Current Market News for the week of July 25th, 2021: 

¨ The butter market rose slightly last week.

¨ Both the block and barrel cheese markets fell.

¨ The egg market was flat last week so no changes this week.

¨ Look for cream to fall a bit next month.

¨ Blueberries are in excellent supply heading into August! Volumes are great from multiple growing regions, including New Jersey, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

¨ Strawberries will remain steady this week, and the outlook looks good as August begins. Growers expect promotable opportunities on for the entire month of August. Most of the volume will continue to come from Salinas, Watsonville, and Castroville, CA.

¨ NOTE: Blackberries have become extremely limited. Volumes simply aren’t there, and pricing has jumped significantly. All growers are currently in a prorate situation. 

¨ Raspberries are in steady supply from California. Shelf-life has been shorter than normal, so it’s recommended to keep supplies turning quickly.

¨ Hass avocado prices continue to rise; as demand has been greater than supply in many cases. Small fruit, such as 60ct, have been scarcer since the end of the crop fruit has sized toward larger fruit.

¨ Black mission figs are available from Mexico. In August, California black, brown, and green fig varieties will come into peak season.

¨ Watermelon prices remain steady. Georgia crops have finished for the season, North Carolina continues to harvest good volumes, and Delaware growers have started lightly and are expected to pick up in early August with promotable volume. 

¨ The transition continues from spring crop grapes out of Mexico to summer crop grapes from California. In California, premium green seedless are now available. The heat has delayed some of the early red seedless varieties.

¨ Premium California cantaloupes and honeydews are now in season.

¨ Asparagus prices continue to ease off as more supplies from Mexico and Peru become available. Quality has been excellent from both regions.

¨ Green and yellow squash prices will stay steady from local farms as other regions have finished. NY has just begun harvests as well.

¨ California cauliflower is limited in supply.

¨ Nice quality broccoli crowns out of California and Maine will be our main supply for mid-summer. Pricing is reasonable.

¨ ALERT! Cilantro is getting tighter out west. South Carolina and local regions remain unavailable as the plants went to seeder, and Quebec growers are now having trouble crossing product. Prices are jumping fast!

¨ Green beans remain promotable from PA and NJ farms. Quality has been outstanding from both states.

¨ The supply of import Gala apples is dwindling quickly, which is driving up the price of the remaining storage crop Washington galas. New crop Eastern and Western galas will start in mid to late August.

¨ As California supplies tighten on iceberg, romaine, and romaine hearts, Quebec pricing is higher as demand transitions, but is trading at an excellent value.

¨ Super select cucumber prices are steady for late July. New Jersey availability has been light as harvests are low. PA volume continues to be steady. Quality has been very nice from both regions.

¨ Green cabbage prices remain promotable for late July from PA and NJ farms. Quality has been excellent.

¨ Local sweet corn is very promotable with excellent quality.