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: Alert
• Blackberry Markets are steady out of Florida. Supplies remain light out of Central
Mexico and California is still two to three weeks away from meaningful production.
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 up and supplies remain tight out of Mexico. Quality is fair to
good.
• Strawberry Markets are up. Production is increasing across all growing regions. Mexico
is nearly finished. California, Baja, and Florida are ramping up with ideal weather
conditions. 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. 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. 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 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) 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 strengthen with no end in sight currently. 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. Market remains firm due to tight availability
outside of Mexico. Quality is fair at best.
• 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 are steady. Quality is good.
Green Onions:
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 may tighten back up next week. Warm temperatures in Yuma will
likely lead to insect damage, lightweights, and puffiness. Current weights are averaging 38-43
pounds. 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 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 remain extremely limited, particularly for romas and rounds. Late-January
sub-freezing temperatures in Florida continue to suppress domestic production, with relief not
expected until early April. Mexican volumes, typically a key supplement, are lighter than usual
due to prior weather damage, compounded this week by unrest, roadblocks, and shipping
delays. Tight supplies and market pressure are expected to continue through March.
• Round tomato markets are up and extremely tight. Quality is fair to good.
• Roma tomato markets are up and extremely tight. Quality fair to 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.
1. Broccolini
2. Carrot – Value-added
3. Corn
4. Cucumbers
5. Eggplant
6. Green Peppers
7. Honeydew
8. Jumbo Yams
9. Oranges
10. Raspberries
11. Snow Peas
12. Squash
13. Sugar Snap Peas
14. Tomatoes
15. Watercress
