Growers of Napa cabbage in California are approaching the end of a frustrating period. As has been seen in other vegetables in California, the heavy rains back in February caused planting delays and created gaps in production. For Napa cabbage, the consequences of this have been playing out over the past six weeks. However, growers say that production is set to get back to normal by the start of next month.
"This spring has been a tough one," noted Derek Sass of Talley Farms. "By the end of February we had an entire year's worth of rain in two months. This resulted in planting gaps and we are seeing that now, with periods of normal production followed by a week without product. It's certainly been a challenging April and May in terms of Napa cabbage but we are now getting towards the end of that. By the first week of June, we anticipate that production will return to normal, resulting in more consistent supplies. Additionally, quality is reportedly very good."
Rollercoaster market
Not surprisingly, the market has been up and down as producers tried in vain to provide a consistent supply of Napa. Prices have been up and down as each wave of volume came and went. Currently, there is a new factor affecting the Napa cabbage market, with high temperatures in Florida and Georgia reportedly causing a few issues with the Napa crop in those states.
"The market has been a rollercoaster for the past few months," Sass explained. "Now with Florida and Georgia warming, we are seeing a lot of the demand shift west because buyers are anticipating quality issues associated with the heat. Last week prices were between $14 - $15 for a 50lb equivalent box, and this week prices have risen to $20."
Sass added that these high prices are unusual for this time of year, because this is when more locally-grown Napa cabbage becomes available across the country. "Typically at this time of year we start competing with the locally-grown product in places like the Pacific Northwest, Florida, Texas, the Northeast and also Baja California," he said. "However, the weather across the United States has been unseasonal and therefore we are not seeing this having an effect yet."
Organic programs begin
Talley Farms has been busy transitioning crops and increasing acreage to make room for a number of new organic programs. The first of the new organic programs will be cilantro beginning in June, followed shortly by products such as green and red bell pepper, celery, zucchini, flat leaf and Italian parsley, and also kale. The company is also introducing organic Napa cabbage to the wider market, which is set to commence in a few months.
"Talley Farms has already been growing organic Napa cabbage for processors," Sass shared. "But we have now increased acreage in order to supply organic Napa to the open market, including retailers and foodservice. The first volumes of the new organic Napa program will begin the first week of August."
For more information:
Derek Sass
Talley Farms, Inc.
Ph: +1 (805) 489-5400
derek@talleyfarms.com
www.talleyfarms.com