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September 11th, 2026 Market Report

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

Markets remain strong, with supplies extremely tight due to limited supply. Declining quality in Central Mexico, and below-average production in Peru. Hot weather and unfavorable growing conditions have further impacted both yields and product quality. September is expected to be one of the toughest months for availability.  Market conditions are expected to remain tight through the Thanksgiving season. Overall quality is currently rated as fair.

Berries: Alert

Blackberry Markets are slightly down, but supplies remain severely constrained due to weather impacts in key Mexican growing regions. CMEX’s transition to new varieties and production areas has been delayed, pushing increased volumes back several weeks. Supplies should improve gradually, with more significant increases expected by mid-October.
Blueberry Markets are up. The Pacific northwest has ended, with Peruvian and Mexican imports beginning to dominate the market. Quality is good.
Raspberry markets are slightly down, but supplies remain lean. Volumes from Central Mexico and Baja are expected to gradually increase over the coming weeks, supporting improved availability as production continues to build. Quality is good.
Strawberry markets are slightly down. The Salinas and Watsonville seasons are nearing completion, with only a few weeks of production remaining. Santa Maria volumes are beginning to ramp up, and additional supplies from Oxnard, Baja, and Central Mexico are expected to become available over the next two weeks. Quality is fair.

Broccoli:

Markets are up. Broccoli supplies remain tight as some fields have matured earlier than expected, creating gaps in production. Growers are also facing pressure from younger field development and increased Diamondback moth activity, which is impacting overall yields and harvest quality. Quality is fair to good.  

Brussel Sprouts:

Markets are up. Supplies remain on the tighter side. Seeder/insect damage, burns on outer leaves,and some internal decay. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Brussels. Quality is fair togood.

Cabbage:

Green Cartons: Markets are up.  Cabbage supplies are currently tight due to gapping.There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Cabbage.  Quality is good.
Red Cartons: Markets are up. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Cabbage. Quality is good.
Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady.  Quality is good.

Carrots:

Cello markets are softening. Quality is good.
Loose markets are steady. Quality is good.
Value-add Carrots markets are steady. Quality is good.

Cauliflower: Alert

Markets are up. Supplies remain very tight, with production gaps expected through next week as some fields finish earlier than anticipated. Diamondback moth pressure continues to impact yields across South County and Santa Maria, while warm weather is adding further 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:

Lemon: Markets are steady. District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard region) is in full production and supplying the majority of fruit. Offshore Import lemons are in good supplies. Quality is good.
Limes: Mexican lime markets are steady. Poor weather continues to cause an increase in quality issues
Orange: Markets are steady. California Valencia oranges are heavily weighted toward larger sizes, with 56ct and 72ct fruit making up the majority of production. Small sizes (113ct and 138ct) remain extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the season. Import Chilian and South African fruit has started. We will see 105ct 15kg fruit as a sub for 113ct in the mix. Quality is good.

Cucumbers:

Cucumbers Markets are up. Baja supply remains light due to weather conditions, putting upward pressure on pricing. Eastern and local production is available, but prices are also trending higher. Markets are expected to remain firm through September.
Cello Cucumber Markets are steady. Quality is good.

Eggplant:

Markets are up slightly. 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 is expected to remain very limited over the next 2–3 weeks due to continued heat, lower yields, and lighter sizing. Tight supplies have firmed the market, with September water availability and potential monsoonal weather adding further risk. Fall production is expected to improve supplies by mid-to-late October. Quality is fair to good.

Herbs:

Basil: Quality is fair.

Lettuce Iceberg: Alert

Markets are slightly down. Lower yields continue to be reported in both Salinas and Santa Maria, keeping supplies tight and the market active. INSV pressure remains a challenge across the industry, limiting availability and adding stress to order fulfillment. Quality concerns on arrivals include outer-leaf discoloration, misshapen heads, and occasional insect damage, while carton weights are ranging from 37 to 44 lbs. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Lettuce. Quality is fair to good.  

Lettuce Leaf:

Romaine 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.  
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. 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. Spring Mix looks good overall, with some breakdown in the red varieties late in shelf life. Spinach supplies and quality remain strong, though minor insect pressure could increase heading into fall. Arugula is showing some seeding and flowering but remains in good condition overall.Quality is fair to good.

Melons:

Cantaloupes: Markets are up. Domestic cantaloupes are currently shipping from Central California. Quality is fair to good.
Honeydews: Markets are up. Domestic honeydews are shipping from Central California. Quality is fair to 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 is expected to begin the first week of September. 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 is expected to begin the first week of September. Colossal and Super Colossal remain very tight, as onions have not 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 slightly, with East Coast supplies remaining light as northern production winds down.  The south should be starting Peppers in a few weeks. Quality is good.
Red Pepper markets are steady. Quality is fair to good.

Pineapples:

Markets are still strong. Quality is good.

Potatoes: Alert

Markets are trending upward as pricing continues to increase on count cartons. 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

Markets are firming as Eastern supplies remain tight. Yellow squash is more limited than green, while overall quality continues to be good.

Tomatoes:

Round remain tight in the East due to heat and rain impacting pack outs, while Western supplies are improving with Mexican and steady California volume. Roma supplies are also tight in the East, with steady availability from California, Baja, and Mexico, though the market could tighten into late September. Grape and Cherry availability is light to moderate, with new crops from Virginia, Mexico, and Baja expected to improve volume and quality over the next 2–3 weeks.

Round tomato markets are up. Quality is good.
Roma tomato markets are up. Quality is 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. Artisan Lettuce
2. Asparagus
3. Blackberries
4. Cauliflower
5. Idaho Potatoes
6. Jumbo Yams
7. Lettuce
8. Scallions
9. Squash
10. Strawberries

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