Produce Alliance, LLC.

Market Report: 10.10.2024 Current table grape supply and demand out of California remain strong, however we do feel the season will come to a close early due to heat related crop losses. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the West, tighter supply available to market on mushrooms. Lime volume is improving, but overall remains lighter than normal. The topic in the Salinas Valley is warmer than normal weather! Growers are doing their best to handle the situation, but harvesting has definitely decreased due to the heat, and we will see some supplies start to decrease. The weather in Yuma has also been very hot so some of the earlier crops in Yuma could be affected. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated. Bok Choy has also stayed at the extreme trigger. It continues to be very light on supplies. Leeks and Broccolini have also gotten very light. Green onions and Artichokes are also still at the extreme trigger and are extremely tight. Expect these to stay escalated throughout the month of October. For green onions, we still have growers who do not have any product at all. Broccoli is still escalated and there is some insect intrusion that is limiting what will be harvested. The Diamondback moth is still a large issue in the valley, and it is still affecting the broccoli, cauliflower and the cabbage fields. Expect the effects of the moth to run through the rest of the Salinas season. Green Cabbage is still escalated and will be for at least a few more weeks. Spinach is now escalated. There are tight supplies and some insect damage. We will keep an eye on the heat and will keep everyone updated; with transitions around the corner, the Diamondback moth and heat in the mix, October is going to be a hectic month for the industry as a whole. Excessive heat in the San Joaquin Valley citrus growing areas have heavily affected supplies on the Valencia orange. For more information on the effects of the recent Hurricanes, please read our full Market Report.

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Market Alert: Heat Related Quality Issues 10.8.2024 The entire Western vegetable industry is going through a series of challenges due to extreme weather events including unusually high temperatures. Nearly all crops in the field are expected to experience various defects such as fringe burn, tip burn, sun scalding, wilt and general weaker texture due to excessive heat that may compromise quality and shelf life. In the short term, we are expecting the hot weather to potentially impact finished product texture and shelf life. It is too early to forecast the long-term impact on quality and availability for the full raw material lineup. However, items such as Lettuces, Romaine, Green Leaf, Broccoli, and Baby Leaf are the first and most delicate items. Dehydration, tip burn, high core, discoloration, and rapid irregular growth are concerns the industry is bracing for. Expect to see a deviation from the normal standards you are accustomed to seeing from some growers. We want to assure you that all the growers still have food safety measures fully in place and there is no deviation or compromise in that area. We expect this quality alert to remain in effect through the month of October and most likely up through transition time to the Desert regions. This heat could also potentially cause gaps in the supply chain leading into transition. Please note that there are multiple microclimates within the Salinas Valley, and some are more susceptible to the heat and the challenges. Not everyone will experience the same level of volatility. We are asking for your understanding and your cooperation, and hope that this open communication can help everyone understand this is an industry wide issue with little guarantee that replacement product will be better than what was originally sent. Growers are recommending that you pay extra close attention to cold chain management (optimal 33-36F) as these quality issues may advance rapidly if product is exposed to elevated temperatures. Growers also recommend keeping minimal product on hand and rotating as quickly as possible.

Market Alert: Port Strike 10.4.2024 (UPDATE) ILA has come to a tentative agreement until January 15, 2025, and will resume work. Below is a snapshot from their website: The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. have reached a tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025, to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues. Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease, and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume.

Market Report 10.3.2024 Current table grape supply and demand out of California remain strong, however we do feel the season will come to a close early due to heat-related crop losses. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the West, tighter supply is available to market on mushrooms. Lime volume is improving, but overall remains lighter than normal. Quality is improving as well as we are seeing new crop limes starting to cross from Mexico. The fall transitions for avocados are occurring as Mexico now has 96% market share, with both the Loca and Aventajada crops being harvested. Even though we are officially into Fall, the weather is still very warm in Salinas and leafy greens are suffering. Growers are doing their best to handle the situation, but cooler weather is needed. The heat is going to cause issues across the board and with more rain also in the forecast, the weeks leading up to Transition are going to be bumpy. The weather in Yuma has also been very hot, so some of the earlier crops in Yuma could be affected. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated. Bok choy has also stayed at the extreme trigger. Leeks have also gotten very light. Green onions and artichokes are also still at the extreme trigger and are extremely tight. For green onions, we still have growers who do not have any product at all. Broccoli is still escalated and there is some insect intrusion that is limiting what will be harvested. The Diamondback moth has become a large issue in the valley, and it is still affecting the broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage fields. Expect the effects of the moth intrusion to run through the rest of the Salinas season. Green Cabbage is still escalated and will be for at least a few weeks. Spinach is still on the watchlist due to the heat, tight supplies and some insect damage. Excessive heat in the San Joaquin Valley citrus growing areas has heavily affected supplies on the Valencia orange crop. Most shippers are reporting probable “Gaps” in production between now and the beginning of the Navel season.

The Produce Alliance CAM team had a fantastic Summit in Chicago! The team engaged in productive strategy meetings and team building exercises. It was a successful two days that strengthened team collaboration and set a positive tone as we kickoff Q4!

Market Alert: Port Strike 10.2.2024 The current port strike involves 45,000 dockworkers along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast. Workers are striking primarily over wages, job security, and concerns about automation. This strike is disrupting operations at 36 major ports, including those in New York, New Jersey, Houston, and Baltimore. It is difficult to use alternative routes with so many ports affected, but suppliers are looking for the best options. The commodities being affected the most are pineapples and bananas. Our team has been following up frequently with our supplier partners, but there are still many uncertainties. Suppliers are developing contingency plans in case certain shipments are delayed and are working to identify alternative routes to mitigate risk. We will continue to keep you updated as we receive more information.

Market Alert: Hurricane Helene 10.2.2024 The devastation and impacts from Hurricane Helene are being felt across the entire Southeast; our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this Natural Disaster. In sight of the news, pictures, videos and information being provided to our team by the farmers we partner with, we expect the supply of fresh produce from the region to be volatile. Based on location, the damages to crops and infrastructure vary, and those impacts are being assessed as we speak. Supply interruptions and delays will be imminent over the short term but will improve as we get closer to November and move further South into Florida. We do expect to see some shippers declare an Act of God based on their losses. Commodities that are certain to be immediately impacted are: Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Soft Squash, Bell Pepper, Eggplant, Peanuts, Pecans, Mixed Hot Pepper, Greens, Cabbage and Green Beans, just to name a few. We are working with our partners to keep you updated and appreciate your patience during these difficult times.

Market Alert: Blueberries 10.1.2024 The blueberry market faces a significant imbalance, with demand far exceeding supply. In the last five days, blueberry availability has dropped considerably as the domestic season comes to a close. Delays in imports from Peru and Central Mexico are anticipated, likely leading to a supply shortfall and lower overall volumes than initially projected for mid-October. For the next 4-5 weeks, supply levels are expected to remain critically low until substantial shipments arrive from Peru and Central Mexico. During this timeframe, we will see significantly higher markets and prorations. Our grower partners strive to maintain service levels by harvesting to the best of their abilities, but the availability of supplies will be significantly affected. We anticipate industry-wide supply gaps and kindly request flexibility in loading dates necessary to fulfill orders as we navigate this interruption.

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