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 the latest around all growing regions.

YESTERDAY MORNING, CULICÁN HIT 39°, LOS MOCHIS HIT 34°

As was predicted, Wednesday night into Thursday morning was the coldest day of the 2019/20 growing season so far in the coastal state of Sinaloa, Mexico. The low temperature in the Culiacán growing region dipped to 39° in the pre-dawn hours of yesterday morning. In Los Mochis, approximately 75 miles north of Culiacán in the state of Sinaloa, the low temperature dipped to 34° Thursday morning. Although not as big of a player as Culiacán in vegetable, it is none the less an important region that supplies product to the Nogales market this time of year.

These temperatures are not cold enough to do any damage to the fruit or plants but expect a definite slowdown in production over the next few days. Also expect to see very light color on tomatoes as these tempearuters don’t allow the fruit to ripen as quickly. One last thing to consider is the possibility of rain damage to first plantings, which may also lead to less product getting shipped to the U.S.

Starting today, temperatures will warm up with highs in the mid 80°s and lows in the upper 50°s. Another storm front will come through the area early next week with a chance of light rains on Monday and Tuesday and cooler temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday.

WARMING TREND COMING TO FLORIDA

A cold front will make its way across southern Florida today bringing a chance of light rain and cooler temperaturees to all major growing regions from Plant City, south to Belle Glade, Immokalee, and Homestead. All these regions will see minimum temperatures tonight in the 40°s, with Plant City the coldest at 42°.

Tomorrow, a warming trend will begin as high temperatures will be in the upper 70°s and lows will be in the upper 50°s. By Monday, highs for all regions will be in the mid 80°s and lows in the mid 60°s. Temperatures will remain at this level all next week. Look for a possible uptick in volumes across the board next week out of Florida.

MEXICAN BERRY REGIONS

All major Mexican berry regions in the states of Michoacán, Jalisco, and Guanajuato are experiencing perfect weather conditions at the moment. Depending upon the exact location high temperatures are ranging from the high 70°s to the low 80°s. Low temperatures are in the upper 40°s to the low 50°s. There is no rain in the 10-day forecast. Look for volumes to continue to be strong.

UNSTABLE AIR PASSING THROUGH CALIFORNIA THIS WEEKEND

There is a 40 percent chance of up to .25” of rain this Sunday in southern California coastal berry growing regions. At this time, there is no rain predicted for the desert growing regions of the Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley or Yuma. Look for the temperatures to be stable from next Tuesday through the end of the week.

NO MAJOR ISSUES IN SOUTH AMERICA

Weather across Peru and Chile was very normal for this time of the year. High temperatures were in the 80°s and 90°s with lows in the 60°s and 70°s. Look for consistent supplies on fruits coming from these countries right now.

Thank you as always! We will be back next week with another report.

Weathermelon