Produce News for 11-19-09

Weekly tomato shipments were down again last week as west coast output transitions and Florida yields remain poor. Reports out of Florida suggest that tomato yields are down 25-30% from normal. The tomato markets are trading at relatively inflated levels and may continue to do so into early December. Avocado supplies are adequate. The avocado market could bottom in the next few weeks. Lettuce supplies are expected to improve toward the end of the month as the chief harvest area shifts to the Yuma/Imperial Valley. Lower lettuce prices may be forthcoming.