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:
• Blackberry Markets are down. Supplies are anticipated to increase from Central Mexico
and Baja over the next few weeks. Quality is fair
• Blueberry Markets are up but steady. The Pacific northwest has ended, with Peruvian
and Mexican imports beginning to dominate the market. Quality is good.
• Raspberry markets are slightly down. Better supplies are expected to begin crossing into
the U.S. from Mexico. Quality is good.
• Strawberry markets are coming down. The Salinas and Watsonville areas are expected
to decline rapidly over the next few weeks, with some shippers transitioning operations
this weekend to Santa Maria and Oxnard. The Baja season is now underway, with
product loading through San Diego and Otay Mesa, while Central Mexico is expected to
increase crossings into Texas over the coming 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 up. 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 slightly 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 steady. 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: Availability of US#1 grade continues to decline resulting in rising prices.
• 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 Valencias 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 down. Eastern shippers remain in a stable supply position,
supported by good quality and strong demand.
• Cello Cucumber Markets are coming down. Quality is good.
Eggplant:
Markets are steady. 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
1-2 weeks due to heat, lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies are keeping the market
firm, with weather and water availability adding further risk. Meaningful relief is not expected
until fall production begins in mid-to-late October. Quality is fair to good.
Herbs:
• Basil: Quality is fair.
Lettuce Iceberg: Alert
Markets are up. An industry-wide shortage continues to impact lettuce supplies, with lower
yields reported in both the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria. INSV remains a major contributor to
the shortage, limiting availability and putting added pressure on shippers. Quality concerns
include discoloration, misshapen heads, and insect damage, with weights ranging from 37–
44lbs. 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. There is a
AOG trigger on all value-added Romaine. Quality is fair to good.
• Romaine Heart markets are steady. 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 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 steady. East coast market expected to remain active
through mid-October. The south should be starting Peppers in a few weeks. Quality is
good.
• Red/Yellow/Orange Pepper markets are up. 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
Markets are firming as Eastern supplies remain tight. Georgia is slowly building. Florida
production is expected in mid to late October. Overall quality continues to be fair to good.
Tomatoes: Alert
Round tomato supplies are improving in the East, led by Virginia, while California continues to
provide steady volume and larger sizes. Roma supplies remain tight, with California steady and
Mexico seeing lighter production. Grape and cherry tomato availability is very tight as Eastern
production winds down and Mexican volumes remain limited.
• Round tomato markets are coming off. 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 (50% fill rate)
3. Asparagus
4. Broccolini (25% fill rate)
5. Idaho Potatoes
6. Jumbo Yams
7. Lettuce
8. Oranges
9. Scallions
10. Squash
11. Tomatoes Grape
12. Tomatoes Cherry
