Monday, March 3, 2008

March Madness.

For many March is a month for exciting basketball games with hopes of a great Cinderella story. For those of us in the produce business March is more excitingly the month that potato and onion lovers start eating again! After a month of poor movement lets break down where we stand.

SWEET POTATOES:
Steady as they go with all shipper trying to prepare quotes to try and capture their share of the Easter push. Jumbos are short leaving plenty of #1's in all shipping districts.

ONIONS:
Yellows are still shipping from WA/ID in volume with some shippers finishing up and several more to come. Good volume is coming across from Mexico and the price has drifted south to try and compete with the Northwest product. Texas shipments will start in the next 10 days with heavy volume 14-20 days out.

Reds are plentiful in WA,ID,NV but slim from Mexico. Prices are stable
Whites are plentiful in WA,ID,NV and plentiful from Mexico. Your price is available.

POTATOES:
Reds are still coming from WA,ND,CA, Canada and new crop shipping from Florida. Florida has thus far been successful holding their price up which has allowed ND to command good prices as well.

Yellows shipping from CO, WA, ID, Canada and new crop as well from Florida with very tight availability. Ca will start near the end of March.

Whites are shipping from CA and FL with the later having the best quality but higher price. CA will settle in near the end of March as they start the Desert crops.

Russets. Idaho is suffering from poor growing conditions and is making it hard for those who have become used to beautiful appearing russets. They are Sound but are not as pleasing to the eye as usual. This said they have been able to sustain their pricing and having a tough time getting enough of the larger sizes to fill tthe demand. WA, WI, ME, CO & Canada are still shipping and their product is looking very nice.

I hope this brief recap has been helpful and feel free to call and let us do the homework for you. Enjoy your Day!

Freedom Kongvold
Philip G Ball Co
570-586-5700

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