ONTARIO LOCAL
HOTHOUSE TOMATOES– Ontario hothouse tomato production remains steady; however, demand continues to significantly outpace supply, keeping the market elevated; with tight supplies comes a lighter color. The tomato on the vine remains strong, with demand exceeding current supply and running into sourcing issues. The grape tomato market rose sharply toward the end of last week, driven by limited supply and ongoing sourcing challenges. The market is expected to remain elevated until field production ramps up in Mexico and Florida. If the supply gap persists, pricing will likely stay high. Cherry tomatoes continue to be tight, with demand exceeding supply. On-the-vine varieties also remain elevated, with low availability across the board.
HOTHOUSE PEPPERS– Bell pepper production remains strong overall, with demand outpacing supply, keeping the market elevated. Red and orange bell peppers are in a short position this week, with production lagging behind demand. Ontario production is starting to ramp up, which should help ease some of the pressure.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– The English cucumber market remains strong, with both production and demand holding steady. Pricing on small sizes is beginning to ease as availability improves, while medium and large sizes continue to hold strong.
RHUBARB– Ontario hothouse Rhubarb continues. Supplies are stable, matching demand. Pricing remains high. Pricing is always very high compared to field rhubarb, which will start in June.
POTATO– Growers continue packing products out of storage. Whites, reds and Yukon golds and chef large #1 are all available.
WAX TURNIP (RUTABEGA)- Rutabaga continues to ship out of storage with good supplies. Prices remain steady.
CARROT– The 2025 storage season is essentially done. Strong demand from the US this year has helped deplete supplies earlier than usual. Heirloom multi colored supplies are steady, with supplies expected into early June, with good quality.
MUSHROOMS– Supplies are good with no disruptions in supply expected.
CABBAGE– Growers continue packing cabbage out of storage. Green and red cabbage supplies are very good. Savoy is finished. 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.
Tariff Update
** NEW ** Friday February 20, 2026, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the US president overstepped his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he set broad tariffs last year, making them illegal. The president responded within an hour of the ruling, shifting to the Trade Act of 1974 to enact a 10% global replacement tariff which applies to goods from nearly every nation. This statute allows the president to impose temporary levies/tariff for 150 days. Any extension requires congressional approval. Then, Saturday February 21, 2026 the president increased the import tariff from 10% to the maximum allowed, 15%. USMCA compliant goods of Canada and Mexico will continue to be tariff / duty free. It is important to note that this affects product arriving into the United States only. Offshore produce items arriving into the United States, then sold to Canadian customers have had the import tariff paid by the importer and the cost added to the product, unless the product arrives to a bonded warehouse in the USA for immediate transhipment to Canada, avoiding the US tariff. Canada has not introduced retaliatory tariffs against US imports.
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.
** RULED ILLEGAL ** 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
Iceberg: Supplies have fully transitioned to Salinas. Iceberg pricing is escalating rapidly as growers have completed the seasonal harvesting transition from the Arizona-California desert region into Salinas and Santa Maria. Value added iceberg products have triggers starting this week.
Romaine: Harvesting in Yuma and Huron has finished. Production in Salinas has been limited due to recent rainfall, resulting in a stronger market for romaine as well as green and red leaf.
Celery: Celery prices continue to be high as the Arizona/California desert season has ended and limited California supplies. Oxnard, California will serve as the primary growing region until the Salinas season starts in early June.
Cauliflower: Cauliflower markets are rapidly escalating as Salinas and Santa Maria yields are not meeting current demand. Harvesting has concluded out of the Arizona-California desert region. Salinas and Santa Maria supplies are extremely limited, but production will increase through this month.
Broccoli: Broccoli markets are rapidly escalating as Salinas and Santa Maria yields are not meeting current demand. Georgia has slowed due to a planting gap. Florida is done for the season. The Arizona/California desert season has ended. Production continues to ramp up in Salinas and Santa Maria; however, supplies are not yet sufficient to meet current demand.
Brussels Sprouts:Markets continue to increase as supply tightens out of Mexico, leading to overall lower availability. The initial surplus out of Mexico has passed. Yields have been falling.
Grapes: The grape market continues trending upward as heavy rains in Chile have reduced remaining volume, potentially leading to an early end to the season. The green grape market has been strengthening due to declining arrivals and steady retail demand. A relative shortage of greens versus reds has shifted promotions toward red grapes, narrowing the price gap. These conditions are expected to continue until Mexican production begins in May.
Assorted Hot Chili Peppers: Although new crop production has begun in several growing regions, chile pepper prices remain elevated. The Texas and California seasons are underway, but early volume is low.
Spring Mix / Baby Spinach / Baby Arugula / Baby Kale: Supplies out of Yuma remain limited. Reports of weak texture, discoloration, insects and wilting continue. We are also now seeing disease pressure and mildew which are further impacting yields. Production has transitioned to Salias for next week’s arrivals.
Honeydew: Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but are expected to face challenges throughout April.
Cantaloupe: Cantaloupes remain light at all ports due to delayed vessels and lighter harvests out of Guatemala and Honduras. All sizes are expected to be in short supply for the next 2-3 weeks as the offshore melon season winds down.
Washington Apples: The latest storage report is showing that storage inventories are lower 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 the next couple of months. The most significant item that is down this year is Royal Gala apples.
Blood Oranges: Blood orange supplies continue to be very tight; most supplies are going to bagging programs.
Bananas: Banana supply continues to be tight and prices could rise over the coming weeks as global demand increases and production in the tropics steadily declines. Pricing is expected to take a noticeable increase in the upcoming weeks. A combination of virus pressure, low yields, and increasing production costs has placed significant strain on this staple commodity.
Eggplant: Supply from Mexico and Florida is limited but steady, with overall quality averaging normal levels. Availability is expected to gradually improve as spring harvests ramp up.
Corn: Corn has started in a small way in Florida. Volume remains tight and pricing remains high. As we get more warm weather, volume will go up and pricing will go down toward a more normal spring/summer cost. We will likely not see relief until the middle of next week.
Strawberries: Due to recent rainfall, there was no harvesting in the Salinas and Watsonville growing regions on Monday, April 13. Additionally, both Santa Maria and Oxnard will see reduced harvests as culling rain-damaged fruit will further slow overall production.
Blueberries: Blueberries are currently in a demand-exceeds-supply situation. The marketplace is seeing increased availability of 6-ounce packs with very few pints being packed. This is expected to continue until California’s San Joaquin Valley season begins in late April/early May. Volume will remain low over the next two weeks.
Blackberries: Weather conditions across Mexico remain hot, though temperatures today are slightly lower than earlier in the week. Most growing regions are experiencing persistent heat, which is beginning to affect fruit condition. Blackberry quality has been affected by the ongoing heat. Most defects remain manageable. Growers continue to maintain acceptable pack quality despite heat-related challenges. We should be entering peak volume here in the region over the next two months.
Raspberries: Supplies remain light out of Central Mexico and Baja. Demand remains strong amid limited availability.
California Navel Oranges: The California Navel season is projected to wrap up in late June. California Valencia production has started in a limited manner. Expect elevated prices through the transition. California: Small Navel oranges (113ct and 138ct sizes) will be extremely limited through the rest of the Navel season.
Clementine / Mandarin: Mandarin / Clementines remain limited across the whole category, and supply continues to be tight.
Onions: The storage season is ending in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Fresh-run onions are available in Texas. Southern California’s fresh-run onion season will start in a limited manner next week. Prices are rising.
Asparagus: Extreme heat in Mexico (Caborca, Mexicali, San Luis) has cut yields up to 30% and reduced quality, with supply barely meeting demand and some Sonora fields closing soon. Farmers in Washington are currently in the early stages of their season, which will peak into May. The Ontario season started last year on May 6th. It is looking like a similar start date for the 2026 season, pending the effects of the below freezing temperatures over the weekend.
Gold Pineapples: The Pineapple market will remain tight for at least the month of April.
French Green Bean / Baby Squash / Baby Peeled Top Carrots: Production in Guatemala remains limited due to ongoing weather challenges, though supply has begun to improve following Easter demand. Mexican conventional French bean availability remains tight as cooler weather continues to impact yields. Overall supply is expected to improve as we move into May.
Snow Peas / Sugar Snap Peas: Guatemalan snow pea and sugar snap supplies have declined slightly, while Mexican snow pea availability remains steady. Sugar snap supplies are expected to tighten further heading into next week.
Limes: The lime market has leveled off as demand eased after the Easter holiday, but supply remains skewed to smaller sizes, with large limes still limited and higher priced.
Watermelon: Watermelon supplies are picking up out of Northern Mexico. Nogales will continue to pick up in volume. Southern Florida is also going with limited volume, and supplies will continue to pick up. The end of April and into May will be a good time to promote watermelons.
Stone Fruit: Black and Red plums continue from Chile. California stone fruit, including apricots, peaches, and cherries, will begin at the end of the month with light supplies, with more volume coming in May.
Hothouse Tomato: Beefsteak tomato production remains consistent, with strong demand continuing to drive elevated market conditions. Ontario production is beginning to really ramp up, and we should start to see increased availability in the coming weeks. The vine tomato market remains strong, with demand exceeding current supply and running into sourcing issues. Heirloom tomato demand is picking up, providing a boost to the market. With local production beginning to slow, pricing is expected to remain firm until additional supply becomes available.
Grape / Cherry / Campari / Cocktail Tomato: The grape tomato market rose sharply toward the end of last week, driven by limited supply and ongoing sourcing challenges. The market is expected to remain elevated until production ramps up in Mexico and Florida. Cherry tomatoes continue to be tight, with demand exceeding supply. On-the-vine varieties also remain elevated, with low availability across the board. Cocktail tomatoes are also seeing a tight market, with little to no availability. Until local production increases, sourcing will continue to be a challenge. The market is expected to stay strong until local production increases. Expect daily pro rates until mid-late April.
Field Tomato: All tomato varieties, rounds, romas, grape, cherry and gourmet medley will continue to be at critical supply levels this week, expect to see deep prorates, high prices broadening quality issues.
Field Peppers: All bell peppers remain limited, with Mexican supply and quality declining. Coachella, California is slowly settling into its harvest routine, and improved availability is expected over the next few weeks. Mexico is rapidly winding down, as the crop does not appear to have strong remaining production. Florida has been experiencing dry weather, which should support more consistent harvesting. Overall, there will be better availability in the coming weeks.
Hothouse Peppers: Ontario hothouse bell pepper production remains strong overall, with demand outpacing supply, keeping the market elevated. Red and orange bell peppers are in a short position this week, with production lagging behind demand.
Supply and Quality General Update
As we move closer to May, the spring transition is starting to take shape. Suppliers have completed the transition from the desert growing region back to the Salinas Valley for lettuce, tender leaf (spring mix, baby spinach, etc), broccoli, cauliflower. Salinas crops are reaching optimum maturity with better overall condition and minimal insect activity compared to recent desert supplies. Despite sporadic soil disease, plant viruses, and other cosmetic issues, overall quality and shelf-life potential are far better than the late-season desert supplies that were heavily impacted by extreme, prolonged heat. Load times are a bit slower as crews get settled, and supply is still working to catch up as more acreage comes online. Markets are responding; iceberg lettuce, romaine, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and celery are all starting to inch higher as the desert is finished and the coastal regions continue to ramp up. Salinas saw some early rain to start last week, which brought some welcome moisture but also slowed harvesting and tightened near-term supply. That showed up quickly on iceberg, where processor demand picked up and markets moved higher.
Looking ahead, the next wave of desert production is lining up. New crop onions will be shipping out of El Centro, alongside Vidalias out of Georgia. As we make that transition, the differences between new crop and storage onions become more important. New crop onions are coming in sharper with higher moisture and shorter shelf life, while storage onions are dried down, more stable, and carry that papery skin that holds up better in the supply chain. As more new crop volume becomes available, quality should improve overall, but handling and inventory management will matter more. Increasing airflow and avoiding tight stacking will help maintain quality and extend shelf life on these new crop onions.
Coachella is expected to begin mid-late April with green peppers, starting light before building into better volume into May. Hot peppers are expected to follow late April, with red peppers, and eggplant targeting early May. Further up the San Joaquin Valley, zucchini programs are expected to start in early May. So far, weather has been cooperative, setting the stage for a smoother start compared to some of the earlier challenges seen this season.
All tomato varieties, rounds, grape, cherry and gourmet medley continue to be at critically low supply levels again this week. Expect to see deep prorates, high prices, substitutions and broadening quality issues. We do not expect any improvement for another 3 weeks. In Florida, growers have virtually no supplies to sell; new crop out of Central Florida is still a couple weeks away. All growers forecast minimal volume; fair quality is expected. Normal averages won’t be available until early May. In Mexico, supplies are also at extremely low levels. Quality is mixed. Due to critically low supplies, flexibility will be necessary in size and variety to fill orders. Romas are being substituted in many instances as their supply is better. Overall quality is average; We recommend quick rotations to optimize quality due to reduced shelf-life. Prices are at record levels for this time of the year. Some additional supplies will become available in Florida over the next two weeks; however, markets will remain elevated and overall yields low.
Peppers continue to be a pressure point. Florida is still working back from freeze damage, and recent heavy rains, with some areas seeing several inches, have only slowed harvest and reduced yields further. Quality remains inconsistent, and number-one grade product is hard to come by. Mexico isn’t in a position to fill the gap either. Extreme heat across key growing regions is limiting yields, shortening harvest windows, and creating more quality variability. In some cases, growers are simply running out of usable product faster than planned. On top of that, earlier harvesting decisions are now catching up to the market. Red peppers were pulled early while still green to support green demand, and now true red supply is limited. Quality is showing it too, with more reports of chocolating and uneven color development. On top of everything, rising fuel costs tied to escalating tensions in Iran are starting to push truck rates higher, adding another layer of pressure to an already tight supply chain.
Bottom line, not much relief yet. Expect tight supply, elevated markets, and a little more volatility as we finish April.
Transportation Update
The continued conflict involving Iran has significantly constrained the flow of oil and refined‑fuel through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global
energy chokepoint. Fresh produce, which relies heavily on truck transportation, is particularly affected by diesel fuel inflation. Limited trucks and record high fuel costs are putting upward pressure on rates daily. We are seeing several freight companies, including sea and air freight companies, invoking fuel surcharges which will impact cost inputs.Diesel and aircraft fuel inventories were already limited prior to the conflict. Diesel prices have risen faster than gasoline markets. The diesel fuel US national average surpassed $5.00 per gallon, the highest level since 2022. The current national average is $5.608 per gallon. West Coast prices are exceeding $7.53 per gallon; with some markets over $8.00 per gallon. Diesel represents roughly 20–25% of total trucking cost per mile, making carriers highly sensitive to fuel spikes. Prices are expected to remain elevated until meaningful normalization of global oil flow occurs; no near‑term relief is expected. Temporary fuel surcharges are in effect on most items and transportation lanes until oil prices ease.
VEGETABLES
ICEBERG– Supplies have fully transitioned to Salinas. Expect that pricing to level out as production continues rolling with minimal weather impact. West Coast: Iceberg pricing is escalating rapidly as growers have completed the seasonal harvesting transition from the Arizona-California desert region into Salinas and Santa Maria. All lettuces are now shipping out of the Salinas and Santa Maria regions; the Huron season is also finished. Iceberg quality continues to improve, with some lots yielding 45 to 48-pound weights. Some iceberg fields are exhibiting mildew or cosmetic issues that require additional trimming. Harvestable supplies are struggling to meet current demand. Value added iceberg products have triggers starting this week. March’s abnormally warm weather matured crops earlier than scheduled. Quality ranges from fair to good. Varying weights and densities are being reported. Last weekend’s rain has increased quality issues: mildew, bottom rot, and light weights are being reported. Insect pressure is on the rise due to high winter temperatures. The New Mexico season has begun a week ahead of schedule and will continue until mid-May. Mexican lettuces are being shipped through South Texas; this region was affected by recent hail, reducing available yields. Expect extremely elevated markets and limited supplies until Salinas and Santa Maria harvesting is fully underway (early May). East Coast: The small South Carolina season has started in a limited manner and will run through mid-May.
ROMAINE / LEAF– West Coast: Harvesting in Yuma and Huron has finished. Production in Salinas has been limited due to recent rainfall, resulting in a stronger market for romaine as well as green and red leaf. Romaine weights range from 35 to 38 pounds with strong frames and high yields; normal levels of seasonal insect pressure are present near the base of the heads, but internal quality remains clean. Value added romaine and leaf items will have triggers for next week. Romaine hearts are seeing moderate production. Smaller sizing, lighter weights, and discoloration are being reported across all leaf items.
SPRING MIX/BABY SPINACH/BABY ARUGULA/BABY KALE– Supplies have transitioned to Salinas. Tender leaf items such as spinach and arugula remain in good supply. Some minor insect damage and discoloration are being reported. Arugula: Quality is fairly good; occasional mildew, bolting, insects and yellowing have been reported. Baby Spinach: Quality is good, but we continue to see occasional quality problems, including mildew and bruising. Spring Mix: Supplies and quality are okay. Weather has affected harvesting and quality, causing additional supply issues. We are also now seeing disease pressure and mildew which are further impacting yields.
US CARROTS– Carrot harvest in Bakersfield is finished, with only light activity starting in the Imperial Valley. Carrot sizing is currently small, as early harvesting was limited to protect the crop. Warm, dry weather over the next 2–3 weeks should improve sizing and availability, helping stabilize the California carrot market. Georgia: The season will run through early June. Commodity supplies are tight; quality is very good. Expect high prices as this region helps fill the void from California. Arizona: The season is underway and will run through July; quality is great. Markets should remain fairly steady through April. Ontario / Québec: The storage season is quickly finishing. There still are supplies of heirloom carrots.
MUSHROOMS– Quality and supplies are very good with lighter demand. At this time, we do not see any supply issues.
ASPARAGUS– Mexico: Extreme heat in Mexico (Caborca, Mexicali, San Luis) has cut yields up to 30% and reduced quality, with supply barely meeting demand and some Sonora fields closing soon. Production will shift to Baja in April and Central Mexico by May. Peru: Peru volumes will rise despite heat-related quality concerns; supply should increase by mid-late April as air freight costs climb. Washington: Farmers in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin are currently in the early stages of their season, which will peak into May. Ontario: The Ontario season started last year on May 6th. It is looking like a similar start date for the 2026 season, pending the effects of the below freezing temperatures over the weekend.
GARLIC- Supplies from China, Mexico and California continue. Quality from all remains very good. China: New crop peeled garlic continues to arrive with pricing easing as supplies increase. Quality is very good. Expect supplies to remain strong exceeding demand. North American: The California 2025 garlic crop is holding up very well as we move through early 2026. Overall, it was a strong season that yielded high-quality garlic, which has helped keep the North American market stable. While the 2025 crop currently in storage is doing fine, the major industry buzz right now is about the upcoming 2026 harvest. With warnings of a potential “zero federal water allotment” for Westside growers, planting decisions and acreage for the summer 2026 crop are under intense pressure. The quality is good. U.S. tariffs on Chinese garlic have shifted demand to Mexico and California.
BEANS– Florida has transitioned to new crop. Supplies have improved as well as quality. Pricing has also returned to normal. Mexico is still harvesting and expect to until California ramps up. Quality is mixed- Florida is excellent (new crop), Mexico is hit and miss as the season winds down.
US NEW CROP RED / WHITE / YELLOW POTATO- Florida: Supplies are limited statewide. The Southern Florida season is expected to finish in mid-May. Production in Northern Florida will start in two weeks. Despite low volume, quality is very good. Pricing is elevated across all colors and sizes; freeze damage has reduced availability. Coming Soon: The Arizona season will start in early May. California production will begin in mid-May. Texas supplies will start shipping in late June. Ontario will start in July.
CABBAGE– Ontario: Green and red cabbage supplies are good with very good quality being shipped out of storage. Savoy cabbage supplies are trending lower and the switch to US savoy is imminent. Prices are stable as demand from US buyers stabilizes. Imports: Texas cabbage is winding down with some availability until the end of the month. Georgia is starting in a very slow way this week with limited supplies. With Florida finishing early and most Georgia fields coming in later, volume is light and markets are strong.
CANADIAN POTATO– Canada held 10.3% more potatoes in storage on April 1 than the 2025 stock. It is Canada’s largest April 1 potato inventory on record, and it exceeds the five-year average supply by 21.4%. Most of the extra potatoes are in Alberta, though stocks are also up in Manitoba and British Columbia. Inventories in Quebec and Ontario are relatively flat, while stocks in PEI and New Brunswick are down from last year. Stocks intended for processing use exceed year earlier holdings by 13.4%. Table potato inventories increased by 4.7%. Canada’s March potato disappearance was 6.2% less than year-earlier movement. Geographically, March disappearance dropped in the Prairie Provinces and Quebec. On the other hand, usage increased in New Brunswick and British Columbia. March disappearance in PEI and Ontario nearly matched last year’s pace. Processing potato disappearance was down 13.7% from the previous year. March table potato shipments fell 11.1% below year-earlier usage. Ontario: The province’s March potato disappearance exceeded year-earlier movement by 1.6%. That left Ontario with nearly matching year earlier holdings. The stocks include fewer table potatoes from the 2025 inventory. March table potato disappearance fell 13.0% short of the previous year’s pace. At last month’s disappearance rate, the remaining table potato stocks would last through June 22. Ontario had 3.4% more chip potatoes on April 1. At the March disappearance rate, those potatoes would last through July 26. P.E.I.: Island growers had 5.1% fewer potatoes in storage on April 1 than they held a year ago. This year’s April 1 inventory is the Island’s smallest since 2021. March disappearance nearly matched the 2025 pace. Intended use data show that the Island had 12% fewer processing potatoes in storage on April 1 than the year-earlier inventory. March processing potato disappearance was up 7.3% from the previous year. At the March usage pace, the remaining processing potatoes would last through August 16. Growers also had 12% more table potatoes left in storage on April 1. However, our sources indicate that PEI is not long on table potatoes. Most growers suggest that table potato supplies are tight. Calculated March table potato movement was down 11.7% from a year ago. Local observers believe PEI should be able to finish shipping the remaining table potatoes on schedule. New Brunswick: New Brunswick’s April 1 potato stocks are down 5.5% from the 2025 inventory. Calculated March potato disappearance exceeded the previous year’s pace. Intended use data indicate that March processing potato usage exceeded 2025 usage by 3.1%. New Brunswick reports that it had 12.7% more processing potatoes left in storage on April 1, than year-earlier holdings. At the March disappearance rate, those potatoes would last through September 9. Reports indicate growers had 36.9% fewer table potatoes in storage on April 1 than they held at the same time in 2025. March table potato disappearance is inaccurate, due to imprecise March 1 reported stocks. However, at the five-year average disappearance rate, the province’s remaining table potatoes would last through August 1. Quebec: March disappearance fell short of the 2025 pace. That left Quebec with fewer potatoes in storage on April 1 than year-earlier holdings. The province’s March table potato disappearance fell short of 2025 movement. April 1 table potato stocks were 4.9% higher than last year’s inventory. At the March usage rate, Quebec’s table potato stocks would last through July 27. The province’s March processing potato disappearance fell short of the previous year’s pace. At the March usage pace, the remaining processing potato inventory would last through October 13. We do not have the necessary data to make the split between French Fry and chip potato inventories. British Columbia: The province had 75.2% more potatoes left in storage on April 1 than 2025 holdings. It is British Columbia’s largest April 1 inventory since 2007. March disappearance exceeded the 2025 pace. At the March usage rate, the province’s remaining table potatoes would last through June 2. Alberta: March potato disappearance was down 11.7% relative to year-earlier movement. That left Alberta’s April 1 potato stocks at a record high amount; 48.2% more than the province had in storage on April 1, 2025. Intended use data show increases in each category. Alberta’s March processing potato disappearance fell 16.5% short of year-earlier usage. The processing sector had 40.8% more potatoes left in storage on April 1 than the 2025 inventory. At the March usage rate, Alberta’s remaining processing potatoes would last through mid-January. Some extra processing potatoes will be shipped to PEI, while others will be dumped or diverted to cattle feed. The province also had more table potatoes left in storage on April 1 than the year-earlier inventory. March table potato disappearance exceeded last year’s pace by 41.8%. At that usage rate, the remaining table potatoes would be cleaned up by May 2.
US CARTON BAKING POTATOES– Storage baking potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. Large-size potatoes are tightening in Idaho, pushing markets up slightly, especially for 40ct through 80ct count supplies. Expect slightly higher prices. Idaho: Storage crop potatoes are being shipped; Norkotah storage supplies will wind down over the next couple of months. Limited Burbank volume is available; 100ct through 120ct sizes are most plentiful. The gradual shift from Norkotahs to Burbanks will result in fewer 40ct through 80ct potatoes. Packouts are diminishing; pressure bruising is a problem in some late-season storage supplies, but overall quality remains strong. Markets for 40ct through 90ct supplies will rise; prices for smaller sizes are holding steady. Washington: Storage crop Norkotah Potatoes are available. Size is dominated by larger counts; strong demand will push up 40ct through 80ct pricing as demand shifts from Idaho. The quality is very good. Markets are steady but will climb with shifting demand. Colorado, Nevada, Wisconsin: All Colorado sizes are available with good volume; demand for large, 40ct and 50ct supplies is active. Nevada production is running at a slow pace, packing to order. Wisconsin yields are dominated by small, 90ct to 120ct sizes. The quality is good. Prices will increase slightly due to shifting demand.
SWEET POTATO– Sweet potato markets are poised to rise. Lower yields along with unexpected surge in demand during January and February has suppliers keeping their remaining storage supplies tight. Prices are anticipated to climb over the summer months until new crop stocks are harvested in late August or early September. California: Remaining storage supplies are adequate. The quality is very good. Strong East Coast demand is pushing markets higher. Louisiana: Very limited supplies remain; the season is expected to finish by the first week of April. Remaining quality ranges from fair to good. New crop harvests will resume in September. Mississippi: Dry summer months reduced overall yields for winter and spring storage. Quality is good. Lower volume and strong demand will push prices higher. North Carolina: Unexpected demand in January and February has forced suppliers to keep remaining storage inventories tight. Quality is good. Markets are expected to increase over the next several months.
ASSORTED CHILI PEPPERS– Although new crop production has begun in several growing regions, chile pepper prices remain elevated. The Texas and California seasons are underway, but early volume is low. Mexico: A warm, wet winter contributed to increased pest pressure, which has affected yields. Quality ranges from fair to good. Strong demand within Mexico is reducing available exports. Prices will remain elevated until U.S. production ramps up. United States: Jalapeno, Serrano, and Anaheim harvesting is increasing in Texas. California growers are shipping multiple varieties in small quantities, but quality varies widely. Georgia’s season will start in early May. Expect limited stocks and elevated prices through early to mid-May when domestic operations are at full capacity.
FIELD PEPPERS– All bell peppers remain limited, with Mexican supply and quality declining. Coachella, California is slowly settling into its harvest routine, and improved availability is expected over the next few weeks. Mexico is rapidly winding down, as the crop does not appear to have strong remaining production. Florida has been experiencing dry weather, which should support more consistent harvesting. Overall, there will be better availability in the coming weeks. We do predict the second half of May to remain active as older fields will not produce the quality, and Georgia will not start until June 1st.
BROCCOLI– Broccoli markets are rapidly escalating as Salinas and Santa Maria yields are not meeting current demand. Georgia has slowed due to a planting gap. Florida is done for the season. The Arizona/California desert season has ended. Production continues to ramp up in Salinas and Santa Maria; however, supplies are not yet sufficient to meet current demand. Warmer weather over the past few weeks brought fields forward, leading to supply gaps the rest of this month. Rain this past weekend will affect quality, further reducing volume. Quality ranges from fair to good. Wet conditions may contribute to pin rot, cat’s eye, purple casts, and oxidation issues. Minimal insect pressure has been reported (Diamondback moth). Expect elevated pricing and limited availability until production is fully underway in early May. Volumes in Mexico and California remain limited.
HOTHOUSE PEPPERS– Ontario hothouse bell pepper production remains strong overall, with demand outpacing supply, keeping the market elevated. Red and orange bell peppers are in a short position this week, with production lagging behind demand. There also continue to be supplies from Mexico, however, their season is winding down. The market is expected to remain tight for the foreseeable future.
CELERY– Celery prices continue to be high as the Arizona/California desert season has ended and limited California supplies. Oxnard, California will serve as the primary growing region until the Salinas season starts in early June. California: Harvests in the Arizona / California desert ended last week. California’s Oxnard season continues and will run through early to mid-June; new crop Salinas production will begin in early June. Production runs year-round in Santa Maria, California. Overall quality is great and weights are normal despite market conditions. Expect markets to improve slowly as supplies catch up out of California for the season. Florida: The Belle Glade season will continue through the first week of May.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– The english cucumber market is easing as supplies outpace demand. Pricing on smaller sizes continues to ease as availability improves, while larger sizes continue to hold strong. Mini Cucumbers: The mini cucumber market is beginning to ease as local production ramps up, with increased volumes entering the market and prices starting to decline.
CAULIFLOWER– Cauliflower markets are rapidly escalating as Salinas and Santa Maria yields are not meeting current demand. Harvesting has concluded out of the Arizona-California desert region. Salinas and Santa Maria supplies are extremely limited, but production will increase through this month. Size is currently small but will gradually increase as the crop ramps up. Recent rain resulted in further issues, delaying some production crews and affecting field conditions. Quality ranges from fair to good; wet conditions may contribute to black mold, mildew, and discolouration. Expect higher pricing and limited supply until production is fully underway in early May.
SNOW PEAS / SUGAR SNAP PEAS– Guatemalan snow pea and sugar snap supplies have declined slightly, while Mexican snow pea availability remains steady. Sugar snap supplies are expected to tighten further heading into next week.
FRENCH GREEN BEAN / BABY SQUASH / BABY PEELED TOP CARROTS– Production in Guatemala remains limited due to ongoing weather challenges, though supply has begun to improve following Easter demand. Mexican conventional French bean availability remains tight as cooler weather continues to impact yields. Overall supply is expected to improve as we move into May.
EGGPLANT– Supply from Mexico and Florida is limited but steady, with overall quality averaging normal levels. Availability is expected to gradually improve as spring harvests ramp up.
ONIONS– The storage season is ending in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Fresh-run onions are available in Texas. Southern California’s fresh-run onion season will start in a limited manner next week. Prices are rising. Pacific Northwest: Onions will be depleted from storage this week in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon; some growers will ship into early May. Quality on remaining stocks ranges from good to fair; growers are culling end-of-season issues such as internal browning, bruising, decay, sprouting, and translucency. White onions remain extremely limited; growers are transferring product from Texas to fill demand. We recommend ordering for quick turns and limiting inventory to avoid quality problems. Expect elevated prices over the next two weeks. Mexico: Supplies of yellow, red, and white onions are minimal. Quality varies by grower and region; green cast, soft texture, mechanical damage, and thin skins are to be expected with fresh-run onions. Expect elevated prices over the next two weeks. Texas: Fresh-run yellow, red, and white onions are available. Quality is good; fresh-run onions will exhibit higher moisture content, thinner skins, and shorter shelf-life. All sizes and colors are being shipped. White onions are extremely limited; demand has increased as other growing regions wind down. We recommend ordering for quick turns. Expect elevated prices over the next two weeks. California: Harvests in the Southern California desert region have begun in a limited manner this week; more suppliers will begin production next week. Early lots are dominated by medium and jumbo sizes; larger colossal and super colossal sizes will be extremely limited. Expect high prices at the start of the season until supply meets demand. Georgia: The Vidalia, Georgia Onion season has started. This year’s Vidalia onion season will run from April 13 through early September. This date is set by the Georgia Agricultural Commissioner. Growers can’t pack any Vidalia onions until the official start date. True Vidalia onions are grown exclusively in a 20-county region in South Georgia. Their flavour profile is known for exceptional sweetness and mild flavour. Vidalia crops benefit from growing in low-sulphur soil. Excellent quality is forecast.
CORN– Corn has started in a small way in Florida. Volume remains tight and pricing remains high. As we get more warm weather, volume will go up and pricing will go down toward a more normal spring/summer cost. We will likely not see relief until the middle of next week.
GREEN ONIONS– Green onion supplies are steady, keeping markets steady. Quality is good. Availability is expected to remain steady into next week, depending on temperatures.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS– Markets continue to increase as supply tightens out of Mexico, leading to overall lower availability. The initial surplus out of Mexico has passed. Yields have been falling. Transportation costs and border delays are impacting Mexican supplies. Quality is great; good colour, shape, and minimal seeder are being reported. Growing conditions remain optimal, but overall lower volume will keep pushing prices higher. California’s Central Coast season will begin in mid-July. Expect pricing to continue incrementally rising through April.
COLLARDS/CHARD/KALE– Weather in Georgia and Florida continues to offer great growing conditions for greens. Supply and quality are excellent. Texas has good volume and supply as well.
ZUCCHINI– Prices are two‑tiered with ample supplies on the East Coast and low volume in Mexico, increasing West Coast markets. Florida: Both green and yellow zucchini supplies have increased drastically over the last few weeks. Quality is very good. Georgia growers will start harvesting in two weeks. Expect low markets to persist for several weeks. Mexico: Hot weather and low market conditions led some growers to abandon older fields in southern growing districts over the past 7–10 days. These factors resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in supply levels in one week, causing prices to escalate. Markets are expected to remain active until new crop California production begins. Availability is expected to tighten into early May; the season will wind down by mid‑May.
FRUIT
PEARS– The pear market is beginning to strengthen. Strong production of Forelle, Anjou, Bosc, and Red pears out of Oregon and Washington State, continues to meet strong demand. Bosc pears will be available out of the Pacific Northwest through at least May this year and we also have Bosc arriving from Argentina and Chile this week. Anjou and red pears are projected to be year-round this year and will be promotable through July. Bartletts have finished out of the Pacific Northwest and there are now new-crop imported Bartletts from Argentina that are available. Pricing and quality are both attractive on this variety and expect them to remain promotable for the next several months. Overall, the pear category will be very promotable the next several months. The California Bartlett pear season will start in early July.
BLACKBERRIES– Mexico: Weather conditions across Mexico remain hot, though temperatures today are slightly lower than earlier in the week. Most growing regions are experiencing persistent heat, which is beginning to affect fruit condition. Blackberry quality has been affected by the ongoing heat. Most defects remain manageable. Growers continue to maintain acceptable pack quality despite heat-related challenges. We should be entering peak volume here in the region over the next two months. California: Volumes are expected to increase as we head into May, with availability out of Santa Maria and Watsonville.
BLUEBERRIES– Blueberries are currently in a demand-exceeds-supply situation. The marketplace is seeing increased availability of 6-ounce packs with very few pints being packed. This is expected to continue until California’s San Joaquin Valley season begins in late April/early May. Volume will remain low over the next two weeks. Mexico: High temperatures persist, some reaching 95 degrees. Volume has increased only 10% since last week. Yields are expected to tighten over the next two weeks. Quality is good; some early breakdown has been reported. Expect rising prices and tight stocks. Florida/Georgia: The season is getting a late start due to earlier weather events. Fields north of Orlando have reported an estimated 40–50% crop damage. Rainfall temporarily halted harvesting earlier in the week. Operations are expected to resume later this week. Limited production will begin in Georgia next week. Markets remain elevated; overall supplies are tight. California’s San Joaquin Valley: Conventional harvesting is set to begin in late April/early May. Ample volume and great quality are anticipated.
RASPBERRIES– Supplies remain light out of Central Mexico and Baja. Demand remains strong amid limited availability. Mexico: Central Mexico will remain the primary supply driver through early spring. Volumes are expected to remain steady, seeing warmer temperatures in Mexican growing regions. Baja: Supplies remain steady and are expected to continue through June. California: Volumes will begin to increase, becoming the main supply source by May, with peak production anticipated in late May to early June.
STRAWBERRIES– Due to recent rainfall, there was no harvesting in the Salinas and Watsonville growing regions on Monday, April 13. Additionally, both Santa Maria and Oxnard will see reduced harvests as culling rain-damaged fruit will further slow overall production. Santa Maria/Oxnard: The region received upwards of 0.25-0.50” of rain in the last 48 hours. Quality concerns include soft skin, decay, white shoulders, and pin rot. Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; ordering for quick turns is recommended. Berry quality and crop volume will increase gradually over the next two weeks as plants recover. Expect strong demand and elevated markets. Salinas/Watsonville: The region received .75–1.25” of rain. Harvest Monday, April 13th has been cancelled; limited harvesting might resume Tuesday, April 14. Quality concerns include soft skin, decay, white shoulders, and pin rot. Berry quality and crop volume will increase gradually over the next two weeks as plants recover. Expect strong demand and elevated markets through this week. 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.
MANGO– Last week’s arrivals reached approximately 2.4 million boxes of rounds from all origins. Supply is coming out of Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala. Mexican fruit continues to be shipped from Oaxaca/Chiapas and Michoacan. The main varieties available are Tommy Atkins, Kent, and Ataulfo (Honey), with limited volumes of Haden. Demand and pricing are steady across the market. Industry availability is tightening this week as demand builds ahead of heavy promotional activity planned for late April and early May. Mexican imports continue to account for the majority of supply, with Guatemala and Nicaragua providing supplemental volumes to the Northeast. Looking ahead, supply is expected to become more constrained in the coming weeks, as atypical weather patterns may impact harvest volumes in northern Mexico. Ataulfo volumes remain limited, and firmer market conditions for this variety are expected in the near term.
GRAPEFRUIT– Florida: Florida grapefruit is exhibiting good quality, but crop has been impacted by the February freeze. Most growers are finishing out the season this month. California: Star Rubies are currently being harvested. No quality concerns are being reported at this time. Good availability of all sizes. Texas: Texas grapefruit is peaking on large sizes with limited supply of mid and smaller fruit. Offshore: There are arrivals of grapefruit from Turkey, Morocco and Israel. Overall quality is good.
GRAPES– Imports: The grape market continues trending upward as heavy rains in Chile have reduced remaining volume, potentially leading to an early end to the season. The green grape market has been strengthening due to declining arrivals and steady retail demand. A relative shortage of greens versus reds has shifted promotions toward red grapes, narrowing the price gap. These conditions are expected to continue until Mexican production begins in May. Mexico: The harvest in the early Jalisco growing region will get underway in April. The powerhouse region of Sonora, which accounts for roughly 80% to 90% of Mexico’s export volume is projected to start harvesting around mid-May. California: The early season will start in late spring (Mid-May) in the hot, southern desert climate of the Coachella Valley. By mid-July, the Coachella harvest finishes up, and production physically moves north into the San Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin Valley carries the industry through the late summer and fall. Thanks to late-ripening varieties and highly advanced cold-storage techniques, California grapes remain available well into December.
AVOCADO– Supply conditions are steady and Mexico continues to harvest strong volumes. Retail promotions are active across a range of sizes and pack styles, and elevated promotional activity is expected through May. Demand is strong on medium and large sizes. As a result, prices are holding firm. As the Mexican season progresses into its latter stages, fruit maturity is high, leading to shorter ripening windows and reduced shelf life. California production has ramped up as the season gains momentum, with availability focused on medium and large sizes. Fruit quality from California is excellent in both appearance and taste, and demand is expected to remain strong through the spring and into early summer.
Mexico: A 87.4-million-pound harvest was reported for last week, with 60.9 million pounds shipped. The Main Crop is averaging 35% dry matter, and sizing continues to peak on 48ct. As is typical for this point in the season, the percentage of grade 2 fruit is gradually increasing.
California: The California harvest season is in full swing, with harvest volume reported at 13.2 million pounds last week. Dry matter is averaging 26%,3 and the current size curve is peaking on 48ct then 60ct. Fruit quality and shelf life are excellent. Colombia: Colombia has transitioned to the Traviesa crop, with sizing focused on small fruit. The majority of fruit is currently being shipped to the European market.
CANTALOUPE– Cantaloupes remain light at all ports due to delayed vessels and lighter harvests out of Guatemala and Honduras. All sizes are expected to be in short supply for the next 2-3 weeks as the offshore melon season winds down. Quality continues to be good. Brix levels mostly range from 12-14. Offshore production will continue through April. Arizona production is expected to start earlier in May due to warmer than average temperatures the last month pushing the crop forward.
HONEYDEW– Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but are expected to face challenges throughout April. Central America: Offshore honeydews remain light at all ports. Fields in Guatemala and Honduras have been impacted by plant virus issues Production will continue in Guatemala and Honduras through the month. Mexico: There is better availability on Mexican honeydews in Nogales that will continue through May. Production in Arizona is expected to start early- to mid-May.
ORANGES– The California Navel season is projected to wrap up in mid- to late May. California Valencia production has started in a limited manner. California Navel: Crop is heavy on large fruit, with supplies peaking on 56/72/48 counts. Small sizes, 88/113/138 counts, remain tight and will continue to be limited throughout the season. General quality is reported to be good, but there is more choice fruit coming out of pack-outs than typically expected for this time of year; sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix. Late-season Navel varieties will remain available until mid- to late May. California Valencias: Suppliers have begun shipping limited quantities; the season is expected to ramp up in late April. Large fruit (56ct and 88ct) will be limited to start the season. Early production will require no gassing as color is ideal; expect gassing in July/August when Valencias start to regreen from high heat. Quality is very good; sugar levels range from 11 to 14 Brix. Florida Juice Oranges: Limited availability on small California navels has pushed demand for Florida juice oranges. Valencia season is winding down, but supplies are available with peak sizing on 80/100/125 counts. Florida groves experienced freezing temperatures earlier this year which has affected the crops. Growers are anticipating a shorter season with limited availability. Imports: Spanish navel season continues with a good supply of top quality fruit. As we move through April, late season Navels from Spain will continue until the end of their season in June, when South African Navels will start. There is also a good supply of Egyptian Valencia’s in the marketplace.
BANANAS– Banana supply will continue to be tight over the coming weeks as global demand increases and production in the tropics steadily declines. Pricing is expected to take a noticeable increase in the upcoming weeks. A combination of virus pressure, low yields, and increasing production costs has placed significant strain on this staple commodity. Overall, banana quality remains very good, and supply is adequate. The key to navigating the coming year will be consistency in supply, consistent ordering patterns, and staying proactive to address any potential issues that could impact the program.
BLOOD ORANGE– Blood orange supplies continue to be very tight; most supplies are going to bagging programs. The size profile is peaking on 72ct and 88ct, with very limited availability on 113ct and 138ct. The blood orange season usually runs from mid-late December to June. Overall quality is excellent with good color; current sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix.
CARA CARA– Sizing is currently peaking on 56/72 counts and is expected to trend larger as the season progresses. Similar to navels, smaller sizes, 88/113/138 counts remain tight and will continue to be limited. The season is winding down but larger growers expect to have supply through most of May.
LIMES– The lime market has leveled off as demand eased after the Easter holiday, but supply remains skewed to smaller sizes, with large limes still limited and higher priced. Imports from Peru and Colombia are helping stabilize the market and fill gaps amid high freight costs. Peak sizes are 250/230/200; size distribution is 110-1%, 150-4%, 175-14%, 200-19%, 230-29%, and 250-33%. Some short-term relief is possible, but a major shift isn’t expected until after Cinco de Mayo, so flexibility on sizing is recommended. In May, we anticipate considerable production volumes, as this crop flowered in December during a period of heavy rainfall and low temperatures and will be ready for harvest, with fruit expected to be predominantly medium-sized.
POMEGRANATE– Supplies of offshore fruit continue to arrive from Peru with irregularity. The war in the middle east is limiting product from Turkey and Israel; supplies are unreliable from these areas. Quality has been good, however, pricing from Peru is higher. Please remember, imported case sizing is 8lbs (8-12ct) while California ships 22lb cases (40-44ct).
LEMONS– California: Lemon supplies are tightening, especially 165ct and 200ct sizes, as the crop is favoring larger fruit; 95ct to 140ct. Districts One and Two (the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California) are currently in production. 165ct and 200ct sizes are limited; yields are dominated by 95ct through 140ct. Quality is good; some greening and scarring have been reported. Import Lemons: Offshore supplies from South Africa are entering the marketplace. Supply volume out of Chile and Argentina is anticipated to be similar to last season, with a competitive market. First arrivals out of Argentina are anticipated for late May, with Chilean arrivals to follow in June.
STONE FRUIT– California stone fruit, including apricots, peaches, and cherries, will begin at the end of the month with light supplies, with more volume coming in May. Offshore: The Chilean stone fruit season is nearly finished with imported plums only left in the pipeline. California: Cherries: The 2026 cherry season is shaping up to have an early and strong start. The California Cherry Board is anticipating the harvest to kick off at the end of April. Major packers are confirming this early timeline, noting that favorable spring weather, good pollination, and ideal chill hours have set the stage for a healthy crop that is tracking slightly earlier than last year. While the early varieties will start mid-to-late April, the peak of the season will bring heavy, promotable volumes of fan-favorites like Bing cherries, will run throughout May and into early June. Apricots / Peaches / Nectarines / Plums: The outlook for the 2026 California stone fruit season is largely positive, with growers reporting excellent quality, good sizing, and a slightly earlier start to the harvest than last year. Packing for early varieties of peaches and nectarines will start late April. Plums and apricots will follow closely behind, with the core season running from mid-May through mid-September. The forecast points to strong quality and sweet fruit. Sugar levels are expected to range between 10 and 13 Brix, with sweetness and flavor peaking around late June. While California experienced some variable spring weather—including winter rain storms and hail—the worst of the hail missed the primary Central Valley growing regions. A late-March heatwave has primarily impacted row crops and berries rather than stone fruit orchards.
GOLD PINEAPPLES– Expect extremely limited pineapple supplies for the next several weeks. Costa Rica: Market prices are still holding this week after Easter. The market is still short on 6ct & 7ct. Heavy rainfall in tropical growing regions has disrupted fruit development and reduced import volume. Internal condition issues continue to be observed. Excess moisture has resulted in internal translucency on some fruit, tightening usable supplies. The transition from winter to summer results in a higher concentration of sugars at the base of the fruit, which is a typical physiological behavior under these climatic conditions. Holy Week harvest interruptions added additional short‑term pressure. All sizes are extremely limited, but availability continues to skew smaller. Brix levels average was 13.7, with 18% of the samples ranging between 12- and 13. Crownless supplies are especially limited, as most production is committed to crown‑on and retail programs. Limited availability and elevated pricing are expected to persist to start May. Production volume will start to slowly increase over the next couple of weeks. The farms are working on identifying the impact of natural flowering. Production peaks are expected between July and August. We expect big volume spikes during this period. Mexico: There is very little volume being exported out of Mexico with the internal market still higher. Pineapple demand has improved significantly with much less inventory available in the market. Some retailers are starting early with Easter promotions putting additional pressure on the market. Transportation out of Mexico is stable with no issues reported on the roads out of Colima.
MANDARIN / CLEMENTINE– Mandarin / Clementines remain limited across the whole category, and supply continues to be tight. Due to limited supply out of California, the import mandarin market is expected to be active until July when supply volume ramps up out of Chile and South Africa. Imports: Nadorcotts are available in the Northeast from Morocco and Spain. Fruit has been reported to be acceptable quality with some soft fruit and skin defects. Available supplies should run through mid-April, pending demand. Supplies from Uruguay and Peru will be the first to hit markets in mid-May. Chilean imports are anticipated for June, followed by South Africa. California: Rain and prolonged fog earlier this year have impacted quality, resulting in softer fruit and growers estimating anywhere between 10-40% fruit drop. Current quality is good but may weaken in the coming weeks. The excess moisture this season led to softer fruit that will impact utilization. Overall reduced supply volume on Tangos and Murcotts as the end of the season approaches. Tight supply and active markets are expected from now until the season concludes late May/early June.
APPLES– Demand is higher for Washington Royal Gala apples as the Michigan and New York seasons wind down; prices are rising. Demand is strong for Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Ontario: Demand for Royal Gala has been strong; packers are sourcing produce from Nova Scotia and Quebec to supplement supplies. Honeycrisp continues to see high demand; however, because this variety is more temperamental in long-term storage, volumes typically begin to drop off more sharply by late spring. Ambrosia is established as a staple variety with significant storage volume available for the April–June window. McIntosh and Red Delicious volumes continue to decline as growers replace older orchards with high-density plantings of the varieties listed above. Prices are stable and should hold steady for April, then start rising as supplies dwindle. Washington: We are now in the heart of the storage crop season and the beginning of the import season. The storage crop is smaller than last year and therefore many varieties and packs are tighter than 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 the next couple of months. The most significant item that is down this year are Royal Gala’s. The latest storage report shows that inventory is down over 20% from last year. This item has really tightened up in the last couple of months, and prices are very high for this time of year. Expect Gala availability and pricing to continue to be tight as there is no relief in sight. The other top variety that is short this season is the popular Honeycrisp variety. The Honeycrisp crop was down over last year and has become even tighter over the last month because of strong sales as well as low pack-outs. Overall, we are left with a smaller crop than expected and rising prices. With that said, there are plenty of apples to sell and select promotional opportunities on some of the varieties. Import apples will also give some relief as we begin to get steadily increasing supplies each week. Although we don’t expect the import crop to lower prices, we are hoping that it stabilizes prices over the next couple of months.
WATERMELON– Watermelon supplies are picking up out of Northern Mexico. There is good volume of 6 count personal size minis in Nogales as well. Nogales will continue to pick up in volume. Southern Florida is also going with limited volume, and supplies will continue to pick up. The end of April and into May will be a good time to promote watermelons.
HOTHOUSE TOMATO– Red Tomato On-The-Vine & Beefsteak: Beefsteak tomato production remains consistent, with strong demand continuing to drive elevated market conditions. Ontario production is beginning to really ramp up, and we should start to see increased availability in the coming weeks. The vine tomato market remains strong, with demand exceeding current supply and running into sourcing issues. Heirloom tomato demand is picking up, providing a boost to the market. With local production beginning to slow, pricing is expected to remain firm until additional supply becomes available. Bite Size (Cherry, Grape, Cocktail, Medley): The grape tomato market rose sharply toward the end of last week, driven by limited supply and ongoing sourcing challenges. The market is expected to remain elevated until production ramps up in Mexico and Florida. If the supply gap persists, pricing will likely stay high. Cherry tomatoes continue to be tight, with demand exceeding supply. On-the-vine varieties also remain elevated, with low availability across the board. Cocktail tomatoes are also seeing a tight market, with little to no availability. Until local production increases, sourcing will continue to be a challenge. The market is expected to stay strong until local production increases. Expect daily pro rates until mid-late April.
MATURE GREEN FIELD TOMATOES– All tomato varieties are extremely tight. Round tomatoes are especially scarce this week. Order flexibility (size/variety) and quick product rotation are recommended due to reduced shelf life. Some relief is possible late April to May, but markets remain elevated as rounds are scarce, and demand shifts to other varieties. Rounds: The Ruskin/Palmetto season is just getting underway. Supplies are limited. Average volume is not expected until early May. Mexican yields are extremely low, with only a few growers offering pallet quantities. Production will remain constrained through next week. We recommend substituting romas. Quality is mixed. Romas: Florida supplies are virtually nonexistent. Romas are more available than rounds. Yields are forecast to increase over the next two weeks. Mexican supplies are tight. Production levels will remain below normal through next week. Quality ranges from fair to average. Prices are rising as buyers use romas to cover round tomato demand. Grape and Cherry: Florida supplies remain extremely limited following the January/February freeze. Mexican volume is declining as the Sinaloa season winds down due to unfavorable weather and disease pressure in the fields.
WILD FORAGED PRODUCTS:
Wild Mushrooms
** NEW ** Mousseron: From Bulgaria. Season just starting. Outstanding quality. Expensive. Call for prices.
Bluefoot Mushroom: Not available this week.
Cauliflower Mushrooms: From Asia. Good supplies. 2.2lb packs. Call for pricing.
Cultivated Morels: From Asia (Near Tibet). Great product. Regular steady supplies. Pricing up slightly due to freight rates. 5lb or 2.2lb baskets. Call for pricing.
Foraged Products
** NEW ** Fresh Wild Fennel: From Oregon. 1lb. bags. Call for pricing and availability.
** NEW ** Fresh Ramps: From West Virginia. First of the season. 1lb and 5lb bags. Call for prices.
Fiddleheads: From British Columbia. Slow start, but some product available. 1lb. / 2.2lb. / 5lb bags. Pricing lower. Call for prices. White White Asparagus: From Holland. 5kg cases. “AA” and “AAA’ sizing. Pricing lower this week. Call for prices and availability.
Wild Bears Garlic: From France. 1kg basket. Call for pricing and availability.
Stinging Nettles: From British Columbia or Oregon. Pricing slightly lower. Packed in 1lb bags. Call for pricing.
Miners Lettuce: From British Columbia or Oregon. Pricing slightly lower. Packed in 1lb bags. Call for pricing.
Watercress: From British Columbia or Oregon. Pricing slightly lower. Packed in 1lb bags. Call for pricing.
Spring Onions: From British Columbia or Oregon. Pricing slightly lower. Packed in 1lb bags. Call for pricing.
Spring Onion Flowers: From Oregon. Flowers only. 100g package.
Truffles
** NEW ** Summer Truffles (Tuber aestivum) $$ : From Italy. Just starting. Call for more information.
** DONE ** Winter Truffles (tuber Melanosporum) $$: Season is done.
