Broccoli & Cauliflower supplies are starting to get tight in Yuma
We are quickly approaching the end of the Yuma, Arizona growing season and expect to see active markets, light supplies and quality issues become more widespread industry-wide.
Over the last couple of months, Yuma has experienced a number of days with freezing temperatures resulting in ice. This has slowed plant growth and caused blister, epidermal peel and discoloration. This is leading to shortages on some products and quality issues on others. Case weights are also down at this time so we should expect escalated pricing and supply constraints on value added products as well.
Suppliers are doing the best they can to remove outer layers to improve quality but it is not possible to remove 100% of all quality issues with current harvests.
We are in constant communication with our suppliers to make sure we are pulling the best product possible as transition occurs and will make sure to keep information flowing as supplies change.
The market is expected to remain escalated with tight supplies for the next 4 to 6 weeks until the transition to Salinas is completed in April.