Good Grief!

Ken Klein’s Market Report! Executive summary:

• The heat is causing produce to mature early.
• Cherries: California prices never came down; excessive rain has caused problems with the Washington harvest.
• Great deals on tomatoes.
• Grapes—size matters!

The Market Report, by Ken Klein
Klein’s Supermarket, 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, Philadelphia
Our Hours: M-F 8 AM to 8 PM; Sat. 8 AM to 8 PM; Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM

Greetings Food Lovers!

Introduction

Let’s get right into the thick of things this week. Last year, we were stuck in the horrible weather doldrums. If you remember, we saw rain upon rain up and down the East coast, forcing farmers and shippers to wait for a dry out, only to see yet again more wet conditions.

What a difference this year has been. We received heat, and as a result our east coast growers are pleased with the outcome. Ideal conditions resulted in early maturing of all major products.

Market Report

• Blueberries from New Jersey will begin this week. Quality is expected to be top notch with light volume at first. North Carolina will continue to be in abundant supply. Remember that the normal starting point for Jersey Blues is usually around the July 4th holiday.

• Strawberries shipping from California continue to be very good quality. Supplies have been tight the past few weeks, causing prices to go up. What California grows, the country takes—that means the market forces the prices.
• Cherries. What once promised to be a fantastic harvest in California came in with tremendous optimism and just whimpered out to false expectations. The price just never came down. Now it is Washington State. Rain is pretty much the story from the West coast: some districts suffered severe damage and will be abandoned, and some shippers plan on packing this weekend after lying out since Tuesday. Other districts father north in Washington have had far less rain and are expected to start by the end of next week. Idaho is expected to begin July 23. Considering the market forces, do not expect to see any deals for this fantastic fruit. Think $5 lb. The first of the Washington came in, and it is just “candy” and dandy!
• Stone fruit is in a sad state for the growers. Peaches and nectarines from the East and West coasts are overrun with product, and shippers are looking for business. The demand is not there, so warehouses are just sitting with product. Apricots are limited with smaller sizes and scars on the skin. Plums are starting to come in now with smaller sizes, and prices have been dropping.
• There are a lot of variances in the market with both red and white seedless. Prices vary according to size: Larger sizes cost more. (makes sense to me)! Premium prices for the jumbo size Thompson and Sugarones seedless. The price is worth it. They are bursting with a sweet, crisp taste. Remember, it’s all about taste, not price.
• Avocados. Remember when they used to be cheap? Not now! Florida avocados will start up with very limited quantities this week. Prices will be high for the first arrivals but will begin to lower in the coming weeks. Florida avocados are not the Haas variety—if you make guacamole, these are not for you.
• The tomato market is still extremely weak. The high temperatures and consistently dry weather have brought on additional growing areas further north. Not only are shippers still picking in Florida, but the Carolinas have picked up as well. This, combined with product out of Mexico and California beginning, has forced the market to the floor. Look for prices to stay low as the volume continues to be plentiful. Good news for our salads!
• Celery has become a hot potato. Some growers have now finished harvesting; the volume is light, but the quality is outstanding. Another problem which will keep the market strong is freight. Freight rates have moved up $1500 to $2000 per truck above where they were a short time ago.
• Iceberg lettuce quality continues to be first rate. Leaf and Romaine from California are also in great supply and quality. Be very careful with New Jersey lettuce. Yes, it is local and fresh, but it has a higher sand content which requires several washings.
• Asparagus is now arriving from Peru.
• Cauliflower continues to be in short supply this week. California growers have had to hold off harvesting as the crop continues to mature. Prices will be high. Traditionally, this is not a summer product.
• Sweet corn harvesting has begun in Georgia. Quality is ever so sweet, and supply is abundant. The market and great summertime weather makes corn a natural for your dinner.
• Green beans have begun in Virginia as harvesting moves up the East coast. Ideal weather has caused beans to be in abundant supply. Look for dark green, firm, snappy beans. Boil them for five to seven minutes, and there you have them.

Have a fruitful week!