Rain at the end of the October was the only down point for an otherwise good red radish season in Michigan. The harvest in Michigan has just finished up, giving way to the Arizona season, which has shown a lot of promise in terms of growing conditions. Expectations for the red radish season there is positive, with yields and quality on track to be high.
"The growing season here in Michigan was very good right up until the end when we had some rain," said Todd Miedama, of Miedama Produce. "This cut short the season to the end of October, when it typically goes into November. Now we are moving into the Arizona season which is showing a lot of promise. Growing conditions are favorable and yields and quality are looking high on our farms. The Arizona season is quite long, beginning at the start of November and going right through to the first week of June when we start up again in Michigan."
Tight supplies give way to steady market
The rain at the end of the Michigan season reduced red radish supplies for several weeks until the other regions kicked in with their supply. Due to the good growing conditions in Arizona and other regions, red radish supplies recovered and the market has steadied itself out. "The shorter Michigan season created a tight supply for a few weeks," Miedema noted. "However, good growing conditions early in the season in Arizona as well as Florida has closed that gap up now. The market had strengthened in recent weeks by a $1 - $2 a box as of a few weeks ago. However, since then it is back down by the same amount, so we're back to where we started. We focus on raising the quality of our produce which gives us a confident position in the red radish market. Once that is established and you don't break the cold chain on the way to the customer, the product looks after itself."
For more information:
Todd Miedema
Miedema Produce
Tel: +1 (616) 669-9420