Very light volume with vegetables from the California and Arizona desert areas have started, but it will December before any significant loadings occur.
The transistion from Salinas and Santa Maria to the Coachella and Imperial valleys should provide better volume than has occurred in recent months for up north, but we’re still talking mid December before this occurs — particularly with broccoli. Shipments should continue through March.
There has been limited volume underway since last week from the Coachella Valley with red leaf, green leaf, butter leaf, spinach and this week romaine is starting. There’s also other items becoming available soon from the Coachella Valley such as artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and fennel.
A small amount of desert lettuce got undeway last week at Yuma, AZ, while more lettuce should start around Brawley, Calif., the first week of December.
In the weeks ahead keep a close eye on weather reports for the desert areas as the whims of Mother Nature in the winter can drastically affect available loadings.
Meanwhile, back in the San Joaquin Valley, table grape shipments continue steady in good volume averaging nearly 1,400 truck loads per week….A similar situation remains with carrots, primarily from Kern County, which are averaging about 450 truck loads each week.
Desert veggie loads (not accounting for multiple picks) – grossing about $6500 to New York City.