WEEK 43 • 2026 MARKET UPDATE
Strawberries
No changes on the strawberry front. Production is finished 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. Quality is currently fair at best across all growing regions. We recommend reducing allocations and ordering for quick turns to minimize quality issues and shrink.
Lettuces & Leafy Greens
Shippers have transitioned to the Huron region for a short-window deal that bridges the gap between Salinas and Yuma, AZ. We expect to remain in this region through Thanksgiving week.
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 yields on some varieties running at less than 50% of last year's harvest. We will rely more heavily on Washington fruit this season, which could tighten overall availability and limit promotional opportunities. Pink Lady apples remain tight through October, with supplies expected to improve in early November. Occasional prorates are possible until availability increases.
Asparagus
This year's El Niño conditions have significantly impacted production and overall volume out of Peru. Supplies are expected to remain limited, with elevated markets likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Bush Berries
Blueberries
Supply remains tight. Peru began shipping earlier than normal this season, causing its season to finish earlier as well. Volume is 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.
Raspberries & Blackberries
Supply is currently good out of Mexico. The primary concern is quality following recent storms and rainfall.
Peppers
Chile Peppers
Moderate supply. Excessive heat and rain have taken a toll on the North Carolina crop. Another week remains before Georgia and Florida begin production.
Mini Sweet Peppers
Good supply. Mexico production is coming from Baja and Jalisco.
Citrus
Clementines
Imported product is available from Peru, Chile, and Uruguay. We expect supply and flavor to improve over the coming weeks.
Navels
The domestic season is expected to start early this year. Growers are optimistic that the crop will be strong.
Lemons
Imported lemons continue arriving at U.S. ports, while California has begun harvesting its 2026 crop.
Limes
Plenty of supply with strong promotional opportunities.
General Citrus
Weather issues in South Africa have created some quality challenges, but overall supply remains steady.
Eastern Vegetables
Zucchini & 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 are more adequate. Florida is projected to begin production in approximately two weeks.
Cucumbers
Good supply. Michigan and New Jersey have finished, while North Carolina and Georgia continue to provide good volumes.
Green Peppers
Moderate supply. The transition to Georgia is complete, and production is expected to continue for several weeks.
Green Beans
Low supply. Georgia has not yet reached peak production, but volume is expected to improve in the coming weeks.
Tray Corn
Moderate supply. Georgia production has begun in Bainbridge.
Eggplant
Good supply. North Carolina and Georgia continue to produce consistent volumes.
Green Cabbage
Moderate supply. Northern storage remains adequate, while harvest has begun in North Carolina and Georgia.
Fall Squash
Good supply. Product is available from Michigan, New York, and Maine.
Grapes
California's Central Valley has experienced prolonged heat, accelerating crop maturity and bringing the season closer to an end. There is currently about one month's worth of fruit in cold storage, and most major growers expect to harvest for at least two more weeks. Peru's first shipments are already on the water, with import volumes expected to increase for late-November arrivals.
White grape supplies are tightening and exhibiting typical end-of-season quality challenges. Growers are also discussing a strengthening red grape market as late-season red varieties complete harvest.
Hothouse
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Low to moderate supply. The Canadian season has ended. Demand remains strong and markets are short. Mexico has started production, while gaps in field-grown tomato supplies have increased demand.
Tomatoes-on-the-Vine (TOV)
Good supply. Canadian production is declining seasonally, but overall availability remains adequate. Mexican quality and production are very good to excellent.
Colored Bell Peppers
Good supply. Mexico continues to produce strong volumes. Cooler temperatures are slowing Canadian output, though supplies remain adequate. Production is expected to decline further in November.
European Cucumbers
Low supply. Mexico is experiencing reduced volume due to replanting, while Canada continues to see lower output because of cooler temperatures and reduced daylight hours.
Mini Cucumbers
Moderate supply. Mexico has started lightly and is still ramping up production. Canadian volume remains light.
Melons
Watermelon
Moderate supply. South Carolina continues to provide adequate carton watermelon volumes, with production expected through mid-November.
Cantaloupes & Honeydews
Tight supply. Western harvest is nearly complete, with a transition to Central American imports expected in November.
Onions
Yellow & Red Onions
Supply remains stable. Most volume is currently sourced from Utah and the Pacific Northwest.
Sweet Onions
Supply is good. Shippers have transitioned from Vidalias to Peruvian sweet onions. Peru's crop is sizing heavily toward medium onions, keeping jumbo and colossal pricing elevated. Large sizes may become increasingly tight by February and March as the Peruvian season winds down.
Pears
We are fully transitioned into Washington Bartlett and Red Anjou pears. Washington Bosc pears are expected to begin shipping the first week of September. California supplies are being shipped this week and into next.
Potatoes
Overall supply remains stable. Russets are primarily being sourced from Colorado and Prince Edward Island. Yields on larger baker sizes are down, creating stronger demand than supply and keeping prices elevated. Supplies of 5-lb. and 10-lb. russet bags remain plentiful. Colored potatoes from Maine and Prince Edward Island are readily available and offer promotional opportunities.
Sweet Potatoes
Supply has improved from North Carolina and Mississippi. Sizing trends smaller, creating concerns about Jumbo availability heading into the holiday season. Murasaki sweet potatoes have recently transitioned to new crop and may exhibit minor skinning as they continue curing.
Stone Fruit
The stone fruit season is winding down. Peaches will remain available through September.
Field-Grown Tomatoes
Roma Tomatoes
Low supply. Markets are expected to remain tight through October as eastern production winds down. Tennessee and North Carolina are expected to finish next week, while Florida is not expected to begin until late October or early November.
Round Tomatoes
Low supply. Seasonal declines continue in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. Northern Florida production is expected to begin in late October or early November.
Grape Tomatoes
Low supply. Availability remains extremely short in both eastern and western regions. Production will continue for several more weeks, but no meaningful increases are expected until Florida and Mexico begin harvesting in November.
Tropical Fruit
Mangos
Light supply. Brazilian production is slowing, while Ecuador is expected to begin within the next two weeks.
Limes
Moderate supply. Most volume is currently in smaller sizes (230s, 250s, and 275s). Larger sizes remain limited, and markets are expected to stay tight through the end of October.
Avocados
Supply is good. Mexico has begun harvesting its Aventajada crop, the second of Michoacán's four annual avocado blooms. This crop is typically harvested from late September through November.
