Notes from the Green Grocer -- Jan. 2, 2007

English/Spanish



LETTUCE MARKET: Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf: Leaf and iceberg markets are coming off slightly as demand comes to a halt after the holidays. Spring Mix: Prices have come down slightly but are overall stronger than normal. Spinach: No changes this week…



BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: New crop Orange County and Santa Maria berries are very nice; prices are down. Blackberries: Prices are cheap and quality is good. Blueberries: New Zealand quality is very good; prices are down. Raspberries: Mexican raspberry supplies are much improved; prices still remain firm…

TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Growers in Mexico are holding back product to prop up prices; Prices are up. Cluster Tomatoes: Prices remain high; cool weather in Mexico is keeping supplies limited. Cherry Tomatoes: No change in the market; prices are the same and quality is good. Grape Tomatoes: The market is short; prices are higher. Roma Tomatoes: Roma prices are perking back up. Heirloom Tomatoes: Quality is very poor at best; prices are very high; time to pull the plug…

FRESH FRUITS: California Haas Avocados: Chilean fruit is still all that is available; prices are up; large fruit is very short; California is about a week. Cantaloupes: Prices are down and quality is much improved. Honeydews: Supplies are extremely light; prices remain high. Green and Red Grapes: Chilean fruit is improving daily in size and flavor; prices are dropping off. Oranges: Texas Val’s are in full swing; Navel prices are low. Grapefruit: Texas Rio stars are finishing up; first arrivals of California Sunkist Rio Stars are very nice. Lemons: The market is moving up again. Limes: Cold weather in Mexico; prices are up on all sizes. Mangoes: Quality is very good. Stone Fruit: Chilean nectarines and peaches are still not very good; Plums, Bing Cherries, Rainier Cherries, and Apricots are outstanding. Kiwi’s: California fruit is plentiful; prices are low. Persimmons: There are still plenty of Fuyu persimmons but the Hachiya variety is finished. There are good supplies of Apples, Pomegranates, and Pears…

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Frost damage is evident in all varieties of chokes; prices remain high. Asparagus: Demand has dropped off after the holiday but Peruvian growers still maintain higher margins. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Supply is good; prices are low. Blue Lake Beans: New Years demand is over but cold weather in Mexico is keeping prices high. Broccoli and Cauliflower: Supplies are still light because pickers have not yet returned to the fields; prices are strong. Cabbage: Green cabbage is very short; prices are up. Carrots: Supplies are good; prices have leveled off. Celery: Prices remain high; quality is very good. Cucumbers: Supply has caught up with demand; prices are lower. Eggplant: Frost is still a problem; supplies are light and prices remain strong. Red Onions: Quality is excellent; prices are unchanged. Yellow Onions: The market is red hot; prices are rising steadily; Idaho-Oregon quality is very good. White Onions: Prices are up. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are good; prices are unchanged. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Green bells are cheap; red bells are coming down in price; orange, and gold peppers are still expensive. Green Zucchini: Supplies are still light; prices remain firm. Yellow Squash: Crookneck quality is good; best price will be on straightneck. Gold Zucchini: New crop Mexican gold bar is still very short; prices are very high. Hard Squash: Prices have settled down on acorn, butternut, and the like; some of the earlier varieties such as delicata and turban are finished for the season. Baby Squashes: Prices are down as demand plummets. French and Yellow Wax Beans: Demand is down but supplies are light; prices should are up. Peas: Supplies are better but prices on all peas prices remain firm.

As with all fresh fruits and vegetables, the market could change daily . . .

Further description of all the fruits and vegetables mentioned above can be found at Whole Health Foods and Wegman's Online Produce Encylopedia.


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