Apples:
• Local Apples: Growers across the region are currently harvesting Gala and Honeycrisp
apples, with a significant portion being placed into Controlled Atmosphere storage to
help maintain quality and extend shelf life. Growers are easing into harvest of a crop
affected by the April freeze.
• Western Apples: School demand combined with limited availability is putting upward
pressure on the apple market. Reds, Golds, and Granny Smith are all experiencing higher
prices. Fuji Apples are extremely tight. Gala is the bright spot, with the new crop harvest
underway and the market holding steady.
Asparagus: Alert
Mexican asparagus supplies remain limited, although availability is gradually improving.
Hurricane Polo may bring heavy rain and flooding to Constitución, creating potential challenges
for harvesting and transportation. Northern Baja is nearing the end of its season, while Sonoyta
continues to experience low yields and quality concerns. Hermosillo, meanwhile, is gradually
increasing production.
In Peru, warmer temperatures are affecting northern growing regions, resulting in lower yields
and quality. Southern Peru continues to produce the strongest quality asparagus. Overall,
supplies remain tight, but consistent air shipments are helping support availability in the U.S.
market. Quality remains fair.
Berries:
• Blackberry Markets are slightly down. Supplies are anticipated to increase from Central
Mexico and Baja over the next few weeks. Quality is fair to good.
• Blueberry Markets are up but steady. The Pacific northwest has ended, with Peruvian
and Mexican imports beginning to dominate the market. We have switched into half
pints. Quality is good.
• Raspberry Markets are slightly down. Supplies crossing into the U.S. from Mexico
continue to improve. Quality is good.
• Strawberry Markets are up. The Salinas and Watsonville seasons are expected to wrap
up within the next two weeks, while Santa Maria and Oxnard continue to ramp up
production. Central Mexico and Baja are gaining momentum, and most Texas shippers
expect to have a full mixed berry lineup available within the next two weeks. Quality is
fair to good.Broccoli:
Markets are up. Broccoli supplies remain very tight, with Diamondback Moth pressure
impacting younger fields, reducing yields, and further limiting production. There is a AOG
trigger on all value-added Broccoli. Quality is fair to good.
Brussel Sprouts:
Markets are coming down, but supplies remain tight due to ongoing insect pressure, which
continues to impact yields and availability. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Brussels.
Quality is fair to good.
Cabbage:
• Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Cabbage supplies are currently tight due to
gapping. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Green Cabbage. Quality is good.
• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Red
Cabbage. Quality is good.
• Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good.
Carrots:
• Cello markets are steady. Quality is good.
• Loose markets are steady. Quality is good.
• Value-add Carrots markets are steady. Quality is good.
Cauliflower:
Markets are coming down, but supplies remain tight as production for most suppliers have
gapped. Heavy Diamondback Moth pressure, especially in South County and Santa Maria,
continues to severely impact yields. Warm weather is adding to field challenges. There is a AOG
trigger on all value-added Cauliflower. Quality is fair to good.
Celery:
Markets are up. Quality is generally good, with minor seeder issues reported industry-wide.
Insect pressure remains minimal but is still being seen sporadically. Quality is good.
Citrus: Alert
• Lemon: Markets are up. District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard region) is in full
production and supplying the majority of fruit with good quality. Mexican fruit is also in
full production with good quality.
• Limes: Harvest is transitioning over to new crop which has caused availability on larger
limes to tighten. Recent rain has delayed some harvest which has caused pricing to
tighten a bit.• Orange: Markets are up. The California Valencia orange crop continues to peak on larger
sizes, primarily 56ct and 72ct fruit. Small sizes, especially 113ct and 138ct, remain
extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the remainder of the season.
To help ensure consistent supply, flexibility on size and grade will be necessary, with
substitutions to larger-size Valencia’s likely required. Suppliers are maintaining contract
size averages while managing overall availability. Schools and DoD programs are
encouraged to accept 88ct or 72ct fruit whenever possible to support order fulfillment.
Quality is good.
Cucumbers:
• Cucumbers Markets are steady. Eastern shippers remain in a stable supply position,
supported by good quality and strong demand.
• Cello Cucumber Markets are up and product is limited. Quality is good.
Eggplant:
Markets are up a bit. East coast production was down this week. Overall quality is good.
Grapes:
Markets are steady. Most shippers peaking on Large and Extra Large red and green seedless
varieties. Quality is good.
Green Onions: Alert
Markets are up and sold out. Baja production remains extremely limited due to continued heat,
lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies are keeping the market firm, while water
availability and potential monsoonal weather remain concerns. Improved supplies are expected
as fall production ramps up in mid- to late October. Quality is fair to good.
Herbs:
• Basil: Quality is fair.
Lettuce Iceberg: Alert
Markets are up. Lower yields in both the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria continue to keep
supplies tight and the market active. INSV remains a significant challenge, limiting availability
and adding pressure on shippers to fill orders. Quality concerns, including outer-leaf
discoloration, misshapen heads, and insect damage, persist, with carton weights ranging from
32-44 lbs. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce. Quality is fair to good.Lettuce Leaf:
• Romaine markets are down. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus
continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. There is a
AOG trigger on all value-added Romaine. Quality is fair to good.
• Romaine Heart markets are up. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus
continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. Quality is fair
to good.
• Green Leaf markets are up. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus
continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. There is a
AOG trigger on all value-added Green Leaf. Quality is fair to good.
• Red Leaf markets are up. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus
continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. Quality is fair
to good.
Lettuce Tender Leaf:
Arcadian, Arugula, Cilantro, Parsley, Spring Mix, and Spinach. Tender leaf items are steady.
Select Spring Mix varieties have experienced some shelf-life issues, though overall quality
remains good. We recommend monitoring shelf life closely. Recent heat has also led to
inconsistent Spinach sizing as growth rates fluctuate. Quality remains good, and a slight
cooldown should help improve size consistency moving forward. There is a AOG trigger on all
value-added Cilantro. Quality is fair to good.
Melons:
• Cantaloupes: Markets are slightly down. Domestic cantaloupes are currently shipping
from Central California. Cooler weather and lower yields are pushing prices higher.
Quality is good.
• Honeydews: Markets are slightly down. Domestic honeydews are shipping from Central
California. Quality is good.
Mushrooms:
Mushroom pricing has seen a slight increase due to an overall shortage of supply over the past
several months. The shortage has been driven by lower crop yields and labor challenges, while
increased fuel costs have also contributed to the higher prices.
Onions:
• Red Onion: The market is steady, supported by a strong crop coming out of Washington.
Idaho has started shipping. Transportation availability continues to play a significant role
in the market, with freight costs remaining a key driver of overall pricing. Product quality
remains strong across all major growing regions.
• Yellow: The market is steady, supported by a strong crop coming out of Washington.
Idaho has starting shipping. Colossal and Super Colossal remain tight, as onions havenot sized up just yet. Transportation availability continues to play a significant role in
the market, with freight costs remaining a key driver of overall pricing. Product quality
remains strong across all major growing regions.
Peppers:
• Green Pepper: Markets are up, with the East Coast market expected to remain active
through mid-October. Recent weather conditions have contributed to supply shortages.
Southern growing regions are expected to begin pepper production within the next few
weeks. Overall quality remains good.
• Red/Yellow/Orange Pepper markets are steady. Quality is fair to good.
Pineapples:
Markets are still strong. Quality is good.
Potatoes: Alert
Markets are steady. Larger counts are in short supply, particularly 40cts through 70cts.
Transportation costs continue to contribute to overall market strength. Quality is fair to good.
Squash: Alert
East Coast squash supplies remain tight, with light volumes coming from North Carolina and
New Jersey. Georgia production continues to build, while Florida is expected to begin
harvesting in mid- to late October. Overall quality continues to be fair to good.
Tomatoes: Alert
Round tomato supplies are improving slightly in the East as Virginia ramps up, while Tennessee
winds down. Roma supplies remain tight, with California providing steady volume and good
quality as Mexico sees reduced production. Grape tomato supplies are also tightening, with
lighter Eastern production and limited Mexican volume until Florida begins shipping in mid-
October.
• Round tomato markets are up. Quality is good.
• Roma tomato markets are steady. Quality is good.
• Grape tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good.
• Cherry tomato markets are up and sold out. 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. Artisan Lettuce (75% fill rate)
2. Artisan Romaine (15% fill rate)
3. Asparagus
4. Broccolini (65% fill rate)
5. Idaho Potatoes
6. Jumbo Yams
7. Lettuce
8. Oranges
9. Roma Crunch (Sold Out)
10. Scallions
11. Squash
12. Tomatoes Grape
13. Tomatoes Cherry
