WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS

Cold temperatures and heavy rain across multiple growing regions continue to create significant challenges—particularly affecting Carrots, Strawberries, Tomatoes, and all Eastern vegetable crops. Cross‑country and local trucking lanes are also experiencing icy conditions, adding further logistical strain. Details by category are listed below.

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Florida

Central and South Florida experienced sub‑freezing temperatures (26–32°F) over the past two weeks. Crop impacts are being felt statewide.
Expect lighter availability and tight markets for vegetables and berries through April, when Spring crops begin harvesting.

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California Update

Rain in the Central Valley

Heavy rain over the past two weeks has caused:

• Citrus: Softer fruit on navels and clementines; celery supplies tight.
• Carrots: Prorates across all categories. Shortages expected another 3–4 weeks.
  • East Coast supplements from Georgia and Florida are running behind.

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F&S Value-Added

Green beans remain the most impacted item due to raw product shortages. Broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots are also short and being prorated across cut‑veg programs.

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Lettuce & Leafy Greens

Yuma is nearing the end of the season. Transition to Huron is expected in two weeks.

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Apples

Most varieties are plentiful except Gala and Honeycrisp. Markets are strengthening as shippers work to bridge the gap to new crop.

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Asparagus

Tight markets continue out of Mexico.
Product will be available for Easter, but expect higher markets and lower yields with limited promotional opportunity.

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Berries

Strawberries

• Excellent quality and availability from Florida.
• Stores have reported strong performance.
• Florida continues through March with a smooth transition to California expected in April.

Blueberries

• Peru arrivals will remain light for the next few weeks.
• Florida has begun but won’t see meaningful volume until late March.
• Shippers are working to stabilize the market until domestic production increases.

Raspberries

Moderate, steady supply from Mexico and Baja.

Blackberries

Strong volume continues out of Mexico.

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Broccoli & Cauliflower

Tight markets as Yuma winds down.
Transition to Salinas expected first week of April.

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Celery

No relief expected for at least another month.

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Carrots

Extreme shortages persist.
Georgia and Florida have begun harvesting but yields remain too low to offset deficits.

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Chili Peppers

Chiles

Low supply due to freeze impacts in Florida. Better volume expected after Spring plantings in mid–late March.

Mini Sweets

Good supply from Baja and Jalisco.

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Citrus

Overall Citrus

Central Valley crops recovering from January–February rains.
Availability and quality are good, though growers remain concerned about potential early season ending due to fruit drop.

Clementines / Mandarins

Most challenged citrus category:

• Tango production experiencing 20–30% fruit drop.
• Ongoing shortages expected with downstream impacts.

Navels

Quality remains solid.
Improved weather is increasing harvest volumes, but morning moisture continues to shorten picking windows.
88s and smaller remain extremely limited.

Lemons

Weather impacts include clear rot, mildew scarring, and copper damage.
Recent rainfall should help size up fruit.

Limes

Good supply out of Mexico.

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Eastern Vegetables

Corn

Southern Florida freeze devastated the crop.
Corn will be removed from the mix for approximately one month.

Cucumbers

Light to moderate supply.
Limited Florida volume; additional supply coming from Honduras and Mexico.

Green Peppers

• Florida: Freeze has impacted volume and quality.
• Mexico: Heavy rains impacting quality and supply.

Green Beans

Florida freeze caused significant losses.
Mexico volume limited with quality issues including russeting.

Zucchini / Yellow Squash

Very limited supply out of Florida due to cold damage.
Squash should rebound mid‑March (30‑day crop).
Mexico supply tighter with appearance defects.

Eggplant

Light supply.
Florida still assessing freeze damage; Mexico providing moderate to good volume.

Green Cabbage

Moderate supply.
Least affected Florida crop with strong volume from Belle Glade, Ft. Pierce, and Myakka City.

Hard Squash

Good supply.
Acorn and spaghetti out of Sinaloa; butternut coming from Honduras.

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Grapes

Consistent quality and availability.
Peru winding down as Chile ramps up.

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Greens

Kale and turnip greens are in low supply due to freeze impacts in Georgia and Florida, resulting in prorates.

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Hothouse

TOV & Beefsteaks

Light to moderate supply.
Reduced field‑grown volume is increasing hothouse demand.
Mexico quality remains excellent.

Colored Peppers

Moderate supply with tight volume across West and Central Mexico.
Expect improvement when Canada begins production in late March/early April.

European Cucumbers

Light supply due to cool weather in Mexico.
Relief expected as Canada starts harvest in ~4 weeks.

Mini Cucumbers

Light supply; Mexico production tightening.
New crop in 2–3 weeks; Canada online in 2–3 weeks.

Snacking Tomatoes

Moderate supply.
Canadian harvest begins in 2–3 weeks; strong promotional opportunities expected for spring/summer.

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Melons

Watermelons

Light supply; South Florida wrapped up.

Mini Watermelons

Moderate supply; Guatemala has begun shipping, improving availability.

Cantaloupe & Honeydew

Good supply from Guatemala.

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Onions

White onions tightening, typical for this time of year.
Expect rising markets over the next two months.

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Pears

Washington Bartletts have wrapped up.
Chilean and Argentine Bartletts now available.
Washington Bosc and Anjou remain plentiful.

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Pomegranates

Season is complete due to rain impacts in California’s Central Valley.

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Potatoes

Over‑supplied; strong availability through Spring.

• Russets: Excellent supply, especially bagging sizes.
• Red Potatoes: Plentiful across multiple regions.
• Golds: Markets strengthening out West.
• Florida: Running behind due to February freezes.
• Sweet Potatoes: Harvest complete with excellent supply.

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Stone Fruit

Imported cherries are in full swing with excellent quality.
Peaches, nectarines, and white nectarines available in the order guide.
Plums delivering next week as part of a basket builder.

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Tomatoes

Rounds & Romas

Light supply due to Florida frost/freeze.
Mexico producing moderate volume from Sinaloa and Central Mexico.

Grape Tomatoes

Light supply from Florida due to cold weather.
Mexico offering moderate volume from Baja and Central/West Mexico.

Snacking Tomatoes

Moderate supply with Canadian production ramping up in 2–3 weeks.

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Tropicals

• Avocados: Good supply; promotable volume from Mexico.
• Honey Mangos: Moderate supply from Mexico.
• Mangos: Moderate supply from Mexico.
• Dragon Fruit: Moderate supply from Ecuador.
• Limes: Light supply; elevated markets due to weather impacts.
  • If demand stays strong, high pricing will continue through April.