Asparagus:
Markets are steady. Oversupply from Peru continues to soften prices. Warm weather is increasing Mexican volumes and extending the season, while Peruvian shipments are steady but beginning to decline. Overall demand remains soft, with minimal improvement expected until late January or early February. Quality is good.
Berries:
- Blackberry Markets are steady out of Texas and California. Quality is fair to good.
- Blueberries Markets are steady, but we are currently in a brief supply gap on offshore fruit. Chilean fruit awaits release at the ports, while Central Mexican production remains limited due to weather conditions. Quality is good.
- Raspberries markets are steady. Quality is good
- Strawberry markets are up. The market will continue to strengthen due to cold temperatures in Florida and recent rain in California. Quality is good. Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
Broccoli:
Broccoli markets are steady. Supplies are improving across all regions, and the market is expected to gradually ease lower heading into next week. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Broccoli items. Quality is fair to good.
Brussel Sprouts: Alert
Markets are up and sold out. Salinas Valley and Oxnard regions are dealing with insect pressure, some decay, and smaller-sized produce. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Brussel Sprout items. Quality is fair.
Cabbage:
Carrots: Alert
- Cello markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Loose markets are tight. California was hit by bad weather, Florida and Georgia crops not ready, and Canada’s season winding down. Quality is good.
- Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.
Cauliflower:
Markets are up. Quality is good.
Celery:
The market is coming off out of California. Supplies in the Oxnard and Santa Maria regions have improved slightly. Yuma production is moderate to light. Mexico markets and supplies remain steady. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Celery items. Quality is fair to good.
Citrus: Alert
- Lemon: Markets are steady and improving as increased harvests from District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) boost overall supply. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) remains the main growing region, with peak sizes at 140ct, 115ct, and 165ct. Mexico is also running with good volumes, but markets continue to climb due to freight. Quality is good.
- Limes: Demand for limes continues to strengthen, while quality and supply remain limited, driving prices higher again since last week. Growers are back to harvesting full time after the holidays, but weather continues to cause issues with cooler-than-normal temperatures and continued weekly rainfall slowing the development of the new crop. Quality challenges persist, with inbound fruit showing stylar and skin breakdown due to rain exposure.
- Orange: California Navel oranges are skewed toward larger sizes, peaking on 56ct and 72ct, while small sizes (113ct, 138ct) remain very limited and tight through the season into Valencia’s. Flexibility on size and grade will be needed, with substitutions to larger Navels or Cara Caras likely. Expect elevated markets on small Choice/Fancy grades fruit. 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. Quality is good.
- Cello Cucumber markets are up. Quality is good.
Eggplant:
East Coast supplies are tightening due to cooler weather in South Florida. Quality is good.
Grapes:
Pricing is steady and supplies are getting better. Quality is good.
Green Onions: Alert
Markets are up and sold out. Demand has been very strong with light supplies. The green onion market has climbed to extremely high levels; due to a combination of labor issues and quality issues from the rain we experienced before the holiday. These factors have put production behind. We will continue to see mechanical damage for the next two weeks and smaller sizing. Quality is fair.
Herbs:
- Basil: Quality is fair.
Lettuce Iceberg:
Lettuce markets are steady. Minimal seeder and misshapen heads are being reported on inbound. Weights are ranging from 39 to 43 pounds. Quality is good.
Lettuce Leaf:
- Romaine markets are coming off. 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 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. Supplies and quality on tender leaf items are improving, and this trend is expected to continue while favorable weather persists. There is an AOG trigger on Cilantro and Spinach value-added items. Quality is fair on Arcadian, Cilantro and Spinach.
Melons: ALERT
- 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 market is stronger due to cold weather in Florida and lower yields in Mexico caused by rain and cooler temperatures. Quality is good.
- Red Pepper markets are coming off and supplies are gradually improving. Quality is good.
Pineapples:
Markets are tightening. Quality is good.
Potatoes:
Markets are steady. Production is back to a full, regular week, allowing for consistent pack-outs. Quality remains strong.
Squash:
Market conditions are firm, driven by cold weather limiting Florida yields and moderate squash harvests in Mexico. Quality is good.
Tomatoes:
- Round tomato markets are up. Quality is good.
- Roma tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.
- Grape tomato markets are up. Quality is good.
- Cherry tomato markets are up. 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.
- Brussel Sprouts
- Clementines
- Corn
- Escarole
- Green Onions
- Green Peppers
- Honeydew
- Jumbo Yams
- Oranges
- Snow peas
- Sugar snap peas
