IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!

Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see where the rain is falling, the sun is shining, and everything in between.

BIG STORM COMING TO CHERRY COUNTRY

Sacramento, CA, is a big growing area for California cherries. Right now, this region should be in bloom or already have fruit on the trees. Today and tomorrow, Sacramento is expecting some light rain, but come Thursday through Saturday, the region is expecting a decent storm with up to 1.5” of rain. The bulk of the rain is expected to hit Friday (up to 1”) and .25” of rain on both Thursday and Saturday.

Hopefully we can get ahold of Chris Zanobini from Cal Cherry to give us an update for our Friday email. Will be interesting to see if this rain will have any effects on the crop.

After this weekend, there is another potential storm for Tuesday, April 9. We will update you on this again come Friday.

RAIN IN OTHER PARTS OF CALIFORNIA

Citrus regions of Fresno and Visalia are expecting some light rain today (.14”) and then will see more rain on Thursday and Friday (0.5”).

The Salinas region has a slight chance of rain today, but may see up to .75” between Thursday to Saturday.

Oxnard most likely will not see any rain.

COACHELLA VALLEY SPRING CROP COULD START EARLY

The desert region is transitioning from their winter crops of lettuce and strawberries to their spring crops of bells, beans, corn, and eggplant. Bells traditionally start late April, while the other three start mid-April but, with the warm weather, this area is having to look for production to start early and volumes to come on fast. This week, daily maximum temperatures will range from a high of 89° today to a low of 83° on Thursday, but next week, things will really heat up. A mini heat wave will start Sunday with a high of 95° and will max out Monday and Tuesday at a high of 98°. Today, the Coachella Valley is expecting some winds of 24 mph throughout the day.

Check with shippers in the area to get their professional opinion about start dates and volumes.

FLORIDA

Florida appears to be entering a period of daily moisture activities but with very minimal amounts. Daily totals are between .06” - .12” in the southern half of the state. In the northern half, they can expect a little bit more in total rain with daily numbers getting as high as .25”.

The highest rain totals are expected to come next Monday, April 8, as the entire state can expect to receive above .50”. Temperatures for the state will remain the mid-80° for a high and mid-60°s for a low.

STRAWBERRIES

Strawberry volumes are down as the three big winter players of Florida, Central Mexico, and Oxnard are all decreasing shipments as their seasons wind down. Keep on eye on the quality, as we are so late in the season.

There may be a gap of volume and quality as we wait for the next major regions to come online. Out west, Salinas/Watsonville and Santa Maria will be the big spring and summer shippers. This region will be the horses for the summer. If you are already pulling from these regions, be aware they are expected to see a decent shot of rain on Friday and Saturday.

LEAMINGTON, CANADA

This region of Canada, which sits on the northern coast of Lake Erie, just 60 miles north of Cleveland and only 35 miles southeast of Detroit, is the lowest point in all of Canada. This region is a huge glass greenhouse growing region supplying the U.S. with tomatoes, bells, and cukes all spring, summer, and fall.

Every year, this region seems to start earlier and earlier, and this season is no different. They have kicked off their season with light supplies of peppers and cukes.

The maximum temperature today in the area will only be 48°, but inside the greenhouse the conditions are perfect. What can affect their growing conditions are cloudy skies, and it appears they can expect some rain this Thursday of .30” and more rain Sunday through Tuesday of next week. The weekend rain will be accompanied by warmer temperatures, as the high on Sunday may touch 60° with a low of 46°.

MEXICO

The current principal vegetable growing regions of Culiacán and Ciudad Obregón will continue to see maximum temperatures in the low to mid-90°s and minimum temperatures in the mid- to upper 50°s. Quality and volumes should remain strong.

Torreon in the east will see maximum temperatures in the mid- to upper 80°s this week and will rise to the mid-90°s next week.

MANGOS

The coastal Mexican growing regions of Michoacán are experiencing unseasonably warm weather right now. The areas of Apatzingán and La Huacana in the state of Michoacán should have maximum temperatures in the 80°s this time of year, but currently are experiencing temperatures in the upper 90°s this week and will get to 100° by Monday of next week and stay there. I don’t know much about mangos, but you might want to check with shippers in McAllen about volumes.

Thank you again for your support, and we will be back later this week with another update.

Weathermelon