Primo Weekly Market Update 

10/16/25 

Asparagus: Alert 

Markets continue to tighten. Tropical storms in Mexico have cut asparagus production to about 50%, pushing prices higher and increasing demand for Peruvian supply. Peru is shifting from southern to northern regions, with strong volumes expected by early December—just in time to offset Mexico’s uncertain outlook. Miami arrivals are back on track ahead of Thanksgiving. Quality is fair to good. 

Berries: Alert 

• Blackberry markets are up. This item is trending upward in response to increased weather-driven demand and is also being used as a substitute to help cover widespread shortages across row crops and berries. Quality is fair to good. 
• Blueberry market continues coming down as availability improves. Quality is good. 
• Raspberry markets are up. This item is seeing upward pressure due to weather-driven demand. It’s also being used as a fill item to help offset shortages across multiple commodities, including row crops and berries. Quality is good. 
• Strawberry markets are up and sold out. We’re in a demand-exceeds-supply market as rain in California has halted harvests, with growers stripping fields and delaying picks. Santa Maria is past peak, and while Oxnard is expected to improve slowly. A significant production gap is expected until Central Mexico ramps up in about two weeks, with Baja still 4 to 6 weeks out. Fill rates will remain tight, and open market fruit will be extremely limited over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Quality is fair. 

Shippers are filling 35% of a 10-week averages. 

Broccoli: Alert 

Broccoli markets are up and sold out. Broccoli supplies remain very limited this week. Some pin rot is being observed due to moisture on the crowns, mostly manageable but impacting yields. Insect pressure remains a key concern. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Broccoli items. Quality is fair. 

Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Commodity and Value-Add Broccoli. 

Brussel Sprouts: Alert 

Markets are sold out. Brussels sprout supplies remain limited as Salinas Valley and Oxnard regions continue to face insect pressure, decay issues, and smaller sizing. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Brussel items. Quality is fair to good. 

Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Commodity and Value-Add Brussel Sprouts. 

• Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Cabbage: 

Carrots: 

• Cello markets are mostly steady. Quality is good. 
• Loose Markets are steady. Quality has been good. 
• Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good. 

Cauliflower: Alert 

Markets are up and sold out. Cauliflower supplies remain very limited due to quality issues and increased insect pressure from diamondback moths and aphids, resulting in lower yields. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower items. Quality is fair to good. 

Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Commodity and Value-Add Cauliflower. 

Celery: 

Markets are slightly down. Minor seeder issues are being reported. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Celery items. Quality is good. 

Citrus: Alert 

• Lemon: Markets remain strong across all sizes, though some relief may come as District 1 (San Joaquin) begins light harvests in the next week. Fruit is slow to color and requires gassing, similar to navels. Volume should increase as cooler nights set in. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) remains the main region but is tapering off. Sizes 140ct and smaller remain very limited. Mexico is also shipping, with loading available in South Texas. 
• Limes: Heavy rainfall last week caused significant flooding and mudslides across the lime-growing regions of Veracruz and other parts of Mexico. These conditions severely restricted harvesting operations and rendered several key transportation routes impassable. Many trucks were unable to reach the border over the weekend due to submerged roads, and most shippers are now working to recover from the backlog. Veracruz is forecasted to receive light showers again this afternoon and on Wednesday, which may further impact logistics and harvesting efforts. Quality is fair to good. 
• Orange: Markets remain strong across all sizes. Valencia’s are nearly finished, with very limited availability on the open market. Navel shipments are expected to begin lightly next week, with more volume the week of the 27th. Rain has delayed harvest until possibly Thursday to allow groves to dry. Cooler nights in the mid-40s are helping with natural color. Navels will start with 72ct/88ct/113ct sizing, increasing as the season progresses. Domestic mandarins should begin in the next couple of weeks. 

Shippers are holding to 6-week averages. 

Cucumbers: 

• Cucumber market is strengthening. Quality has been good on inbound. 
• Cello Cucumbers markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Eggplant: 

Market is steady. Quality is good. 

Grapes: 

Markets are steady. Grapes have struggled to find a market over the past three months, but that may be shifting, especially for green grapes. Supplies have been tightening, and with rain forecast in the Central Valley this week, many shippers are expected to finish harvesting soon. Growers are picking aggressively to beat the weather, while ample grapes remain in storage. Red grapes continue to be plentiful, so any price increases are expected to be modest compared to greens. Quality is good. 

Green Onions: 

Markets are coming off, but supplies remain limited due to weather-related quality issues and reduced yields in the Baja region. Expect small sizing for the next three weeks. Quality is fair to good. 

Herbs: 

• Basil: Quality is fair. 

Lettuce Iceberg: Alert 

Lettuce markets are up and sold out. Demand continues to outpace supplies and is expected to do so for at least the next few weeks. INSV is the primary cause of product shortages in the Salinas Valley, leading to lighter weights, misshapen heads, and puffiness reported by all suppliers. Production has started in Huron this week and is expected to strengthen over the next three to four weeks. Quality is fair to good. 

Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Value-Add Lettuce. 

Lettuce Leaf: Alert 

• Romaine markets are up and sold out. Expect lighter weights, along with tip and fringe burn. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Romaine items. Quality is fair to good. Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Commodity and Value-Add Romaine. 
• Romaine Heart markets are up and sold out. Expect lighter weights, along with tip and fringe burn. Quality is fair to good. 

Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Commodity Romaine Hearts. 

• Green Leaf markets are up and sold out. Expect lighter weights, along with tip and fringe burn. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Green Leaf items. Quality is fair to good. 

Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Commodity and Value-Add Green Leaf. 

• Red Leaf markets are up and sold out. Expect lighter weights, along with tip and fringe burn. Quality is good. 

Shippers are holding to 10-week averages on Commodity and Value-Add Red Leaf. 

Lettuce Tender Leaf: 

Arcadian, Spring Mix, Spinach, Cilantro, Arugula, and Italian Parsley. Markets are steady. There is an AOG trigger on value-added Cilantro items. Quality is fair to good. 

Melons: 

• Cantaloupes: Markets are up. The Westside deal is wrapping up as production shifts to Brawley/Yuma, though heavy rains have delayed the transition. Limited supplies and rising demand are pushing the market up. Fields continue to produce mostly 9s, with sizing expected to remain a challenge through the end of the domestic season. Quality is good. 
• Honeydews: Markets are up. The Westside deal is ending as production shifts to Brawley/Yuma, though recent heavy rains have delayed the transition. Limited supplies and strong demand are pushing the market higher until offshore product ramps up. Mexican honeydews are available in Nogales, with fields mainly producing sizes 4, 5, and 6. Quality is good. 

Onions: 

Markets are steady. Onions are currently shipping out of Washington and Idaho, as the California and New Mexico seasons have ended. Quality is good. 

Peppers: 

• Green bell market is beginning to tighten a bit. Quality on inbound has been good. 
• Red Pepper markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Pineapples: 

Market is relatively steady. Quality has been good. 

Potatoes: 

Harvest is wrapping up in Idaho, with strong quality and a good variety of sizes. Supply levels are stable, and demand remains steady as the new crop transitions into storage and begins shipping. Color potatoes are coming from CA, ID, MN, WA, and WI. Quality is good. 

Squash: 

• Green market is tightening. Quality is good. 
• Yellow market is tightening Quality is fair to good. 

Tomatoes: Alert 

Markets are up with limited supplies on both coasts. California is done, Baja/Mexico slowed by rain, and the East coast remains short. Northern Florida starts early to mid-October. 

• Round tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good. 
• Roma tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good. 
• Grape tomato markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Cherry tomato markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Yams: Alert 

Markets are active. Jumbo yams are in short supply. Orders moving forward will have a high probability of being prorated. Quality is good. 

Market Alerts: 

The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply. 

1. Artisan Romaine – 50% fill rate 
2. Asparagus 
3. B&W Arugula 
4. Blackberries 
5. Broccolini 
6. Broccoli 
7. Broccoli Rabe – 60% fill rate 
8. Brussel Spouts 
9. Cauliflower 
10. Dried Cherries 
11. Green Leaf 
12. Jumbo Yams 
13. Lettuce 
14. Oranges 
15. Raspberries 
16. Red Leaf 
17. Romaine 
18. Romaine Hearts 
19. Roma Tomatoes 
20. Round Tomatoes 
21. Strawberries – 35% fill rate