WEEK 8 • 2026 MARKET UPDATE
Weather & Supply Overview
Winter weather continues to impact multiple growing regions across the U.S., creating challenges in carrots, berries, tomatoes, and Eastern vegetables.
Icy conditions nationwide are also causing transportation delays.
Florida Weather Impact
Central and South Florida experienced two weeks of unusual cold, including sub‑freezing temperatures (26–32°F).
Key Impacts
- Lighter availability on vegetables and berries
- Tight markets expected through April until Spring crops come on
California Weather Impact
Rain in the Central Valley
Heavy rain continues to affect citrus and vegetable production.
- Citrus: Softer condition in navels & clementines; tight celery markets
- Carrots: Industry-wide prorates, lasting 3–4 more weeks
- East Coast carrot supplementation delayed due to slowed Georgia & Florida crops
F&S Value-Added
- Green beans remain the biggest challenge—severely impacted harvests
- Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots also short and being prorated due to reduced raw product
Leafy Greens
- Good news: Lettuce and leafy greens show excellent quality as Yuma conditions improve
Apples
- Most varieties plentiful
- Gala & Honeycrisp tightening, with rising markets as shippers pace storage inventory into new crop
Asparagus
- Markets strengthening
- Peruvian imports reduced; Mexico crop slow to start, causing short-term limited volume
Berries
Strawberries
- Availability increasing significantly
- Markets declining as Florida weather improves
- Promotable volume expected into March
Blueberries
- Chile wrapping up this week
- Light arrivals from Peru continue
- Florida starting lightly; notable volume push mid-March with peak mid-April
Raspberries
- Moderate, steady supply from Mexico & Baja
Blackberries
- Strong volume continues out of Mexico
Broccoli & Cauliflower
Broccoli
- Demand exceeds supply
- Order fill ~70% for next three weeks
- Mexico’s supply will dictate availability; Florida freeze heavily reduced Eastern supply
Cauliflower
- Extremely short—~20% of normal weekly demand
- Market remains tight through mid–late March (end of Yuma season)
Celery
- Active market; Oxnard experiencing rain, lower yields, elevated pricing
Carrots
- Extreme shortage industry-wide
Chili Peppers
Chiles
- Very low supply; Florida freeze greatly reduced production
- Normal volume not expected until mid–late March
Mini Sweets
- Good supply from Mexico (Baja, Jalisco)
Citrus
San Joaquin Valley Weather
Persistent fog & low sunlight continue to cause:
- Puff, crease, clear rot
- Reduced photosynthesis & elevated fruit drop
Clementines / Mandarins
- Most challenged category
- Tango variety showing 20–30% fruit drop
- Ongoing shortages expected
Navels
- Quality solid but yields challenged
- Fog limiting harvest windows, keeping markets firm
- 88s and smaller extremely limited
Lemons
- Weather-related issues: clear rot, mildew scarring, copper damage
- Rain helping fruit size
Limes
- Good supply from Mexico
Eastern Vegetables
Corn
- Florida freeze devastated crop
- Item unavailable for ~1 month
Cucumbers
- Light–moderate supply
- Florida light; Honduras and Mexico filling majority
Green Peppers
- Florida: volume & quality impacted by frost
- Mexico: heavy rains affecting quality & availability
Green Beans
- Florida freeze caused major losses
- Mexico volume limited; quality issues from rainfall
Squash (Zucchini & Yellow)
- Florida extremely limited; full recovery mid-March
- Mexico supply tighter with scarring, scuffing, discoloration
Eggplant
- Light supply; Florida freeze damage still being assessed
- Relying heavily on Mexico for the next few weeks
Green Cabbage
- Moderate supply; least affected Florida crop
- Strong harvests from Belle Glade, Ft. Pierce & Myakka City
Hard Squash
- Good supply:
- Acorn & Spaghetti → Mexico (Sinaloa)
- Butternut → Honduras
Grapes
- Peru in full swing with strong volume
- Markets easing as Chile prepares to start in 3 weeks
Green Onions & Brussels Sprouts
- Continued tight markets
- Prorates expected for several weeks
Greens
- Kale & turnips short as freezes in Georgia & Florida reduce production
Hothouse
TOV & Beefsteaks
- Light–moderate supply
- Field-grown shortages driving stronger demand for hothouse
- Mexico quality remains excellent
Colored Peppers
- Moderate supply; Mexico volume tight until Canada harvest late March–April
European Cucumbers
- Light supply; Mexico slowed due to cool weather
- Relief expected once Canada starts in 4 weeks
Mini Cucumbers
- Light supply; new Mexico crop starts in 2–3 weeks
- Canada begins in 2–3 weeks as well
Snacking Tomatoes
- Moderate supply
Melons
Watermelons
- Light supply; South Florida season finished
Mini Watermelons
- Moderate supply; Guatemala starting up with improving volume
Cantaloupes & Honeydew
- Good supply from Guatemala
Onions
- White onions tightening seasonally
- Strong demand; market increases expected through spring
Pears
- Washington finishing Bartletts by end of February
- Storage quality subpar, tightening supply early
- Chilean Bartletts start early March
Pomegranates
- Season finished due to Central Valley rain
Potatoes
- Oversupplied; strong availability through spring
- Russets, Reds, Golds, Sweet potatoes all in excellent supply
Stone Fruit
- Imported cherries in excellent condition
- Peaches, nectarines & white nectarines available
- Plums delivering next week for Basket Builder
Tomatoes — Field-Grown
Rounds & Romas
- Light supply
- Florida freeze tightening markets for months ahead
- Mexico producing moderate volume (Sinaloa & Central Mexico)
Grape Tomatoes
- Light supply from Florida; moderate supply from Mexico (Baja, Central, West)
Tropical
Avocados
- Good supply, promotable volume from Mexico
Honey Mangos
- Moderate supply from Ecuador
Mangos
- Steady volume of Brazilian fruit arriving in NJ & South Florida ports
Dragon Fruit
- Moderate supply from Ecuador
Limes
- Light supply; Mexico reporting 30% bloom drop from heavy rains (Jan–Mar impact)
