ONTARIO LOCAL
** DONE ** HARD SQUASH– Ontario squash is essentially finished for the season. Any product still in the pipeline is of questionable quality.
** DONE ** LEEKS– Ontario leeks are finished.
POTATO– Growers continue packing product out of storage. Whites, reds and Yukon golds. Chef Large #1, “A”, “B” and “C” (creamer) sizes are all available.
WAX TURNIP (RUTABEGA)- Rutabaga continues to ship out of storage with good supplies. Prices remain steady.
CARROT– Carrot growers continue packing out of storage. Quality is very good and prices are steady. Heirloom multi colored and red carrot supplies are very good with good quality.
MUSHROOMS– Supplies are good with no disruptions in supply expected.
CABBAGE– Growers continue packing cabbage out of storage. Green, red and savoy cabbage supplies are very good. Pricing is steady with good demand.
APPLES– Apples continue to be shipped out of storage. Gold Delicious, MacIntosh, Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire, Spartan, Cortland, Red Delicious, Ambrosia and Fuji are all in very good supply. Quality is very good with all sizes available.
HOTHOUSE LETTUCE– Supplies of Sensei Farms baby lettuce are very good with very good quality and exceptional shelf life. Hydroponic boston/butter supplies are good.
HOTHOUSE STRAWBERRIES– Very light supplies of Ontario hothouse strawberries continue with strong demand. Most supplies are going to retail programs. Quality is very good; however, berry size is on the smaller side.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– Production remains steady with good demand. Quality is very good. Pricing remains steady at higher levels. Sizing is more balanced with smalls and mediums being the predominant sizes with lighter supplies of large and extra-large.
Tariff Update
Announced, November 14th, 2025 tariffs for products imported into the USA were removed from over 200 grocery items. Tropical fruits such as avocados (except from Mexico where the USMCA agreement is already tariff free), pineapples and mangos, bananas, oranges and tomatoes from anywhere except Mexico, where the anti-dumping duty remains in place, had their tariffs retroactively removed effective November 13th. There are several items the tariffs were not removed, such as cantaloupe, honeydews, asparagus to name a few.
Effective September 1, 2025, the 25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs for items that fall under the CUSMA free trade agreement will end. The list of items includes all USA grown tomatoes, cherry & grape tomatoes, beans, oranges, mandarins, tangerines, satsumas, clementine’s, lemons, limes, pomelos, papaya, watermelons, peaches, nectarines, cherries and plums.
A new round of US tariffs took effect Friday August 7th that will affect imports from the USA for pineapples from Costa Rica; rate was 10% now 15%, bananas from Ecuador, rate was 10% now 15%. Citrus from South Africa is 30%. Mangoes from Brazil have a 50% tariff. Peru has been assessed a 10% tariff, while Guatemala remains at 10%. Again, this is only for products landing on US soil, sold to Canadian destinations. If these products can land in Canada, bypassing the US, there will be no tariffs. There are no additional tariffs on items that fall under the Canada, US, Mexico agreement. As Canada and the US did not reach an agreement by August 1st, items not covered by CUSMA are subject to a 35% tariff into the US. Canada has not announced any further retaliatory tariffs.
On Monday July 14th, as previously announced, the US U.S. Department of Commerce announced it is withdrawing from and terminating the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Duty Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico. In its place, a 17.9% anti-dumping duty on Mexican tomatoes destined for the USA replaced the agreement. Canada can still import Mexican tomatoes duty free under the USMCA agreement. Roma and round tomato market impacts are expected to be minimal until the main Mexican season begins in the Fall. Grape and cherry tomato supply is more reliant on Mexico and markets may react differently.
The April 2nd, tariff announcement, in Washington, confirmed Canadian and Mexican produce, destined for the USA that are compliant under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), are not subject to additional tariffs. That being said, many produce items from Central America and other countries imported into the USA and then sold to Canada are now subject to a blanket 10% tariff. This includes offshore avocados, bananas, French beans, pineapples, melons and some herbs among numerous other products. There is great concern about the broader application of tariffs on global trading partners and the potential disruptions to supply chains and market stability.
MARKETS TO WATCH: AT A GLANCE
Blueberries: Production continues in Central Mexico, though supplies are tight as volume trends down from seasonal peak levels. Peruvian arrivals remain inconsistent with the season ending. Overall quality is fair, with reports of soft fruit. Chilean production is slowly ramping up. The 12×1 pint packs are tighter in supply, while the 12 x 6-oz pack remains the primary offering for most shippers.
Baby Leaf Lettuces: Arugula, Spinach, Baby Kale and Spring Mix supplies are limited due to erratic weather in November and December. With these current challenges, please order for immediate use. Maintaining the cold chain is essential to maximize the already compromised shelf life.
Beans: Supply will be lighter this week out of Florida due to the cold weather that hit the region last week. Supplies should improve over the next two weeks, with warmer weather in the forecast.
California Navel Oranges: Weather continues to be the biggest challenge this Navel orange season, and the impact goes well beyond simple rain delays and muddy orchard conditions. Our expectation is that this citrus season will conclude earlier than normal; could wrap up as early as May 1, with some commodities finishing even sooner.
Corn: We will see a split market on corn this week due to cold weather in Florida. Markets were higher out of Florida over Mexico.
Clementine: The early-season Moroccan clementines are available in limited quantities. Clementine quality is reported as fair. Availability should improve with the Nadorcott varietal arrivals expected at the end of the month. California Mandarins remain the most challenged citrus category. Most growers are currently in a difficult supply gap with no immediate relief in sight. In several fields, over 30% of the fruit is already on the ground. These conditions will result in ongoing shortages and a notably shorter Tango season, with downstream impacts on the remainder of the mandarin deal.
Asparagus: Asparagus demand remains weak, especially on the West Coast, where ample Mexican production and warmer growing conditions have created an oversupplied market with depressed pricing.
Banana: Banana supply will begin to tighten up over the coming weeks as demand globally increases, and production out of the tropics is steadily declining.
California Carrots: West Coast value-added carrot supplies will be limited for the next two months due to recent heavy rain events.
Broccolini / Baby Broccoli: Quality is good, and supplies are still limited with most growers; post holiday demand is low.
Gold Pineapples: The pineapple market has settled down some but remains tight. Pineapple supplies are expected to become extremely limited in February through June, 2026.
Mango: Peru volumes remained relatively steady on arrivals, while Ecuador’s season is quickly coming to an end. As a result of this transition, total market volume is expected to decline by approximately 22% compared to the prior week. The industry anticipates a rebound beginning the first week of February, when Peru is projected to ship 2.27 million cases, marking a seasonal high.
Celery: Celery supplies are limited following high winds and excessive rainfall in Oxnard, California. Crop damage and reduced harvests resulted last week following the severe weather. Many mature fields had stalks knocked over (celery lodging). Expect continued elevated markets in the coming weeks until Oxnard production recovers. All value-added celery items remain triggered.
Green Onions: Markets continue to be very high as availability remains tight due to previous rain in the Mexican growing region hampering supplies. Supplies are very inconsistent.
Limes: Prices remain elevated and are expected to continue climbing through January as quality challenges and reduced supplies persist.
Cantaloupe: The offshore melon market is experiencing tight supplies as weather-related challenges earlier in the growing cycle continue to impact production and some shippers transition between harvest in Guatemala and Honduras. Availability remains inconsistent; markets are expected to stay firm as the industry works through supply constraints.
Honeydew: There is very limited availability on imported honeydews with some shippers transitioning between Guatemala and Honduras.
Honeydews are expected to be the primary challenge over the next several weeks as supplies transition from low to extremely limited. The completion of Northern Mexican production has increased reliance on offshore fruit.
Strawberry: California growers have begun harvesting strawberries in a limited manner after several weeks of rainy, muddy conditions. Cold weather in Florida has slowed production. Mexico is in peak production. Expect markets to remain strong until California’s supply meets demand.
Stone Fruit: Chilean 5kg cherry arrivals continue in light supply as the cherry season winds down. Chilean peaches, nectarines and apricots continue with steady arrivals. Black plums are available from Spain and Italy. Expect supplies to increase weekly as arrivals become more frequent into February.
Brussels Sprouts: Prices are expected to inch down over the next several weeks as demand falls and the Mexican brussels sprout season ramps up. Value-added products are still triggered.
Grapes:Quality on South American fruit from Chile and Peru is outstanding. Markets are still firm. However, they are sliding as more fruit becomes available. Green grapes seem to be the tightest in supply, but that is expected to improve over the next 10 days.
Watermelon: Watermelon supplies are limited from offshore and Southern Mexico. Demand is also very light with the cooler weather in most of the selling areas.
Field Tomato: Round tomatoes are now coming almost entirely from Florida, where colder weather has reduced production, supporting stronger markets amid steady demand. Romas from Central Mexico and Florida are also seeing elevated markets with strong demand. Grape tomatoes remain in strong demand from both Central Mexico and Florida, while cherry tomatoes are following a similar trend, with slightly higher markets compared to last week.
Zucchini: Supplies of green zucchini and yellow zucchini remain tight in both Florida and Mexico due to recent cool winter conditions, leading to stronger markets.
Field Red Peppers:The market is stronger due to cold weather in Florida and reduced yields from Mexico caused by rain and cooler temperatures.
VEGETABLES
ICEBERG– For now, prices are low; supplies are ample in the Arizona-California desert region. Florida markets are average; supplies are limited.
West Coast: Supplies are plentiful in the Arizona-California desert region for the short term. Supplies are expected to remain steady throughout the week, with overall quality reported as above average and weights ranging from 39–43 pounds. Misshapen heads and seeder issues are minimal. Growers report a wide range of maturity and weights. Expect this high volume / low price situation to be short-lived. Markets will rise in early February as growers enter a supply gap; expect much higher prices and limited supplies for February and March. East Coast: Florida is in peak season; however, most volume is program business with limited open market availability. Recent cold weather has slowed growth. Prices are higher than in Arizona-California. Quality is good, but weights are lighter on average than in Arizona/California. The season will run through late March/early April.
ROMAINE / LEAF– West Coast: Good availability is expected for green and red leaf and romaine. Multiple shippers are dealing, so feel confident to promote all leaf items aggressively. Overall quality is above average, with minimal fringe burn or discoloration. Romaine hearts are also expected to have strong supplies throughout the week. Growers continue monitoring for soilborne diseases, particularly in crops planted during heavy rains. Weather is favorable through this week with highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s and lows in the 50s. East Coast: Southeast romaine and leaf supply out of Florida continue. This season is expected to run through late March to early April, weather permitting. Quality is average; recent low temperatures across Central and South Florida has contributed to slower growth.
SPRING MIX/BABY SPINACH/BABY ARUGULA/BABY KALE– Arugula, Spinach, Baby Kale and Spring Mix supplies are limited. Due to current challenges, please order for immediate use. Maintaining the cold chain is essential to maximize the already compromised shelf life. Arugula / Baby Kale: Although overall quality is good, prior rains and recent heat spikes have caused quality problems, including mildew, bolting, and yellowing. Expect tight supplies and elevated prices for the next two weeks. Baby / Teen Spinach: Baby spinach (4lb) and teen spinach (10llb) prices are triggered. Quality is good, but prior rains and recent heat spikes have caused quality problems, including mildew and bruising. Expect low volume and elevated markets for the next two weeks. Pricing on both baby and teen spinach items are triggered. Spring Mix: Quality is good; some bruising and discolouration have been reported. Expect limited stocks and high prices for the next two weeks. Most suppliers are holding to averages.
US CARROTS– California: West Coast jumbo and cello-packed carrots will remain extremely limited over the next two months. Peeled baby carrot supplies should meet demand. Supplies remain extremely tight due to prior rain damage in California’s growing regions. Current demand exceeds supply, especially for jumbo and cello-packed carrots. Substitution options are available out of Arizona and Georgia and demand is transitioning. Expect elevated markets and tight supplies through February. Georgia: The season is in full swing and will run through early June. Commodity supplies are sufficient; quality is very good. Expect stable prices and abundant supplies. Arizona: The season is underway and will run through July. Early quality reports have been positive. Size is small but will increase as the season ramps up over the next three weeks. Markets will start elevated, but ease as the season progresses.
BABY BROCCOLI / BROCCOLINI– Quality is good, and supplies are still limited with most growers due to recent weather. The weather continues to affect harvesting schedules and quality. We should start to see some pricing relief by the end of January.
BEANS– Supply will be lighter this week out of Florida due to the cold weather that hit the region last week. Supplies should improve over the next two weeks, with warmer weather in the forecast. Mexican supply is continuing to improve. The long-term forecast, barring any issues in Florida, remains steady throughout January. Overall quality is good. Snipped: Snipped green bean supply is stable and quality has improved. We expect to see stable markets with steady demand.
MUSHROOMS– Quality and supplies are very good with lighter, post holiday demand. At this time, we do not see any supply issues.
BROCCOLI– Broccoli supplies are steady across all regions, and the market is expected to gradually inch down heading into next week. Broccoli is available from Mexico into Texas and Yuma, Arizona. Production in Florida also continues with minimal defects being reported. Overall, quality is excellent.
ASPARAGUS– Asparagus demand remains weak, especially on the West Coast, where ample Mexican production and warmer growing conditions have created an oversupplied market with depressed pricing. Multiple Mexican regions continue to produce well, with additional fields coming online, limiting the value of Peruvian product. Peruvian volumes continue to decline and are expected to taper off in early February as Mexican supply dominates.
GARLIC- Supplies from China, Mexico and California continue. Quality from all remains very good. China: Supplies of peeled garlic have tightened up as growers ship fewer containers to match post holiday demand. Pricing should stabilize as supplies adjust to demand. Quality is variable, depending on age. North American: California garlic is progressing with good quality, complemented by ongoing Mexican supplies. U.S. tariffs on Chinese garlic have shifted demand to Mexico and California.
CABBAGE– Ontario: Green, red and savoy cabbage supplies are good with very good quality being shipped out of storage. Prices are stable as demand from US buyers stabilizes.
US CARTON BAKING POTATOES– There are excellent supplies of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage from Idaho, Washington, Oregon plus multiple other regions. This is true for reds, yellows, and russets. Demand typically drops off as we get into the new year, as many consumers are looking for low-carb options. The low demand and large volumes make for an excellent buying opportunity and promotional period. The long-term outlook mirrors last season, when the market remained relatively soft until late spring, at which point tighter supply led to higher pricing.
ASSORTED CHILI PEPPERS– Supplies are good out of Sinaloa and Snora currently. However, markets will remain higher Shisito and Red Fresno. We hope to see improvement next week on these items.
FIELD PEPPERS– The market is stronger due to cold weather in Florida and reduced yields from Mexico caused by rain and cooler temperatures. Red Pepper: There continues to be steady volume crossing from Mexico through Nogales, Arizona on open field red peppers. Weather issues will prevent this market from falling as expected. There is stronger volume of hothouse red, yellow and orange peppers arriving from Mexico. Quality is good across all colors. Green Pepper: Green pepper supplies have tightened this week as availability decreases in the growing regions due to cooler weather and rains.
HOTHOUSE PEPPERS– The hothouse colored pepper market is weaker, as increased production from Mexico has boosted supply. Product from Spain is also in the marketplace. Red, yellow and orange peppers are all available; product from Spain is priced at a premium. Quality is good with product from Mexico and very good from Spain. Ontario production will resume in March.
CELERY– West Coast: While markets have eased, elevated prices will persist for all carton celery as well as fresh-cut value-added celery through mid- February due to extreme weather that has reduced California celery yields. California celery fields experienced significant storm events in November and again during Christmas week, including up to six inches of rain over a four-day period, accompanied by sustained winds nearing 60 mph. As much as 55% of processor-variety celery was lost, greatly impacting value-added availability. All value-added celery items have triggers. Quality has been impacted; wind-related twisting and damage are being reported. Our grower-partners thankfully have diversified celery programs utilizing several different varieties across multiple states, allowing them to shift orders and meet demand, ensuring supply. Another storm is forecast for the Oxnard, California region over the next nine days; we will update any changes as they occur. East Coast: Florida production out of Belle Glade, started mid-December and supplies will continue to increase with most product used for contracts leaving very little for open market.
CAULIFLOWER– Cauliflower supplies continue to be strong across all sizes and regions with strong demand. Quality is good. The market is expected to remain steady into next week.
EGGPLANT– East Coast supplies are tightening due to cooler weather in South Florida, while rising production from Mexico is putting downward
pressure on the market. Overall quality is good, with smaller fruit more common than 24-count cartons.
CORN– We will see a split market on corn this week due to cold weather in Florida. Markets were higher out of Florida over Mexico. Quality is good out of both regions this week. Growers will need to assess the quality in Florida after last week’s cold weather.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– Supplies are starting to get somewhat tight and pricing has increased. Quality remains very good. The sizing profile is balanced, with all sizes available. Mini Cucumbers: Production remains good, with steady supplies and slightly higher pricing. Quality remains very good.
CANADIAN POTATO– Canadian storages held 2.9% more potatoes January 1, 2026 than they held a year earlier. It is Canada’s largest January 1 potato inventory on record. It exceeds the five-year average supply by 9.6%. Increased stocks in Alberta offset reduced inventories Manitoba, PEI, Quebec, and Ontario. Stocks intended for processing are up 1.4%, relative to the previous year. Table potato inventories exceed year earlier holdings by 5.2%, while seed potato supplies are up 7.4%. Ontario: Ontario potato holdings on January 1, were 5.7% less than the 2025 inventory. That includes holding of chip potatoes which were down 5.3% from the previous year. Chip potato disappearance exceeded last year’s pace by 9.5%. At that usage rate, Ontario’s chip potatoes would last through August 11. Table potatoes in storage on January 1, were also less than year-earlier holdings. December table potato disappearance exceeded 2024 movement by 26.6%. If the December usage pace continues, Ontario’s table potatoes would be cleaned up by April 17. P.E.I.: Island growers held 8.4% fewer potatoes in storage on January 1. It is PEI’s second-smallest January 1 since 2002, behind 2021. December disappearance dropped by 22.9%. That is the slowest December movement since 2022. Intended use data put processing potato supplies at 9.5% lower than year-earlier supplies. Processing potato disappearance was 16.8%; below 2024 usage. If the December usage rate continues, the Island’s remaining processing potatoes would last through September 15. The January 1 table potato inventory 7.0% less than 2024. The December table potato disappearance rate was 31.0%, below the 2024 pace. If the slow December usage rate continues, the remaining table potato supply will last through August 1. New Brunswick: January 1 potato stocks nearly matched the year-earlier inventory. However, stocks exceeded the three-year average supply by 10.8%. December disappearance fell 3.8% below 2024 usage. The province had more processing potatoes left in storage on January 1, than year-earlier holdings. December processing potato disappearance was down 4.9% from the previous year. At the December usage rate, those potatoes would last through October 6. New Brunswick’s table potato inventory is down 21.2% from prior year. Calculated December table potato movement exceeded last year’s pace by 30.7%. At that disappearance rate, New Brunswick’s table potatoes would last through September 16. Quebec: The province had 4.4% fewer potatoes in storage on January 1 compared to year-earlier holdings. December disappearance was 16.5%, less than 2024 movement. Intended use data show that December table potato disappearance fell by 17.4%. That left fewer table potatoes in storage than the province held the previous year. At the December usage rate, Quebec’s remaining table potato inventory would be cleaned up by June 19. December processing use fell 14.7%, below 2024 movement. That left fewer processing potatoes in storage on January 1 compared to year-earlier holdings. At the December usage pace, the remaining processing potatoes would last through November 10. British Columbia: The province had more potatoes in storage on January 1 exceeding year-earlier holdings by 30.9%. It is British Columbia’s largest January 1 inventory since 2007. The province held more table potatoes than 2025 stocks. Alberta: Alberta’s January 1 potato stocks exceed the 2025 inventory by 29.0%. December potato disappearance was down 13.9% from year-earlier movement. Intended use data show reduced disappearance in all categories. Alberta’s December processing potato disappearance fell below 2024 usage. The processing sector had a record inventory of potatoes left in storage on January 1; 22.9% more than the 2025 inventory. Processing use needs will need to pick up significantly to use the remaining supplies before they lose quality. At the December usage rate, the province’s processing potatoes would last through the end of the year. At a record volume, Alberta’s January 1 table potato stocks are more than double the year-earlier inventory. Based on calculated December table potato disappearance rates, it could indicate that potatoes have been diverted from the seed sector and/or the processing sector to the table potato sector.
FRENCH GREEN BEAN / BABY SQUASH– Guatemala continues to show good production, and quality is steadily improving. Supplies of French beans, baby squash, baby peeled carrots and colored baby peeled carrots have returned to normal. Mexican French bean availability is fair, though cooler weather continues to impact yields.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS– Prices are inching down as the Mexican season ramps up. Jumbo sizes remain extremely limited. Pricing on value-added brussels sprouts products remain triggered. The Salinas season has ended, production out of the Arizona/California desert is underway, as the Mexican season ramps up. Insect pressure in Mexico is affecting quality and yields, keeping supplies snug this week and next. The jumbo size remains extremely limited out of all regions; small and medium sizes are most plentiful. The Guatemalan season will wind down over the next two weeks. Guatemalan supplies will gap for eight months until new crop supplies begin in September/October. Mexico will become the primary growing region starting in February. Jumbo sizes will increase in late January/early February. Expect gradual price relief to continue through January with many growers’ yields still below planned budgets.
SNO PEAS / SUGAR SNAP PEAS– Supply of Guatemalan snow peas and sugar snaps continues to build steadily; snap peas more so than sno peas. Mexican snow pea availability remains limited due to ongoing field transitions, while Mexican sugar snap supplies are plentiful.
GREEN ONIONS– Markets continue to be very high as availability remains tight due to previous rain in the Mexican growing region hampering supplies. The weather has affected harvesting and quality, causing additional supply issues industry wide. Some growers report being completely out of supply. Growers are holding to very strict averages, when possible, but prorates should be expected for at least the next two weeks. Plantings for the next 3–4 weeks were affected by prior rains, and yields are likely to remain an issue until the end of January. Yields are expected to remain challenging though January.
ONIONS– Demand has remained strong for yellow spanish onions following reduced production during the holidays; prices remain high. White onions remain limited; markets are rising. Red onion supplies are adequate; expect steady prices. Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado: Storage red and yellow spanish supplies are adequate; white onion volume is low. Quality ranges from good to fair; translucent layers, soft texture, bruising, and decay are occasional issues. Expect steady yellow onion pricing; markets will then begin to decrease as production catches up with demand. White onion pricing is expected to increase over the next one to two weeks. Ontario / Quebec: Ontario continues shipping good supplies of new crop cooking onions and red onions; prices remain steady as demand is fairly light. Quality is very good.
COLLARDS/CHARD/KALE– Supplies from Mexico or Texas continue to increase, with excellent quality. Green, red and black kale as well as green, red and rainbow swiss chard are in good supply. This market is expected to remain steady.
ZUCCHINI– Supplies of green zucchini and yellow zucchini remain tight in both Florida and Mexico due to recent cool winter conditions, leading to stronger markets. Mexico: West Mexico supply is light due to last week’s cooler temperatures and rain. Green zucchini volumes are lower; overall demand has increased. Yellow zucchini had less acreage planted this year. Overall quality is good with limited misshape and scarring. Florida: Cooler weather in Florida is expected to lower yields. High demand and lower plantings for the winter season has increased markets. Continued cool weather has caused bloom drop, decreasing yields. Expect higher zucchini markets for the next two weeks.
FRUIT
PEARS– The pear market is steady and well-supplied, with Anjous, Bartletts, Boscs, and Reds arriving from Oregon and Washington State on time and in good quantities. Pears are currently offering better promotional value than large apples. We anticipate that Bartlett pears will be available to ship this year until around the end of January. Bosc pears and Anjou are projected to be year-round this year and will be promotable through May 2026.
RASPBERRIES– Production remains active in Central Mexico and Baja, though supplies have tightened as crops move past seasonal peak volumes, resulting in reduced availability. Overall quality remains good; however, some instances of soft or overripe fruit are being observed due to recent heat, rainfall, and elevated humidity in the growing regions.
BLACKBERRIES– Production continues in Central Mexico and Baja with good overall availability. Quality remains good, though some softness and occasional red cell or color reversion are being reported as a result of recent heat, rain, and humidity.
STRAWBERRIES– California growers have begun harvesting strawberries in a limited manner after several weeks of rainy, muddy conditions. Cold weather in Florida has slowed production. Mexico is in peak production. Expect markets to remain strong until California’s supply meets demand. Santa Maria/Oxnard: Growers have restarted harvesting. Strawberries shipping out of California will be augmented with product from Mexico to fill orders as needed; Mexican consolidated berries will have 48 to 72 hours of reduced shelf-life due to transfer times from Mexico to California. Size ranges from medium to medium-large; 12 to 14 berries per 1-pound clamshell. Expect markets to remain strong until California’s supply meets demand. Mexico: The late January peak season is approaching. Size is small-medium; 22 to 25 berries per 1-pound clamshell. Quality continues to improve weekly as peak season nears. Expect elevated pricing and tight stocks as Mexico helps fill orders from California. Florida: Early morning temperatures dipped into the mid-30s in the Florida strawberry growing regions Friday January 16th. Growers watered fields to form ice on the fruit to act as protection for the fruit. Minimal damage is expected, but these cooler temperatures will slow growth and ripening. Another freeze event is expected today, Monday, January 19. Expect peak season in February. Quality is excellent; concerns include bruising from packing. Size is small-medium; 18 to 22 berries per 1-pound clamshell. Expect pricing to ease as California production increases and growers rebound from the cold weather. Ontario Hothouse: Hothouse production continues to be very light with most production being allocated to retail programs. Quality is good and sizing is on the smaller side. Supplies should improve in the new year with new crops, grown using new techniques.
BLUEBERRIES– The 12×1 pint packs are tighter in supply, while the 12 x 6-oz pack remains the primary offering for most shippers. Mexico: Production continues in Central Mexico, though supplies are tight as volume trends down from seasonal peak levels. Quality and sizing remain very strong, and quality is reported to be significantly higher than offshore blueberry offerings currently in the market. Offshore: Peruvian arrivals remain inconsistent with the season ending. Overall quality is fair, with reports of soft fruit. Chilean production is slowly ramping up. With consistent arrivals of Chilean fruit expected to enter the market by the end of the month.
MANGO– Approximately 1.69 million boxes arrived to North America last week from Ecuador and Peru. The main variety available is Kent, with limited volumes of Ataulfo (Honey), Keitt, and Tommy Atkins. Peru volumes remained relatively steady on arrivals, while Ecuador’s season is quickly coming to an end. As a result of this transition, total market volume is expected to decline by approximately 22% compared to the prior week. The industry anticipates a rebound beginning the first week of February, when Peru is projected to ship 2.27 million cases, marking a seasonal high. The size curve continues to shift as Peru overtakes the market, with medium and large sizes becoming more available, while small sizes are tightening. Pricing on medium to large fruit is beginning to ease, while small-size pricing is expected to trend higher in the coming weeks as availability becomes limited. Demand remains steady.
GRAPEFRUIT– Florida: Florida grapefruit is exhibiting excellent quality with strong internal characteristics. Supplies are strong, with sizing peaking on 40/48/36 count. Texas: Texas grapefruit crop is producing good supplies. Available sizing varies by grower, but overall supply is meeting demand across all sizes. California: Ruby Reds and Star Rubies are currently being harvested. No quality concerns are being reported currently. Imports: Offshore grapefruit is finished until Israel starts with the first arrivals expected in late January, early February.
BANANAS– Banana supply is expected to tighten up over the coming weeks as global demand increases, and production out of the tropics is steadily declining. A combination of virus pressure, low yields, increasing cost of production have put incredible strain on this staple fruit. Overall, the banana quality was very good and supplied. The key to navigating this coming year will be consistency in supply, consistency in ordering patterns and staying far ahead of any issues.
LEMONS– California: Lemons are available from all Districts with all sizes. Fruit is skewing toward a fancy grade and peaking on 140ct and larger, followed by 165ct and 200ct. Harvest in District 3 (California Desert / Arizona) will conclude at the end of January, aligning well with peak harvest in District 1 (San Joaquin Valley), where heavy fancy-grade fruit is running primarily 115ct, 140ct, and 95ct, followed by 165ct. Heavy rains December are expected to support additional growth in Districts 1 and 2, and a premium on 165ct and 200ct lemons is anticipated this spring. With District 1 taking the brunt of recent weather events, some growers are beginning to tap into District 2 supplies earlier than planned. Volumes are building, and near-term market swings are likely. Weather impacts are expected to affect lemon quality as well, with potential issues including clear rot, mildew scarring, and copper damage. Harvesting and packing Meyer lemons continues with good supplies. Pack size is 12x1lb. Mexico: The Mexican lemon season is winding down. Fruit continues to skew toward choice grade with lighter availability of fancy-grade product.
POMEGRANATE– The California season is done. There is only offshore fruit available from Egypt and Turkey. Ordering will need to be adjusted as imported case sizing is 8lbs (8-12ct) while California ships 22lb cases (40-44ct).
GRAPES– Quality on South American fruit from Chile and Peru is outstanding. Markets are still firm. However, they are sliding as more fruit becomes available. Green grapes seem to be the tightest in supply, but that is expected to improve over the next 10 days. Reds are in good supply. Expect markets to continue to inch down through January into February.
GOLD PINEAPPLES– Costa Rica / Honduras: The pineapple market is stable, for now. Supply is good and growers continue adjusting volume more toward the US, assisted by the removal of tariffs. Overall, supply is good with light demand. There is good availability of both 6s and 7s selling at similar prices week over week. Overall, the quality and taste are good. Pineapple supplies are expected to become extremely tight February through June, 2026. Keeping in mind that it takes about 24 months from planting to harvesting, there was continuous rainfall in Costa Rica in October, 2024 thru March 2025 when growers were needing to plant. The entire industry had a planting gap of 2 months. Costa Rica supplies 90% of North American pineapple demand. This is what’s creating the expected industry supply shortage for the first half of 2026.
2025 ended with a 25% increase in rainfall compared to the average of the past six years. This excess precipitation directly impacts pineapple production due to challenges in land preparation and planting, an effect that will be most evident during the first four months of 2026. To mitigate these conditions, farms have implemented measures such as adopting the ‘minimum tillage’ method, which allows for faster land preparation and planting. However, this practice may lead to a reduction in the sizing yield of the fruit in 2027. Mexico: Little volume continues to cross out of Mexico. Mexican internal markets continue to offer a better outlet for their fruit than exports. Yields are relatively stable with more large fruit and less small available overall. Transportation out of Mexico is stable with no issues reported.
WATERMELON– Lower yields from new fields have driven up pricing and demand for Mexican watermelons. Offshore watermelons are available loading in Florida. Weather permitting, Nogales supplies should continue through April. Seedless watermelons from Florida will be back in production early April. Markets are escalated and expected to remain so through January.
AVOCADO– Following recent limited availability at the border, industry supply is improving, supported by robust harvests in Mexico. These strong harvests are responding to high industry demand, and as a result, pricing is holding at stronger levels despite the increase in supply. Demand is expected to remain strong throughout January as the industry builds inventory for upcoming promotional activity leading to the Super Bowl. The current size curve continues to favor medium and large fruit, with small fruit becoming more limited as the season progresses. Mexico– A record 95.5-million-pound harvest was reported last week, with 71.1 million pounds shipped to the US and Canada. The Main Crop presents 30.8% dry matter, and sizing continues to peak on 48ct and 60ct. Following two consecutive holiday weeks, Mexico’s harvests rebounded sharply, setting a record weekly harvest volume, surpassing the prior record of 94.7 million pounds the second week of January of 2021. Strong harvest activity is expected to continue into this week. Due to the rainfall during this time of season, Lenticel presence remains elevated. Colombia– The Principal Crop is at full speed, with all volume being directed to the European market. Sizing is concentrated on medium sizes. Volume is expected to last through February or March.
STONE FRUIT– Chilean 5kg cherry arrivals continue in light supply as the cherry season winds down. Chilean peaches, nectarines and apricots continue with somewhat steady arrivals. Expect supplies to increase weekly as arrivals become more frequent into February.
CANTALOUPE– Volume increased last week, adding a better size profile as well. There is a good mix of 9/12 and jumbo fruit available. Quality overall continues to be good. Brix levels mostly range from 12–14%. Markets are expected to remain firm due to lighter overall production and limited larger fruit.
HONEYDEW– Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available. Offshore: Offshore honeydew prices are higher due to vessel delays and lower yields arriving at the ports. There is very limited availability on imported honeydews with some shippers transitioning between Guatemala and Honduras. Production continues to be limited, as these plants were impacted more by the wet and cooler weather experienced during the growing cycle. We expect honeydews to be a challenge for at least the next two weeks, with improvements likely around the week of January 26 arrivals. Flexibility on sizing will be required during this period. Scarring is a common characteristic at this time of year, and mud/dirt will also be seen. Mexico: Mexican honeydews remain limited as the industry transitions from Northern to Southern Mexico.
ORANGES-The California Navel orange crop is dominated by large sizes; small fruit (88ct, 113ct and 138ct) are becoming extremely limited. Size and grade substitutions will soon be requested to fill orders. California: Overall supplies of 88ct, 113ct, and 138ct oranges will be extremely limited through the balance of the Navel season and into the Valencia season that starts in May. Mexican, Florida, and Texas juice oranges are being used to supplement supplies. Navel quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix. Expect elevated markets for choice and fancy grade fruit as well as small fruit (88ct, 113ct, and 138ct). Mexico: Mexican Valencia oranges are available for loading in Nogales, Arizona, and South Texas. Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 12-13 Brix. Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and Texas. Florida: Citrus acreage is down 75% since 2020; supplies are light again this season. The Navel season will run until late January. The new crop Valencia season will begin in late January. Stocks will be dominated by 138ct and smaller sizes. Fair quality is predicted; the majority of fruit will be choice and standard grades. Prices will be comparable to those in Mexico and Texas. Texas: Valencia oranges will ship through April. Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix. Expect steady markets and tight supplies. Offshore: Spanish Navels continue to be available; small sizes are still very tight. Egyptian Late Navels will enter the market over the next 10 days; once Navels are done Valencias will start. Moroccan Navels expected to begin shipping the first week of February and run through June. Supplies will be dominated by 88/90ct and 105/100ct sizes. Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 10-13 Brix. Prices will be considerably less than US fruit.
BLOOD ORANGE– Blood oranges will be tight. The size profile is peaking on 72s and 88s, with very limited availability on 113s and 138s. The blood orange season runs from mid-late December to June. Please be aware that the typical “blush” exterior may not be present, though internally you will find full deep red color. By mid-January, we will begin to see more of the typical exterior “blush” color on the skin. Quality is excellent; current sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix.
CARA CARA– California Cara Caras harvest continues. Supplies are stable with very strong demand. Supplies will ship through late April. The Cara Cara variety is a cousin to the Moro, a.k.a. blood orange, and was created by cross-pollinating Washington Navels and Brazilian Bahia Navels. External colour is comparable to that of Navel oranges, in fact it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference until they are cut open. Their pink flesh is juicy and looks similar to a grapefruit, without the bitter flavour. Cara Caras have a high sugar content, low acid, and sweet, berry-like notes. Pricing is a bit higher than the Navel market due to their premium taste and sweetness. Supplies are dominated by small sizes; 88ct through 113ct fruit. Quality is excellent; current sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix.
MANDARIN / CLEMENTINE– Imports: Early-season Moroccan clementines are available in limited quantities. Clementine quality is reported as fair. Availability should improve with the Nadorcott varietal arrivals expected at the end of the month. California Mandarins: Mandarins remain the most challenged citrus category. Most growers are currently in a difficult supply gap with no immediate relief in sight. Tangos are experiencing significant fruit drop, with losses estimated at 30–40% in many blocks. Some desert harvesting is occurring, though volumes are limited. In several fields, over 30% of the fruit is already on the ground. Clementines are still available but are not travelling well. Availability of the Page variety is very limited and insufficient to fill the gap. These conditions will result in ongoing shortages and a notably shorter Tango season, with downstream impacts on the remainder of the mandarin deal.
LIMES– Supply will be short again this week out of Mexico, Columbia and Peru. Prices remain elevated and are expected to continue climbing through January as quality challenges and reduced supplies persist. Mexico: Pricing remains on an upward trajectory as quality challenges continue to limit overall availability. The crop has continued to size up, further limiting small fruit week over week. Ongoing quality issues including skin breakdown, oil spotting, and stylar damage following recent rains in Mexico. Reduced shelf life is contributing to additional product loss. Additional grading, lower yields, and increased labor costs remain key factors impacting the market. Looking ahead, supplies are expected to remain limited through the remainder of January and into February as the next Mexican crop develops following a rainy and cold fall that resulted in a smaller fruit set.
APPLES– Ontario: Ontario growers continue packing and shipping out of storage. Golden Delicious, MacIntosh, Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire, Spartan, Cortland, Red Delicious, Fuji and Ambrosia are all available. Quality is excellent, with good color, excellent crunch and high brix. Prices have stabilized and should hold steady well into the spring. Washington: There are fewer apples in storage than what was expected a couple of months ago. The latest storage report is showing that inventories are lower on many varieties for this time of year than the same time last year. As a result, we are seeing a rising market on many varieties, sizes, and packs, and this trend is expected to continue for at least the next couple of months. The most significant item that is down this year is Royal Gala’s. The latest report shows the crop is down over 20% from last year. There are still plenty of Royal Gala to get through until offshore imports start but expect pricing to rise as we progress through the season. The other top variety that is short this season is the ever-popular Honeycrisp variety. The Honeycrisp crop was down over last year and has become ever tighter over the last month because of strong sales as well as low pack-outs. Overall, growers are left with a smaller crop than expected and rising prices.
HOTHOUSE TOMATO– Red Tomato On-The-Vine & Beefsteak: The Ontario hothouse tomato season is finished. Ontario production will resume late March, 2026. Growers have started utilizing Mexican operations for supply. Demand remains steady, however, supplies are tight. With tight supplies comes lighter color. Pricing is slightly higher with the lighter supply. Bite Size (Cherry, Grape, Cocktail, Medley): Hothouse production of all bite sized tomato has transitioned to Mexico. Quality on cherry and grape is good, with supplies meeting steady demand. Medley supplies are tight, with only fair quality.
MATURE GREEN FIELD TOMATOES– Round tomatoes are now coming almost entirely from Florida, where colder weather has reduced production, supporting stronger markets amid steady demand. Romas from Central Mexico and Florida are also seeing elevated markets with strong demand. Grape tomatoes remain in strong demand from both Central Mexico and Florida, while cherry tomatoes are following a similar trend, with slightly higher markets compared to last week. East Coast: Supplies of round and romas will be lighter this week as growers struggle with maturity and color. We should expect some volatility this week with the results of last week’s cold weather and will continue to impact the state this week. Overall quality remains good out of Florida short term and will need to be assessed after this latest weather event. Supplies of grape, cherry and gourmet medley tomato supplies are lighter this week, and pricing is higher. Quality remains good across the entire category. Mexico: Mexican tomatoes crossing into the USA have a 17.9% duty. Mexican tomatoes placed in bond, destined to Canada are duty free. Round volume is steady crossing through McAllen, Texas and Otay Mesa, California. Quality is good. Roma supplies are excellent as growers break new fields, however, still expect some volatility this week should the National Market in Mexico improve. Overall quality is good. There is a lighter supply of grape and cherry tomatoes. Higher demand from the east has pushed prices up a tad and expecting that trend to continue this week with the cold weather in Florida. The quality is outstanding. Gourmet medley supply has tightened up this week, and we continue to see upward pressure with increased demand from the east as Florida is short due to the cooler weather. The quality is good.
WILD FORAGED PRODUCTS:
Wild Mushrooms
Cultivated Morels: From Asia (Near Tibet). Regular steady supplies. 5lb baskets. Prices lower. Call for pricing.
Yellowfoot: From British Columbia. Perfect quality. Prices steady. 6lb baskets.
Black Trumpet Mushroom: From Oregon. New crop. Pricing steady. 5lb basket. Call for pricing.
Hedgehog Mushroom: From Oregon. Harvest is moving quickly. Mediums and a few buttons. “True” Pied du Mouton. Call for pricing.
Bluefoot Mushroom: Gapping in supply this week.
Yellow Chanterelle: From Oregon. Supplies are very tight. Only medium size readily available. Buttons are done. 2.2lb or 6lb basket. Call for pricing.
Truffles
Himalayan Black Truffles (Tuber indicum): Black and fully ripe. Small round and very reasonably priced. Call for details.
Winter Truffles (tuber Melanosporum): Quality improving. Season is in full swing. Pricing is lower. Whole (25g-250g per piece), cuts and smalls(10g-15g per piece) available. Call for pricing.
White Truffles (tuber Magnatum): Season continues. Prices lower. Call for details.
