Current Market News for the week of April 18th, 2021:   

¨ The egg market remained flat. Farmers are putting birds out to molt to reduce the glut of eggs. The brown egg market has collapsed over the past month.

¨ Butter ended the week higher. Demand is growing in foodservice. 23 loads traded hands last week as buyers lock in product at these levels. 

¨ There is a large demand for fluid cream for foodservice. Ice cream manufacturers are taking cream away from the churns.

¨ The barrel cheese market was unchanged while the block market fell .05/lb.

¨ Asparagus prices remain stable. Mexico is harvesting but volumes are slowing. California started but are limited. New Jersey asparagus is getting started for the week of 4/18. Delaware is expected the week of 5/02.

¨ Florida sweet corn prices are more promotable and expected to stay reasonable well into May. Quality is exceptional and harvests are very strong. Time to build bigger retail displays!

¨ Green squash prices are steady. Mexico and Florida continue to harvest nice quality with Georgia expected to start soon.

¨ Yellow squash prices remain steady as well. All regions are harvesting nice quality.

¨ Cauliflower prices remain volatile, but field numbers look good to finish out April.

¨ Iceberg, red and green leaf lettuces, romaine, and romaine hearts are just about finished in Yuma, AZ. The majority of growers are back in Huron/Salinas, Calif. area. Weather has been ideal for new crops.

¨ Broccoli is promotable this week with nice quality as East Coast growers ramp up production.

¨ Beefsteak and cluster tomatoes are promotable. Canadian and U.S. greenhouses are flushing with excellent product.

¨ Euro seedless cucumbers out of Canada are easing to promotable levels. Mini seedless cukes are steady out of Canada. Super select prices are high. Supplies are short from Mexico and Florida. Harvests are expected to improve in early May.

¨ Grape, roma, and vine ripe tomatoes are promotable with excellent quality.

¨ NOTE: Green bean prices have spiked. Rough weather has caused fields to close before the transition to Georgia.

¨ The first of the season genuine Georgia Vidalia sweet onions will be in stock starting 4/21-4/23.

¨ Production remains strong on 11lb red, orange, and yellow bell peppers with excellent quality. Green pepper prices are lower as more volume comes on from Florida. Mexico and California have also started production.

¨ Central American cantaloupes and honeydews will be available through the first week of May, and then Mexican fruit will come into season.

¨ Hass avocados markets are steady in both supply and pricing.

¨ ALERT! Lime supplies are light coming from Mexico. The fruit is peaking on 200ct and smaller, and there is a big price spread between the 200ct and 150ct and larger.

¨ Watermelons pricing is lower as more growers start up out of Florida. Prices will remain higher than normal this spring as demand from the Midwest and Northeast is strong. Texas growers had to replant following the freeze.

¨ ALERT! Strawberries are in limited supply. Growers expect volumes in Santa Maria, CA to improve for the week of 4/25.

¨ ALERT! Blueberries are in extremely short supply. Moreover, Florida experienced extremely high winds which may have reduced the overall Florida crop by 20%.

NOTE: Demand for raspberries and blackberries has increased because of the shortage on strawberries and blueberries. We will transition to California production in May.