TOMATOES
Florida roma production remains steady with good quality. Mexican supply is very light, especially on good quality which is adding pressure and raising the market in Florida. New crops out West will not have reliable supply until mid-January.
Florida growers will continue to have good volume and quality on the round tomatoes for the rest of the year. New crops farther South will get started after Christmas that will improve just as the older Central crops are finishing up. Mexican growers are winding down on their older crops with new Culiacan production not expected until mid-January.
Grape supply and quality is steady out of Florida; and light in Mexico. Then new South Florida and Mexican crops have already started with minimal volume, but should improve every week. Typically grape volume out of the West improves before their rounds and romas.
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.
