US beet supply strained as demand increases

Supplies of beets are strained at the moment as the transition continues from the northern growing r…

Supplies of beets are strained at the moment as the transition continues from the northern growing regions back to the southern regions. Currently, the California season continues on while places like Texas, as well as Mexicali and Ensenada in Baja California ramp up production.

"The winter beet season has started in Mexicali and Ensenada and should go through until April, May next year," said Ozzy Martinez of Cal Veg Farms. "In California, the growing region in and around Ventura county tends to go year-round. Availability of beets is very limited at the moment and prices are higher on the back of good demand. Prices are now sitting at $12.95 - $13.95."

Martinez added that part of the reason is the cooler weather settling in the northern growing regions. "The colder weather has slowed production in the summer growing areas in the US," he said. "Canada too, has finished for the season and is now an importer."

Thanksgiving pull about to start
Beet growers are now anticipating the start of the Thanksgiving pulls. Beets, like many other crops, are a popular item for Thanksgiving and other Holidays during the cooler months. Orders are expected to be coming in fast for the East Coast first, followed by West Coast customers.

"We are about to enter the Thanksgiving pull, especially from next week," Martinez observed. "We are already starting to see increases for orders to the East Coast. This will continue to build into next week when the West Coast starts. The East Coast will then slow down the following week, leaving the remainder for the West."

"Here at Cal Veg Farms, we deal in the common red beet varieties," he added. "Quality is good across all regions. Moving forward, the market is expected to remain active for the foreseeable future."