Asparagus: Alert
Markets are up. Peruvian supplies have been absorbed due to weather and end of current crop.
Mexican asparagus demand remains flat, but supplies are tight as Caborca production came in
lighter and later than expected, adding pressure to the regions that are already winding down.
Little relief expected before march. Quality is fair.
Berries:
• Blackberry Markets are trending upward. Imported products have experienced quality
concerns, with a high percentage showing red cells. Supplies from Texas and California
remain consistent. Overall quality is fair.
• Blueberries Markets up. Product is shipping from Central Mexico, Chile, California, New
Jersey and Florida. Quality is good.
• Raspberries markets are steady. Quality is fair to good.
• Strawberry Markets are coming down. Florida is finally going to start seeing an increase
in production end of this week/next week. Better weather patterns are expected next
week with some slight showers on Saturday. CA is going to experience a significant
amount of rain next week and we will have to rely on Baja, Central MX and FL for
coverage. Quality right now in FL is improving significantly as suppliers have culled
through the freeze damaged berries and thrown down all of the damaged fruit.
Broccoli:
Broccoli markets are coming off. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Broccoli items.
Quality is fair to good.
Brussel Sprouts:
Markets are coming off. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Brussel Sprout items.
Quality is fair to good.
Cabbage:
• Green Cartons: Markets are coming off. Quality is good.
• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
• Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good.Carrots: Alert
• Cello markets are steady out of Mexico. Quality is good.
• Loose markets are tight but should be softening up in the near future as Florida product
becomes available. Quality is good.
• Value-add Carrots are tight due to the current conditions in California, but we should
see an improvement across the California carrot industry in about two weeks. Baby and
value-added carrots remain available but are being closely managed. Prorates are
happening at loading time. Quality is good.
Cauliflower: Alert
Markets are up. This upward pressure is driven by reduced harvest volumes, a direct result of
the planting disruptions caused by the November and December rains. There is an AOG trigger
on all value-added Cauliflower items. Quality is fair to good.
Celery:
The market is up. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Celery items. Quality is fair to
good.
Citrus: Alert
• Lemon: Markets are slightly down. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) will finish packing this week,
with minimal final floors available the week of the 16th. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley)
will serve as the primary growing region until District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County) ramps
up in late March to early April. District 1 is currently peaking in 140/165/115 counts.
Quality is good.
• Limes: market is strengthening. Demand is higher than supply and quality has been fair
with limes showing stylar, skin deterioration and lighter coloring.
• Orange: Markets are active. The California Navel crop is peaking on larger sizes (56ct
and 72ct), with small sizes (113ct and 138ct) extremely limited through the rest of the
season and into March. Flexibility with size and grade will be needed, with substitutions
to larger Navels or Cara Caras when available. Schools and DOD programs should be
encouraged to accept 88ct fruit. Moroccan fruit should start in two weeks. Quality is fair
to good.
Cucumbers:
• Cucumber markets are steady, but supplies are tight. Mexican supplies remain steady
with good overall quality. Offshore cucumbers are starting to arrive. Market remains
firm due to tight availability outside of Mexico. Quality is fair to good.
• Cello Cucumber markets are up. Quality is good.Eggplant: Alert
Markets are up. Florida product has been impacted by freeze damage, and reduced Mexican
production due to recent weather is keeping pricing elevated. Quality is good.
Grapes:
Markets are softening, supply is good. Quality is good.
Green Onions: Alert
Markets are up. Green onion supplies remain very tight. Recent rains and cool weather have
reduced overall yields, keeping the market firm. Quality is fair to good.
Herbs:
• Basil: Quality is fair.
Lettuce Iceberg: Alert
The iceberg lettuce market remains highly active, with volatility expected to persist well into
February & March. Supplies are forecast to stay light for at least the next few weeks due to
limited production and marginal yields. Current reports indicate head weights ranging between
35-39 pounds, with some shippers noting quality issues such as misshapen heads and outer
discoloration. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce items. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Leaf:
• Romaine markets are up. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Romaine items.
Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe burn. Quality is good.
• Romaine Heart markets are up. Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe burn.
Quality is good.
• Green Leaf markets are up. Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe burn.
Quality is good.
• Red Leaf markets are up. Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe burn. Quality
is good.
Lettuce Tender Leaf:
Arcadian, Arugula, Cilantro, Parsley, Spring Mix, and Spinach. Tender leaf items like spinach,
arugula, and cilantro are tight this week due to quality issues and lower yields. Supplies and
quality are expected to improve heading into next week. There is an AOG trigger on Cilantro
and Spinach value-added items. Quality is fair to good.Melons:
• Cantaloupes: Market is steady. Quality is fair to good.
• Honeydews: market is steady. Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but
supplies are lighter than demand. Offshore pricing is up due to vessel delays. Quality is
good.
Onions:
Supplies from Washington, Idaho, and Utah are available, with strong demand across the U.S.
Yellow and red prices are steady, while white onions are moving higher. Transportation
continues to influence market movement. Quality is good.
Peppers: Alert
• Green Pepper Florida peppers have suffered significant freeze damage, with market
impacts expected to intensify in the coming days and continue through March. Although
heavy Mexican production is currently keeping the market soft, it will not be sufficient
to fully offset Florida’s losses. A major reset in the green pepper market is imminent.
Quality is good.
• Red Pepper markets are up due to cold weather. Quality is fair to good.
Pineapples:
Markets are steady. Quality is good.
Potatoes:
Markets are steady. Production is back to a full, regular week, allowing for consistent pack-outs.
Quality remains strong.
Squash: Alert
Florida squash production has been significantly impacted by recent freezes, with recovery
unlikely before late February or March. Demand has shifted heavily to Mexico, where supplies
remain limited through mid-March. Prices are escalating quickly and are expected to remain
well above seasonal norms. Quality is fair.
Tomatoes:
• Round tomato markets are coming off. Quality is fair to good.
• Roma tomato markets are coming off. 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. Artisan Romaine
2. Asparagus
3. B&W Arugula
4. Broccolini
5. Carrot Slims
6. Cauliflower
7. Cilantro
8. Corn
9. Eggplant
10. Green Onions
11. Green Peppers
12. Jumbo Yams
13. Lettuce
14. Oranges
15. Radishes
16. Red Peppers
17. Snow Peas
18. Spinach
19. Squash
20. Sugar Snap Peas
21. Watercress
