-
Desert Vegetables: Lettuce quality improving; production up; markets soft; steady availability through month-end. Brussels sprouts & green onions tight but improving late December.
-
Citrus: California navels in full swing; demand strongest on 138/113ct; Brix 12–13; small fruit limited. Lemons ramping; mandarins steady; Cara Caras starting; blood oranges ramping mid-month. Mexican limes tightening into Q1 2026.
-
Berries: Supplies rising across regions; markets declining; price stabilization expected mid-to-late next week.
-
Apples & Pears: Washington volume down vs projections; Gala/Honeycrisp tight; Granny Smith up. PNW pears plentiful with excellent quality.
-
Avocados: Ample supply and soft markets; Aventajada peaking on 48/60ct; dry matter/oil mid-to-high 20s.
-
Melons: Transitioning to offshore sources; select escalations on cantaloupe/honeydew; watermelon supplies tightening.
-
Potatoes & Onions: Good quality and storage-backed supply; trucking remains the key market driver.
-
Transportation: Christmas period tightening truck capacity; Yuma delays add risk.
-
Weather: Variable with rain and cooler temps affecting select regions and crops.
-
Tariffs: USMCA fresh produce exempt; 10% tariff applies to other origins.
-
Watchlist/Escalations: Lettuce (Iceberg/Romaine), English cucumbers, asparagus, broccoli items, fennel, Brussels sprouts (extreme), select imports (pineapples, grapes), and small lemon sizes.
OVERVIEW
MARKET REVIEW
Regional Production Highlights - Week of December 19th:
Overall produce conditions are mixed as winter transitions progress. Desert lettuces are improving with above-average quality, increasing production, and softer markets, while Brussels sprouts and green onions remain tight but should ease late December. Citrus is active, led by California navels with strong demand for larger sizes, steady lemon and specialty citrus supplies, tightening Mexican limes, and solid Brix levels. Berry supplies are expanding and pressuring markets lower, while apples show variety-specific tightness amid lower Washington volumes.
Avocados, melons, potatoes, and onions are generally steady, though transportation constraints, holiday demand, weather variability, and select escalations (notably lettuce, certain vegetables, and imports like pineapples and grapes) are shaping near-term availability and pricing. USMCA produce remains tariff-exempt, supporting cross-border supply stability.