Asparagus:
Markets are up with supplies being very tight. Mexico’s main growing regions have been facing
extreme heat, reducing yields and quality. Supply is barley meeting demand, with many farms
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: Alert
• Blackberry Markets are slightly down. Supplies are improving but remain light.
California and Georgia production are expected to begin in the last week of April.
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. Georgia is expected to start the First week of May. Florida
is producing but will have short season due to freeze in early February. Quality is good.
• Raspberry markets are slightly down. Supplies from Central Mexico and Baja remain
light. California production is expected to begin in two weeks. Quality is fair to good.
• Strawberry Markets are steady. Following last weekend’s rain, California shippers are
stripping fruit. Some Oxnard growers have exited and are diverting fields to processing.
Harvest crews in Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Maria are slowing to protect quality,
resulting in reduced yields. Quality is fair to good.
Broccoli:
Broccoli markets are up and supplies are tightening due to lower yields from recent heat. 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 The Imperial Valley is currently the main growing region. Availability
should improve in the next 3–4 weeks as Bakersfield ramps back up, weather
permitting. Limited supply out of Bakersfield pushed shippers into Imperial Valley a bit
early, when product was still undersized. As a result, growers have slowed harvesting to
allow for proper sizing. With a few more weeks, sizing and availability should both
improve. 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. Supplies out of Southern California are expected to be moderate. Yuma has
finished, and the Salinas region is not currently producing. 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 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is supporting District 2
(Oxnard/Ventura County), which is currently the main growing region. Suppliers are
seeing about 70% choice and 30% fancy due to coastal growing conditions. Sizing is
peaking at 95/115/140ct. Markets are extremely tight on 165ct and smaller lemons.
Quality is good.
• Limes: The market softened somewhat last week due to lower post-holiday demand.
Growers were able to return to the fields by mid-week, and weather conditions appear
favorable again this week. Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the upper 80s with
only minimal chances of rain until the weekend, when thunderstorms are expected to
return. Looking ahead, demand is anticipated to strengthen by the middle of next week
as retailers and foodservice operators begin preparing for Cinco de Mayo promotions.
Recent heat and rainfall should help Mexican limes begin to size up over the coming
weeks; however, sizing remains predominantly 200-count and smaller. While we are
starting to see limited volumes of 175-count limes entering the market, availability of
110- and 150-count fruit remains tight.
• 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 elevatedmarkets 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 down but supplies remain tight. Florida crop has been delayed
due to rain. Production is expected to ramp up over the next 2 weeks. Quality is fair at
best.
• Cello Cucumber markets are coming down. 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: Alert
The grape market continues trending upward as heavy rains in Chile have reduced remaining
volume, potentially leading to an early end to the season. The green grape market has been
strengthening due to declining arrivals and steady retail demand. A relative shortage of greens
versus reds has shifted promotions toward red grapes, 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: Alert
Markets are up and sold out. Recent rains in growing regions have slowed production across
multiple suppliers, while processors have also purchased significant volumes of open lettuce.
Yuma and Huron are finished, with current production coming from Salinas and Southern
California. Defects including misshapen heads, discoloration, and lighter weights are being
reported by multiple shippers. A wider pricing gap is expected industry-wide. There is an AOG
trigger on all Lettuce value-added products. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Leaf:
• Romaine markets are up. Production has been limited due to recent rainfall in the
growing regions. Smaller sizing, lighter weights, discoloration, and inspect pressure are
being reported across all leaf items. Quality is fair to good.
• Romaine Heart markets are up. Production has been limited due to recent rainfall in the
growing regions. Bruised/pink ribs are being reported. Quality is fair to good.• Green Leaf markets are up. Production has been limited due to recent rainfall in the
growing regions. Smaller sizing, lighter weights, discoloration, and inspect pressure are
being reported across all leaf items. Quality is fair to good.
• Red Leaf markets are up. Production has been limited due to recent rainfall in the
growing regions. Smaller sizing, lighter weights, discoloration, and inspect pressure are
being reported across all leaf items. Quality is fair to 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: Alert
Markets are up. Texas onions are available but are very tight, due to rain over the last few
weeks. California is expected to start this week. Transportation continues to influence market
movement. Quality is good.
Peppers: Alert
• Green Pepper: Markets are down but product remains tight. Florida pepper volume has
increased; good volume is still a more than 2 weeks out. Mexico crossings are declining.
Markets are expected to stay active for the next few 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
Tomato supply remains tight due to earlier weather impacts, with limited production in Florida
and inconsistent quality and sizing from Mexico as older fields wind down. Hothouse volumes
are still building and not yet enough to close the gap. Larger sizes are especially scarce, but
supplies are expected to slowly improve in 3-4 weeks as new regions come online.
• Round tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is fair.
• Roma tomato markets are up. Quality fair to good.
• Grape tomato markets are coming off. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are coming off. 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. Blueberries
2. Carrots
3. Corn
4. Cucumbers
5. Eggplant
6. Grapes
7. Green Peppers
8. Honeydew
9. Jumbo Yams
10. Lettuce
11. Oranges
12. Onions
13. Tomatoes
