Prices for vegetables from California's Central Coast were already tight, and recent rains in Salinas have strengthened prices. Demand from the Thanksgiving pull has also contributed to a very tight market for several items.
“It's a messy situation,” said Steve Timsak of Church Brothers. “We had rain the past two weekends that caused mildew issues.” Further complicating production was the set up to the pre-Thanksgiving surge in demand.
Photo: Church Brothers
“We had a hot, humid summer that had a lot of crops finishing 10 days earlier than normal,” explained Timsak. “Broccoli is very active right now because supplies are light from Mexico and there's a gap between supplies from Salinas and those from the desert.” On November 17, prices for a carton of bunched broccoli 14s from Salinas were between $18.50 and $20.25, and prices for a carton of loose crown cut were between $26.50 and $30.45.
“Thanksgiving is the biggest vegetable holiday for shippers,” said Timsak. “We had inventory built up, but about 10 days ago we got a jump right before the Thanksgiving pull started, so supplies are light.”
For more information:
Steve Timsak
Church Brothers
+1 800 799 9475