Asparagus:
Markets are up, 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. Easter demand and extreme heat will
add pressure. Quality is fair to good.
Berries: Alert
• Blackberry Markets are firm. 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. Florida is producing but will have short
season due to freeze in early February. Quality is good.
• Raspberry markets are up. Supplies from Central Mexico and Baja remain light, with
demand exceeding supply which is keeping markets elevated. Quality issues and
transfer delays persist, and tight conditions are expected to continue until mid-April or
early May, weather dependent. 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 and supplies are improving across all regions. 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 75% of 6-week averages.
Cauliflower:
Markets are coming off and supplies are improving. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added
Cauliflower items. Quality is fair to good.
Celery:
The market is coming off. Oxnard and Santa Maria are expected to have good supplies across all
sizes this week, while Yuma production winds down quickly. There is an AOG trigger on all
value-added Celery items. Despite warm temperatures, 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 is very strong but steady. We may see some relief once Columbian limes
become more available. 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. Honduran imports are
tight. 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 steady, supplies remain 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 goodGrapes:
Green grape supplies are tighter on both coasts, with slightly higher prices as Peru finishes and
Chile offers lighter volume. Current supply meets demand, but supplies are expected to tighten
later in the month. Red grapes remain in good supply, with the market slightly higher. Quality is
good.
Green Onions:
Markets are coming off and supplies are improving. Quality is fair to good.
Herbs:
• Basil: Quality is fair.
Lettuce Iceberg:
Markets have come down. 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 next week. 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. Yuma production will continue for 2–4 more weeks, with Huron starting
next week. Quality is good.
• Romaine Heart 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. Yuma production will continue
for 2–4 more weeks, with Huron starting next week. Quality is good.
• Green Leaf markets have come down. 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. Yuma production will continue
for 2–4 more weeks, with Huron starting next week. Quality is good.
• Red Leaf markets have come down. 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. Yuma production will continue
for 2–4 more weeks, with Huron starting next week. Quality is good.Lettuce Tender Leaf:
Arcadian, Arugula, Cilantro, Parsley, Spring Mix, and Spinach. Tender leaf items are in better
supplies this week, but are expected to tighten next week due to the Yuma heat wave. minor
insect damage and discoloration are being reported. 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. Quality is fair.
• Red Pepper markets are steady, supplies are tight. 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.
Transportation costs are driving the market. Quality remains strong.
Squash: Alert
Markets are down. Squash supplies remain tight due to recent cold weather in key growing
regions. However, temperatures are expected to rise steadily in the coming days, which should
speed up crop development. Central Florida is anticipated to begin harvesting within the next
10 days. Overall quality ranges from fair to good.Tomatoes: Alert
Rounds are very limited due to the Florida freeze and Mexico, keeping prices elevated. Roma
production in Sonora is increasing, but markets are expected to remain volatile through April as
Florida salvage crops, and Mexican disease issues 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 up. Quality is fair to good.
• Roma tomato markets are up. Quality fair to good.
• Grape tomato markets are up. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are up. Quality is good.
Watermelons: Alert
Lower yields and Mexican border issues are keeping watermelon prices high. Warmer national
temperatures are boosting demand. Offshore melons are nearly finished, leaving Mexican
melons as the main supply. Domestic production is several weeks behind due to the total crop
failure in the Southeast.
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, 75% 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
14. Watermelon
