WEEK 40 • 2026 MARKET UPDATE
Strawberries
Strawberry production is winding down in Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Maria. While Santa Maria is typically the preferred fall growing region, excessive heat and recent rains have stressed plants and resulted in below-normal fruit quality.
As volumes continue to decline in the Salinas-Watsonville region, additional pressure is being placed on Santa Maria to meet overall demand. Quality is currently fair at best across all growing regions.
Recommendation: Reduce allocations and order for quick turns to minimize quality issues and shrink.
Lettuces and Leafy Greens
Weather and disease pressure have negatively impacted availability and quality in California. We do not expect significant relief until Yuma production begins in November.
Apples
Supply is improving as new-crop varieties begin harvesting along the East Coast and in Washington. However, freezes earlier this year significantly impacted production in Virginia and New York, with some varieties yielding less than 50% of last year's crop.
The industry will rely more heavily on Washington fruit this season, which could tighten availability and limit promotional opportunities. Pink Lady apples remain a later-season variety, with supplies expected to stay tight through October before improving in early November. Occasional prorates remain possible until inventories increase.
Asparagus
El Niño conditions have significantly impacted production and overall volume from Peru. Supplies are expected to remain limited, and elevated markets are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Bush Berries
Blueberries
Supply remains tight. Peru began shipping earlier than normal this season, which is also causing the season to finish earlier than usual. Volumes are expected to remain limited throughout October before improving in mid-to-late November.
Chile is expected to begin production in mid-to-late December, but promotable volumes are not anticipated until January at the earliest.
Raspberries and Blackberries
Supply is currently good out of Mexico. The primary concern remains quality following recent storms and rainfall.
Chili Peppers
Chiles
Moderate Supply: Excessive heat and rain have taken a toll on North Carolina production. Georgia and Florida are expected to begin harvesting within the next week.
Mini Sweet Peppers
Good Supply: Mexico production continues out of Baja and Jalisco.
Citrus
Citrus
Weather issues in South Africa have created some quality concerns, but overall supply remains steady.
Clementines
Imported fruit is available from Peru, Chile, and Uruguay. Supply and flavor are expected to improve over the next several weeks.
Navel Oranges
The domestic season is expected to start early. Growers remain optimistic about the size and quality of this year's crop.
Lemons
Imported lemons continue to arrive through U.S. ports, while California has begun harvesting its 2026 crop over the past two weeks.
Limes
Plentiful supply with strong promotional opportunities.
Eastern Vegetables
Zucchini and Yellow Squash
Low to Moderate Supply: Michigan and New York production is expected to finish within the next two weeks. Yellow squash remains especially tight due to insect pressure, while zucchini supplies remain adequate. Florida is projected to begin production in approximately three weeks.
Cucumbers
Good Supply: Michigan and New Jersey have finished for the season. North Carolina and Georgia continue to offer good volumes.
Green Peppers
Moderate Supply: Production in New Jersey, Michigan, and New York is expected to decline over the next 7 to 10 days. Georgia is forecast to begin limited production next week.
Green Beans
Low Supply: Northern growing regions have finished for the season. Georgia has yet to ramp up significantly, but supplies are expected to improve within the next few weeks.
Tray Corn
Moderate Supply: Georgia production has begun in the Bainbridge region.
Eggplant
Good Supply: North Carolina and Georgia are producing steady volumes.
Green Cabbage
Moderate Supply: Northern production remains adequate. Southern supplies are expected to begin next week in North Carolina and within two weeks in Georgia.
Fall Squash
Good Supply: Product is available from Michigan, New York, and Maine.
Grapes
California's Central Valley has experienced prolonged heat over the past month, accelerating fruit maturity and bringing the season closer to completion. There is currently approximately one month's supply in storage, and most major growers expect to harvest for at least two more weeks.
The first Peruvian shipments are already on the water, with import volumes expected to increase for late-November arrivals. Industry expectations remain positive for a smooth transition.
The green grape market is already tightening, with typical end-of-season quality concerns beginning to emerge. Growers are also anticipating a firmer red grape market as harvest concludes.
Hothouse
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Low to Moderate Supply: The Canadian season is entering its final weeks. Demand remains strong and markets are tight. Mexico has begun production in limited volumes.
Tomatoes-on-the-Vine (TOV)
Good Supply: Canadian volumes are declining but remain sufficient. Mexican quality and production are very good to excellent.
Colored Peppers
Good Supply: Mexico continues to produce strong volumes. Cooler temperatures are beginning to slow Canadian production, though supplies remain adequate. Production is expected to lighten in November.
European Cucumbers
Low Supply: Mexican volumes remain light due to replanting and acreage transitions. Canadian production is also lower because of cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours.
Mini Cucumbers
Moderate Supply: Mexico has started production in a limited way and has not yet fully ramped up. Canadian volumes also remain light.
Melons
Watermelon
Moderate Supply: South Carolina continues to provide adequate carton watermelon volumes, with production expected through mid-November.
Cantaloupes and Honeydews
Supply remains tight as Western harvests conclude. The market will transition to Central American imports in November.
Onions
Yellow and Red Onions
Supply remains stable. The majority of current volume is being sourced from Utah and the Pacific Northwest.
Sweet Onions
Supply is good. Shippers have transitioned from Vidalia onions to Peruvian sweet onions. Sizing from Peru is trending smaller, resulting in higher costs for Jumbo and Colossal sizes.
Larger sizes may become increasingly tight in February and March as the Peruvian season winds down.
Pears
We have fully transitioned into Washington Bartlett and Red Anjou pears. Washington Bosc pears are expected to begin shipping soon. California Bosc pears will continue shipping through next week.
Potatoes
Overall supply remains stable. Russets are currently sourced primarily from Colorado and Prince Edward Island.
Yields on larger baker sizes are lower than expected, creating a demand-exceeds-supply situation. Pricing on large bakers is expected to remain elevated. Supplies of 5-lb. and 10-lb. russet bags remain plentiful.
Colored potatoes from Maine and Prince Edward Island are available in good supply, with promotional opportunities available.
Sweet Potatoes
Supply has improved from North Carolina and Mississippi. Sizing is trending smaller, creating some concern regarding Jumbo availability heading into the holiday season.
Murasaki sweet potatoes have recently transitioned to new crop. Minor skinning may be present while the crop continues to cure.
Stone Fruit
The stone fruit season is winding down. Peach availability is expected to continue through September.
Field-Grown Tomatoes
Roma Tomatoes
Low Supply: Supplies are expected to remain tight throughout October. Eastern production is winding down, and industry volumes are entering a seasonal low period. Tennessee and North Carolina are expected to finish next week, while Florida production is not anticipated until late October or early November.
Round Tomatoes
Low Supply: Seasonal declines continue across Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. Northern Florida production is expected to begin in late October or early November.
Grape Tomatoes
Low Supply: Supplies remain extremely short in both Eastern and Western growing regions. Production will continue over the next few weeks, but no meaningful increase in volume is expected until Florida and Mexico begin harvesting in November.
Tropical
Mangos
Light Supply: Brazilian fruit is declining. Ecuador is expected to begin production within the next two weeks.
Limes
Moderate Supply: Most available fruit is smaller-sized (230s, 250s, and 275s). Markets are expected to remain tight through the end of October, particularly on larger sizes.
Avocados
Supply remains good as California and Peru seasonally wind down. Mexico has begun harvesting its Aventajada crop, the second of Michoacán's four annual avocado blooms. Harvest typically runs from late September through November and will help support supply as California and Peruvian volumes decline.
