May 31, 2020

In Support of Our Restaurant and Retail Partners

Ring Bros. Wholesale will remain open and will continue daily delivery and support to our retail partners and our restaurant partners who are offering grab-and-go or delivery. Both are vital resources to our Cape Cod community in this time of crisis.

The U.S. food supply remains strong and we are able to source most of the products in our catalog. If you have questions about availability, or if we can support you further, please reach out to us at 508-394-5022.

• The egg market has stabilized. The industry is now facing a lack of retail packaging. There was such a rush on cartons that producers cannot recover quickly. More eggs are being put into foodservice packaging.
• The butter market drifted slightly lower, finishing the week down $.05. Both the block and barrel cheese markets are rising dramatically.
• Blueberry volumes are much better, but growers are stating that supplies will taper off in June. Overall, the North Carolina crop is expected to be lighter than last year, and New Jersey will start later than usual. Quality is excellent on all Georgia and North Carolina fruit.
• Raspberries and blackberries are in steady supply from Mexico. Overall quality and sizing have been excellent. Georgia started harvesting blackberries Memorial Day weekend; we hope to get a few this upcoming week.
• South Carolina and Georgia yellow peaches are ramping up. 2 ¾” Peaches are still commanding a higher price.
• A few grapes from Chile are still available, bridging the gap in supplies from Mexico and California. Stymied by weather, fruit is not getting sugar or color and growers cannot come close to covering demand. Prices much higher than expected with many growers taking the spot market up a few dollars.
• NOTE: Supplies of broccoli crowns are extremely tight out of California and will be limited for the next few weeks.
• ALERT! Supplies of 25lb brussels sprouts are still extremely tight. Production has slowed due to quality issues.
• ALERT! Sweet corn prices are unseasonably high. Demand is strong and supplies are limited because Florida finished early. Georgia has experienced harsh weather, delaying harvests.
• Super cucumber prices and supplies are steady from Georgia and Mexico. Quality is good from both regions.
• Iceberg and leaf lettuces are tighter in supply. There is less product available due to high demand and heavy rains earlier in the growing seasons. Expect increasing prices.
• Green bell pepper prices are stable. Quality has looked nice out of Georgia.
• 11lb red, yellow, and orange pepper prices will ease off as demand falls. Supplies out of Canada are getting better as well after some sunny days.
• Mango supplies have loosened as growers get caught up from a transition to northern crops. Supplies will be promotable going forward with good quality.
• NOTE: Roma tomato prices are up. Mexico and Florida production are tapering off, but demand is moderate. Grape tomato prices are higher this week as harvest numbers are lower.
• Campari cocktail tomatoes are back in steady supply. Quality is excellent from Canada.
• Yellow squash prices are higher as supplies are bit tighter on this variety. There are promotable volumes of green squash out of Mexico and Georgia.
• Green beans prices are stable and there is not much change as Georgia is in full swing. Virginia grown product is expected to start in the beginning of June; Florida has now finished up for the season.
• Pineapples are in steady supply. There are good supplies of 7 and 8ct fruit, but as June approaches, they will be less available. This will continue through the summer months.
• Asparagus prices are lower as weather improves across the country. Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, and Peru volumes are all increasing. Prices will ease off and supplies should be good with great quality.