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september-4th-2026-market-report

September 4th, 2026 Market Report

Apples:

• Local Apples: Have a wide spread of packs and variety’s available as we head into the final month of summer. 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, while Fujis and Pinks remain mostly steady despite light supplies. 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 up. Lighter transfers from Mexico have helped firm the market. Quality is improving, but some red cell is still showing on inbound. Quality is fair to good.
• 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 steady. Lighter transfers from Mexico have helped firm the market.Quality is fair to good.
• Strawberry markets are up and sold out. Strawberry supplies remain tight, with demand exceeding availability and very limited open-market fruit. Salinas and Watsonville are winding down earlier than expected, while Santa Maria’s new crop is beginning and should improve volume into September. Additional supplies from CMEX, Oxnard, and Baja are still a few weeks away. Quality is fair.

Broccoli:

Markets are slightly up. Newer fields are coming online as production transitions to younger fields. 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 steady. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Cabbage.  Quality is good.
• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. 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 are expected to remain very tight through the remainder of the season. While some fields have recently come forward, production gaps and Diamondback Moth pressure continue to significantly impact yields, particularly in South County and Santa Maria. Warm weather is adding to the challenges, with no meaningful improvement expected in the near term. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower. Quality is fair to good.

Celery:

Markets are steady. 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 have softened slightly. 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 steady. East coast production is increasing, easing the market.

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:

Markets are slightly down. Lower yields are being reported in both the Salinas Valley and Southern California, keeping the market active. INSV has created an industry-wide shortage, with arrivals showing outer-leaf discoloration, misshapen heads, and occasional insect damage. Weights are ranging from 37–44 lbs. 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 transitioning from Central California into new fields in the Westside region. Quality is fair to good.
• Honeydews: Markets are up. Domestic honeydews are transitioning from Central California into new fields in the Westside region. 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: The market is steady with New Jersey maintaining strong production, with FOB prices expected to trend lower. Increasing production from the Midwest and Northeast is expected to help offset any regional shortages and support overall market availability.
• Red Pepper markets are steady. Quality is fair to good.

Pineapples:

Markets are rising. 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:

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 steady. 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. 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. Broccoli Rabe
5. Idaho Potatoes
6. Jumbo Yams
7. Red Watercress
8. Scallions
9. Strawberries

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