SUPPLY GAPS CONTINUING FOR FLORIDA VEGETABLES ...

Belle Glade, Fla.---Though Florida's vegetables have begun rebounding from prolonged freezing weather, buyers should expect significant supply gaps for green beans, potatoes and bell pepper.

Adam Lytch, operations manager for  Raleigh, NC based L&M Cos. Inc, which has growing operations in south, central and northern Florida, said the state hasn't seen favorable growing conditions outside the January freezes. Heavy rains and colder than normal temperatures have prevailed since the January freeze and temperatures fell into the low 30's on Feb. 14, with more cold weather forecast.
"We have not really had any warm weather to warm the ground up since the January freezes," Lytch said. "It's really amazing to me that the crops we do have left and the ones coming on now look as good as they do considering what they have been through." Litch goes on and said bell pepper volume won't be up to normal volumes until mid March.

As an industry we were able to weather these gaps with Mexican products. But with cooler weather in Mexico and demand from both the East and West Coasts, markets have moved up sharply and experts contend these markets will remain high through mid April when Florida should return to higher volumes.

The Florida strawberry deal will rebound a little quicker then the vegetable deal. We could return to normal volumes of berries by the first week of March.

Here's one new article. I'll try to get you a second one tomorrow.

Chuck Irons
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