Market Report- Week Beginning January 30th 2022
What’s Hot
After a tight start to 2022, many staple items are starting to come down in price, due to a combination of decreased volume and improved supply conditions.
Cauliflower, Broccoli, Romaine, and Green Onions are all much improved in price and quality from earlier in the month.
Florida Berries have arrived in force! They are eating beautifully, and pricing is excellent.
Melons are eating well right now, and sizing options have improved greatly from earlier in the month.
Lettuce supplies are very stable, with above average quality.
The team at Gomes Farms are continuing to produce a fantastic tomato that eats like a summer field tomato! Most of our tomato supply continues to be local, which allows you to have a tomato that has stayed on the vine longer and tastes sweeter than other import tomatoes.
Items of Concern
Stone fruit supply is beginning to soften, and while quality remains high, prices are beginning to rise.
Avocado supply has tightened again, and as a result, avocado pricing is starting to increase.
Mushrooms continue to be a major challenge. The supply chain is experiencing severe shortages of ‘fancy’ mushrooms. Oyster/Shitake/King Oyster/Maitake mushrooms have been in extremely short supply and are not consistently available. Hilite procures every case of these mushrooms we can, however the availability of these items changes day by day with little to no notice. We strongly suggest that you switch out of these mushrooms for the time being.
We are currently stocking California and Chinese peeled garlic. The California is far superior quality; however, this is reflected in the price. Please note which product you would like to receive when ordering.
While starting to pick up total market volumes continue to be down from the same time period in previous years. What this means for operators is that there are fewer loads arriving each week, and product availability can be tricky to predict. The more advance notice you have regarding product requirements, the more readily we will be able to service your produce needs.
Joe