TOMATOES
Local crops are right on schedule to finish over the next 7-10 days depending on weather. New crops are already get started and quality looks good. Western supply has finished some older plantings and started new ones as well but volume will lighter for the next few months.
Similar to the romas, most of the older plantings are winding down and will be finished within the next couple weeks. New production and late plantings are already started so volume should remain steady barring any major weather issues. Western production is expected to be steady from now until the winter plantings get started in Culiacan by mid-December.
Grape quality in the East remains very good but supply will dip some for a couple weeks during the transition periods. New crops in South Carolina and South Georgia have already started with North Florida expected to start by the 20th. Mexican crops are very inconsistent with poor quality.
VEGETABLES
Squash production is beginning to slow as cooler temperatures impact growth in the East. Harvest will continue in North Carolina for another three to four weeks, weather permitting. Georgia remains in production but has also slowed due to the cooler conditions. North Florida has just started in a small way, though whitefly pressure continues to be a challenge there and in Georgia. Mexico has begun light production, but not enough to influence the market. The market has strengthened slightly with overall lighter supply.
Cucumber supply will likely begin to slow through the month of October. Cooler weather in the East is reducing yields, and Mexico is transitioning into winter crops as fall fields wind down. Typically we see a gap on Mexican product in the month of October, while waiting for winter fields to start end of October or beginning of November. Georgia, typically helps bridge that gap. As a result supply is expected to tighten, and markets should strengthen over the next two to three weeks.
Bean supply remains steady, though cooler weather has slightly slowed production. Georgia is harvesting well, while Florida is still about four weeks away from starting. Supply should remain good for the next couple of weeks, though the market may begin to strengthen as northern crops finish over the next two weeks.
Bell pepper supply remains strong. Northern production continues but will begin winding down over the next week or two. New fields are being crowned in Georgia, and as Northern crops finish for the season, the market may begin to strengthen with only Georgia picking.
