Asparagus:
Asparagus markets are coming off. Supplies are gradually improving. Mexican production remains low due to recent heat, while Peru continues to ramp up volume each week. Domestic harvests are expected to begin in the next few weeks. Expect a slow but steady market recovery as more product enters the pipeline. Quality is good.
Broccoli:
Markets are steady. Quality is 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 to good.
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. Minimal mildew has been reported. Quality is good.
Celery:
Markets are at the bottom. Quality is good.
Citrus: Alert
- Orange: markets are up as the navel season moves past its peak, wrapping up in June. Small fruit will stay limited, and suppliers are closely managing remaining volume to cover contracts while delaying Valencia harvests. Valencia oranges are expected to start in early June to ensure supply through fall. Quality is good.
- Lemon: Markets are firming up as recent rains boost fruit sizing. Smaller sizes (140ct and down) are tightening and likely to stay limited until District 2 ramps up in June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) remains the primary source, with light support from District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard). Quality is good.
- Limes: Due to lack of supplies, the market saw significant increases last week and again early this week. Supplies look to remain tight the next couple of weeks as the industry tries to refill the pipeline and catch back up, as well as dealing with anticipated increase in demand that will come for the Cinco de Mayo pull which will start late this week. Overall, the color and quality of the limes continues to be good.
Cucumbers:
- Cucumber market has tightened up slightly. Quality has been good on inbound.
- Euro Cucumbers markets are steady on both Canada and Mexico. Quality is good.
Eggplant:
Market is elevated and supplies are tight, quality has been fair to good.
Grapes: Alert
Grape prices continue to rise quickly as available product becomes scarce. Expect to some gaps in availability over the next few weeks until other regions open up. Quality is good.
Herbs:
- Basil: Quality is fair.
Leaf:
- 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 steady. Quality is good.
Lettuce:
Lettuce markets are coming off. There has been some reports of slight misshapen heads and outer leaf discoloration. Weights averaging from 39 – 44 pounds. 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 firming up a bit. 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 steady. Quality on inbound has been good.
- Red Pepper markets are steady. Quality is fair to good.
Pineapples:
Market is softening. Quality has been good.
Potatoes:
The Potato market is steady. Quality has been good.
Strawberries & Bush Berries: Alert
- Strawberry markets are coming off. Product is readily available out of Baja, Santa Maria, Oxnard, and the Salinas/Watsonville areas. Quality is good.
- Raspberry markets are steady, but supplies are tight. Central Mexico and Baja continue to produce only light volumes heading into May. California production is expected to begin mid to late May. Quality is good.
- Blueberry markets are up. There is a shortage of product coming into the U.S. from Central Mexico and Baja, with Florida production just starting in small volumes. Georgia will follow shortly, and we expect improved supplies from all regions by the last week of April. California will begin light production over the next few weeks. Quality is good.
- Blackberry markets are steady, but supplies remain tight. We are in a demand exceeding supply, and this is expected to continue through early May. California will begin production in mid-May as temperatures rise, while Georgia’s crop is still a couple of weeks away. Quality is fair.
Squash:
- Green markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Yellow markets are steady. Quality is good.
Tomatoes:
Tomato production is improving across Florida and Mexico. In Florida, better weather has boosted supply and quality with upcoming transitions to Ruskin/Palmetto. Mexico continues to provide steady volumes and good quality across major regions, though some areas show minor quality issues due to past heat. New fields in Mexico are expected to support consistent supply in the coming weeks.
- Round tomato markets are slightly up. Quality is good.
- Roma tomato markets are slightly up. Quality is good
- Grape tomato markets are steady. Quality is good
- Cherry tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.
Market Alerts:
The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Brussel Sprouts
- Grapes
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Raspberries
