Asparagus:

Markets are up with supplies still being tight. Mexico’s main growing regions have been facing

extreme heat, reducing yields and quality. Supply met holiday demand, though fields are now

declining, with many in Sonora closing soon. Production will shift to Baja in April, then Central

Mexico in May. Peru volumes are increasing for the transition, with more supply expected by

mid-April despite some quality concerns and rising freight costs. Quality is fair.

Berries:

• Blackberry Markets are slightly down. Supplies out of Central Mexico remain light, while

California and Georgia are still a few weeks away from starting production. Quality is fair

to good.

• Blueberry Markets are up. Supplies are tight out of Central Mexico, Chile, and California

due to recent weather conditions. Elevated pricing is expected until California and the

Northwest ramp up in April. Florida is producing but will have short season due to

freeze in early February. Quality is good.

• Raspberry markets are down. Supplies from Central Mexico and Baja remain light.

Quality is fair to good.

• Strawberry Markets are steady. Berry production is strong from Salinas, Watsonville,

Santa Maria, and Oxnard. Cooler weather is helping maintain quality, with less bruising

reported. Quality is good.

Broccoli:

Broccoli markets are up and supplies are tightening. There is an AOG trigger on all Broccoli

value-added products. Quality is fair to good.

Brussel Sprouts:

Markets are up and tightening. Quality is good.

Cabbage:

• Green Cartons: Markets are up. Quality is good.

• Red Cartons: Markets are up. Quality is good.

• Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good.Carrots: Alert

• Cello markets have strengthened with more demand on the southern crop from out

west. Quality is good.

• Loose Markets remain high but steady. Quality is good.

• Value-add Carrots Harvest in Bakersfield is finished, with only light activity starting in

the Imperial Valley. Carrot sizing is currently small, as early harvesting was limited to

protect the crop. Warm, dry weather over the next 3–4 weeks should improve sizing and

availability, helping stabilize the California carrot market. Baby and value-added carrots

remain available, but are being closely managed. Quality is good.

Cauliflower:

Markets are up and tightening. There is an AOG trigger on all Cauliflower value-added products.

Quality is fair to good.

Celery:

The market is up. With Yuma finished and southern California supplies limited, expect

moderate to light availability this week. Slight seeder has been reported. There is an AOG

trigger on all Celery value-added products. Quality is fair to good.

Citrus: Alert

• Lemon: Markets are up. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is finished. District 1 (San Joaquin

Valley) is now the main growing region, peaking on 95/115 count, until District 2

(Oxnard/Ventura) ramps up toward late March/early April. Markets are starting to rise

on 140, 165, and 200 counts as the product continues to size up. Quality is good.

• Limes: Despite fruit crossing being down from growers taking time off for Holy Week

last week, we are seeing a post-holiday lull in pricing as demand was light to start the

week off. This has caused pricing to ease off from last week’s levels. The good news is

with growers slowing harvests down two weeks ago, and taking part of last week off,

the fruit has had a little extra time to size up slightly. We are finally starting to see more

volume on 200ct size fruit, but the 175ct and larger continues to remain limited.

Weather conditions in Mexico are on the cooler side, with daytime highs ranging from

the 60s to 70s. Temperatures are forecasted to warm back into the low 80s during the

latter half of the week, accompanied by additional rainfall. Over all, supply is expected

to remain tight, particularly on #2 grade fruit, which continues to be the most

constrained segment of the market.

• Orange: Markets are active. The California Navel crop is heavily weighted toward larger

sizes, peaking on 56 and 72 count, while small sizes (113 and 138 count) remain very

limited through the season and into Valencia’s. Flexibility with size and grade will be

needed, with substitutions to larger Navels or Cara Cara oranges likely. Expect elevated

markets on Choice, Fancy, and small-size fruit, and encourage schools to accept 88

counts. A handful of Moroccan fruit is available. Quality is fair to good.Cucumbers: Alert

• Cucumber markets are steady but supplies remain tight. Florida crop has been delayed

due to rain. Production is expected to ramp up over the next 2 weeks. Markets will

remain elevated for the next few weeks. Quality is fair at best.

• Cello Cucumber markets are coming down. Canada has started. Quality is good.

Eggplant: Alert

Markets are steady. Florida’s volume is improving but still light. Mexico continues shipping into

McAllen with slight market shifts. The market is expected to soften in a few weeks. Overall

quality remains good

Grapes:

The grape market is rising as heavy rainfall in Chile has reduced production. Green grapes are

under additional pressure from low arrivals and strong retail demand. Prompting retailers to

promote red grapes and narrowing the price gap. These conditions are expected to continue

until Mexican production begins in May. Quality is good.

Green Onions:

Markets are steady. Quality is good.

Herbs:

• Basil: Quality is fair.

Lettuce Iceberg:

Markets are up. Yuma production is finished and Huron will wrap up this week. Salinas and

Santa Maria are the main growing regions. Planting gaps are expected in 2–4 weeks. Warm

temperatures have caused defects like internal burn, leaf discoloration, and misshapen heads.

Quality is fair to good.

Lettuce Leaf:

• Romaine markets are steady. Yuma production is finished and Huron will wrap up this

week. Salinas and Santa Maria are the main growing regions. Light tip/fringe burn and

insects are being reported. Quality is good.

• Romaine Heart markets are steady. Yuma production is finished and Huron will wrap up

this week. Salinas and Santa Maria are the main growing regions. Bruised/pink ribs are

being reported. Quality is good.

• Green Leaf markets are slightly down. Yuma production is finished and Huron will wrap

up this week. Salinas and Santa Maria are the main growing regions. Light tip/fringe

burn and insects are being reported. Quality is fair to good.

• Red Leaf markets are slightly down. Yuma production is finished and Huron will wrap up

this week. Salinas and Santa Maria are the main growing regions. Quality is good.Lettuce Tender Leaf:

Arcadian, Arugula, Cilantro, Parsley, Spring Mix, and Spinach. Tender leaf items are steady.

Minor insect damage and discoloration are being reported. Quality is fair to good.

Melons: Alert

• Cantaloupes: Markets are up due to strong demand. Quality is fair to good.

• Honeydews: Markets are up, with supplies being tight. Offshore and Mexican

honeydews are available but expected to have issues through the month of April. Fields

in Guatemala and Honduras have been affected by plant viruses. Offshore pricing is up

due to vessel delays. Quality is good.

Onions:

Supplies from Idaho and Washington are being monitored. Texas onions are available.

California is expected to start this week. Transportation continues to influence market

movement. Quality is good.

Peppers: Alert

• Green Pepper Florida peppers have been delayed due to heavy rains, good volume is

still a more than 2 weeks out, early yields were weakened after the freeze. Mexico

crossings are very light with sizing issues. Markets are expected to stay elevated for the

next 3-5 weeks.

• Red Pepper markets are coming off. Quality is fair to good.

Pineapples:

Markets are steady but high. Quality is good.

Potatoes:

Markets are up. Transportation costs are driving the market. Quality remains strong.

Squash:

Markets are down. Florida’s spring crop is off to a strong start, with fields performing well and

availability continuing to expand. Quality is good.Tomatoes: Alert

Supply remains critically short across all regions, with AOG and force majeure issues driving

contracts and record-high prices. Weather challenges—Florida freeze, Mexico heat, and

California greenhouse delays are limiting yields and shelf life, with the best quality coming from

greenhouses. Some relief is possible late April to May, but markets remain elevated as rounds

are scarce, and demand shifts to other varieties.

• Round tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is fair.

• Roma tomato markets are up. Quality fair to good.

• Grape tomato markets are up. Quality is fair to good.

• Cherry tomato markets are up. Quality is fair to good.

Watermelons: Alert

Lower yields and Mexican border issues are keeping watermelon prices high. Warmer national

temperatures are boosting demand. Offshore melons are nearly finished, leaving Mexican

melons as the main supply. Domestic production is several weeks behind due to the total crop

failure in the Southeast.

Yams: Alert

Markets are active. Jumbo yams are in short supply. Quality is good.

Market Alerts:

The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.

1. Carrots

2. Corn

3. Cucumbers

4. Eggplant

5. French Beans

6. Green Peppers

7. Honeydew

8. Jumbo Yams

9. Oranges

10. Tomatoes

11. Watermelon