Following tighter supply in the summer months of Brussels sprouts, the transition is just ahead on supply starting to come out of Washington. "We are expected to start here over the next couple weeks and both supply and quality look good," says Matt Yeoman of Valley Pride Sales, adding that a mid-September start date is similar to historical timing.
© Skagit Valley Pride Sales
The region has seen favorable growing conditions leading up to the crop. "We plant in April and May and it wasn't too cold or wet. We also had timely rains after planting which helped the plants settle in," he says. "We've also had a dryer summer. The days are getting shorter and things are starting to cool down now and Brussels do well in this climate–they like it cool and wet, which is us in the northwest."
Other growing regions
In the meantime, supply of the vegetable is still coming out of the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria. Santa Cruz, California also starts production this month as does Canada.
© Skagit Valley Pride Sales
Demand is also lower in the summer though now that fall is ahead, it's expected to pick up. The season from Washington runs from September through to January and that corresponds with consumption–Yeoman estimates 50 percent of the Brussels sprouts consumption is done in those months and matches well with product demand.
All of this is expected to leave pricing slightly stronger compared to last year.
For more information:
Matt Yeoman
Skagit Valley Farms and Valley Pride Sales
Tel: +1 (360) 428 2717
