Market Minute: West Coast heat could pressure produce markets
Market Minute: West Coast heat could pressure produce markets
The heat in the western growing areas has recently been very intense with temperatures in California's Central Valley reaching into the 100s. This can become threatening to some major crops and cause heat stress on fruits and vegetables.
We don’t know the impact this heat will have or the results it may have on the product, but any damage to crops will certainly have an influence on availability and the markets. All we can do now is wait for Mother Nature’s heat to subside.
Here are just some items the heat wave may affect:
- Strawberries: Berries are very sensitive to heat, but it depends on the areas where they are grown. A newly planted crop in Oxnard and Santa Maria could be affected.
- Stone Fruit: Extreme heat can shock the fruit, especially peaches. Any losses can lower supplies and raise the markets.
- Broccoli and Cauliflower: The heat has stunted the sizing as well as caused pin rot and other damaging problems.
- Lettuce: Issues of tip burn, mildew and lighter weight are causing a stress on leaf and Iceberg lettuce.
- Peppers: High sun and heat could cause some spotting and sunburn, which could result in soft wrinkling tissue.
Be careful in handling your product by controlling inventories as well as maintaining proper temperatures in storage. Do not allow items to sit out of refrigeration on delivery arrivals at the warehouse or in the stores. The slightest temperature increase could easily add complications to an already weakened product.
Make sure to have a good dialogue with your supplier for more updated information they may have in their direct communication with product sources.
Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775/843-2394 or by e-mail at [email protected].
