Asparagus: Alert

Markets are coming off, 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. Industry wide shortages are expected as labor availability and

logistics are disrupted by ongoing cartel activity. 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 steady, but supplies are still tight due to cold weather and

ongoing cartel issues that are further restricting supplies from Central Mexico. Quality is

fair to good.

• Strawberry Markets are at the bottom. Quality is fair to good.

Broccoli:

Broccoli markets are steady. 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 Canada. Quality is good.

• Loose markets are strengthening as Canadian stock continues to dwindle and turmoil in

Mexico is slowing crossings. 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:

Markets are coming off. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower items. Quality is

fair to good.

Celery:

The market remains firm across multiple suppliers. Availability is moderate to light in both

northern and southern regions. 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) is finished. District 1 (San Joaquin

Valley) will remain the main growing region until District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County)

ramps up around late March to early April. District 1 is currently peaking in 115, 140,

and 165 counts. Quality is good.

• Limes: Market is strengthening. The Mexican market remained strong last week amid

limited supplies and solid demand leading up to the events that occurred over the

weekend. Due to the current security challenges—including cartel-related disruptions,

roadblocks, and restricted movement—the supply outlook for the middle to latter part

of this week remains uncertain. Market prices for available fruit continue to rise as

concerns grow regarding potential upcoming shortages.

• 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 Valencias. Flexibility with size and grade will be

needed, with substitutions to larger Navels or Cara Cara oranges likely. Expect elevated

markets on Choice, Fancy, and small-size fruit, and encourage schools to accept 88

count. Moroccan fruit will be available next 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, with limited

volume. 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

Green onion supplies remain very tight but are slowly easing from recent highs. Recent rains

and cooler weather have lowered yields, and supplies are expected to stay limited into next

week. Quality is fair to good.

Herbs:

• Basil: Quality is fair.

Lettuce Iceberg:

Markets are coming off, but expected to rise again next week. Very warm temperatures in

Yuma starting Wednesday will likely lead to insect damage, lightweights, and puffiness. There is

an AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce items. Quality is fair to good.

Lettuce Leaf:

• Romaine markets are steady. 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 steady. Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe burn.

Quality is good.

• Red Leaf markets are steady. 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 are in better

supplies this week. There is an AOG trigger on Cilantro value-added items. Quality is fair to

good.

Melons: Alert

• Cantaloupes: Market is steady. Quality is fair to good.

• Honeydews: Markets are up. Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but

supplies are lighter than demand. Fields in Guatemala and Honduras have been

affected by plant viruses. 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 down due to pest and disease pressure. A major reset in

the green pepper market is imminent. Quality is good.

• Red Pepper markets are coming off. 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: Alert

U.S. tomato supplies are tightening sharply after late-January sub-freezing temperatures in

Florida devastated crops, limiting domestic production through mid-April or later. Mexican

volumes, usually a key supplement, are lighter than normal due to prior weather damage and

recent violent unrest causing roadblocks, shipment delays, and freight issues. Tight supplies and

market pressure are expected to continue through March.

• 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. Corn

5. Eggplant

6. Green Onions

7. Green Peppers

8. Honeydew

9. Jumbo Yams

10. Oranges

11. Raspberries

12. Snow Peas

13. Squash

14. Sugar Snap Peas

15. Tomatoes

16. Watercress