Tomatoes

East

• Rounds- Barring a weather event, we feel that we have seen the high-water mark on tomatoes. Weak demand and a slight increase in supplies has caused FOB prices to fall a few dollars this week on all sizes. New fields in the Palmetto/Ruskin region of FL start up this week with extremely light volume. Volume should slowly increase over the next several weeks which should put continued downward pressure on prices. Quality out of the Quincy fields continue to be variable with suspect shelf-life and most eastern tomatoes continue to come from this region. Fortunately, we should see improvement in the quality and shelf-life of the tomatoes that will be coming out of the new fields. For another week or so, we advise that you continue to keep inventories tight.

• Romas- Additional supplies and continued weak demand has caused FOB prices to fall for a second week. Prices are down several dollars on all sizes. Quality is improving.

• Grapes- More available supplies have caused FOB prices to fall around $5 from last week. Quality is improving.

• Cherries- Supplies continue to be light and FOB prices generally unchanged from last week. However, we are seeing some downward pressures. Quality and shelf-life continue to be variable.

• Weather forecasts- Quincy, FL: Partly cloudy to sunny skies with little chance of rain into the early part of next week. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s. Ruskin, FL: Partly cloudy skies with highs mostly in the upper 80s. Lows will be in the mid to upper 60s. Little chance of rain into next week.

West/Mexico

• Rounds- We are toward the end of the CA mature-green crop and rain is expected in the growing region. Growers are picking everything that they can to beat the rains. FOB prices are down from last week but the forecast is not as clear in the west and it is in the east. It is possible that we might see a rebound to higher prices the week after next or additional supplies out of MX may continue to put downward pressure on prices. As we reported last week, we expect volume to be below average out of MX until January when the Culiacon crop begins.

• Romas- Supplies continue to be tight out of CA but Baja and new product crossings at Nogales continues to put downward pressure on FOB prices for all sizes. Quality continues to be variable with a wider than normal range in FOB prices due to the variableness in quality.

• Grapes- Sourcing primarily from Baja and Fresno. Quality is extremely variable and a very wide range in FOB prices reflect this variableness. All FOB prices are down compared to last week.

• Cherries- Like grape tomatoes, the supply of cherries has improved slightly causing FOB prices to fall compared to last week. There is a wide range in quality causing for a wide range in FOB prices.

Green Bell Pepper

East- Product remains plentiful this week with the southern GA and FL crops in full production. Demand is weak. FOB prices continue to see downward pressures. Quality is good.

West- FOB prices are lower again this week. Quality remains good even though the growing region did receive a little rain this week.

Yellow Squash

East- Weak demand and good supplies are causing FOB prices to fall from last week. Supplies are fragmented all up and down the eastern seaboard. Quality is generally good.

West- Crossings have increased at Nogales causing FOB prices to be lower again this week. Quality is good.

Green Squash

East- FOB prices are lower this week. Quality continues to be good.

West- FOB prices are lower again this week on all grades and sizes. Crossings at Baja and Nogales. Quality is good.

Cucumbers

East- Harvesting continues in the south GA and FL fields and FOB prices are generally steady from last week. Quality is improving.

West- Increased crossings again this week at Baja and Nogales. Prices are down again on all grades and sizes.

Eggplant

East- FOB prices are generally steady with slight upward pressure. Quality is good.

West- FOB prices are seeing downward pressure again this week. Nogales crossings should begin mid-November.

Jalapenos

East- FOB prices are steady this week. Quality is good.

West- FOB price are up slightly this week. Quality is good.

Beans

East- FOB prices are steady from last week’s high prices. New fields should come on-line in the next week or two which should bring some relief to these high prices.

West- Supplies remain tight and FOB prices are slightly higher from last week. Supplies in the west will continue to be tight for the next 3 weeks