Asparagus:
Asparagus markets are coming off. Supplies are improving, with increased volume from Peru steadily driving prices down from recent highs. In Mexico, Baja production is ramping up slowly as the Caborca season ends. U.S. supplies have begun in Washington, with Michigan expected to start mid-May. Quality is good.
Broccoli:
Markets have slightly come down. Supplies and Quality are good.
Brussel Sprouts: Alert
The sprout market remains very active, with industry supplies well below normal and strong demand driving it. Open market prices continue to rise and are expected to follow this trend for the next 2–3 weeks. Quality is fair.
Cabbage:
- Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Bagged Cabbage: Market is steady. Quality is good.
Carrots:
- Cello markets are steady out West. Canada is pretty much done, costs are steady.
- Loose Mexican product is steady and continues to be good quality. Canada market is steady
- Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.
Cauliflower:
Markets are coming off. Supplies and Quality are good.
Celery:
Markets are up. Quality is good.
Citrus: Alert
- Orange: Markets remain strong as the Navel season winds down, expected to wrap up in June. Small fruit will stay limited through the end of the season. Suppliers are closely monitoring remaining Navel volumes to manage contracts while aiming to delay Valencia shipments to maintain supply through fall. Valencia harvest is expected to begin in early June. Quality is good.
- Lemon: Markets are firming up across the board as recent rain events have helped fruit size up. 140ct and smaller sizes are tightening, with small fruit expected to remain limited until District 2 increases volume around June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) remains the primary growing region, while District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) is contributing minimal volume. Quality is good.
- Limes: The current lime crop is predominantly yielding smaller sizes, with the peak distribution being 200ct, followed by 230ct, 250ct, and then 175ct. With quality remaining better than usual for this time of the year, #2s continue to remain more limited than usual. Although it is typical to see some price relief around mid to late May, it is anticipated that while prices should come down, they will remain elevated throughout the summer compared to previous years.
Cucumbers:
- Cucumber market is strong but steady. We should see markets start to come off any day now once Georgia starts. Quality has been good on inbound.
- Euro Cucumbers markets are steady at the bottom on both Canada and Mexico. Quality is good.
Eggplant:
Market is elevated and supplies are still tight. quality has been fair to good.
Grapes: Alert
Grape prices are continuing to rise, particularly for quality green grapes. Imports are becoming scarcer and we may see some gapping over the next few weeks until domestic product begins. There are wide variations in both quality and price. Quality has been good.
Herbs:
- Basil: Quality is fair.
Leaf Lettuce:
- Romaine markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Romaine Heart markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Green Leaf markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Red Leaf markets are slightly up. Quality is good.
Lettuce Iceberg:
Lettuce markets are steady. Weights averaging from 40 – 45 pounds. Seeder is minimal, and there is little to no discoloration on the outer leaves. Quality is good.
Lettuce Tender Leaf:
Arcadian, Spring Mix, Spinach, Cilantro, Arugula, and Italian Parsley. Markets are steady. Weather has been ideal for steady supplies to start the Salinas season. Quality is good.
Melons:
- Cantaloupes: market is steady. Inbound quality is good.
- Honeydew: market is steady. Inbound quality is good.
Onions:
The Onion market is steady. Quality has been fair to good.
Peppers:
- Green bell markets are tightening as Florida starts to wrap up and Georgia isn’t quite ready. Quality on inbound has been good.
- Red Pepper markets are steady. Quality is good.
Pineapples:
Market is steady. Quality has been good.
Potatoes:
The Potato market is steady. Quality has been good.
Strawberries & Bush Berries:
- Strawberry markets are steady. Production is expected to increase in Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Maria with warmer temperatures this week. Oxnard is nearing the end of its season, and volumes are decreasing. While the Mother’s Day demand has eased, there is still steady demand heading into the weekend. Markets are anticipated to adjust lower next week. Quality fair to good.
- Raspberry markets are steady, but supplies are tight. This item will remain tight until West Coast production starts in late May or early June. In the meantime, shortages from Central Mexico are expected to continue over the next few weeks. Quality is good.
- Blueberry markets are elevated but steady and supply has gotten slightly better. Quality has been good.
- Blackberry markets are steady. Supplies are gradually improving as warmer temperatures bring on more fruit. Organic volumes are arriving first, with conventional expected to follow in late May through early June. Mexican product continues to supply transfer fruit to U.S. distribution centers. Quality is fair to good.
Squash:
- Green markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Yellow markets are steady. Quality is good.
Tomatoes:
Markets are up on Round and Roma tomatoes. Overall quality is good. Product is available from Baja, Nogales, McAllen, and Florida.
- Round tomato markets are up. Quality is good.
- Roma tomato markets are up. Quality is good
- Grape tomato markets are steady. Quality is good
- Cherry tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.
Yams: Alert
Markets are active. Jumbo yams are in short supply; this situation is unlikely to ease until we reach the new crop harvest this fall. Orders moving forward will have a high probability of being prorated. Quality is good.
Market Alerts:
The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.
- Brussel Sprouts
- Grapes
- Jumbo Yams
- Lemons
- Oranges