On Sun, 1 May 2016 12:10:47 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

>On 5/1/2016 10:17 AM, Janet wrote:
>
>> I can't understand why Julie finds shortages of fresh undamaged
>> produce in Bothell when California and Florida are on her US doorstep,
>> and Mexico the Caribbean and South America next door?
>>
>> Janet UK
>>
>
>Many possible reasons. South America is days away by ship, hours by
>plane, bur storms and severe weather can disrupt the normal flow of
>product. Produce is seasonal, of course, and at times prime produce is
>just not available if that particular item is done in one region, not
>ready for harvest in the next. The righ combination of weather and crop
>timing can cause a temporary shortage of high quality perrishable product.
>
>There was even a comment about bananas. I've noticed in our stores they
>seem to be taking up a lot of space and the price is low. Evidently
>there is a sudden large harvest and they have to be moved out before
>they rot. An entire side of one aisle was loaded with bananas, at least
>four times the normal space.
>
>Watch the prices and availability and you can tell what the climate is
>in different parts of the world. Last week there was a lot of asparagus
>from Mexico at a good price. Problem is, it is not nearly as good as
>the local stuff that will be in the market in 6 weeks or so. Some thing
>just don't ship and store al that well.

I heard on the news that banana plants are being attacked by a disease
that's in the soil and is rapidly advancing world wide, will soon be
no more cavandish bananas, the type most eaten.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...1104092734.htm