Market Notes
November 13th, 2025

TRANSITION CONDITION

    Our baby greens grower moved south last week, and southern distribution began this past Monday. Most other Salinas Valley growers are moving this weekend, so more hell days are a comin’. All this is not a moment too soon as Monterey, Salinas, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties have begun a five day no sun rainy period. Much needed but this may injure the local brussels sprouts crop bigly. New crop greens in Yuma and surrounding areas are getting great reviews and quality is no longer a problem, but catching up is. Fields were stripped and shipped north to cover the end of the Salinas season so we will need to play catch up for a few eeks to get back to normal production. Our best guess is that prices might remain high for another two weeks and drop just before Thanksgiving. But the best news is we will have the supply and the quality just in time for the holiday. “

FLIGHT FRIGHT – CARGO NO GO

      The entire country has been on standby for the last two weeks as the number of air traffic controllers diminishes by 30% and flight safety demanded fewer planes in the air. While these decisions were made in time to inform passengers, not so for domestic and international freight. We asked one of our freight forwarders in SFO for a better understanding of the situation and here was their response. When passenger flights are cancelled, it creates a significant ripple effect for cargo, which often flies in the belly of these planes. The “chaos” isn’t just a simple delay; it’s a multi-layered logistical breakdown. There are some Backlogs at Terminals: The most visible effect is cargo piling up at airport warehouses (like those at SFO and LAX). Shipments that were scheduled to depart are now stuck, and new incoming cargo continues to arrive for other flights, leading to severe congestion. Especially for time- and temperature-sensitive shipments like our shipments, fresh produce, and seafood, delays are catastrophic. A missed flight can mean the spoilage of an entire shipment, leading to significant financial loss and wasted products.”  They expect this backup will continue at least through the month.

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I???

  I sprouted first on the sunny shores of the Mediterranean, where ancient Romans believed I brought courage to warriors and clarity to thinkers. My feathery green fronds wave proudly above the soil while my pale bulb swells below, soaking up sunshine and sea breeze. I thrive in well drained earth and gentle climates, stretching tall and fragrant with a hint of licorice in the air. Some say I once guided Greek runners to victory, others whisper that I was used in love potions either way, I’ve been adored for ages! My bulb is crisp and white, layered like a tender onion, yet tastes sweetly of anise with a cool crunch. My stalks are firm, my fronds delicate, and my seeds tiny but mighty burst with aromatic charm. In the kitchen, I mingle with roasted fish, brighten salads, and cozy up in soups or stews. Braise me, slice me raw, or toast my seeds for spice I never disappoint. My scent dances between sweet and herbal, turning humble dishes into Mediterranean feasts. Even my pollen is prized by gourmet chefs for its golden magic. Rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, I keep hearts strong and digestion smooth. With every bite, I whisper stories of sun, sea, and ancient gardens.

The answer to last week’s quiz is…GINGER… – Congrats to all winners

 Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com  Phone 908-789-4700 – Fax 908-789-4702 – e-mail passings@culinaryproduce.com

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© Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2025

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