TOMATOES
Roma production in Florida this week will be just fair and then get lighter and lighter as we near March. We expect sizing to the start getting smaller once we start harvesting the most stunted plantings that we are relying on for most of March and early April. Mexican roma volume has been lower than usual and quality is very poor. Market is rising with the light supply, especially on good quality
Our vine ripe round tomatoes are improving quality wise as we work through the plantings that were hit most with frost. Volume has been steady but we do expect to have a few weeks coming up in March with lighter supply. Mexican supply has been light, but sizing has been better. Market will rise as we near some of the volume shortages expected out of the Immokalee area over the next few weeks.
Grape production and quality is steady in Florida and out of Mexico. It will not be the same volume we typically see this time of year because of the bloom drop and some lost acreage from the freeze, but grapes are more resilient than the other tomato items. Similar to the other items the toughest supply weeks will be in March.
VEGETABLES
Squash is beginning to recover from the freeze. While production is not expected to return to normal levels yet, we anticipate gradual improvement over the next two weeks. Two new fields were started over the weekend, and early quality reports from both are very good.
Cucumber supply out of Honduras has slowed due to adverse growing conditions. Mexico also experienced unfavorable weather last week, and combined with increased demand, supply tightened last week and will remain tight this week. The Mexico season will begin to wind down as it approaches its mid-March finish. As a result, we expect the market to continue strengthening over the next few weeks.
Bean fields this week and next are the most impacted from the freeze. Expect Florida supply to remain very limited over the next two weeks. There is some volume coming out of Mexico; however, demand is extremely high and the market remains very strong. In approximately three weeks, we are hopeful to see some improvement, though the extent of recovery is still uncertain. We are also continuing to assess whether the Easter crop will grow through the damage sustained. It will likely take another one to two weeks before we have a clearer picture.
Bell pepper crops in Immokalee were significantly impacted by the recent freeze. Florida production will be very limited over the next 3–4 weeks. Mexico and Florida typically has strong availability this time of year; however, recent adverse weather has affected quality and reduced yields. As a result, both growing regions are experiencing supply pressure, and the market is reacting accordingly. Expect the market to remain firm to strong as we move into the spring transition
