Asparagus: 

Markets are up. Mexican asparagus remains tight due to strong demand and weather-related issues, with Baja down and Sonora recovering. The Valor vessel breakdown in Peru disrupted supply, adding to volatility. Demand stays strong short-term but is expected to ease by mid-October as supply rebounds. Quality is good. 

Berries: Alert 

• Blackberry markets are steady. Supplies are strong coming from Central Mexico and California. Quality is good. 
• Blueberry market is slowly coming down as availability improves. Quality is good. 
• Raspberry markets are steady. Supplies are strong coming from Central Mexico and California. Quality is good. 
• Strawberry markets are up. Strawberry supplies remain very limited following last week’s heat and rain. Shippers have been stripping fields, but yields are expected to improve slightly by the end of the week. Oxnard production is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks. Quality is fair to good. Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Broccoli: 

Broccoli markets are up and sold out. Broccoli supplies are tight this week, with some yield loss from crown moisture causing pin-rot, though mostly avoidable. Insect pressure remains a key concern. Expect the market to strengthen heading into next week. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Broccoli items. Quality is fair. 

Brussel Sprouts: Alert 

Markets are sold out. Brussels sprout supplies remain limited as Salinas Valley and Oxnard face ongoing insect pressure, decay, and smaller-sized crops. Quality is fair to 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: 

Markets are up and sold out. Cauliflower supplies are limited this week due to recent heat and rain disruptions. Expect the market to rise slightly heading into next week. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower items. Quality is fair to good. 

Celery: 

Markets are steady, but supplies remain tight. Minor seeder issues are being reported. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Celery items. 

Citrus: Alert 

• Lemon: Markets remain strong across all sizes. District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) is currently the main growing region, with volumes declining weekly. Sizes 140ct and smaller remain extremely limited. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is starting lightly. Compared to last summer, markets are elevated due to higher demand and reduced imports. Offshore fruit continues to arrive lightly on both coasts, while Mexico’s volume is down year over year. 
• Limes: market is steady. Quality is fair to good 
• Orange: Markets are up and sold out. Valencia’s are peaking on 72ct with about three weeks left in the season. Gas treatments are running 3-4 days to aid regreening. School demand has increased significantly, pushing markets higher on 88ct, 113ct, and 138ct as availability tightens. The domestic Navel season is expected to start mid-October. Shippers are holding to 6-week averages. 

Cucumbers: 

• Cucumber market continues to decline. Quality has been good on inbound. 
• Cello Cucumbers markets are coming off. Quality is good. 

Eggplant: 

Market is steady. Quality is good. 

Grapes: 

Markets are steady. The Central Valley experienced rain last week, but ample stored inventories kept markets mostly steady. Another round of rain is expected later this week, potentially creating some upward pressure, though significant impact may not appear until November. Overall, supplies remain ample, keeping prices stable despite weather concerns. Quality is good. 

Green Onions: Alert 

Markets are up and supplies are limited due to heat and rain in Mexico. Expect the market to gradually rise heading into next week. Quality is fair to good. 

Herbs: 

• Basil: Quality is fair. 

Lettuce Iceberg: 

Lettuce markets are up and sold out. Demand continues to outpace supply for at least two weeks due to reduced yields caused by INSV and high heat. Industry-wide, lighter weights and puffiness are common, with leaf discoloration, internal burn, and misshapen heads appearing on arrivals. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce items. Quality is fair to good. 

Lettuce Leaf: 

• Romaine markets are up. Fringe and tip burn have been reported. Quality is fair to good. 
• Romaine Heart markets are up. Fringe and tip burn have been reported. Quality is fair to good. 
• Green Leaf markets are coming off. Quality is good. 
• Red Leaf markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Lettuce Tender Leaf: 

Arcadian, Spring Mix, Spinach, Cilantro, Arugula, and Italian Parsley. Markets are steady, but supplies are slightly limited due to recent heat and rain from last week. Quality is fair to good. 

Melons: 

• Cantaloupes: Markets are up. The Westside cantaloupe deal is wrapping up in the next few weeks, with the transition moving south, followed by offshore supply. Strong demand and excellent quality are pushing the market. Fields are still producing mostly 9s, with 12s and 15s remaining tight until the Yuma transition. Brix levels are high, ranging from 13–16. Recent unexpected rain in the Central Valley has impacted some fields. Quality is good. 
• Honeydews: Markets are up. The Westside honeydew season is winding down, with the transition south and to offshore supply approaching. Nogales honeydews are expected in the coming weeks. Strong demand and excellent quality are driving the market. Fields are mainly producing 5/6s, with 8s remaining tight until the Yuma transition. Brix levels are high at 13–16. Recent unexpected rain in the Central Valley has impacted some fields. 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. Rain in Idaho may impact harvest schedules and will need to be closely monitored. 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 continues to soften. Quality has been good. 

Potatoes: 

Idaho’s 40-70 count market has stabilized with new crop Norkotah’s now leading while Burbank’s are finished. New fields are mostly #1 grade, with #2s tight. Color potatoes are coming from CA, ID, MN, WA, and WI. Quality is good. 

Squash: 

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

Tomatoes: 

Markets are steady with good supplies on both coasts. Northern Florida starts early to mid-October. West Coast supplies steady in CA, lighter in Baja. 

• Round tomato markets are coming off. Quality is good. 
• Roma tomato markets are steady. 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. Broccolini 
2. Brussel Spouts 
3. Fuji Apples 
4. Green Onions 
5. Jumbo Yams 
6. Lemons 
7. Oranges 
8. Strawberries