Market Notes
January 11, 2018
KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ FOLLOW UP
We really hope you read last week’s Market Notes. It was a primer on what is to come in the trucking industry. The reality of these changes are here. None are feeling it worse than LTL drivers. Once you are outside your “local zone” the draconian rules leave these routes helpless. To further the damage, the consideration is little to none. While our government praises the truck driver as the backbone of the country, they no sooner give huge tax breaks to companies developing driver automation. Everyone seems to agree that when robotic trucks are prolific cost will drop and efficiencies will emerge, but between now and then, as we wipe out the job of driving, costs are going to soar on all consumer goods. Do you really think those cost saving will trickle down to lowering consumer goods? Not unlike the new tax strategy, the escalated price will drop a bit, and the bulk of the savings will stay at the top. It’s a truckers market right now and with the scarcity of vehicles, new rules, lopsided markets, and inclement weather, price for transportation is now a daily consideration.
COLD COLD COLD
The east coast is frozen solid with just enough warmth during the day to create floods then re-freeze at night. The same cold has hit much of the country as the polar vortex drops south. This cool blanket has affected our fields in Yuma slowing down growth and creating gaps in supply. Team spinach has been hit the hardest followed by kale and arugula. Prices are up and allocations are on. Mesclun and baby lettuces are OK for the moment but if we continue with the cool nights they will both become short as well. Allocations had been as high as 50% and this appears to be affecting all growers of baby greens.
OFF-SHORE AND MORE
Asparagus remain very tight on both coasts and that is reflected in the price. Yellow tomatoes from Florida are now available in small quantities and small sizes. This should increase within the next few weeks. Baby squash is of questionable quality on both coasts, in each case it is due to damage from the rain. Snow peas and snap peas are quite the deal, inexpensive and looking great. Baby carrots are back being very affordable and even the rainbow carrots are priced low. French Beans are about as inexpensive as they can get. Any lower and we’ll pay you. Both stem on or trimmed are priced to move. Heirloom tomatoes are on the high side and will remain so through the winter months. Sharon Fruit from Spain is in stock just in time as the domestic persimmon season ends.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHAT AM I??
Despite our lack of importance as a source of nutrition, we contribute hugely to the enjoyment of what you eat. We are the fragrant leaves of any various annual or perennial plants that grow in temperate zones and do not have woody stems. We come fresh, dried, or freeze-dried. In our dried form we are the strongest but lose our pungency quickly. We add scent, flavor, and color to such a degree that certain foods can not exist without us. My flavor comes from essential oils stored in leaves, stems, and flowers which are released through heat or processing. In the combination we have been known at times to be French. We are essential in soups, stocks, tomato sauce, pesto, pickles, tea, oils and butters. We can be blended, infused, roasted, used as garnish, or cake decorations. We aid digestion and can help freshen breath. We also have many medical uses from aiding sleep, relieving sinus congestion, to emotional stability and heightened sexual sensitivity. Our lure is tremendous and out popularity is always growing. From chefs, to pharmacists, from fragrance manufacturers to healers, from Babylonian clay tablets to sophisticated infusions we will someday take over the world. Oh yeah, we also taste good.
Answer To 12-14-2017 Quiz:…RUTEBAGA…Congrats To All Winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
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Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015