The supply of cucumber is steady right now. "Mexico has been performing very well and probably at the same level that we would be selling here in the United States," says Raquel Espinoza of Produce House, which grows cucumbers in shade-house growing operations.
She notes that the large-sized cucumber market is always the preferred national market in Mexico and it's seeing good pricing–up to $18.95 at times. "So in turn, we've been seeing less supply coming into the U.S. because that national market has been so much better," she adds.
That said, with overall good production, the market fluctuates and is cyclical and is now seeing better pricing in the U.S. with certain sizes.
© Produce House
State of cucumber demand
As for demand, it has been a slow start. "It hasn't really been active. It's just been slower," says Espinoza.
However, looking ahead, there will be a transition in growing regions in the southeast. "California is probably going to be making their switch at some point so I'm hoping that when everybody makes that transition, product will flow much easier and faster," she says. "I'm hoping that we're going to see some better traction coming into Nogales."
Even further into the future, the recent strength of the Mexican national market is actually an increasing trend that Espinoza has seen for a few years now. "It's the future that as an importer, I'm looking towards and thinking– what's to come? If anything, we're going to tread more carefully as far as what is being planted. Demand is always going to be there for that product in the national market. However it is a concern," she says.
For more information:
Raquel Espinoza
Produce House LLC
Tel.: +1 (520) 281-8943
[email protected]
https://produce.house/
