Good Grief!

The next, eagerly-awaited installment of Ken Klein’s Market Report is here. Executive summary:

• Major tangerine problems cause by the recent hurricanes
• OPEC tomatoes?
• Iffy cantaloupes
• Expensive strawberries and grapes

Did you know that the average cost to bring a truckload of produce from California to the US East coast is $3,775, whereas last year it was $2,650?

Read on for the entire report.

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

Hurricane update: tangerines from the sky
The recent hurricanes have been the talk of the “business” these past few weeks. The forces of nature are unpredictable, and this fall and winter we will have to adjust to the forces of the market conditions.

When the past two hurricanes came through Florida, many oranges in the trees snapped off and landed on the ground. Some growers lost 60% of the crop, and others had trees ripped out of the ground. Figures now coming in say that over 20% of the orange crop was lost. This might not be as bad as I had once thought. Most of the Florida orange crop is produced for the juice market. There is a large enough supply of storage oranges for the next 42 weeks to get us possibly through this year’s disaster.

The major problem caused by the recent storm is a concern for the tangerine harvest (Florida grows about 75% of the nation’s tangerine supply). Tangerines are a more sensitive fruit due to their small size, and the storms crossed areas above or below the counties where a majority of the crop is grown. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors will be arriving this week to inspect damage and count branches and fruit per branch. The reason for the lag between the hurricane and the inspection is the huge post-storm fruit drop. After a major storm, you have the initial fruit drop. However, the winds whip the fruit around, causing damage to the tiny piece of wood that connects the fruit to the branch. Over the two-week period following a storm or a freeze, if the stem is too damaged, it will not carry food or moisture from the root system to the fruit, so the fruit dries up and falls. The USDA will have storm damage totals by October 10.

Market Report
So what to do? Eat and enjoy!

• Bananas. Hurricane Ivan has stirred up some excitement for the banana market. We expect delays for all Atlantic coast transit points. The Gulfport Mississippi pier may be shut down, causing shortages in the southern and central market areas. This possibility has sparked slight increases. Because primary growing areas were not impacted, the quality should not be affected.
• The tomato market is getting tighter. Tennessee and Virginia are still shipping a small amount of product, but not for long. Jersey tomatoes are mostly history. California has a good supply of nice product, and there has been a good supply of Mexican tomatoes arriving from the Baja. Plum tomatoes are very tight, and the price will go up for the next weeks. Usually in markets like this, the quality is not so good. This shortage mostly depends on the Mexican National Market and how much product they will be willing to export into the states. Sounds like we have an “OPEC” tomato market shortage!
• The broccoli market is sky high. California has had record heat in the growing regions, and broccoli does not do well in these conditions. Same goes for cauliflower.
• Lettuce prices are coming off the highs of last week, but there is still more demand than the supply, keeping prices from coming down. Red Leaf Lettuce is HOT!
• Want some strawberries? Good luck! The hot temperatures have taken their toll. Quality is less than stellar, with bruising and light-colored berries, and the fruit is small. The brand to get is Driscoll—it is always the premium label. Expect to pay over $5 for a 16 oz box! Not in my house!
• Cantaloupes have begun the gamble game again. Is it good or not? Production has slowed down in California. This past week product has been arriving with less than perfect color, more green than yellowish.
• Both red and white seedless grapes are jumping up big time. The quality is good, but when the season gets close to the end, the prices go up!
• California citrus: the markets continue to go up on Valencia oranges and grapefruit. Valencias will finish up in about two weeks, and navels will start up about two weeks after that. There will be a shortage of fruit for the remainder of the season, and prices will continue to rise. With the present conditions in Florida, grapefruit prices will remain strong; a late start and losses caused by the weather will bolster prices even further.
• Bean farms are having a very difficult time right now. A lot of fields are wet, and the quality of beans is not good. We need a few days of sun to help the situation.

The Fall season has begun. Enjoy!

Have a fruitful week!