Apples:

• Local Apples: Growers across the region are currently harvesting Gala and Honeycrisp

apples, with a significant portion being placed into Controlled Atmosphere storage to

help maintain quality and extend shelf life. Growers are easing into harvest of a crop

affected by the April freeze.

• Western Apples: School demand combined with limited availability is putting upward

pressure on the apple market. Reds, Golds, and Granny Smith are all experiencing higher

prices. Fuji Apples are extremely tight. Gala is the bright spot, with the new crop harvest

underway and the market holding steady.

Asparagus: Alert

Markets remain strong, with supplies extremely tight due to limited supply. Declining quality

in Central Mexico, and below-average production in Peru. Hot weather and

unfavorable growing conditions have further impacted both yields and product quality.

September is expected to be one of the toughest months for availability. Market conditions are

expected to remain tight through the Thanksgiving season. Overall quality is currently rated as

fair.

Berries: Alert

• Blackberry Markets are slightly down, but supplies remain severely constrained due to

weather impacts in key Mexican growing regions. CMEX’s transition to new varieties and

production areas has been delayed, pushing increased volumes back several weeks.

Supplies should improve gradually, with more significant increases expected by mid-

October.

• Blueberry Markets are up. The Pacific northwest has ended, with Peruvian and Mexican

imports beginning to dominate the market. Quality is good.

• Raspberry markets are slightly down. Improved supplies are expected to begin crossing

into the U.S. from Mexico, which should help stabilize the market. Quality is good.

• Strawberry markets are coming down. The Salinas and Watsonville areas have

approximately two weeks remaining in their season, while Santa Maria production is

beginning to ramp up. Additional volume is expected from Oxnard, Baja, and Central

Mexico over the next couple of weeks. A two-tiered pricing structure is currently in

place, with higher-priced product coming from the southern growing regions. Shippers

are just beginning to work through the clean-up process following last week’s high

temperatures, and we expect field culling to continue through the end of the week.

Quality is fair.Broccoli:

Markets are up. Broccoli supplies remain tight as fields transition and younger fields face

pressure from Diamondback Moth. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Broccoli. Quality is

fair to good.

Brussel Sprouts:

Markets are up. Supplies remain on the tighter side. Seeder/insect damage, burns on outer

leaves, and some internal decay. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Brussels. Quality is

fair to good.

Cabbage:

• Green Cartons: Markets are up. Cabbage supplies are currently tight due to gapping.

There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Green Cabbage. Quality is good.

• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Red

Cabbage. Quality is good.

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

Carrots:

• Cello markets are steady. Quality is good.

• Loose markets are steady. Quality is good.

• Value-add Carrots markets are steady. Quality is good.

Cauliflower: Alert

Markets are up. Cauliflower supplies are expected to remain very tight through the remainder

of the season. While some fields have come forward, gaps in production are expected, with

some suppliers likely to source externally to fill orders. Diamondback Moth pressure and

continued warm weather are further impacting yields, particularly in South County and Santa

Maria. Little improvement is expected, keeping the market difficult in the near term. There is a

AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower. Quality is fair.

Celery:

Markets are coming down. Quality is generally good, with minor seeder issues reported

industry-wide. Insect pressure remains minimal but is still being seen sporadically. Quality is

good.

Citrus:

• Lemon: Markets are steady. District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard region) is in full

production and supplying the majority of fruit. Offshore Import lemons are in good

supplies. Quality is good.

• Limes: Mexican lime markets are increasing fairly rapidly. Demand for Mexican limes

has strengthened as imports from Colombia have declined due to ongoing infrastructuredisruptions stemming from the recent earthquake. Poor weather continues to cause an

increase in quality issues

• Orange: Markets are steady. California Valencia oranges are heavily weighted toward

larger sizes, with 56ct and 72ct fruit making up the majority of production. Small sizes

(113ct and 138ct) remain extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the

season. Import Chilian and South African fruit has started. We will see 105ct 15kg fruit

as a sub for 113ct in the mix. Quality is good.

Cucumbers:

• Cucumbers Markets are steady. Eastern shippers remain in a stable supply position,

supported by good quality and strong demand.

• Cello Cucumber Markets are up. Product is limited. Quality is good.

Eggplant:

Markets are up slightly. East coast production was down this week. Overall quality is good.

Grapes:

Markets are steady. Most shippers peaking on Large and Extra Large red and green seedless

varieties. Quality is good.

Green Onions: Alert

Markets are up and sold out. Baja production is expected to remain very limited over the next

2–3 weeks due to continued heat, lower yields, and lighter sizing. Tight supplies have firmed

the market, with September water availability and potential monsoonal weather adding further

risk. Fall production is expected to improve supplies by mid-to-late October. Quality is fair to

good.

Herbs:

• Basil: Quality is fair.

Lettuce Iceberg: Alert

Markets are up. Lower yields continue to be reported in both Salinas and Santa Maria, keeping

supplies tight and the market active. INSV pressure remains a challenge across the industry,

limiting availability and adding stress to order fulfillment. Quality concerns on arrivals include

outer-leaf discoloration, misshapen heads, and occasional insect damage, while carton weights

are ranging from 37 to 44 lbs. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce. Quality is fair

to good.Lettuce Leaf:

• Romaine markets are steady. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus

continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. Quality is fair

to good.

• Romaine Heart markets are steady. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV

virus continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. Quality

is fair to good.

• Green Leaf markets are up. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus

continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. There is a

AOG trigger on all value-added Green Leaf. Quality is fair to good.

• Red Leaf markets are up. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus

continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. Quality is fair

to good.

Lettuce Tender Leaf:

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

Select Spring Mix varieties have experienced some shelf-life issues, though overall quality

remains good. We recommend monitoring shelf life closely. Recent heat has also led to

inconsistent Spinach sizing as growth rates fluctuate. Quality remains good, and a slight

cooldown should help improve size consistency moving forward. There is a AOG trigger on all

value-added Cilantro. Quality is fair to good.

Melons:

• Cantaloupes: Markets are steady. Domestic cantaloupes are currently shipping from

Central California. Cooler weather and lower yields are pushing prices higher. Quality is

good.

• Honeydews: Markets are steady. Domestic honeydews are shipping from Central

California. Quality is good.

Mushrooms:

Mushroom pricing has seen a slight increase due to an overall shortage of supply over the past

several months. The shortage has been driven by lower crop yields and labor challenges, while

increased fuel costs have also contributed to the higher prices.

Onions:

• Red Onion: The market is steady, supported by a strong crop coming out of Washington.

Idaho has started shipping. Transportation availability continues to play a significant role

in the market, with freight costs remaining a key driver of overall pricing. Product quality

remains strong across all major growing regions.

• Yellow: The market is steady, supported by a strong crop coming out of Washington.

Idaho has starting shipping. Colossal and Super Colossal remain tight, as onions havenot sized up just yet. Transportation availability continues to play a significant role in

the market, with freight costs remaining a key driver of overall pricing. Product quality

remains strong across all major growing regions.

Peppers:

• Green Pepper: Markets are up slightly. East coast market expected to remain active

through mid-October. The south should be starting Peppers in a few weeks. Quality is

good.

• Red Pepper markets are steady. Quality is fair to good.

Pineapples:

Markets are still strong. Quality is good.

Potatoes: Alert

Markets are trending upward as pricing continues to increase on count cartons. Larger counts

are in short supply, particularly 40cts through 70cts. Transportation costs continue to

contribute to overall market strength. Quality is fair to good.

Squash: Alert

Markets are firming as Eastern supplies remain tight. Georgia is slowly building. Florida

production is expected in mid to late October. Overall quality continues to be good.

Tomatoes:

Round supplies are improving slightly in the East, led by Virginia as Tennessee winds down.

Mexico remains tight, while California provides steady volume, mostly on larger sizes. Roma

supplies remain tight, with Florida not expected until late October/early November. California

remains steady with good quality, while Mexico volume is declining. Grape and Cherry supplies

are tightening as Virginia and NJ/PA/NC wind down. Florida is expected mid-October, while

Mexico remains light.

• Round tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.

• Roma tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.

• Grape tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.

• Cherry tomato markets are up. Quality is good.

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. Artisan Lettuce (50% prorate)

2. Artisan Romaine (50% prorate)

3. Asparagus

4. Blackberries

5. Cauliflower

6. Idaho Potatoes

7. Jumbo Yams

8. Lettuce

9. Scallions

10. Squash