Market Chat - Andy Nelson

Fresh Talk checks in with Andy Nelson, The Packer's Markets Editor this afternoon, about rains in the Midwest and their impacts on f/v.


me: Andy, thanks for checking in with Fresh Talk today.
2:59 PM I wanted to ask you about your crop coverage this week
3:01 PM andynelsonthepacker: Shoot.
3:02 PM me: One of your main pieces, I know, has been looking at rains in the Midwest - who have you called and briefly, what's the report out there about impact to f/v crops?
3:06 PM andynelsonthepacker: The effects maybe aren't as bad as yo'u'd think, given the stories in the media, video of houses falling into lakes, etc. In Indiana, for instance, pumpkins haven't even been planted yet. Usually our crops coverage from Indiana focuses on pumpkins. There are some melons that were affected, however, but that deal is fairly regional. The real risk could be in Wisconsin. So far, damage has been isolated, but the Badger State's expecting three more inches tomorrow, headed right for growing regions, Dick Okray of Okray Farms told me. Spuds are already projected to be delayed out of Wisconsin and most other areas due to cool, rainy spring conditions. It will be interesting to see how this complicates it even more.
3:08 PM me: Rains just haven't stopped - I guess the Midwest corn crop is water logged as well. Any other crop coverage this week?
andynelsonthepacker: I also wrote stories this week on the Mexican mango crop and the soaring spud markets.
3:09 PM me: How long will Idaho have spuds - they may trouble stretching it out this year, it sounds like. Is the market still moving this week?
3:12 PM andynelsonthepacker: Surprisingly, it really hasn't moved in a week. Prices are high, though - almost double last year at this time. But most growers and officials said they'd go higher...and they didn't. Maybe this is just a lull before they shoot up again. Storage supplies are as low as some old-timers say they've ever seen. But marketers don't expect to run out - just don't look for any promotions until mid-August at the earliest.
3:13 PM me: Andy, we will look forward to the coverage this week. Thanks for checking in.
3:14 PM andynelsonthepacker: Any time, Tom.