APPLES Prices are unchanged. Washington Braeburn, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Red Delicious Apples are available. The Washington Opal season will end soon. Quality is very good. Michigan’s Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady seasons are over, but these varieties are available out of Washington.
ASPARAGUS Markets continue to rise. Mexico’s Caborca season is winding down; harvesting will transition west towards the Baja peninsula and then Central Mexico. Extra-large and jumbo sizes will tighten over the next 14-21 days; the price spread between small and large sizes will increase.
AVOCADOS High prices persist. California supplies are increasing, but not enough to offset demand. Mexican yields are low.
BELL PEPPERS The Mexican green bell season will end over the next three weeks; supplies are limited. Both red and green supplies are dominated by medium to small sizes. Domestic production will begin in Coachella next week. Full harvests are expected by mid-May. Quality will improve once the desert season is fully underway.
BLACKBERRIES Prices are level; volume has stabilized. Quality is very good; small size, soft skins, and red cells are minor problems.
BLUEBERRIES Markets are weak. Expect abundant California supplies through April and May. Mexican yields are high. Florida stocks are sufficient. Quality is very good; fruit is plump and juicy.
BROCCOLI Prices are level; Salinas volume is rising due to ideal weather conditions. Quality is very good.
CANTALOUPE Despite sufficient supplies, the market is up due to the 10% tariff on Central American imports. The offshore season will run for another month or so before transitioning to domestic production. The Arizona-California desert season will start in early May
CAULIFLOWER Prices are stable. California growers are harvesting in Salinas and Santa Maria; new crop harvesting is ramping up. The Arizona-California desert season has ended. Quality is very good.
CELERY West Coast markets are lower as Oxnard volumes ramp up. Salinas production will begin in late May/early June. The Florida season is winding down. Quality is very good in all regions; disease pressure is minimal.
CHILI PEPPERS Prices are elevated; supplies are limited in Florida and Mexico. Quality is good. Anaheim, Habanero, Jalapeno, Pasilla, Red Fresno, and Serrano Chile Peppers are available.
CUCUMBERS The market ranges from low to average. Florida supplies are plentiful. Mexican stocks are being harvested in multiple regions. Quality is very good out of Florida and Mexico.
GRAPES Chilean/Peruvian offshore stocks will ship through early May. Production will move to Mexico at that time; volume is expected to be higher than last year. Quality is very good.
GREEN LEAF Markets are steady to slightly higher; Salinas Valley harvesting has begun but weights are starting off low.
HONEYDEW Despite sufficient supplies, the market is up due to the 10% tariff on Central American imports. The offshore season will run for another month or so before transitioning to domestic production. The Arizona-California desert season will start in early May.
ICEBERG Markets are inching up; supplies are tighter than in prior weeks and field weights are lower following the harvesting transition from the Arizona-California desert region to the Santa Maria and Salinas Valleys.
LEMONS Expect prices to climb through May. California fruit (165- and 200-count sizes) is limited; harvests are dominated by large lemons (95- through 140-count stocks).
LIMES Mexican markets are lower. Demand will begin to increase leading up to Cinco De Mayo. Quality is good; blanching and oil spotting are occasional issues.
ONIONS Northwest red and yellow prices range from low to average. The Texas fresh run onion season will run through mid-May. Quality is very good; occasional bruising, mechanical damage, and feathery skins are typical of fresh-run onions. Production will start in Southern California over the next two weeks.
ORANGES The California Navel season has moved past its peak and is expected to wrap up in June. Markets will inch up through the rest of the season. The Florida season is expected to end the week of April 21.
PEARS Prices are high. Washington storage supplies remain sufficient. Quality is very good. D’Anjou Pears will ship through June.
PINEAPPLES Expect tight stocks until after Easter; markets are elevated. Large sizes are scarce as growers are delaying harvests to increase size and sugar levels.
RASPBERRIES Prices are steady. Mexican supplies are ample. Medium-size berries dominate availability. Quality is good; light color and small size are occasional problems.
ROMAINE Markets are steady to slightly higher; Salinas Valley harvesting has begun but weights are starting off low.
STRAWBERRIES California markets are low. Growers are harvesting in the Santa Maria/Oxnard growing regions; supplies are abundant. Mexican yields are falling; the season has moved past its peak. New crop production will start in Salinas/Watsonville by mid-May.
TOMATOES Prices should remain low for several more weeks. Growers have begun harvesting the spring crop in multiple regions of Mexico and Central Florida. Quality is excellent.
TREE FRUIT Markets are unchanged. Chilean nectarines, peaches, and plums will continue shipping into the U.S. through June. Domestic production will begin in California this summer. Yellow peach sugar levels vary from 12 to 13 Brix, yellow nectarine levels are in the 11 to 12 range, and plums measure 13 to 14 Brix. White varieties are slightly lower in sugar content.
WATERMELON Prices are on a steady decline. Although the Mexican season is winding down, Florida production is ramping up. Quality is very good; all sizes are available.
ZUCCHINI Prices are fairly steady. The Florida season is wrapping up. Mexican volume is high in Sonora. California domestic harvests will begin in the Coachella Valley region approximately May 5 and Santa Maria by mid-May.
