Supplies of domestic leeks from the West Coast are likely gapping until early spring.
“We had an extremely wet winter and early spring which didn’t allow us to plant crops. It was just constant rain and when it’s like that, you can’t get into your field to plant because the equipment is too heavy and sinks. So we’re anticipating gaps in our product because of that. We’re just starting to see them now,” says Frank Ratto of Ratto Bros Inc. in Modesto, Ca. Ratto Bros. normally plants leeks in the Stanislaus County region in Modesto, Ca. “I think we’ll be back to leeks at the end of May, early June.”
In the meantime, Ratto is sourcing leeks from other regions such as Southern California and Mexico and he says supplies from there are steady.
Pick up for Easter?
In the meantime, demand for leeks is even. “I don’t think it’s a big spring and summer item. It’s still a cooking onion—so it’s good in soups and things like that for winter,” says Ratto. “Now people might throw them on the grill for spring and summer. It probably gets a little bit of a push for Easter.”
All of that puts pricing at around $12.50-$13/dozen, which is similar to slightly higher pricing than at this time last year. “Every year is different though and you never know who’s going to be affected and who won’t be by weather,” says Ratto.
Looking ahead, Ratto says May will likely bring a different picture for leeks. “We’ll be gapping until the end of May/early June and then we’ll be back in and solid right through,” he says.
For more information:
Frank Ratto
Ratto Bros
Tel: +1-209-545-7575
fratto@RattoBros.com
www.rattobros.com