PRODUCE MARKET REPORT

Regional Production Highlights - Week of March 13th:

Overview:

Supply alerts are in place for peppers, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, green onions, and limes.

The onion market is transitioning from Northwest storage onions to fresh-run onions from Mexico and South Texas. Yellow and red onions remain softer while white onions are tighter; jumbo and medium sizes are available.

Fresh-run onions are brighter and higher in moisture but more delicate, requiring proper airflow, with new Texas crops beginning and California regions expected later this spring.

Weather:

Florida will stay warm and dry through midweek before cooler temperatures and rain later in the week.

California and Arizona are experiencing warming trends with minor heat waves expected through the weekend.

Mexico’s weather remains mostly warm and dry with minimal changes.

Fruits & Vegetables

Avocados: Mexico markets slightly higher; peak sizes 40–48 ct with strong eating quality.

Pineapples (Escalated): Supply tight due to prior rain and planting gaps; contracts prioritized and organic very limited.

Grapes: Strong import volume from Peru and Chile; supply good and prices steady through April.

Bananas: Supply stable with strong demand from school programs; quality remains very good.

Apples (Escalated): Prices rising due to shortage of smaller foodservice sizes; trend expected until new crop arrives.

Pears: Market strengthening as Bartletts wind down and demand increases for Anjou, Bosc, and Red pears.

Blueberries (Escalated): Limited supply and higher prices due to weather issues and disruptions in Mexico.

Raspberries (Escalated): Light supply and logistics issues causing elevated markets.

Strawberries (Escalated): California production recovering from rain; Mexico facing logistics issues; Florida steady but cooler weather returning.

California Citrus

Lemons: Transitioning growing regions; San Joaquin Valley now main supplier as Desert/AZ wraps up.

Navels (Escalated): Larger sizes plentiful while small sizes remain tight; substitutions may be needed.

Limes (Escalated): Extremely tight supply with high and volatile pricing expected through early April.

Stonefruit

Imported peaches, plums, and nectarines available with steady pricing and fair supply.

Kiwis and Asian pears continue shipping from California with additional imports supporting supply.

California Lettuce

Iceberg (Escalated): Supplies expected to tighten due to heat in Yuma causing potential quality issues; prices likely to rise next week.

Romaine: Quality remains good with stable availability.

Eastern & Western Vegetables

Bell Peppers (Escalated): Green peppers very tight with high prices; red peppers improving; relief expected early April.

Eggplant (Escalated): Mexico primary supplier after Florida season ended; limited supply keeping prices high.

Slicer Cucumbers (Escalated): Tight supply from Mexico and Honduras; Florida production not expected until late March–April.

Zucchini & Yellow Squash (Escalated): Florida supply minimal; early Sonora production starting.

English Cucumbers: Limited Honduras supply and delayed Florida crops; availability light to moderate.

Green Beans: Mixed supply and quality due to weather impacts.

Melons

Cantaloupe: Honduras main supplier; supply limited and Florida production delayed.

Honeydew: Supply challenges due to plant viruses in Guatemala and Honduras; Mexico supplementing.

Watermelon (Escalated): Prices remain high with Mexican supply leading the market.

Mixed Vegetables

Escalated / tight: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cilantro, fennel (extreme shortage).

Watchlist / limited: Broccolini, green onions, red cabbage, snap peas, spinach, spring mix.

Improving or steady: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, corn, napa cabbage, parsley

Light supply: Rapini despite good quality.

Onions

Supply available from Washington, Idaho, and Utah; demand slowed due to weather.

Yellow and red onions steady; white onions increasing due to freight costs.

Mexican and Texas onions beginning to enter the market.

Potatoes

Supply and demand balanced with good quality from Washington.

Mid sizes most available while large and small counts remain tight.

Florida colored potatoes available; trucking continues to impact the market.

Tomatoes

Round & Roma (Escalated): Rounds limited and expensive; Sonora Romas rising with volatility expected through April.

Snacking Tomatoes: Florida supply lighter and Mexico limited, though new acreage should gradually improve availability.

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