3/31/2008
		Apples/ Pears
		Small sized, foodservice apples in ALL varieties remain limited and will remain this way throughout the season. Most apples continue to grade out very high and in large sizes.  The Gala market looks to be stronger again into next week, but all other red varieties should remain steady.  Gold Delicious and Granny Smith markets will be steady for at least another week and sizing remains large.
		Asparagus
		The asparagus market is softening up a bit.  This is mainly due to the Easter holiday pull ending.  The supplies are very good coming from Mexico.  As far as the supplies from California on the other hand, they are light.  The quality of asparagus from both growing regions has been excellent. Market is lower.
		Avocadoes
		California-  Increased harvest, improved sizing and maturity has come with the warmer weather in California.  However, we are still looking at another 1 to 2 weeks before increasing volume can fill the void of Chilean fruit that has finished.  Demand remains very good.  Mexico supplies in the States remains at record levels, and growers continue to raise their field prices as the demand for their fruit remains very strong.  As the California growers increase their volume, we will see Mexico begin to ease their prices.  Chilean-  The Chilean season is ending.  Market is steady.
		Bell Peppers
		Mexico production is up; however, the sizing remains on the small side keeping the market steady on those.  Fields are still not yielding big numbers on Large and Extra Large sized peppers.  The California desert is projecting to start by mid April, with volume by the end of that month.  Red bell supplies are up as some shippers are working with new fields.  Yellow bell supplies from Mexico are holding steady, with improved supplies still 7-10 days away.  The Eastern bell pepper market has taken a considerable drop in recent days due to improved growing weather in Florida.  As Nogales finished up their supplies, we could see a small jump in the market out of Florida.  Quality is good at this time.
		Strawberries
		Warm weather in the Strawberry growing regions of California has brought on some volume.  Demand is light this week, and market is weaker.  Quality is good with counts still in the 14 to 18 count range with full colors.  Strawberry volumes out of California will increase week by week for the next month.  Florida strawberry shippers should finish for the season after this weekend.  Quality is fair to good out of Florida.
		Berries
		There are very short supplies of Raspberries due to Mother Nature hitting the growing areas with high heat and or rain.  Supplies should improve by the middle of April.  Market is very high and will be for the next couple of weeks.  Blackberry supplies are slowly increasing this week with a slightly weaker market.  Quality is getting better.  Chilean Blueberry supplies are slowly winding down as the season is finishing up.  Market is on the rise and will continue for the next couple of weeks.
		Broccoli
		The broccoli market has seen its peak and is slowly declining.  The weather in all growing regions has helped increase supplies.  Broccoli crowns seem to be a little short as compared to bunched broccoli.  The quality is very nice from all growing regions.  There have been reports of some yellowing in the Salinas Valley product.  Market is lower.
		Carrots
		The carrot market continues to remain steady.  West Coast supply and quality are good on all sizes.  Georgia is still going strong.  Canada has eased off a bit and supplies have lightened up some.  Rainbow Carrots are now available in Salinas.  Market is steady.
		Cauliflower
		The cauliflower market has also topped off.  Prices look to decline as the week progresses.  Supplies are good from all growing regions.  Product is coming from Yuma, Santa Maria, and Salinas.  The quality of cauliflower varies from the different growing regions.  Defects include some off white color, yellow cast, and occasional brown spotting.  Market is lower.
		Celery
		The celery market is steady for the front side of the week.  Good supplies are available from all shippers.  Sizing is trending large, mostly 24 count to 30 count.  Product is still coming from several growing regions.  The quality of celery has been nice with good green color.  Market is lower.
		Citrus
		Lemons-- DEMAND EXCEED SUPPLIES on 75's - 140's.  We are seeing a size curve change to smaller fruit at this time.
		Oranges--Navel supplies and quality are very good.  Demand is strong on Fancy 56's and larger, and improving on Fancy 72's and 88's.  Supplies of choice fruit are increasing.  The market is steady.
		Cucumbers
		Markets have leveled off mid-week and look to remain steady into next week with strong demand.  Quality is good.
		Grapes
		There are only light supplies of Flames left available as the transition to Crimson is in full swing.  There are still only light supplies of Crimson, and the market will remain firm on those until better supplies ease the demand pressure.  Expect more supplies as we move into April but the market to remain strong with increasing demand.  There are still very good supplies of Black Seedless and Red Globes.
		Green Onions
		The green onion market has tapered off.  Supplies should increase by weeks end.  Quality is still marginal with some lots showing yellow to brown discoloration.  Market is steady.
		Lettuce, Romaine, & Leaf Lettuce
		The leaf markets continue to have wide price ranges from all shippers.  Romaine supplies have increased causing the market to react lower.  Romaine, green leaf, red leaf, and butter are in better supplies now.  The Huron growing region has started harvesting today with some shippers.  The quality of Romaine out of Yuma is fair with a touch of blister/peel still showing up and weights in the 35 to 38 pound range.  The defects on leaf packs include small head size, fringe burn, and dehydration.  The lettuce market looks to be softer this week.  Demand is soft, and it looks as if more shippers will be looking to move their supplies.  Weather has warmed up somewhat and is helping growth rates in all growing regions.  turned cold again and is slowing the growth of lettuce.  Some of the defects include cap discoloration, misshapen heads, ribbiness, and epidermal peel.  Shippers are trimming defected leaves down, which are making the color very pale.  Market is steady.
		Melons
		Honeydews: Supplies continue somewhat light on Honeydews as we move through the last week of March.  Expect April to be light as well with rainfall damage to some entire crop regions of Panama and Costa Rica.  Pricing looks to remain steady into next week, but look for increases during the first weeks of April.  Cantaloupes:  There has been a food borne illness outbreak related to a particular grower in Honduras.  The supply line is still heavy to 6's, 9's, and 12's and will remain that way into next week with product from Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala.  Expect slight increases in the small sized fruit market as there are only limited supplies available.
		Onions
		Idaho has a few shippers finishing up with their storage onions.  There will be several shippers continuing with storage product through April.  Quality is reported as good on all colors.  Demand is still light and prices steady to lower.  The Easter Holiday has stalled Mexican product crossings; Texas product has started up with supplies of all colors and more shippers will start shipping at the end of this week.
		Potatoes
		Burbanks remain tight on 70ct and larger.  This will remain the case for the remainder of the storage season.  Norkotah potatoes remain extremely limited out of Idaho with Burbanks in good supply on 80 ct and smaller.  Washington and Colorado have excellent supplies of Norkotah's and are still peaking to the larger sizes.  Nevada has moved into lots that are packing out with smaller potatoes but still have light availability on larger potatoes.  Washington is finishing up and should finish in the next couple of weeks.  Red potatoes with good availability and quality out of California.  California is scheduled to start harvest on new crop the second week of April.  Supplies are light coming out of Florida on white potatoes.
		Squash
		Demand is very good for all squash, but supplies seem to be keeping up and the market is steady.  With fair weather prevailing, supplies should be continuously good and quality is holding as well.
		Stone Fruit
		Fruit supplies from Chile remain light and will most likely stay that way for the remainder of their shortened season.  There will be California Desert peaches available as soon as 10-14 days from now.  At the end of April, the Central Valley will kick in with early varieties of Apricots, Peaches, and Nectarines.  This market should remain active.
		Tomatoes
		Western: Mexico's vine-ripe production is going but volume seems to be only fair moving through this week and into next.  The market looks to be holding steady to finish this week but could move back up into next with increasing demand.  Mature greens from Mexico are declining with fair quality only, and we are looking at continued light supply moving into mid-April.  Demand is very good due to light supplies in the East.  Romas from mainland Mexico remain on the light side as growers are struggling to get good yields.  The market is steady and strong.  Grape tomato supplies from Mexico continue light, and the market continues strong.  Eastern:  Romas from Florida will remain extremely limited until early April.  Mature greens from Homestead will be in minimal supplies over the next 2 to 3 weeks as their season comes to an end.  Grape tomatoes continue to be on the short side but are beginning to increase slowly.
		Watermelon
		Availability is still and issue from all watermelon growing areas including offshore and Mexico.  Light supplies will continue into at least next week, and quality is only fair for this time of year.