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Market Report March 7th

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE

Clocks have turned back and spring is in the air! We are all looking forward to the extra hour of daylight and some warmer weather – especially the greenhouses. We are expecting to see some better prices by the end of the month on our local greenhouse-grown items such as English cucumbers, beefsteak tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine, grape tomatoes and medley cherry tomatoes. A combination of warmer weather and lower demand has helped to somewhat ease prices on tomatoes – plum tomatoes specifically.                                                                                          

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK:  

Asparagus is really cheap! Take full advantage now because prices on other veg options are running a bit higher as with cauliflower, peppers, and zucchini. Prices on blueberries continue to be the highest in the berry dept. so use more blackberries and raspberries. Watermelons are in short supply and prices are higher – use cantaloupes and honeydews.                                                                 

YOUR BEST BUYS:  

Asparagus, beets (all colors), broccoli crowns, carrots (all colors), sweet corn, we have a 15lb box of choice red peppers that are a great value, grape tomatoes, plum tomatoes, snow peas, and sugar snap peas. In the fruit section use blackberries, cantaloupes, figs, clementines, honeydews, mangos and oranges (blood oranges are still around too!).

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MARKET UPDATES FEB 22

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE

Finally, we are seeing some stability in produce prices. Prices that have been on the higher side are continuing on that trend,and prices that have been are on the lower side are continuing on that trend as well. Examples of this are tomato prices, they refuse to fall. Watch out for the prices on plum tomatoes!  On the other hand, we have seen prices on broccoli and broccoli crowns are cheaper than ever. You’ll find prices of strawberries have fallen now that the Valentine’s Day rush is over, although the price on the blueberries is much higher than usual due to a gap in supply.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

Since plum tomatoes are so expensive try 6×7 as a substitute and you can literally save$30 per case.
Stay with strawberries and blackberries and steer clear of the much more expensive blueberries and raspberries.
Buttercup and butternut squash is your best choice in the hard squash category as pepper squash is much more expensive
and use green zucchini instead of yellow if saving money is something that interests you.

YOUR BEST BUYS

Asparagus, beets (all colors), all broccoli, carrots (all colors), 50lb cooking onions, grape tomatoes, all sizes 25lb tomatoes,
green peppers, snow peas, and sugar snap peas. In the fruit section use blackberries, cantaloupes, clementines, figs, honeydews,
mangos, oranges (blood oranges too!) pineapples, and strawberries.

 

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Pick of the Crop January 27

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE  

The rollercoaster of prices continues. Asparagus, cluster tomatoes, hothouse tomatoes,extra-large 5×6 size tomatoes, watermelons, and zucchini remain expensive. Prices on broccoli, green peppers, iceberg lettuce, and 6×7 tomatoes have fallen off a bit but are still higher than they should be at this time of year. Lastly, we are seeing prices rise on cauliflower, 22lb boxes of red peppers, pineapples, and strawberries. The reason behind all this is simply – inconsistent supply due to the weather. There is nothing special going on that would have increased demand on any of these items with the exception of the strawberries. Grocery stores, food manufacturers, industrial bakers etc…are all placing their orders for Valentine’s Day so prices will continue to rise over the next two weeks.

WHAT YOU  NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

The larger sizes of tomatoes (hothouse and 5×6) are much more expensive than their smaller counterparts. If you don’t absolutely need a large size tomato to use the 6×7’s or even Roma tomatoes and you’ll save a bunch of money. If you are looking for a yellow vegetable use wax (yellow) beans instead of yellow zucchini. They are much cheaper and you’ll get more mileage out of them.

YOUR BEST BUYS

Beets (all colors), carrots (all colors), 50lb cooking onions, grape tomatoes, medium size 6×7 tomatoes, green kale, romaine lettuce (our is Andy Boy brand this week) and both snow peas and sugar snap peas. In the fruit section use blackberries, blueberries, red delicious apples, large size 9 cantaloupes, clementines, kiwi fruit, and mangos

TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY THIS WEEK

USE BROCCOLI CROWNS INSTEAD OF THE BUNCHED BROCCOLI AND YOU’LL GET MORE VALUE FOR THE MONEY

NEED LOTS OF GREEN ZUCCHINI? BUY THE 40LB BOX AND YOU WILL REDUCE YOUR PER POUND PRICE DRASTICALLY

USE 6X7 TOMATOES INSTEAD OF 5X6 TOMATOES

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PICK OF THE CROP 2020

WHAT’S HAPPENING
IN PRODUCE

Freezing wet weather in both the California and Mexican growing areas is causing
large problems for growers. Supplies, in general, will remain tight as growers struggle
with yields and quality. This will result in higher prices as the demand is now exceeding
the supply and will continue to do so for the rest of January. Items most affected by this
are asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, green peppers, iceberg lettuce,  tomatoes, and
zucchini. The loss of Mexican imports has had a huge impact on Canadian supplies
of peppers, tomatoes and zucchini and reports are that the recovery will not be quick.
                               

WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW
THIS WEEK

Prices on green peppers have taken a huge jump and they are now more expensive than
both red and yellow peppers. Tomato prices are down a bit due to the drop off in demand.
There is no change in the tomato shortage and the price of the extra-large 5×6 proves it.5×6
tomatoes are VERY expensive. Roma (plum) tomatoes are the best value in tomatoes.
Two other items that are much higher priced than usual are honeydews and watermelons.

YOUR   BEST BUYS

Beets (all colors), carrots (all colors), 50lb cooking onions, red and yellow peppers are
both cheaper than green peppers, grape tomatoes are much cheaper than round cherry
tomatoes, Roma (plum) tomatoes are the cheapest option in a 25lb box of tomatoes and
we are expecting to see yellow zucchini at cheaper prices than green zucchini. In the fruit
section use berries! Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are all a
great value for the money! Also clementines, mangos, pineapples and red delicious apples.                                            

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GOOD THINGS GROW IN ONTARIO

WHAT’S HAPPENING
IN PRODUCE
:

There is a mixed bag of events that are affecting pricing and availability. Old crop product
such as with cabbage and Spanish onions are finishing and prices on the new crops are
significantly higher. Weather is the main factor in the rising prices in the lettuce
category. California growing areas has been battling a heatwave and this has impacted yields
so the supply is lower and you know the rest. Hot temperatures are not a friend to
strawberries and prices are higher as a result. Keep in mind that shelflife.
 shortened on items coming out of hot areas. It is difficult to cool them properly
with so much heat and the process takes a few days off the normal shelf life.

WHAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW THIS WEEK:

The California fruit season is in full swing. Take advantage of the fantastic quality
of apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and plums. Prices on Brussel sprouts are
finally coming down – they are still expensive but not nearly as outrageously expensive
as they have been lately. We have a PRICE ALERT – All lettuce items are much more
expensive. Celery, rapini, red peppers, snow peas, sugar snaps and yams are all higher.

YOUR BEST BUYS: 

Broccoli crowns are cheaper than the bunched broccoli, corn, English cucumbers,
cluster tomatoes (on the vine), grape cherry tomatoes are cheaper than the round
cherry tomatoes, medley cherry tomatoes, and green zucchini. In the fruit section
In the fruit section use clementines, figs, kiwi fruit, honeydews, mangos, nectarines,
peaches, pineapples, pomegranates, raspberries, and watermelons.

 

ONTARIO GROWN!  NOW AVAILABLE!

Asparagus – get it while it lasts!
Collard greens
Dandelion greens
Green and yellow beans
Kale – black, red and green
Zucchini
GREENHOUSE GROWN
English cucumbers – mini ones cucumbers too!
11lb red and yellow peppers
Tomatoes – cluster, hothouse, cherry, grape,
heirloom and heirloom cherry       

                                                

 

 

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Newsletter March 24 2019

WHAT’S HAPPENING  : The Ontario greenhouses have started up again. This is a big reason for the very low
        IN PRODUCE             prices on english cucumbers lately. Next up are peppers and tomatoes and you will
                                              notice the cheaper price on the locally grown greenhouse varieties.  Peppers prices
                                              haven’t fallen off so quickly because the field grown varieties are still expensive. The
                                              prices on broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg lettuce are all more expensive this week.
                                              Celery prices are completely out of control and are at the highest ever seen. The reason
                                              for most of these high prices is the weather. The growers have all struggled through
                                              more rain and wind than usual coupled with lower temperatures. The desert regions
                                              are now approaching the end of their season and the transition to the northern region
                                               of California. This switch will bring on a new set of issues for growers.. and us as well.
    
          WHAT YOU           :  Use celery sparingly. For recipes use celery root where possible as it is much cheaper.
        NEED TO KNOW       Prices on iceberg lettuce have jumped higher so use more romaine and romaine hearts.
          THIS WEEK              Prices on onions are higher as local supplies are finished and the imports from the USA
                                               have a much higher landed cost. Cooking, red and spanish onions have all been affected.
                                               Strawberry prices are higher because the Florida season has come to an end. California
                                               grown strawberries are great quality – just a bit more expensive than we’ve seen lately.      
                                        
               YOUR                 :   Asparagus, bunched broccoli is cheaper than broccoli crowns, butternut squash is the
         BEST BUYS                 cheapest option in hard winter squash, corn, plum tomatoes are the best value in the
                                                tomato section for 25lbboxes, grape tomatoes and green zucchini. If you need a larger
                                                size green zucchini for grilling buy the 40lb crate zucchini. They are always large and
                                                much cheaper than the medium or fancy size 20lb cases.  In fruit use blackberries,
                                                cantaloupes, clementines, figs, kiwi, lemons, oranges, pineapples and strawberries.
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Berry Exciting News

A combination of light demand and a steady pace of recovery has helped to push prices lower this week. California and Mexico have been able to catch up and you’ll see cheaper prices on broccoli, cauliflower, romaine and zucchini to name a few. Unfortunately the crops in Florida haven’t been so lucky. Florida had experienced an unprecedented amount of rain and below average temperatures this winter. The result is higher prices on their crops such as beans, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers.

Continue reading Berry Exciting News

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It’s all about Florida

Fantastic quality and cheap prices on everything coming out of Florida! We are seeing strawberry prices fall, green pepper and tomato prices remain cheap and reasonably priced citrus with the new crop juicing oranges and grapefruit. In other areas such as California we are seeing steady pricing on leafy vegetables but some high prices on asparagus, cauliflower and rapini due to weather and changes in the growing areas. The South American fruit season is coming along and grape prices are beginning to soften.

Continue reading It’s all about Florida

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Spring Harvest

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE

This week we experienced some temperatures that were colder than usual for this time of year. Luckily it didn’t get cold enough to do any major damage to our local crops. We are hoping that that sort of thing is done so we can look forward to a healthy crop of locally grown produce to relieve us of the pricing nightmare that is occurring in drought stricken California. We are seeing prices on broccoli, cauliflower, celery, leaf lettuce, snow peas, sugar snap peas and swiss chard that are higher than ever. Citrus fruit is also extremely expensive with the exception of limes. Grapefruit, lemons and oranges are typically more expensive at this time of year but this year the prices are exponentially high. The latest reports are that there will be no recovery from this  drought situation this summer. The winter was way too warm in California and they had record low snowfalls in the mountain regions. Apparently that snowfall is imperative to their water situation and it is impossible to recover quickly. Maybe this will motivate someone to figure out how to make use of the gigantic ocean that they have along their western border – I suppose to desalinate ocean water is more difficult than it appear.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

Iceberg and romaine remain the cheapest options in lettuce – that is if you don’t count the prewashed and chopped product because that is by far the most reasonably priced. All tomatoes are cheap and especially our local hothouse grown varieties including both grape and cherry tomatoes. Strawberries are a fantastic bargain right now and the quality is excellent. They are large size, have great red colour and are very sweet so take advantage of them with blackberries as well which are the next best value in berries.

YOUR BEST BUYS

Asparagus, english cucumbers, radicchio, 11lb boxes of both red and yellow peppers, all tomatoes, 20lb cases of pre-washed and chopped iceberg lettuce, both green and yellow zucchini. In the fruit section use blackberries, strawberries, both golden and red delicious apples, kiwi, mangos, pineapples and watermelons.

TRIVIA  :  The first lucky participant to call Rich at our office ext. #106 with the correct answer will win a

               “FREE NIGHT AT THE MOVIES” to enjoy with a friend. You can also fax or email your guess.

The large green varieties of this popular tree fruit are known as “Persian” or “Tahiti”. They are most often seen wedged onto the side of your drinking glass. Just be the first person to identify it to win!

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Pick of the Crop Rainy Day Edition

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE

April 19 – April 25

Prices are way up on a few items such as asparagus, all varieties of lettuce

and cauliflower. The blame is being put on lighter supplies across the board.

Large 50lb bags of carrots are also up in price because the supply out of the

storage facilities is running low. It’s not all bad news as the Ontario grown

green house product such as english cucumbers, 11lb boxes of red and yellow

peppers, flats of cluster tomatoes and hothouse tomatoes are all excellent quality

and prices are cheap. This should continue throughout the spring season.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW  THIS WEEK

Asparagus prices are crazy expensive so unless the Queen is coming for dinner

its best to use another green vegetable such as zucchini, broccolini or brussel

sprouts. Prices on all lettuce are up but it’s the green and red leaf lettuce that has

been impacted the most. Cauliflower is also too expensive to use if you don’t absolutely

need it so take advantage of the broccoli crown price. They are a much better value

and they are cheaper than the bunched broccoli as well and you get 100% yield!

Raspberries continue to be expensive so use more black- blue and strawberries.

YOUR BEST BUYS

Broccoli crowns, english cucumbers, radicchio, 11lb boxes of both red and yellow

peppers, snow peas are cheaper than sugar snap peas, cluster and hothouse tomatoes,

green and yellow zucchini. In the fruit section use blackberries, golden and red

delicious apples, kiwi fruit, mangos, golden pineapples and watermelons.

 

TRIVIA  :

The first lucky participant to call Rich at our office ext. #106 with the correct answer will win a

“FREE NIGHT AT THE MOVIES” to enjoy with a friend. You can also fax or email your guess.

             Third century Romans believed that the this popular fruit was an antidote

             for all poisons. It is believed that this fruit’s origin is in Southeast Asia and

             that the Chinese Emperors enjoyed a juice made from this tree fruit. Just be

             the first to identify it to win!