As the changeover of growing regions for celery gets going in the next few weeks, some supply issues are anticipated ahead this spring. "Right now, celery supply is decent. We're just starting the transition from the winter season to the spring season and we're anticipating some supply interruptions coming up in April and May," says Tom Deardorff, II of Deardorff Family Farms.
Production is moving from the desert regions and Mexico to California's Central Coast which includes the Oxnard and Santa Maria regions and ultimately Salinas. "The California districts had a very wet winter which made ground preparation very difficult," he says. This resulted in hand planting and significant disease pressure that was brought on by that wet, cold weather. "A lot of the California crop will be a little bit late because of those conditions and supplies will be light at the beginning of the transition."
The effect on organics
He also adds that the bigger impact will be felt on organic product given organics are generally more susceptible to disease pressures such as blight caused by that weather.
As for demand, it is steady though it's anticipated to pick up. "Usually as we get into the summer months, there's a bit of demand pick up because people like to do more outdoor activities such as picnics and gatherings," says Deardorff.
That coupled with the anticipated supply issues means pricing could strengthen in April and May. Pricing right now is somewhat off compared to last year at this time. "I think the market has been a little bit slow this winter because of the weather conditions on the East Coast that sometimes slow down demand," he says. "However we're starting to see that change now and demand is getting back to normal.
For more information:
Tom Deardorff
Deardorff Family Farms
Tel: +1(805) 487-7801
https://www.deardorfffamilyfarms.com/
