US market rich with cauliflower

Domestic supplies of cauliflower are looking ample right now.

“Supplies of cauliflower are good here for all this week and next,” says Joe Käslin of Bengard Ranch in Salinas, Ca. “Towards the end of the month, supplies will lighten up quite a bit because we are about 10 days ahead of schedule. It’s just the weather.” Käslin notes the growing region, which for Bengard is Yuma, Az., hasn’t seen much of a winter, so no frost or anything of the like to slow the production down. “Supplies are a little heavier this year than they were last, industry wide too. There’s just more,” he adds, noting that competition is coming in also from Yuma but also Southern California.

Meanwhile demand remains average for now. “With the amount of supplies, it’s average because there’s a lot of product right now because everything’s coming on early,” Käslin notes.

Price difference
That means sharp price drops compared to last year at this time. “It’s about a 50 percent drop,” says Käslin. “The market right now is $7-$8/FOB and last year we were in the teens. Unfortunately the market’s been down for awhile, all winter long.”

Looking ahead though, things are about to change. “I still see supplies being good for 10 days or so. But I definitely feel supplies will lighten up here by the end of the month,” says Käslin. “Because we’re ahead of schedule and things should go ahead, the market should pick up here as supplies lighten up here.”

For more information:
Joe Käslin
Bengard Ranch
Tel: +1-(831)-422-9021
joek@bengardranch.com
bengardranch.com