CALIFORNIA – After a tumultuous season, warming temperatures throughout the valley are starting to change the dynamic of the broccoli market.

“Supply is finally getting back to ‘normal numbers’ after a rough last few months. As the weather slowly warms up, product is coming on,” said Janelle Seebeck, Commodity Manager with Salinas, CA-based Tanimura & Antle. “Many are ‘filling the pipeline’ that we’ve been short of filling the last few months as an industry. We’ve personally got a lot of promotions going on with customers to move additional volumes these next few weeks.”

Ben Wilson, Broccoli Commodity Manager with Salinas, CA-based D’Arrigo Bros., had a similar response to the calming market, but assured that quality is continuing to meet expectations.

“The Brawley broccoli market has begun to come off this week as we continue to experience warm days and nights throughout the valley,” said Wilson. “As a result, we are seeing exceptional yields and quality. Demand has slumped off a bit as customers in the north east corridor brace for a harsh winter storm expected to hit this weekend.”

The storm that Wilson is referring to will severely impact travel in the Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston areas during the peak of the blizzard, which is expected to hit Friday night and Saturday this week, according to the National Weather Service and Weather.com.

As for the effects of the storm, the National Weather Service says that there will heavy snow and wind, with temperatures in the mid to upper 20s for most locations from Friday through Saturday night.

We will continue to follow this storm and the potential impacts it has on the produce and transportation industry. Stay tuned for more. 

Tanimura & Antle D'Arrigo Bros.