More broccoli supplies are coming out of Salinas, California. “They were delayed by the rain but they have now gotten to the point where they can harvest and the quality on broccoli has been good,” says Michael Wilson of National Produce Marketing Inc. He is currently bringing in red Asian cut iceless and iced broccoli.
Meanwhile in Mexico, Guanajuato, a key broccoli growing region, production has finished and is moving over to Puebla. “It’s difficult though to find a full load from one grower in Puebla. You get three or four different growers on one truck. They’re getting there but they’re not there yet,” Wilson says, noting the transition from Guanajuato to Puebla is happening on time this year.
Demand could soften
At the same time, FOB pricing in California is less than the FOB pricing in Texas from Mexico. “Usually it’s the other way around,” says Wilson. “However it’s supply and demand. They’re running only out of Puebla and one other very small state and that’s getting eaten up very very quickly.” He notes that the pricing out of Mexico is in the $18-$20 range while in California, pricing is $14-15 on a good short cut export-quality crown, a product that can be difficult to find sometimes. “Historically after Memorial Day, demand drops off so there’s a chance pricing should come off ahead, but it depends on demand,” he adds.
Looking ahead, supplies will continue to come out of Salinas and then July marks the start of the local Ontario broccoli deal.
For more information:
Michael Wilson
National Produce Marketing Inc.
Tel.: +1 (416) 259-0833
mike@nationalproduce.com
www.nationalproduce.com