Asparagus:
Markets are tightening slightly. Tropical Storm Mario cut Mexican asparagus yields by up to 50% in some areas, keeping volumes steady but below expectations. Northern Baja wraps up by mid-October, while Sonora ramps up through December, mostly pre-contracted. Peru offers strong quality, but freight costs and global demand are limiting U.S. supply, keeping spot markets tight. Quality is good.
Berries: Alert
- Blackberry markets are coming off. Supplies are strong coming from Central Mexico and California. Quality is fair to good.
- Blueberry market is staying strong. Domestic and Canadian production is done and Peruvian product is limited. Quality is good.
- Raspberry markets are coming off. Supplies are strong coming from Central Mexico and California. Quality is good.
- Strawberry markets are up. Strawberry supplies are tight as the Salinas and Watsonville seasons near their end. Santa Maria has faced recent rain and unusually warm overnight temperatures, with lows staying in the 60s. This is causing fruit to ripen before it sizes, resulting in smaller berries and lower yields. A slight cooling trend is expected heading into the weekend. Quality is fair. 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 coming off. Some pin-rot is showing due to moisture on the crowns, mostly avoidable but impacting yields. Insect pressure remains a top concern. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added broccoli items. Quality is fair to good.
Brussel Sprouts: Alert
Markets are sold out. Brussels sprout supplies continue to be limited. Growing regions in the Salinas Valley and Oxnard are facing challenges from insect pressure, some decay, and smaller sizing. There is an AOG trigger on all value-added Brussel items. Quality is fair to good.
Cabbage:
Carrots:
- Cello markets are mostly steady. Quality is good.
- Loose Markets are continuing to come down. Quality has been good.
- Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good.
Cauliflower:
Markets are steady. Supplies remain strong across all areas. However, recent heat followed by rain may disrupt supplies over the weekend, likely causing a slight market increase next week. 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: New crop fruit is continuing peak on the small sizes. Overall fruit color is trending lighter green.
- Orange: Markets are up and sold out. Valencia’s are currently peaking on 72ct, with about three weeks left in the season. Gas treatments are running 3-4 days to aid regreening. School demand has picked up significantly, driving markets higher on 88ct, 113ct, and 138ct as availability tightens. The domestic Navel season is expected to start around mid-October. Shippers are holding to 6-week averages.
Cucumbers:
- Cucumber market is softening. Quality has been good on inbound.
- Cello Cucumbers markets are coming off. Quality is good.
Eggplant:
Market is tightening. Quality is good.
Grapes:
Markets are steady. The Central Valley experienced rain last week. While the market showed some reaction, substantial inventories in coolers have kept prices mostly steady. Another round of rain is expected later this week, which could add upward pressure. The full impact of the rains may not be seen until November. 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 steady. Extreme heat in the growing regions has accelerated lettuce growth, resulting in lighter weights and puffiness throughout the week. Multiple shippers report average weights of 35-40 pounds, depending on the supplier. Expect to see outer leaf discoloration, some internal burn, and misshapen heads upon arrival. Quality is good.
Lettuce Leaf:
- Romaine markets are coming off. Fringe and tip burn have been reported. Quality is fair to good.
- Romaine Heart markets are coming off. 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 Wednesday morning. Quality is good.
Melons:
- Cantaloupes: Markets have come down, but the market is starting to firm as sizing from Westside fields impacts supply. The second cut and rising demand are pushing prices higher. Fields are still mainly producing 9s, so sizing will remain a challenge until the transition to Yuma. 12/15s will be tight, with Brix levels ranging from 13 to 16. Quality is good.
- Honeydews: Markets have come down, but the market is starting to firm as sizing from Westside fields impacts supply. The second cut and increased demand are driving prices higher. Fields are still mainly producing 5s, but sizing on 6/8s is improving. Mexican honeydews are expected to be available starting in October, weather permitting. 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 steady. Quality on inbound has been good.
- Red Pepper markets are coming off. Quality is good.
Pineapples:
Market is coming back down and availability has improved. 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 fairly steady with good supplies of rounds and grapes on both coasts. Romas are tighter from Mexico but more available domestically. Supplies will slow as cooler weather approaches and southern transition begins. Northern Florida starts early October. West Coast supplies steady in CA, lighter in Baja.
- Round tomato markets are coming off. Quality is good.
- Roma tomato markets are coming off. 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.
- Brussel Spouts
- Fuji Apples
- Green Onions
- Jumbo Yams
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Roma Crunch
- Strawberries
