Production will begin next week on Fresno, California’s wet vegetable program. “We’re going to start with Romaine, red leaf, green leaf and butter lettuce and from there, we’ll start adding in other items,” says Jay Angulo of Baloian Farms, noting that much of the program will start next month. That includes harvest on items such as spinach and Romaine hearts which will begin in early November and then cauliflower will begin in the middle of November. Production on other items, such as celery, Brussels sprouts and a newly expanded green onion program, will start in December, right around the time when the company transitions to its Coachella, CA growing region.

© Baloian Farms
L-R: Baloian’s Jay Angulo and Diana Ybarra showing off some of the crop.

The Fresno harvest is starting on time this year following a good growing season in the region. “It’s been a pretty cool summer overall. It hasn’t been as hot as it typically is in Fresno,” says Angulo.

Transitioning from coastal region
Meanwhile, demand is looking to be building for wet vegetables. “There have been a lot of issues in Salinas in terms of quality and supply so we’re seeing a lot of demand–we’re already getting calls asking when we’re starting,” he says. “It looks like a lot of people are looking to transition away from the coastal area because of those issues.”

This is leaving pricing already higher than this time last year, though some of this is influenced by the rains expected this week. “I’m already seeing some higher pricing this week versus what we were seeing on Friday,” says Angulo. “In the coming weeks after that, with quality issues out of Salinas still, I anticipate the market to stay strong.”

© Baloian Farms

The program starts with Romaine, red leaf, green leaf and butter lettuce from Fresno.

With a transition from Salinas to Yuma, AZ for growers not happening until next month, until then, light supplies on many of these items is anticipated.

Baloian Farms will be at the Global Produce & Floral show this week where it will be discussing a number of items in this program, along with its year-round bell pepper program and other items it ships including eggplant and squash. The company can be found at booth #2876.

For more information:
Jay Angulo
Baloian Farms
Tel.: +1 (559) 485-9200
[email protected]
www.baloianfarms.com