MARKET UPDATE FOR APRIL 29, 2024
APPLES The market is level. Gala storage stocks are tightening; all other varieties are sufficient. Quality is very good. Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious Apples are available.
ASPARAGUS Prices are up a bit; supplies are scarce in Caborca, Mexico. Small size dominates availability; jumbo and extra-large stocks are tight.
AVOCADO The market is unchanged. California and Mexican yields are adequate.
BELL PEPPERS Prices are starting to inch down as Florida growers are now harvesting out of Plant City. The Mexican season is winding down. Quality is good; shriveling and pitting are minor issues. The California desert season is underway; expect higher volume in May. Canadian greenhouse red pepper supplies are ample.
BLACKBERRIES Expect markets to remain steady. Yields are steady in Central Mexico; supplies are meeting demand. Quality is very good; some over ripeness has been reported.
BLUEBERRIES Prices are expected to inch down slightly. Mexican supplies are ample; demand is steady. Quality is good; slight dehydration is being reported due to high temperatures.
BROCCOLI Prices are easing; supplies are abundant. California-grown quality is improving; occurrences of pin rot/brown bead, bracketed structure, hollow core, and mildew pressure are decreasing.
CANTALOUPE Markets are stable. Warmer weather is aiding growth; large sizes dominate this crop. Quality ranges from fair to good; softness, bruising, and inconsistent ripeness are occasional issues. New crop, domestic Cantaloupe Melon harvests will begin in the Arizona-California desert region in the week of May 6.
CAULIFLOWER The market is climbing. Yields are down amid cooler weather, overcast skies, and drizzling precipitation. Quality issues are also on the rise, further reducing yields at the field level. Prices should peak early next week before easing with warmer, drier weather on the way.
CELERY Prices are rising due to strong demand and limited supplies. The Florida season will end in early May; stocks are tightening. Production will continue in Oxnard and Santa Maria, California. The Salinas Valley season isn't set to start until early to mid-June. Quality is very good; disease pressure is minimal.
CHILI PEPPERS Markets remain extremely high. Mexican supplies are extremely limited. Baja production is expected to start in early May, easing prices. Anaheim, Jalapeno, Pasilla, and Serrano Chile Peppers are available.
CUCUMBERS Prices are stable. Domestic production is focused in South Florida, but will transition to Georgia in mid-May. Mexican growers are harvesting in multiple regions; Baja will become the dominant region by late May/early June. Quality is very good.
GRAPES The market is elevated. Chilean-Peruvian imports will start to wind down this week. Growers will transition to Mexican-grown product in mid- to late May.
GREEN LEAF Markets are starting the week much higher than last week’s levels. Expect tight supplies and volatile prices for the rest of April.
HONEYDEW Prices are inching down; Mexican production is increasing. Expect steady volume out of Central America for at least the next two weeks. New crop, domestic Honeydew Melon harvests will begin in the Arizona-California desert region the week of May 13.
ICEBERG Markets are slightly above last week’s levels. Expect low volume and active prices for the rest of April.
LEMONS High prices persist. San Joaquin Valley and Southern California yields are low; small sizes are especially tight. The offshore season will start in early June.
LIMES Expect higher markets for large sizes and low prices for smaller fruit over the next two to three weeks. This year’s increased exports are preventing Mexican markets from reaching seasonal highs. Quality is very good.
ONIONS Yellow and white onion prices are level; red onion markets are rising. The Pacific Northwest storage onion season is ending this week. Fresh-run supplies are shipping from the California desert region. Fresh-run onions are also available in South Texas.
ORANGES The market is high. The California Navel season will wrap up in late June. California Valencia production has started in a limited manner. Small sizes (113- and 138-count oranges) are expected to remain extremely tight for both varieties.
PEARS Prices are elevated. Washington yields are lower-than-normal this season. Size is dominated by 70- through 90-count fruit; 110-count and smaller sizes are limited.
PINEAPPLES The market is high. Costa Rican and Mexican stocks are tight. Expect low yields through the Mother’s Day holiday, especially larger sizes (five- through seven-count).
RED/YELLOW POTATOES High prices persist. North Dakota storage stocks will be depleted by mid-May. Idaho growers will ship through July. Supplies are ramping up in Florida. The California season will start in early May. Arizona and Texas production will begin in early July. Quality is very good.
POTATOES The market is low. Idaho Norkotah Potatoes will be depleted by late June; Burbanks will be the sole variety for the rest of the season. Large sizes (40- through 50-count stocks) are limited; smaller sizes (60- through 100-count supplies) are more abundant.
RASPBERRIES Prices should remain steady. Mexican supplies are sufficient and expected to increase; production is starting in the Baja region. Quality is good.
ROMAINE Markets are starting the week much higher than last week’s levels. Expect tight supplies and volatile prices for the rest of April.
STRAWBERRIES The market is starting to inch down a bit despite strong demand for the Mother's Day holiday. Current sunny weather is aiding growth, increasing yields, and deepening color.
TOMATOES Florida round tomato production is down as growers work through the transition between the South Florida and Ruskin/Palmetto areas. Mexican supplies are also snug; the Sinaloa season will end by early June. Baja production will begin in mid-May. The Roma variety is a bit more plentiful in both regions.
TREE FRUIT The Chilean nectarine, peach, and plum seasons are winding down. Prices will remain elevated until the California season begins in late May. Quality is very good.
WATERMELON The market has eased; new crop supplies are ample in Northern Mexico. Quality is very good.
ZUCCHINI Prices are weak. Stocks are abundant in Plant City, Florida; production will start in Georgia this week; volume levels will be reached in mid-May. Supplies are increasing in the Sonora region of Mexico. Quality is very good.