COSTA RICA

As we moving through the month of May, production is rising due to widespread natural flowering and expected heavy rains. With heavy rains we could see some internal quality issues (especially pulp staining) that would jeopardize crowned fruit export contracts. If quality holds, production should meet market demand and there will be a strong domestic processing demand, and they will absorb overages

There’s a potential for reduced labor availability which may lead farms to sell to local processors, easing pressure on export packing. The historical trend is that may typically see overproduction and price drops, but internal quality will be the key factor this year.

As we move into July the Georgia crop has had a lot of cumulative rainfall to this point, disease pressure is starting to become an issue and may lead to less production after the 4^th of July than there otherwise would have been.

We may see a loosening of market conditions for perhaps a week, starting the weekend of the 4th, but conditions could firm up after that if Georgia production comes to an early end.

North Carolina and Missouri & Arkansas will be the next major eastern growing regions after Georgia, they will both start over the course of the next week, with heavier early production from MO & AR than NC.

The farm in Sinaloa will provide us the ability to offer customers roma, round and grape tomatoes as well as bell peppers and cucumbers.