Asparagus: Alert
Markets are steady, but supplies are still tight. 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: Alert
• Blackberry Markets are down. Cold weather in Central Mexico and Baja California is
limiting harvest yields. Florida is improving on both quality and supplies. Quality is fair
to good.
• Blueberry Markets are up. Supplies are tight out of Central Mexico, Chile, and California
due to recent weather conditions. Quality is good.
• Raspberry markets are slightly down, but supplies are still tight due to weather
conditions in Mexico and California. Quality is fair to good.
• Strawberry Markets are at the bottom. Quality is fair to good.
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. 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 are steady out of Mexico and Florida. Quality is good.
• Loose markets are steady. 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 and sold out. 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.
Shippers are holding to a 60% of a 10-week average on all value-added cauliflower.
Celery:
The market is coming off. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Celery items. Quality is fair
to good.
Citrus: Alert
• Lemon: Markets are steady. 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 a week. Quality is fair to
good.
Cucumbers:
• Cucumber markets are up with supplies being 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 coming off. 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 continue to soften. Quality is good.
Green Onions: Alert
Markets are up and sold out. 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:
Markets are coming off. Current reports indicate head weights ranging between 39-45 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 coming off. 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 coming off. Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or
fringe burn. Quality is good.
• Green Leaf markets are coming off. Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe
burn. Quality is good.
• Red Leaf markets are coming off. 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 in better supplies this 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 up. Quality is fair to good.
• Roma tomato markets are up. Quality fair to good.
• Grape tomato markets are coming off. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are steady. 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. Asparagus
2. Broccolini – 65% fill rate of a 10-week average
3. Carrot – Value-added
4. Cauliflower – 60% fill rate of a 10-week average
5. Corn
6. Eggplant
7. Green Onions
8. Green Peppers
9. Jumbo Yams
10. Oranges
11. Radishes
12. Red Peppers
13. Snow Peas
14. Squash
15. Sugar Snap Peas
16. Watercress
