Week 49 Market Update
ALERT: Strawberries
We have begun receiving product from Florida and Mexico this week; however, volumes remain insufficient to meet demand. Excessive orders will continue to be prorated. Quality should improve over the next two weeks, barring any cold or rainy weather in Florida.
ALERT: Western Vegetables
Lettuce & Leafy Greens: Transition to the winter growing region of Yuma, Arizona, is complete. Growing conditions have been favorable for lettuces, leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli, Napa and Bok Choy, cilantro, and parsley.
Celery: Harvest will continue in the Oxnard area for several more weeks.
Apples
New crop varieties are in peak harvest. This season has produced a large crop, offering plenty of promotable opportunities through spring.
Berries
- Blueberries: Volume from Peru is slowing, but Chilean product is expected next week, ensuring a smooth transition into the new year.
- Raspberries: Volume from Mexico continues to decline, but markets remain stable through year-end.
- Blackberries: Strong volume from Mexico provides excellent promotional opportunities through the end of the year.
Citrus
- Clementines: California growers are in full harvest.
- Lemons: Markets remain tight as demand exceeds supply.
- Navels: Steady on imports, but high demand expected until California harvest begins in two weeks.
- Limes: Good supply from Mexico.
Eastern Vegetables
- Cucumbers: Moderate supply; Florida production is limited, typical for winter.
- Green Peppers: Moderate supply; Georgia has finished, and Plant City/South Florida harvests have just started.
- Green Beans: Light supply; Florida’s Homestead improving, with good yields from Okeechobee and Immokalee.
- Zucchini & Yellow Squash: Moderate supply; Florida tightening, especially yellow squash. Plant City harvesting; South Florida limited. Homestead begins in two weeks.
- Tray Corn: Moderate supply; Florida production underway in Belle Glade.
- Eggplant: Light supply; Georgia finished, Florida shipping light volumes from Plant City and South Florida.
- Green Cabbage: Light supply; Georgia remains the primary source through December. Florida is expected to start in 3–4 weeks.
- Hard Squash: Moderate supply; Michigan and New York storage crops supporting demand until Mexico takes over.
Grapes
California grapes face quality challenges due to heavy fall rains. MPG has moved to imports from Peru earlier than usual.
Hothouse
- Beefsteaks & TOV: Light supply; Canadian season finished, Mexico primary source. Expect tighter markets and higher prices until January.
- Colored Peppers: Moderate supply; Mexico is main growing region.
- European Cucumbers: Moderate supply; Mexico steady with good quality.
- Mini Cucumbers: Light supply.
- Snacking Tomatoes: Moderate supply.
Chili Peppers
- Chiles: Good supply; Georgia late-season production continues, Plant City starting. Cold weather may impact Georgia yields.
- Mini Sweets: Good supply; Mexico volumes steady and promotable.
Melons
- Watermelons: Light supply; South Florida nearly finished, Immokalee wrapping up.
- Mini Watermelons: Moderate supply; Guatemalan fruit starting, supply improving.
- Cantaloupes & Honeydew: Good supply from Guatemala.
Onions
Over-supplied on yellows, reds, and whites; sweets in moderate supply from Peru.
Pears
Excellent supply.
Potatoes
- Russets: Excellent supply, especially bagging sizes; strong through holidays.
- Red & Gold: Great supply from multiple regions, including Idaho and Washington.
- Sweet Potatoes: Harvest complete; excellent supply.
Tomatoes (Field-Grown)
- Romas: Moderate supply; Florida volume improving, Labelle harvesting, Naples starting soon.
- Rounds: Good supply; Florida production steady and strong.
- Grape Tomatoes: Good supply; strong Florida volumes from Labelle and Naples.
Tropical
- Avocados: Good supply; promotable volumes from Mexico.
- Honey Mangos: Low availability; gap between Ecuador and Peru.
- Mangos: Moderate supply of Brazilian fruit arriving in NJ and South Florida.
- Dragon Fruit: Moderate supply.
- Limes: Good supply; promotable volumes from Mexico.
