Good Grief!

The Market Report is a weekly column written by Ken Klein of Klein’s Supermarket in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood.  He writes the column for the Art Museum Area News and kindly allows me to post it here.  The report is a fascinating look at the forces that drive the quality and price of our food; if you haven’t read it before, check it out!

Executive summary:

• Expensive:  tomatoes.  Still.
• Proceed with caution:  cantaloupes, honeydew, and strawberries
• Apples and pears:  road trip, anyone?

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

Greetings food lovers!

Tomatoes again. 
Here at produce central, word is that tomatoes are still very tight. If you’ve been paying attention to either this reporter or to the produce stand and observing sticker shock, you should not be surprised. Florida has had tight supplies for the past three weeks and they’re saying it will be at least another two weeks until we see more volume. Currently, most product being shipped out of the area is number two quality, meaning size variations, bruising, scaring, and varied sizes in the packed boxes. This news is not what a retailer wants to tell his customers. Shippers are saying that in three weeks, we should find an improved quality to the mix.

Rain has caused Mexican tomatoes arriving out of San Diego to slow and has also raised some quality concerns, which kept shippers from moving the product into the states.

In the "gap" time, higher prices.

I am just delivering the news!

Market Report

• The green bean market appears to be heading up for the holiday season.  Beans are being picked from Virginia all the way to Florida.  Quality continues to be outstanding, and supply is excellent.
• Green peppers continue to be in strong demand, especially for extra large-sized peppers.  Growers now will have a good supply of large peppers, as they are picking to fill the demand and capture the market.  Florida has begun harvesting peppers along with California, which is good news! More growers shipping means lower prices down the line.
• Romaine and iceberg lettuce are in the middle of a region transfer, moving from the central California valley to the Arizona desert, where the winter harvest will begin in two to three weeks. Quality is reported to be good, with the exception of fringe burn on the tips of Romaine and lighter weights on the Iceberg.
• Celery is approaching the strongest demand time—Thanksgiving.  The quality is looking great.
• Grapes are hot! Good white seedless are in short supply and are commanding big money. There have been a few imports coming in that are bringing a ten to fifteen dollar premium. The market on whites is helping to bolster the market on red seedless, red globe (the big seeded grapes), and black seedless. Supplies are good on everything except white grapes, and prices are increasing.
• California Navels are rolling in now.  Prices are down substantially from last week and should level off for the next few weeks. Quality on the early fruit has looked very nice.
• The lemon market is steady with the new districts shipping in full swing and imports still keeping the market in check.
• Florida citrus is readily available now. Most shippers are in full production on Navel and juice oranges. Tangerines are now arriving in the sunburst variety. This variety is sweet and easy to peel. Eat them up!  On these items you will see a substantial drop in prices.
• Florida grapefruit will not be among the bargains. The growers are suffering from heavy hurricane losses, so prices are still strong with large fruit being in very short supply.
• The biggest issue with apples and pears is the truck shortage in the Northwest. This shortage combined with a good crop has left apple shippers looking to move fruit. If you have the wheels you will find some great deals! The price on pears has become much stronger as the California product is "cleaning up".
• Your favorite summer fruit should be a nice memory. Cantaloupes and honeydews now have fair quality and higher prices. You might recognize the fruit, but the taste will not be there. Purchase with caution.
• Strawberries from California are the same story—unpredictable!  The supply and demand are high, and holiday demand will cause the current high prices to skyrocket.

Have a fruitful week!