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:
Asparagus prices are gradually easing as supplies increase. However, El Niño conditions are
reducing yields and impacting quality in Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador, raising concerns
about supply for December and January. Improved production in Southern Peru is helping to
offset some of the shortages, although global demand remains strong.
Berries:
• Blackberry Markets are steady. Supplies continue to increase into mid-October as more
fruit arrives from Central Mexico and Baja. Rain in the growing areas has caused some
logistical issues making crossings more sporadic. Quality is fair to good.
• Blueberry Markets are steady. The Pacific northwest has ended, with Peruvian and
Mexican imports beginning to dominate the market. Quality is good.
• Raspberry markets are steady. Supplies are becoming more stable as Mexican product
continues to enter the U.S. through Texas and San Diego. Quality is fair to good.
• Strawberry markets are steady. The Santa Maria and Oxnard areas are recovering from
the recent heat events we experienced in early October. Harvests are expected to
increase in both areas due to optimum growing conditions projected over the next few
weeks. Mexican growing regions in CMEX and Baja have experienced recent rain events
caused by Hurricane activity. Crossings are continuing but quality and consistency have
been affected negatively. Quality is fair to good.
Broccoli:
Markets are coming off. Broccoli supplies have improved. Diamondback Moth pressure
continues to impact younger fields, reducing yields and limiting production. There is a AOG
trigger on all value-added Broccoli. Quality is fair to good.Brussel Sprouts:
Markets are coming off, but supplies remain tight due to ongoing insect pressure, which
continues to impact yields and availability. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Brussels.
Quality is fair to good.
Cabbage:
• Green Cartons: Markets are steady.
• 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:
Markets are coming down. Availability has improved as more fields have come forward,
allowing for more harvesting. Heavy Diamondback Moth pressure, especially in South County
and Santa Maria, continues to severely impact yields. Warm weather is adding to field
challenges. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower. Quality is fair to good.
Celery:
Markets are steady. Quality is generally good, with minor seeder issues reported industry-wide.
Insect pressure remains minimal but is still being seen sporadically. There is a AOG trigger on all
value-added Celery. Quality is good.
Citrus:
• Lemon: Markets are down. District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard region) is in full
production and supplying the majority of fruit with good quality. Mexican fruit is also in
full production with good quality.
• Limes: Rain continues to be the primary market driver in Mexico. These weather
conditions are expected to maintain a significant price and quality gap between MXCLR
and US# 1 fruit, as additional labor and reconditioning efforts remain necessary.
• Orange: Markets are coming down. The California Valencia orange crop continues to
peak on larger sizes, primarily 56ct, 72ct, and 88ct fruit. Navels have started, but only
113ct and 138ct are available. Quality is good.Cucumbers:
• Cucumbers Markets are slightly up. Eastern shippers remain in a stable supply position,
supported by good quality and strong demand.
• Cello Cucumber Markets are steady. Quality is good.
Eggplant:
Markets are steady. East coast production was down this week. Overall quality is good.
Grapes:
Markets are up. The grape market is expected to continue strengthening in October as some
shippers finish their harvest for the season. Expect domestic and imported greens to overlap
next month. At this point we are not expecting a gap between domestics and imported greens
or reds. Quality is good.
Green Onions: Alert
Markets are slowly coming off. Baja production remains limited this week due to continued
heat, lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies have kept the market firm, with October
water availability and potential monsoonal weather posing additional risks. Improved supplies
are expected going into next week. Quality is fair to good.
Herbs:
• Basil: Quality is fair.
Lettuce Iceberg: Alert
Markets are up and sold out. Lower yields in Salinas and Santa Maria continue to keep supplies
tight. Ongoing INSV pressure is limiting availability, while quality challenges, including outer-leaf
discoloration, misshapen heads, and insect damage remain a concern. Huron is beginning to
come online and may provide some additional volume. There is a AOG trigger on all value-
added Lettuce. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Leaf: Alert
• Romaine markets are up and sold out. 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 Romaine. Quality is fair to good.
• Romaine Heart markets are up and sold out. 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 have
not 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, with the East Coast market expected to remain active
through mid-October. Recent weather conditions have contributed to supply shortages.
Southern growing regions are expected to begin pepper production within the next few
weeks. Overall quality remains good.• Red/Yellow/Orange Pepper Markets are steady. Red peppers remain limited. Quality is
fair to good.
Pineapples:
Markets are still strong. Quality is good.
Potatoes: Alert
Markets are up. 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
East Coast squash supplies remain tight, with light volumes coming from North Carolina and
New Jersey. Georgia production continues to build, while Florida is expected to begin
harvesting in mid- to late October. Overall quality continues to be fair to good.
Tomatoes: Alert
Tomato markets remain firm as limited supplies and quality challenges continue to impact
availability. Round and Roma tomatoes are especially tight on larger sizes, while grape and
cherry tomatoes remain in very short supply, particularly in the East. Mexican production is
helping support the market but is not keeping pace with demand.
• Round tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good.
• Roma tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good.
• Grape tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good.
Yams:
Markets are active. Quality is good.
Market Alerts:
The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.
1. Artisan Lettuce (50% fill rate)
2. Artisan Romaine (85% fill rate)
3. Green Leaf
4. Idaho Potatoes
5. Lettuce
6. Roma Crunch (85% fill rate)
7. Romaine & Romaine Hearts
8. Scallions
9. Squash
10. Tomatoes
