Thursday, November 8, 2007

Holidays have arrived

The Holidays have officially arrived and produce is in full flow with strong demand on all potatoes, sweet potatoes and ...... that's it! Onions are still the dog as every region has plenty and all regions are showing excellent quality. Usually the country balances itself with supply and quality but every grower has hit triple 7's so that means that every grower has no advantage. Let's do a quick recap.

Onions - loading in WA. ID, OR, CO, NV, UT, WI, MI, NY and Canada for starters. Markets on yellows are at their bottoms with reds showing some signs of life and whites even stronger. Lots of whites available but few looking fancy.

Sweet Potatoes - LA, MS, NC are all in full flow with orders up to their ears. #1's are plentiful in all areas leaving Jumbo's & Two's a little short of what the markets require for Thanksgiving movement. Order commitments were a little late coming this year but they have officially shown up for the big dance.

Potatoes
Idaho's - we are in the middle of a strong market on all sizes. Small bag business has everyone booked out and shippers are feeling confident on moving the market up weekly on cartons. The big push should tail off by next week so the question to be answered is will this also curb the rising market? What's your guess?

Russets - nice quality from all areas being CO, WI, MI, ME, WA & Canada. Prices are value based and deals are being struck.

Reds - ND is looking great. Nice dark red color..an excellent crop this year. Of course the premium stuff is still from Mt Vernon and movement is good. Reds are also in the other normal areas but quality is just OK comparably.

Whites - East coast is happy with whites coming from NJ, ME and Canada. West of OH is happy with the whites from WI. Weather has been OK in Mt Vernon the source for the fancy stuff but rain is setting in and the cold is quickly approaching. Best to be ahead.

Yukons - Beautiful from Mt Vernon and Idaho. WHAT! That's right IDAHO! The yellows are looking great so far but supply is short. Also yellows from from the other areas is available in great supply and are all equally the same. Had samples from the best fields in all areas here to compare and all are pretty much equal after WA & ID.

There is your posting for the day. As always we are here to guide you when you're ready so just give us a call or email. Have a TREMENDOUS Day!

Freedom Kongvold
Philip G Ball Co.
570-586-5700

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