The Fresh Report
The Latest on Our Greatest
March 25th, 2024
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Vegetables
Asparagus
While supplies remain plentiful in the Caborca region, the demand for Easter has significantly increased, leading to inflated prices. Expect higher market prices to continue until after the holiday.
Vegetables
Avocados
Production is limited in several growing regions this week due to major national holidays and rain events, which have caused harvesting delays. Consequently, the market is tight, and pricing is elevated.
Vegetables
Green Beans
Bean supplies have significantly improved over the last few weeks thanks to more favorable weather conditions in the growing regions. As a result, the market is now steady.
Berries
Blackberries, Blue, And Raspberries
Blackberries: Production is limited in Central Mexico due to national holidays and rain events. California’s season has begun lightly and is expected to be in full swing by mid-April. Georgia will also commence shortly after Easter. Blueberries: Volume from Central Mexico, Chile, and Baja remains steady, keeping the market low and stable. California has started its season in a light way and is anticipated to be in full swing by early April. Raspberries: The market is starting to ease off as volume from Baja and Central Mexico has increased. This trend is expected to persist through March and into April, barring any extreme weather events.
Berries
Strawberries
Florida is winding down its season and is expected to conclude within the next 2-3 weeks. Conversely, California is beginning to ramp up production in the Santa Maria and Oxnard areas. The market remains steady.
Vegetables
Broccoli, Cauliflower
Yuma and Santa Maria are yielding a respectable volume of broccoli, with abundant supply and excellent quality. The cauliflower market is also expected to remain steady through this week.
Vegetables
Celery
Yuma is winding down for its season; however, Santa Maria and Oxnard are still going strong. Supplies remain steady, with large sizes being the most abundant.
Herbs
Cilantro, Parsley, Green Onion
Green Onions: Production is expected to pick back up this week due to improved weather conditions in Mexico. Cilantro & Parsley: Quality and supply remain steady for spinach and arugula. However, cilantro has tightened up due to cold weather and quality issues, leading to lower yields. The warm weather expected this week should help boost production.
Vegetables
Corn
Supplies have improved significantly over the past few weeks as Florida has been experiencing more favorable weather. The market is low and steady.
Vegetables
Cucumbers
Florida is quickly ramping up production as its season gets underway. Quality is good, and the market is lower.
Fruit
Melons
Cantaloupe: Demand is strong, but supplies are light due to vessel delays and holidays, causing the market to elevate. Quality remains great. Honeydew: Similar to cantaloupe, supplies are tight due to vessel delays and the upcoming holiday, resulting in an elevated market. Watermelons: The market has become extremely tight as offshore products have become scarce. Domestic production won’t start in any meaningful way for another 3-4 weeks. Expect these tight market conditions to persist until the domestic season begins.
Fruit
Pineapple
Costa Rica is going relatively strong and supply currently meets demand. The market is steady.
Citrus
Lemons, Limes, Oranges
Lemons: While supplies of large-sized fruit remain steady, smaller sizes are experiencing extreme limitations due to heavy rains in the growing regions, causing the fruit to size up. Currently, 140/165ct fruit is peaking. Limes: Supplies are tight, and the market is elevated due to increased Easter demand and the upcoming holiday in Mexico causing harvesting delays. Expect these conditions to persist until Easter passes. Oranges: This market has become active as much of the labor force will not be harvesting due to the upcoming holy week. Pricing is elevated. Small sizes still remain extremely limited, while large sizes are in good supply.
Vegetables
Peppers
The market has softened on green peppers compared to the last few weeks, however colored bell peppers still remain tight, with orange and red being the most scarce.
Vegetables
Lettuce
Iceberg: Supplies are tight and the market is active. Quality continues to be a concern as well. Expect some blistering and peeling, especially on outer leaves. Leaf: Demand currently exceeds supply for leaf and romaine items, resulting in escalated prices for processed products. Quality is fair, with romaine being the most limited. Tender Leaf: Spinach and arugula supplies have improved over the last few weeks. However, cilantro has tightened up due to quality issues in the fields, reducing yields. The favorable weather projected for this week should help boost production.
Fruit
Grapes
Due to inconsistent vessel arrivals, this market remains highly active. Expect sporadic supplies, elevated pricing, and color substitutions until Mexico can fully ramp up around mid-May. Green grapes are slightly more available than red varieties.
Vegetables
Onions
Northwest storage supplies continue to dwindle, keeping pricing elevated. However, Texas and Mexico have started their seasons in a light way. As these regions continue to ramp up the market should start to come off within the next few weeks.
Vegetables
Potatoes
Smaller sizes in the 90-100 count range are plentiful, though the larger sizes are tightening up. The market remains steady.
Vegetables
Eggplant
Supplies are tight out of both Mexico and Florida, leading to an elevated market. This situation is expected to persist until mid to late April when Florida can begin with their spring crop, alleviating some market pressure.
Vegetables
Squash, Zucchini
The market has significantly softened on yellow squash and zucchini as Florida’s spring crop has become available. Quality is excellent.
Fruit
Stonefruit
Imported peaches, nectarines, and plums are shipping in limited quantities. Domestic pomegranates and persimmons have concluded their season. Although domestic kiwi is still being shipped, the crop is beginning to show signs of aging, resulting in less-than-ideal quality.
Fruit
Tomatoes
The market is coming off and should continue in a downward trend as Florida has started with their spring crop in a light way. Mexico is still shipping as well and is expected to continue through May.