Green beans supply out of California is on the edge of tightening up.
“We’re only growing green beans out of Thermal, Ca. right now. We just finished up in the San Joaquin valley but it looks like things are going well until the 20th of November,” says Lori Hickey of Baloian Farms in Fresno, Ca.
Hickey notes that green beans had also been coming out of the Fresno region specifically since mid-October and has started in Thermal at its usual harvest time. “We’ve also seen the same amount of volume as we did last year,” says Hickey. “The quality of the beans seems to be on the high side right now and the plants are really robust. There’s lots of foliage on there so we’re hoping for a good year. There’s been warm temps down in our desert area.”
Holiday push on demand
Meanwhile demand for green beans looks increasingly strong. “It usually looks strong now as we go into the holiday season,” says Hickey. That push on supplies means a tight market is on its way. “Things generally tighten up around this time of year. And it’s a product that does have seasonal spikes,” she says. “We did have some summer production but it was short and a normal level of production. But once the holiday hits, demand takes over and what’s left is left.”
Hickey notes that the big push for demand will hit next week as retailers begin their big Thanksgiving push.
All of this means pricing has been steady for now in the market. “But we are anticipating that pricing will continue to go up from here on out,” she says, noting prices look similar to last year’s prices. “That’s matching the tightness in supplies.”
For more information:
Lori Hickey
Baloian Farms
Tel: +1 (559) 264-3427
lhickey@baloianfarms.com
http://www.baloianfarms.com