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PRODUCE MARKET REPORT

OVERVIEW

MARKET REVIEW

Regional Production Highlights - Week of October 17th:

Rain and humidity in Salinas are causing harvest delays, reduced yields, and quality concerns, particularly for leafy greens and broccoli. The desert growing region transition begins mid-November, with early Yuma quality showing promise, while Huron provides only limited supply relief. Strawberry volumes remain tight, and smaller citrus sizes (113s and 138s) are scarce due to continued school demand. Citrus markets remain active, with early California Navel oranges beginning to ship; their larger size profile compared to last season is favorable for upcoming retail promotions.

On the transportation front, freight challenges persist in the Pacific Northwest due to truck shortages in Idaho, and shifting growing regions are expected to create loading delays on the West Coast. Weather-wise, Florida remains mostly dry with warm temperatures and isolated showers expected Sunday. California sees clearing skies and warming temps midweek, with another rain chance by Sunday night. Mexico stays mostly dry and warm, while Arizona experiences midweek cooling followed by warming into the weekend.

 

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

🥑 Avocados (WATCHLIST)

  • Flora Loca main crop; old crop ending.

  • 48ct & 60ct peak sizes.

  • Clean fruit; lower dry matter delays ripening.

  • California and offshore seasons winding down.

🍌 Bananas

  • Stable supply, strong school demand.

  • Good quality across the board.

🍍 Pineapples (WATCHLIST)

  • Thunderstorms in Costa Rica impacting supply through year-end.

  • Crownless in high demand.

  • Order changes/cancellations expected; Mexican fruit limited but good quality.

🍇 Grapes

  • Peak production in California.

  • Stable supply and quality (Flames, Sugraones, Ivory).

🍏 Apples

  • New crop ramping up.

  • Reds, Fujis, and Pinks tight; Honeycrisp & Gala strong.

  • Granny Smith and Goldens improving.

🍐 Pears

  • Good Anjou, Bosc & Red supply.

  • Bartletts showing lighter color, shorter shelf life.

🫐 Berries

  • Blueberries (WATCHLIST): Fewer Peru containers; Central MX rising.

  • Raspberries (WATCHLIST): Steady supply from Central MX, Baja, CA.

  • Strawberries (WATCHLIST): Demand > supply; CA rain delaying harvests. Gap until Central MX (2 weeks), Baja (4–6 weeks).

🍊 Citrus

  • Lemons (WATCHLIST): Small sizes (165s and below) tight; Mexico shipping.

  • Early Navels: Shipping with larger sizes than last year — good for retail.

  • Limes (WATCHLIST): Storm Priscilla halting harvests; large fruit dominates.

  • Specialties/Imports: Blood oranges ending, grapefruit light, Mandarins finished.

🍑 Stone Fruit

  • Season ending; plums shipping in light volumes.

  • Imports (peaches/nectarines) arrive mid-December.

  • Good supply of pomegranates, persimmons, Asian pears.

  • Kiwi market steady but prices high.

🥬 California Lettuce

  • Iceberg: High prices, low supply from INSV.

  • Romaine & Hearts (ESCALATED): Quality okay, but tight supply.

🫑 Eastern & Western Vegetables

  • Green/Color Bell Peppers: Good quality and steady supply.

  • Eggplant: Eastern moderate; CA tight due to rain.

  • Cucumbers: Stable from Mexico; East wrapping up and transitioning.

  • Squash (Zucchini/Yellow): Steady, good quality.

  • English Cucumber: Excellent quality from Mexico.

  • Green Beans: Mixed quality due to weather.

🍈 Melons

  • Cantaloupe/Honeydew: Westside ending, Brawley/Yuma delayed by rain. Tight supplies; Mexican honeydew mostly large sizes.

  • Watermelon: Prices rising as supply shrinks. Limited imports from Mexico due to rain.

🥦 Mixed Vegetables

  • Artichokes, Asparagus, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Cilantro, Fennel, Napa Cabbage, Parsley: ESCALATED or WATCHLIST due to low supply, storms, or quality issues.

  • Carrots: Steady, harvest underway; no sizing issues.

  • Corn: Transition to South GA; good quality but smaller ears expected.

  • Garlic, Ginger: Steady supply and quality.

  • Cabbage (Green/Red): Green tight, red light supply; good quality.

  • Green Onions, Kale, Mushrooms, Spinach, Spring Mix, Rapini, Peas: Mostly WATCHLIST; varying supply and quality.

🧅 Onions

  • Shipping from CA & NM. CA in Central Valley; NM mix of U.S./MX crop.

  • Weather issues affecting quality; strong demand.

🥔 Potatoes

  • Fully supported by storage shipments.

  • Strong availability expected through year-end.

  • Burbanks starting mid-Oct; Norkotahs still dominant.

🍅 Tomatoes

  • Round/Roma: Strong supply from VA/TN; FL ramping late Oct.

  • West steady; CA winding down in 2–3 weeks.

  • Grape/Snack: Ample supply with great quality; transitioning to South GA/FL.

SEE FULL REPORT HERE

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