Rachel Quinn 🌱

(USA Week #24, ending June 14th) #producemarketupdate Dry veg items are at both extremes during summer transition [AG: Time for Change - Overcoming Freely Available Information Disparity in Australia's Fresh Produce Industry] ProduceIQ Index: $1.10/pound, up 8.9 percent over prior week Dry vegetable prices were highly volatile this summer. The ProduceIQ Index rose 8.9% to $1.10 per pound due to Mexican crop closures and reduced planting in California, leading to low supplies and higher prices. Green bell peppers surged to $30 for XXL due to reduced Georgia production, while red peppers traded high at $30-$40 from imports. Cucumber markets were affected by recent recalls, impacting buyer confidence. Eggplant prices plummeted to $6, sharply contrasting historical trends. Squash prices fluctuated widely due to regional weather impacts. - Green Bell Pepper (XL) prices have risen to $30 - Eggplant prices crash from $17 to $6, a floor that historically recovers in a few weeks - Zucchini prices crashed as fast as they rose: from $28 to less than $10 ----- [AG: The disappointing reality is that our fresh produce growers are kept in the dark due to a lack of consistent, freely available updates on the production and market state of fresh produce. This omission undermines transparency, accountability and the effectiveness of industry representatives. The current shortcoming in the commitment to provide these crucial freely updates is disheartening. To bridge this information gap, there is an urgent need for renewed dedication to transparency and accountability. Platforms such as Agronometrics USA, ProduceIQ and USDA Market News, which offer essential, free, and current reports on the USA fresh produce industry, should serve as models for potential solutions. Our growers lack access to essential, freely available, and real-time information on market conditions, post-farm gate prices, and trends. This deficiency, coupled with inadequate support from industry representatives and post-farm gate operators who prioritize self-promotion and profits, undermines the long-term sustainability and profitability of our growers. The absence of these resources leaves our growers vulnerable and jeopardizes the industry's future. Meanwhile, post-farm gate operators exploit the limited information for their own profit or restrict access to vital data through subscription models, further extracting profits from the growers on whom their businesses rely. The lack of transparency in our fresh produce supply chain underscores the need for initiative, courage and determination from our industry representatives. Closing this gap is critical to disrupt the current status quo - which favours post-farm gate operators, and to foster a more equitable and sustainable industry for our food producers.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gQFpf2Ku

(USA Week 30, ending July 26th) #producemarketupdate Produce Olympics: The Battle of the Markets [AG: Time for Change - Overcoming Freely Available Information Disparity in Australia's Fresh Produce Industry] ProduceIQ Index: $1.02/pound, down -9.7 percent over prior week The ProduceIQ Index dropped to $1.02 per pound in Week 30, down 9.7% and the lowest since 2018. Squash prices hit a ten-year high due to low supply. Grapes are rising in price because of a heat wave, while green grapes remain stable. Blackberries increased 18% to $16 due to reduced supply. The avocado market is stabilizing as California and Peru finish production, with Mexico ready to fill the gap. Overall, the produce market is fluctuating significantly. • Zucchini prices are volatile this summer; we are currently harvesting in Michigan. • Blackberry prices spike to $16, which is typical for this season. • Avocado prices, $55, for 48-ct crossing Texas reflect inflation but not record highs. ----- [AG: The disappointing reality is that our fresh produce growers are kept in the dark due to a lack of consistent, freely available updates on the production and market state of Australia's fresh produce. This omission undermines transparency, accountability and the effectiveness of industry representatives. The current shortcoming in the commitment to provide these crucial freely updates is disheartening. To bridge this information gap, there is an urgent need for renewed dedication to transparency and accountability. Platforms such as Agronometrics USA agronometrics.com, ProduceIQ produceiq.com and USDA Market News https://lnkd.in/d7xDDiuX, which offer essential, free, and current reports on the USA fresh produce industry, should serve as models for potential solutions. Our growers lack access to essential, freely available, and real-time information on market conditions, post-farm gate prices and trends. This deficiency, coupled with inadequate support and the lack of courage from industry representatives and post-farm gate operators who prioritize self-promotion, undermines the long-term sustainability and profitability of our growers. The absence of these resources leaves our growers vulnerable and jeopardizes the industry's future. Meanwhile, post-farm gate operators will continue to exploit the limited information for their own profit or restrict access to vital data through subscription models, further extracting profits from the growers on whom their businesses rely. The lack of transparency in our fresh produce supply chain underscores the need for initiative, courage and determination from our industry representatives. Closing this gap is critical to disrupt the current status quo - which favours post-farm gate operators, and to foster a more equitable and sustainable industry for our food producers.] ----- https://lnkd.in/grT_TH_w

(USA 04.06.24) #growingproduce Staying Strong! 2024 State of the Fruit and Nut Industry Survey Results Are In [AG: Australia - State of our fresh produce industry?] Despite rising input costs, labor issues and extreme weather, U.S. fruit and nut growers remain optimistic for 2024. Nearly 88% of respondents to the State of the Fruit and Nut Industry Survey https://lnkd.in/gAydGM8n are either increasing production (43.7%) or maintaining their 2023 levels (43.9%). Only 12% are decreasing production, showcasing typical grower resiliency. Berries: Berry growers are the most optimistic, with significant production increases for elderberries (64%), strawberries (58%), blackberries (57%) and raspberries (51%). Pome Fruits: Apples and pears remain top crops. Apple production is increasing by 38%, driven by popular varieties like 'Honeycrisp' and 'Evercrisp.' Pear production is also rising, with 29% of growers expanding. Stone Fruits: Despite challenges, peach, sweet cherry and plum/prune growers anticipate net production increases of 39%, 30% and 31%, respectively. Nuts: Walnut growers face challenges, with 25% discontinuing the crop due to low profitability. Almond growers are more stable, with only 12% reducing production. Grapes: Wine grape growers show a modest 12% net production increase, while table and juice grape growers are more optimistic, expecting 30% and 37% increases, respectively. Overall, the industry shows resilience and optimism, with varying degrees of confidence across different crop categories. ----- [AG: Australia - State of our fresh produce industry?] ----- https://lnkd.in/gsM6J4qi

(USA Week #20, ending May 17th) ##producemarketupdate Power is out, heat is On [AG: Time for Change - Overcoming Information Disparity in Australia's Fresh Produce Industry] ProduceIQ Index: $1.52/pound, up +36.9 percent over prior week. Extreme heatwaves in Southern US and Mexico are causing power outages and potential crop yield threats. The unusual May heatwave is predicted to hint at a harsh summer and hurricane season. A persistent drought in Mexico is causing below-average yields for various crops. Yet, the watermelon supply is up with higher prices. Red onion supply is limited with record-high prices. The domestic cherry season looks promising with low starting prices, and tight cantaloupe supply is pushing prices up. - Seedless watermelon prices flatten out at $0.24, which is still respectable for this time of year. - Red onion (25lb from West) prices reach $28, significantly above any prior year. - Cherry prices, $43, are starting low and typically decline as supply increases through the short season. ----- [AG: The disappointing reality is that Australia's fresh produce growers are kept in the dark due to a lack of consistent, freely available updates on the production and market state of fresh produce. This omission undermines transparency, accountability and the effectiveness of industry representatives. It is vital for growers, stakeholders, the media and consumers to receive timely and critical information. The current shortcoming in the commitment to provide these crucial updates is disheartening. To bridge this information gap, there is an urgent need for renewed dedication to transparency and accountability. Platforms such as Agronometrics USA, ProduceIQ and USDA Market News, which offer essential, free, and current reports on the USA fresh produce industry, could serve as models for potential solutions. Currently, Australian growers are not privy to essential real-time information on market conditions, post-farm gate prices and trends. This lack of support from industry representatives and post-farm gate operators, who often prioritize self-promotion, is detrimental to the long-term sustainability and profitability of our Australian growers. The absence of these resources leaves them vulnerable and threatens the sustainability of our industry, while post-farm gate operators take advantage of the limited information for their own profit. The lack of transparency in our fresh produce supply chain underscores the need for initiative, courage and determination from our industry representatives. Closing this gap is critical to disrupt the current status quo - which favours post-farm gate operators, and to foster a more equitable and sustainable industry for our food producers.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gdbSKWJb

(USA 02.05.24) #blueberries Brian Bocock of Naturipe Farms Discusses California Domestic Blueberry Crop and Promotional Opportunities [AG: Shedding Light on Australia's (Blue)berry Market: A Call for Regular Updates] Brian Bocock from Naturipe Farms discusses the California blueberry crop and promotions. They offer premium Mighty Blues and new proprietary varieties. The season looks promising, with promotional opportunities increasing as domestic regions come online. Pricing needs to remain strong to cover rising costs. Retailers should plan promotions promptly. ----- [AG: In the bustling world of agriculture, staying informed about market trends and updates is crucial for growers and industry stakeholders. Yet, when it comes to the Australian (blue)berry market, there's a noticeable absence of regular updates, leaving growers and stakeholders in the dark. This lack of transparency stands in stark contrast to other countries where regular and freely available market updates are the norm. While (blue)berries are a significant crop in Australia, providing essential nutrition and economic value, the current scenario presents challenges for those involved in the industry. Without access to timely market information, growers struggle to make informed decisions about planting, harvesting and pricing strategies. Likewise, industry stakeholders, including distributors and retailers, face uncertainties in planning promotions and managing inventory effectively. Enterprises like Naturipe Farms, with their recent insights into the California blueberry market, highlight the importance of transparent and up-to-date information. By sharing details about crop performance, pricing trends and promotional opportunities, they empower stakeholders to navigate the market more effectively. It's time for Australia's (blue)berry industry to follow suit. Establishing a system for regular market updates would not only benefit growers and stakeholders but also contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the industry. With access to timely information, growers can optimize their operations, respond to market dynamics and ensure a steady supply of high-quality (blue)berries to meet consumer demand. As we advocate for greater transparency in the Australian (blue)berry market, let's acknowledge the valuable role that regular updates play in fostering a thriving and resilient industry which paves the way for informed decision-making and continued success.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gbJqjZzM

(USA Week #18, ending May 3th) #producemarketupdate Extreme weather hits Texas and West [AG: Time for Change - Overcoming Information Disparity in Australia's Fresh Produce Industry] ProduceIQ Index: $1.17/pound, down -3.3 percent over prior week The extreme weather conditions have heavily impacted Texas and the West, causing significant flooding in Houston and surrounding areas. The weather forecast predicts a dramatic temperature contrast for the week, with severe weather and tornado activity expected in the mid-West and East. In the commodities market, watermelon prices have fallen while lemon prices are rising. Cold weather in the West is negatively affecting lettuce and leaf growers. The ProduceIQ Index reported these changes, which uses 40 top commodities to represent the industry's price per pound. - Watermelon prices reach $0.25/lb (45 count seedless) and tend to fall further until the July 4th pull. - Lemon prices, $36 (200 count), are rising quicker than all prior years; prices typically rise further until week 33. - Romaine prices, $36 (24 count), look poised for new records; prices typically remain stable (low) until August. ----- [AG: The disappointing reality is that Australia's fresh produce growers are kept in the dark due to a lack of consistent, freely available updates on the production and market state of fresh produce. This omission undermines transparency, accountability and the effectiveness of industry representatives. It is vital for growers, stakeholders, the media and consumers to receive timely and critical information. The current shortcoming in the commitment to provide these crucial updates is disheartening. To bridge this information gap, there is an urgent need for renewed dedication to transparency and accountability. Platforms such as Agronometrics USA, ProduceIQ and USDA Market News, which offer essential, free, and current reports on the USA fresh produce industry, could serve as models for potential solutions. Currently, Australian growers are not privy to essential real-time information on market conditions, post-farm gate prices and trends. This lack of support from industry representatives and post-farm gate operators, who often prioritize self-promotion, is detrimental to the long-term sustainability and profitability of our Australian growers. The absence of these resources leaves them vulnerable and threatens the sustainability of our industry, while post-farm gate operators take advantage of the limited information for their own profit. The lack of transparency in our fresh produce supply chain underscores the need for initiative, courage and determination from our industry representatives. Closing this gap is critical to disrupt the current status quo - which favours post-farm gate operators, and to foster a more equitable and sustainable industry for our food producers.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gBqkKy92