," he added. The crop is transitioning to Guaymas and Sinaloa. Yellow squash normally finishes around November 12 - 15 and that also happened this year. Grey squash, however, is on a different schedule this season. "It usually finishes about five to six days after yellow squash, but this year saw an earlier finish as it would have been too late for the last fruit to mature."
Cantaloupes are also feeling the impact of the cold weather as it takes longer for sugar levels to develop. "Initially, we anticipated finishing around December 6, but because the fruit has been sleeping, it may take up to an additional ten days for the fruit to have the right Brix." As a result, harvest is expected to prolong until December 15, resulting in increased competition with offshore melons.
Production of green bell peppers started in the past 10 days at a time when California was still going. Now, Oxnard, Stockton and Coachella in California are all finishing up. With fruit trending to be smaller at the beginning and end of the seasons, the availability of small fruit is ample. On small and choice fruit, the two regions are competing with prices in the upper teens to low $20s. The pricing of jumbo size green bells on the other hand is the mid to upper $30s range.
Active markets leading up to Thanksgiving
It has taken a while for markets to react to the lower availability of product. "Just over the past two weeks, prices have climbed," said Camera. The squash market has improved and is now in the upper teens to low $20s. The same holds true for cantaloupes. Two weeks ago, prices were in the $8 - $10 range and towards the end of last week, pricing had increased to $17-$19. "Last week, the markets were very active," commented Camera. "We saw a really good pull leading up to Thanksgiving." Nevertheless, Camera is already bracing for the week after Thanksgiving and the remainder of December. "The week after Thanksgiving is always really quiet and while movement leading up to the Christmas and New Year's holidays should be decent, both holidays fall mid-week, resulting in lost business during two weeks of the December month. It will make for an interesting month," Camera said.
Transition to Guaymas and Sinaloa
Now, production is moving to the winter growing regions. Sinaloa is a key growing region for round tomatoes, Romas, as well as cucumbers for Delta Fresh and they are also in the middle of the transition to Guaymas. In Guaymas, more Roma tomatoes are grown as well as grape tomatoes, colored bell peppers, green bell peppers, slicer cucumbers and squash. "Last week, we cleaned the first grape tomatoes out of Guaymas, and more volume will become available this week."
For more information:
Frank Camera
Delta Fresh Produce
Tel: (+1) 520-375-5581
[email protected]
www.deltafreshproduce.com