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.

EXPECT LETTUCE, CELERY, AND STRAWBERRY VOLUMES TO DROP THIS WEEK

After five straight days of high temperatures in the upper 80°s and into the high 90°s, and low temperatures in the mid 50°s, the coastal California growing regions of Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard experienced a dramatic climatic change over the weekend. Starting this past Saturday, the high temperatures in the region dropped by 15° to 20° and will continue on the cool side through this week. Maximum temperatures in the regions will be in the low to mid 70°s while the minimum temperatures will be in the low 40°s.

I would expect to see a reduction in volumes from these areas. Why is this important? These three growing regions are the major players in lettuces, celery, and strawberries right now, accounting for more than 90 percent of the current production for these three crops. The market on lettuce and strawberries has been soft but we might see a tightening of availability as the temperatures cool this week. Look for market to possibly move upward. If you deal in iceberg lettuce you might also be pulling from the central San Joaquin Valley. Fresno which last week experienced high temperatures in the upper 80°s and low in the mid 60°s will this week see temperatures drop to highs in the low 70°s and minimum temperatures in the low 40°s and a possible mid 30°s. Look for production from this area to drop as well.

DESERT REGIONS AND SJ VALLEY EXPERIENCING COLD NIGHTS–LOOK FOR BELL PEPPERS, BEANS, AND CORN TO TIGHTEN

The Coachella Valley last night saw the minimum temperature drop down into the 30°s. Tonight, the low is forecast to be 45° and then 38° again on Wednesday. These colder nights are expected to last through Friday. In Bakersfield, the minimum temperature last night was 44° and will be in the 30°s by tomorrow night. This region will see these cooler nights through the weekend.

Why is this important? These cooler nightly minimums are 15° to 20° cooler than they were last week. With SJ Valley region being the major player in bell peppers and sweet corn at the moment, look for markets to tighten even more this week. Coachella Valley is coming online with bell peppers, beans, and corn but is still relatively small compared to the current SJ Valley production. Look for production out of Coachella to remain tight until the weather warms back up early next week.

CA CITRUS REGIONS TO SEE NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK

The major San Joaquin Valley citrus growing regions of Visalia, Delano, and Dinuba will see minimum temperatures in the low to mid 30°s tonight through Friday. The coldest night will be Wednesday when temperatures will get down to 32° in some isolated areas around Visalia. These colder temperatures may be good for the upcoming navel crop.

FLORIDA HAS PERFECT WEATHER

The weather in the Sunshine State couldn’t be better with growing areas such as Belle Glade and Immokalee experiencing maximum temperatures in the upper 80°s to low 90°s and minimum temperatures in the 70°s. Look for production out of these regions on bell peppers and vegetables to begin anytime now. They are still a few scattered showers forecast for later in the week but overall the weather is perfect. These warm temperatures will continue for the foreseeable future.

HURRICANE CENTRAL

There is no activity in either the Atlantic or Pacific forecast for the next 48 hours. Everything looks calm at the present time.

Thank you as always for your support. We will be back later this week with another report.

Weathermelon