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Mar 21, 2022
Seasonal Perishable Products Weekly Update released

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Services has released its U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Seasonal Perishable Products Weekly Update for the week of March 13-19, 2022

This report provides trend analysis of the volume and prices of Seasonal Perishable commodities. Volume represents current week and prices represent open (spot) market sales by first handlers on product of generally good quality and condition unless otherwise stated and may include promotional allowances or other incentives. The charts provide graphic representation of the volume and prices of the major commodities this week based on seasonal volume.

Despite steadily increasing fuel costs due to the continuing crisis in Ukraine and the resulting ban on Russian imports including petroleum products, many growing regions reported steady or lower truck rates this week as shippers reassessed the dramatic price jumps implemented last week.

The situation at the nation’s ports continues to improve slowly but steadily, with the Port of Los Angeles reporting record-high cargo volumes for February 2022. The number of ships waiting to unload at the port and neighboring Port of Long Beach is down to a total of 44 from a high of 109 in January, and record progress is also being made repositioning empty containers back to Asia.

Movement of Mexican asparagus crossings though Calexico, California, and San Luis, Arizona, expected about the same. Trading was slow at lower prices again this week. Supplies estimated at up to 75% less than at the same time last year but continue to be more than adequate to fulfill current light demand.

Sales heavily dependent on retail advertised promotions, with shippers looking ahead to Easter promotions to move product.

Mexican blueberry crossings through Arizona, California and Texas movement expected to increase. Early trading was slow improving to fairly active later with prices higher. Quality is reported as variable. Movement of blueberries out of Central and North Florida is expected to increase as harvesting increases. Trading very active for light shipments. Some fruit is being stored awaiting more favorable market conditions.

Quality is reported as very good, though cool weather is slowing maturity and potential losses in northern growing regions from cold temperatures last weekend are being assessed. Most movement of Chilean blueberries via boat through the various East Coast and West Coast ports of entry has now finished as the season winds down. The final reports have been issued.

Movement of green bell peppers from Mexico crossing through Nogales, Arizona expected to decrease slightly. Trading on green was active at higher prices. Demand good as volumes have decreased and availability for the spot market is limited. Prices are expected to continue to rise throughout the week. Quality is reported as generally good.

Movement of green bell peppers from Mexico crossing through Texas is expected about the same. Trading was fairly active with prices generally unchanged. Quality reported as variable, and most shipments are for colored bell peppers. Movement of green bell peppers out of Central and South Florida is expected to remain about the same. Trading was very active with prices generally unchanged. Demand was good to very good throughout the week as available supplies remain light. Quality reported as generally good.

Strawberry movement out of Central Florida expected to slightly decrease as the season nears its end over the next few weeks. Trading on conventional berries was fairly light to light at much higher prices. Organic volumes continue to drop as some shippers have finished harvest of organic berries and too few new sales were reported to establish a market. Demand was light to moderate as supplies from competing growing areas decreased somewhat throughout the week. Rain over the weekend and again Tuesday night curtailed some harvests early in the week. Quality is reported as generally good.

Strawberries from Oxnard District California movement is expected to increase. Trading was very slow early improving to moderate later. Prices were higher, with some shippers attributing the spot market price increase to loss-leader ads being run by supermarket chains. Quality is reported as variable. Mexico strawberry crossings through Texas movement is expected to decrease sharply. Available supplies are in too few hands to establish a market and quality and condition are reported as variable.

Some berries being diverted to freezers or processors, while other shippers are loading by confirmed order only. The last report has been issued, with light and sporadic crossings expected to continue through early April. Mexico strawberry crossings through the Otay Mesa movement expected to increase. Trading was very slow early improving to moderate later. Prices were higher though quality and condition are reported as variable.

Some berries are being diverted to freezers or processors. Movement of strawberries out of Santa Maria California expected about the same. Trading was very slow early improving to moderate later. Prices were higher with quality and condition reported as variable. Shippers report limited demand for organic berries, especially as inflation stretches budgets and reduces the organic premium shoppers are willing or able to spend. Some berries being diverted to freezers or processors.

The first report for strawberries from Salinas-Watsonville California growing areas has been issued, with movement expected to increase seasonally. Current supplies are insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market, with the first F.O.B. report expected the week of April 10. Quality is reported as variable.

Movement of Mexico tomato crossings through Texas expected about the same. Trading was moderate early and fairly slow later. Prices generally unchanged, with quality reported as generally good. Tomato movement out of Central and South Florida is expected to increase slightly. Trading moderate at higher prices, with quality reported as generally good. Demand was moderate to fairly light throughout the week, with midweek rain curtailing some harvests.

Movement of Mexican tomatoes crossing through Nogales, Arizona is expected about the same. Trading was slow to fairly slow with prices slightly lower and most at legal minimums on all sizes. Demand moderate to fairly slow but slightly better on larger sizes than smaller sizes. Buying improved slightly this week compared to last. Quality reported as generally good.

USDA AMS




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