Rain followed by warm weather along California's Central Coast will yield ample supplies of excellent quality broccoli coming in towards the end of March and early April, predicts Duncan McNiff of Bayfresh Produce Company in San Francisco.
“Broccoli prices fell sharply in February and March and it was a tough period for growers, and farm gate prices were well below break even,” he explained, adding that changes in weather in the desert regions will yield a shorter broccoli supply in that area.
“As the heat takes hold in California's Imperial Valley and Yuma, Arizona, some at 90 degree days this week, broccoli and other row crop vegetables cannot take that kind of heat day in and day out,” he said. “That will push buyers away from the desert and back up to coastal areas such as Santa Maria and Salinas, where better quality can found.”
With the desert inventory going out, a short broccoli supply has prices increasing.
“Prices on net 20-pound crowns are selling today for $11.00 to $12.00 per case range, f.o.b. Santa Maria and Bunch 14's and 18's are making $9.00 to $10.00 and $10.00 to $11.00 Asian cut crowns are selling for around $12.00 f.o.b. Santa Maria,” said McNiff, adding that inventory is also coming from abroad.
“Ample supplies are still coming from Mexico and prices in McAllen, Texas are around $8.00 to $9.00 on Asian cut crowns net 20-pounds. When we compare this to the first week of March, growers-farmers were hard pressed to Get $7.00 per case f.o.b. farm gate, which prompted many growers not to pack at all.”
Demand strong
Demand for the green vegetable is always strong and steady, according to McNiff.
“Aside from bell peppers and leaf items, broccoli is the second most consumed green row crop vegetable in the U.S., " he said, adding that demand comes from a wide variety of people and places.
“Broccoli and beef is one of the best selling dishes at Chinese restaurants, so imagine how much broccoli demand comes from every one of those restaurants in the U.S.,” McNiff said.
The broccoli export market is expected to increase soon as well, he noted.
“Export orders from Asia will increase towards the end of March and continue through the summer, and this demand will also help bolster demand and farm gate prices through the spring and early summer.”
