California celery market set to heat up during holiday season

The celery market is set to heat up as supplies drop off and demand picks up over the next few weeks. The Salinas season is currently slowing down as production steadily moves south, first to Oxnard and then to Yuma as winter approaches. 

"The celery market has been depressed the past few months but we expect that to change," said Matt Brem, of Produce West in California. "Michigan saw good volume thanks to ideal growing conditions. Lower labor and reduced freight costs to the East Coast significantly undercut California's overall markets."

"However, we expect that to change over the next few weeks as demand increases and supplies start to diminish," he continued. "We generally see a strong market in November as customers purchase more celery in the weeks before Thanksgiving and again in the Christmas/New Year period. Additionally, the Salinas season is dropping off now as the first shots of rain come. We will soon move into Oxnard and then into Yuma. Already Oxnard has seen steady increases in production."

Growers have enjoyed a good quality celery crop as the weather remained good, producing few defects. "The quality out of Salinas these past few months has been very nice," Brem noted. "Excellent color and good strong product ensured yield was very high throughout. As the rains begin in Salinas, the quality is dropping off, which is typical for end of the season. The forecast for Oxnard remains very high, so long as they avoid heavy rains and we will see good production."

The market is now preparing for the busy holiday season as retailers begin their advertising campaigns and producers prepare inventories. During the transition between regions, the market is expected to rise as pressure on supplies increases.

"These transition periods generally see stronger markets," Brem said. "Retailer are pulling big ad numbers and shippers are preparing for the holiday season. We should see the market strengthen as these factors come into play and we expect it to play out through the holiday season."

For more information: 

Matt Brem

Tel: 831-455-2981