Search

PRODUCE MARKET REPORT

OVERVIEW

MARKET REVIEW

Regional Production Highlights - Week of September 12th:

Tomato supplies are tight, especially Roma tomatoes from Mexico due to weather, seasonal transitions, and import regulations, while other varieties like grape tomatoes remain stable with good quality. A tropical storm could impact future Baja production. Melon supply from Firebaugh is slowing as the California season ends, though quality remains high. Bananas and pineapples are in limited supply, with pineapple sizing particularly tight. Avocados are abundant and well-priced, with supply expected to remain promotable through October. Leafy greens and lettuce are limited due to heat and insect pressure, leading to lighter weights and smaller heads, with Romaine Hearts and broccoli still escalated. Brussels sprouts quality is improving, but fennel and artichokes remain tight with smaller sizes.

Asian vegetables like Bok Choy and Napa are seasonally limited. Valencia oranges are winding down, grapefruit is available with lead time needed for Fancy grade, and lemon supplies remain tight on smaller sizes. Mexican lemon imports are increasing with mostly small fruit, while Chile and Argentina supply larger Fancy-grade lemons, primarily to Europe and the U.S. The California garlic crop is active, though new orders are paused pending further assessment. Transportation remains busy from California to Florida and the Northwest. Weather is cooling in California with drizzle, while Mexico sees continued storms, Florida remains wet through Friday, and Arizona experiences cooler temperatures with moderate winds.

 

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

🥑 Avocados

  • Watchlist item due to crop transition.

  • Main crop is Flora Loca; older crop nearly finished.

  • New crop has lower dry matter (mid-20s), slower ripening.

  • Fruit is very clean with minimal #2s.

  • California season ending; offshore fruit winding down next month.

🍌 Bananas

  • Stable supply despite rising school demand.

  • Quality remains strong.

🍍 Pineapples

  • Watchlist item.

  • Tight supply expected to continue due to low Central American production.

🍇 Grapes

  • California in full production.

  • Good supply and quality on Flames, Sugraones, Ivory varieties.

🍎 Apples

  • Transition from old to new crop.

  • Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Golden nearing end.

  • New Gala and Ginger Gold shipping; Honeycrisp starts soon.

  • Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Ambrosia to follow.

🍐 Pears

  • Washington Bartletts in full swing.

  • California Bartletts heavily influencing market.

  • Red and Bosc pears being packed in both states.

🫐 Berries

  • Blueberries: Limited due to planting gap; Peru dominant, Mexico rising in October.

  • Raspberries: Strong Mexican production lowering prices.

  • Strawberries: Steady but lighter supply.

🍋 Citrus

  • Lemons: Watchlist – Small sizes (165s and smaller) very limited; high pricing.

  • Imports/Specialties:

    • Blood oranges ending soon (small size).

    • Cara Cara, Minneola, Mandarins mostly finished.

    • Grapefruit available (Fancy limited, Choice available).

  • Limes: Watchlist – Extremely tight on all sizes, especially large. Pricing rising.

🍑 Stone Fruit

  • New crop peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots from California.

  • South Carolina & Georgia peaches also available.

🥬 California Lettuce

  • Iceberg: Extreme – Good quality, very limited supply.

  • Romaine & Hearts: Escalated – Light supply, decent quality, rising market.

🫑 Eastern & Western Veg

  • Green Bell Peppers: Steady supply and improving quality.

  • Color Bell Peppers: Escalated – Availability improving.

  • Eggplant: Steady domestic supply; good quality.

  • Slicer Cucumbers: Stable supply; western quality is outstanding.

  • Zucchini & Yellow Squash: Steady supply both coasts; good quality.

  • English Cucumber: Light supply; good quality.

  • Green Beans: Mixed quality due to weather pressures.

🍈 Melons

  • Cantaloupe: Pricing increasing, quality strong.

  • Honeydew: Size leaning to 6s, 8s limited; excellent quality.

  • Watermelon: Supply declining with fall, quality strong; prices stabilizing.

🥦 Mixed Vegetables

  • Artichokes: Escalated – Good quality, short supply.

  • Asparagus: Escalated – Low Baja & Peru volumes; small sizes dominate.

  • Broccoli: Escalated – Improving quality, limited supply, extreme MX shortages.

  • Broccolini: Watchlist – Good quality and supply.

  • Brussels Sprouts: Escalated – Lower yields from insect pressure, higher prices.

  • Carrots: Good quality, harvest in Cuyama/Lancaster, no sizing issues.

  • Cauliflower: Watchlist – Good supply and quality.

  • Celery: Watchlist – Good condition overall.

  • Cilantro: Escalated – Very tight supply, strong demand.

  • Corn: Markets steady; good quality nationwide.

  • Fennel: Extreme – Low yields and tight supply.

  • Garlic: California crop strong, supported by Mexico.

  • Ginger: Steady market and supply.

  • Green Cabbage: Watchlist – Supplies good.

  • Green Onions: Watchlist – Some light supply issues.

SEE FULL REPORT HERE

SOCIAL

FOLLOW OUR ACTIVITY