Asparagus:
Markets are coming off, but supplies are still tight. Mexican production is well below normal
and nearing decline ahead of holiday demand. This is keeping the market tight through early
April, with smaller sizes increasing and larger grades tapering off. Quality is fair to good.
Berries:
• Blackberry Markets are up. Supplies remain light out of Central Mexico and California
production expected to begin in April. Quality is fair to good.
• Blueberry Markets continue to be firm. Supplies are tight out of Central Mexico, Chile,
and California due to recent weather conditions. Elevated pricing is expected until
California and the Northwest ramp up in April. Quality is good.
• Raspberry markets are slightly down, but supplies remain tight out of Mexico. Quality is
fair to good.
• Strawberry Markets are down. Production is increasing across all growing regions.
Mexico is nearly finished. California, Baja, and Florida are ramping up with ideal
weather conditions. Salinas is several weeks ahead of schedule. 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 steady. 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 have strengthened with more demand on the southern crop from out
west. Quality is good.
• Loose market is steady. Quality is good.
• Value-add Carrots are tight due to the current conditions in California. Baby and value-
added carrots remain available, but are being closely managed. Prorates are happening
at loading time. Quality is good.
Shippers are covering 25% of 6-week averages.Cauliflower:
Markets are coming off. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower items. Quality is
fair to good.
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 up. 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 continues to move up as warmer weather is boosting demand. The
biggest struggle is large fruit availability as the new crop is mostly on the smaller sizes.
Quality is fair to good with a lot of limes having light coloration and some yellow spots.
• 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
counts. A handful of Moroccan fruit is available. Quality is fair to good.
Cucumbers: Alert
• Cucumber markets are up with supplies being extremely tight. Offshore cucumbers are
starting to arrive, with limited volume. Florida harvest will not begin until Late March or
early April. Markets will remain elevated for the next few weeks. Quality is fair at best.
• Cello Cucumber markets are up and supplies are tight. Quality is good.
Eggplant: Alert
Markets are trending upward. Florida supplies have been affected by freeze damage a few
weeks ago. Mexico continues shipping into McAllen with slight market shifts. Overall quality
remains good
Grapes:
Markets have softened. Quality is good.
Green Onions:
Markets are coming off. Quality is fair to good.Herbs:
• Basil: Quality is fair.
Lettuce Iceberg:
Markets are steady. Very warm temperatures in the Yuma region this weekend and next week
will cause a greater chance of seeing aphids in the leaves. Quality issues insist of internal burn,
puffiness, and leaf discoloration. Yuma production will continue for 2–4 more weeks, with
Huron starting in the next week or two. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce
items. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Leaf:
• Romaine markets are steady. Very warm temperatures in the Yuma region this weekend
and next week will cause a greater chance of seeing aphids in the leaves. 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. Very warm temperatures in the Yuma region
this weekend and next week will cause a greater chance of seeing aphids in the leaves.
Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe burn. Quality is good.
• Green Leaf markets are steady. Very warm temperatures in the Yuma region this
weekend and next week will cause a greater chance of seeing aphids in the leaves.
Minimal reports of discoloration and tip or fringe burn. Quality is good.
• Red Leaf markets are steady. Very warm temperatures in the Yuma region this weekend
and next week will cause a greater chance of seeing aphids in the leaves. 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: Markets are up due to strong demand. 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 steady. 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
Markets are up. Florida squash production has been significantly impacted by recent freezes,
with recovery unlikely before mid-March. Demand has shifted heavily to Mexico, where
supplies remain limited through mid-March. Expect short term elevated prices on yellow and
green squash Quality is fair.
Tomatoes: Alert
Rounds are very limited due to the Florida freeze and Mexico, keeping prices elevated at lower
levels. Roma production in Sonora is increasing, causing prices to ease, but markets are
expected to remain volatile through April as Florida salvage crops, Mexican disease issues, and
a 17% duty continue to pressure supply. Grapes are currently affordable with low demand,
though partial Florida damage and split Mexican pricing could push prices higher if supplies
tighten this week.
• Round tomato markets are coming down. Quality is fair to good.
• Roma tomato markets are coming down. Quality fair to good.
• Grape tomato markets are coming down. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are coming down. Quality is good.
Watermelons: Alert
Lower yields and Mexican border issues have kept watermelon prices elevated. Warmer
national temperatures are boosting demand. Offshore melons are nearly finished, leaving
Mexican melons as the primary supply until domestic production begins.
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. Carrot – Value-added, 25% fill rate of a 6-week average
2. Corn
3. Cucumbers
4. Eggplant
5. Green Peppers
6. Honeydew
7. Jumbo Yams
8. Oranges
9. Raspberries
10. Snow Peas
11. Squash
12. Sugar Snap Peas
13. Tomatoes
