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 colour. Vine production is improving across all regions, though strong demand continues to absorb the additional supply and maintain firm market conditions. Pro rates possible during this time. Heirloom tomato production has improved, allowing supply to slightly outpace demand. As a result, the market is beginning to show modest softening.
HOTHOUSE PEPPERS– Bell pepper production remains strong to start the week. Demand continues to be high, however production is beginning to slowly outpace demand, creating slight downward pressure on the market.
RHUBARB– Ontario hothouse Rhubarb continues. Supplies are light and very expensive but will improve as we move through April. Pricing is always very high compared to field rhubarb, which will start in late June.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– English cucumber production continues to improve week over week. However, strong demand is maintaining elevated market levels to start the week. Mini cucumber production also increased last week, though demand continues to absorb the additional supply, keeping the market firm. Baby cucumber availability remains limited.
POTATO– Growers continue packing products out of storage. Whites, reds and Yukon golds and chef large #1 are all available.
WAX TURNIP (RUTABAGA)- 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 slightly higher due to demand from the USA. Heirloom multi colored and red carrot supplies are steady 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 supplies are starting to get low. 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
Assorted Hot Chili Peppers: Jalapeño, Serrano, Habanero, Fresnos, and Shishito pepper markets remain elevated due to limited yields in the primary growing region of Mexico.
Spring Mix / Baby Spinach / Baby Arugula / Baby Kale : The recent hot weather has created widespread mildew issues and increased insect pressure affecting Arugula and Spring Mix, limiting harvestable acreage and shortening shelf life.
Honeydew: Honeydew prices continue to be very strong. Supplies are showing signs of improving. Growers have invoked the “Act of God” clauses in contracts. Mexican production is improving.
Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe markets are firm. Although overall coverage remains somewhat limited, a wide range of sizes are available. Markets will continue to rise as demand increases.
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.
Baby Broccoli / Broccolini: Quality is good. Supplies have improved but remain light with some growers.
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: Florida’s winter crop is nearly finished, with minimal production remaining. Mexican crossings are very light, keeping supply tight. Markets are expected to remain elevated until the Florida spring crop begins in early April.
Corn: We continue seeing historically high prices across all markets. Corn supplies remain extremely limited in South Florida following freeze damage. Florida has lost an estimated 80 percent of its current production cycle due to the freeze while Mexican production remains very light.
Strawberries: Supplies continue to be light due to the recent heatwave in California, resulting in quality challenges. Production is expected to improve over the next four to five weeks as temperatures moderate and fields normalize. Central Mexico and Florida have largely concluded for the season, limiting additional supply support in the near term.
Blueberries: Blueberries are extremely limited; prices are elevated. The offshore season has ended. Florida/Georgia production is delayed due to recent freezing temperatures. Mexican fruit will be shipped until California’s San Joaquin Valley season begins in late April.
Blackberries: Supplies remain tight, with most volume currently coming out of Mexico. Blackberry demand remains moderate, with pricing holding steady. The overall quality remains good. California production is expected to begin adding limited support by mid to late April.
Raspberries: Supply and availability will remain limited as we finish March and most of April. Prorates and potential cancellations should be expected based on daily supply conditions, and substitutions may occur on labels, organics, and pack styles when necessary.
Beans: Florida’s supply continues to be severely impacted by last month’s freeze, leading to extreme shortages and market volatility over the coming weeks. “Act of God” declarations are being issued as market prices continue to rise daily, and the quality of available produce is fair at best.
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.
Asparagus: Mexican asparagus prices are rising. Heat-related quality issues are expected in the coming weeks. Local Season: Last year our first shipment arrived May 6th.
Gold Pineapples: Pineapple supplies are tightening as demand rises ahead of Easter, putting pressure on the market.
Green Onions: Green onion supplies continue to improve, easing the market. The quality is good. Availability is expected to remain steady into next week, depending on temperatures.
French Green Bean / Baby Squash / Baby Peeled Top Carrots:Civil unrest and roadblocks at the entrance to the Port of Santo Tomás and on major roadways throughout Guatemala City are causing major delays, preventing trucks from picking up imported containers or dropping off export equipment, severely bottlenecking the land side of the supply chain. Recent frost events in Guatemala have impacted supplies, further tightening already limited supplies due to logistics.
Snow Peas / Sugar Snap Peas: Civil unrest and roadblocks at the entrance to the Port of Santo Tomás and on major roadways throughout Guatemala City are causing major delays, preventing trucks from picking up imported containers or dropping off export equipment, severely bottlenecking the land side of the supply chain. Recent frost events in Guatemala have impacted supplies of Sugar Snap Peas and Snow Peas, further tightening already limited supplies due to logistics.
Limes: Lime availability continues to tighten, with weather and harvesting disruptions adding pressure across all growing regions.
Watermelon: Offshore melons are finishing up, causing pricing to increase while we wait for the USA product to start in the next couple of weeks. This is leaving Mexico as the main supplier. Prices remain elevated due to lower yields and border challenges, while warmer national temperatures are driving higher demand.
Stone Fruit: Imported peaches, plums, and nectarines are winding down. Nectarines are finished, and peaches are nearly done, with only small amounts expected late in the week. Imported plums will continue into April. California early varieties of peaches and nectarines will start mid-late April.
Hothouse Tomato: Ontario hothouse tomato production remains steady; however, demand continues to significantly outpace supply, keeping the market elevated; with tight supplies comes lighter colour. Vine production is improving across all regions, though strong demand continues to absorb the additional supply and maintain firm market conditions. Pro rates possible during this time. Heirloom tomato production has improved, allowing supply to slightly outpace demand. As a result, the market is beginning to show modest softening.
Campari / Cocktail Tomato: Cocktail tomato production continues to trail other large tomato categories. With demand remaining elevated, the market continues to hold strong. Expect daily pro rates until mid-April.
Field Tomato: Tomato prices are climbing. Florida growers have enacted the Act of God clauses in their contracts as entire crops have been lost. Supplies are tighter this week; a national Mexican holiday on March 16 reduced labour and production.
Field Peppers: Florida supply is extremely limited, with mostly lower-grade product and declining volume as the season winds down.
Mexico crossings are very light, with sizing challenges and growers harvesting red peppers while they are green, tightening future red supply. Markets are expected to remain high and very tight for the next 3–5 weeks, with meaningful relief unlikely until mid-April when California production begins out of Coachella.
Hothouse Peppers: Local Ontario bell pepper production continues to increase to start the week with all colors. Demand continues to be high. Demand is very good with the issues with field peppers.
Supply and Quality General Update
The market remains under pressure as Florida continues to recover from freeze damage and Mexico struggles with extreme heat. The combination is severely limiting supply, impacting quality, and keeping both pepper and tomato markets elevated as March winds down. Bell peppers remain one of the most challenged categories. Green pepper supplies remain extremely tight, especially number one grade supplies. Mexico, the primary supplier, is dealing with excessive heat that is slowing production and limiting harvestable yields. Shortened harvest windows are reducing overall output, while quality is mixed with increased insect pressure and fewer premium packs available. Larger sizes and number one grade products are especially tight, pushing more volume into choice-grade supplies. Florida is contributing very little volume following winter freeze damage. Many March fields were lost or set back, and what remains requires heavy grading. Supplies are inconsistent, with growers focused on managing through reduced yields until California desert production will begin in mid‑April. Prices are expected to remain high through early April.
Red peppers are even tighter, and recent harvesting decisions are compounding the issue. Over the past several weeks, growers have been pulling red fields early while fruit is still green to help cover green pepper demand. That shift is now catching up to the market. True red volume is limited, and quality is being impacted, with increased reports of “chocolating” and inconsistent colour development. Florida offers little relief, with extremely light, day-to-day volume and variable quality.
Relief is coming, but slowly. Sonora is expected to start in late March with fewer acres planted, while the California desert may begin slightly earlier than normal due to warm weather. Georgia remains several weeks out, expected in late May. Until then, expect elevated pricing and continued tightness across the pepper category.
Tomatoes are following a similar pattern, with supply disruptions stacking across regions. Mexican production slowed following the mid-March national holiday and is now further constrained by extreme heat in Sonora and Sinaloa. Holy Week, this week, will also affect labour and production in Mexico heading into April. With the heat, harvest crews are starting earlier in the day, but shortened picking windows are limiting overall output. Quality remains mixed, with some growers pulling from older or previously abandoned fields. Florida continues to feel the impact of recent freezes, winds, and frost damage. Volume is extremely limited across rounds, romas, and grape and cherry tomatoes, and additional grading is required to meet specifications. Rounds are seeing the most pressure on larger sizes, particularly 4×4 and 4×5. Romas have slightly better availability on medium sizes but remain tight overall. Grape and cherry tomatoes are also tightening as both US and Mexican supplies are constrained at the same time. Expect tomato markets to remain firm with upward pricing pressure and continued volatility through mid- to late April, as new regions gradually come online.
Overall, the market is working through a difficult transition window. Florida is slow to recover, Mexico is weather-constrained, and supply gaps are showing up across multiple commodities. We’re expecting continued tight availability, elevated pricing, and variability in quality and packouts.
VEGETABLES
Lettuce Overview: Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine markets are steady at low levels due to sufficient supplies in multiple growing regions. The harvesting transition to Central California is underway; production is ending in the Arizona-California desert for the season. Huron and Oxnard harvests are ongoing and will continue for the next two to three weeks. Salinas Valley production has started, in a light way, and will ramp up in early April. Insect pressure is elevated in the Arizona-California desert and Huron, driven by unseasonably warm weather. Quality is average, as harvesting crews peel down heads to remove heat and insect-damaged outer leaves. The Oxnard, Huron, Salinas, and Santa Maria spring seasons are 10 to 14 days early due to an unseasonably warm and mild winter; these seasons starting 10 to 14 days early has closed the projected supply gap caused by heavy rains in the Arizona-California desert regions last November and December. Florida production is winding down; the season normally concludes in late March, but will extend through the week of April 5 this season. Mexican stocks remain ample (crossing into South Texas); quality is very good. Expect fairly steady markets through mid-April; supplies are forecast to tighten by late April.
ICEBERG– West Coast: Strong production is expected this week, with harvesting in Yuma, Santa Maria, and Huron. Despite warm temperatures, quality remains fairly good, with weights averaging 39–44 pounds. Quality will be hit or miss. Shortened shelf-life issues should be expected. East Coast: Florida supplies are winding down. The season will run for another week.
ROMAINE / LEAF– West Coast: Romaine, green leaf, and red leaf are all in good supply, with strong availability expected throughout the week. Production is active in Yuma, Santa Maria, and Huron, with Salinas starting next week. Romaine hearts remain plentiful, and shippers are flexible. Quality across all leaf items is above average for weight, texture, and overall condition, and triggers on all value-added leaf items are off. East Coast: Florida supplies are winding down. The season will run for another week.
SPRING MIX/BABY SPINACH/BABY ARUGULA/BABY KALE– Supplies remain limited. Reports of weak texture, discoloration, and wilting continue. We are also now seeing disease pressure and mildew which are further impacting yields. Arugula: Quality is fairly good; occasional mildew, bolting, 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– West Coast carrot supplies remain tight as harvesting shifts from California’s San Joaquin Valley to the Imperial Valley, where sizing is smaller. Limited availability is expected over the next three weeks as reduced size is lowering yields; commodity pack prices have increased as a result. California: Supplies will remain extremely tight through March as the San Joaquin Valley season winds down. Imperial Valley yields are tight due to reduced sizing; expect size to increase in late March. California accounts for 80% of the USA’s carrot supply. Growers are holding to six-week averages. Expect a demand-exceeds-supply market through March; 96-hour lead times are necessary to help fill orders. Elevated markets and limited supplies will persist through March. 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 March. Ontario / Québec: Commodity supplies good; storage quality is very good. Expect elevated markets as export demand rises as buyers fill the void from California.
MUSHROOMS– Quality and supplies are very good with lighter demand. At this time, we do not see any supply issues.
BABY BROCCOLI / BROCCOLINI– Quality is good. Supplies have improved but remain light with some growers. Growers are still holding to averages. The heat could affect quality and supplies as we transition out of Yuma.
ASPARAGUS-Mexican asparagus prices are rising. Heat-related quality issues are expected in the coming weeks. Mexico: Last week’s heat wave, with temperatures 15-20 degrees above average, has decreased yields. Heat stress is expected to affect quality; feathering tips, wrinkling, dehydration, and seed development are anticipated. The size profile remains skewed towards standard and smaller spears; jumbo and extra-large sizes are tight. The upcoming Holy Week holiday this week may affect labour availability; harvesting crews will likely be short-handed. Expect higher pricing and an uptick in quality issues through March into early April. Peru: The first shipments of Peruvian asparagus are arriving at East Coast ports. Supplies will steadily increase over the next several weeks. Quality is good; shelf-life is generally shorter due to longer transit times. Expect minimal Peruvian availability until early April. Pricing is generally higher than that of Mexican-grown asparagus. Ontario: The Ontario season started last year on May 6th. It is looking like a similar start date for the 2026 season. The start date is dependent on the weather; warm days and nights above freezing are ideal.
CANADIAN POTATO– Canada held 7.3% more potatoes in storage on March 1 than the same time last year. It is Canada’s largest March 1 potato inventory on record. It exceeds the five-year average supply by 16.2%. Increased stocks in Alberta and British Columbia offset reduced holdings in PEI, Manitoba, and Quebec. Inventories in New Brunswick and Ontario are relatively flat. Stocks intended for processing use exceed year-earlier holdings by 9.0%. Table potato inventories are up 0.9%. Seed potato supplies increased by 7.2%, relative to the previous year. Ontario: February potato disappearance fell 8.3%, short of year-earlier movement. That left Ontario with the same volume of potatoes in storage on March 1, nearly matching 2025 holdings. This includes fewer table potatoes from a year ago. February table potato movement exceeded last year’s pace by 8.2%. If last month’s disappearance rate continues, Ontario’s remaining table potato stocks will last through May 30. A reduction in February chip potato disappearance left Ontario with 2.4% more chip potatoes in storage on March 1 than previous year. At the February disappearance rate, those potatoes would be cleaned up by July 30. P.E.I.: Island growers had 4.3% fewer potatoes in storage on March 1; much less than they held a year ago. February disappearance fell 25.3%, short of the 2025 pace. Intended use data show that the Island had 9% fewer processing potatoes in storage on March 1, much less than the year-earlier inventory. February processing potato disappearance was down 13.8% from the previous year. At that reduced usage rate, the remaining processing potatoes would last through October 10. Growers also had 6.4% more table potatoes left in storage on March 1 over prior year. At the February disappearance rate, PEI’s remaining table potatoes would last through September 5. New Brunswick: The province’s reported potato stocks are down from the 2025 holdings. This year’s inventory was drawn down by the same volume in February, matching last year’s disappearance rate. Intended use data indicate that February processing potato usage fell below 2025 usage. New Brunswick reports that it had 11.1% more processing potatoes left in storage on March 1, than year-earlier holdings. At the February disappearance rate, those potatoes would last through August 15. Reports indicate that growers had fewer table potatoes in storage on March 1 than they held at the same time in 2025, a 49.4% reduction. Calculated February table potato disappearance nearly doubled the 2025 pace. If that pace continues, the province’s remaining table potatoes would be cleaned up by June 1. Quebec: February disappearance fell 17.2%, below the 2025 pace. That left Quebec with fewer potatoes in storage on March 1, than year-earlier holdings. The province’s February table potato movement fell 17.2%, short of the 2025 pace. However, it is 5.8% more than the five-year average pace. March 1 table potato stocks were more than the year-earlier inventory. If the reduced February disappearance rate continues, Quebec’s table potato stocks would be cleaned up by June 15. The province’s February processing potato disappearance fell below last year’s usage rate. That left fewer processing potatoes in storage on March 1, than the province held the previous year. At the February usage rate, the remaining processing potato inventory would last through October 21. British Columbia: The province had 57% more potatoes left in storage on March 1 than the same time year prior. It is British Columbia’s largest March 1 potato inventory, since 2007. At 120,000 cwt, February table potato disappearance fell short of the 2025 movement. At that usage rate, the province’s remaining table potatoes would last through June 22. Alberta: February potato disappearance exceeded the previous year’s pace by 9.5%. That left Alberta’s March 1 potato stocks at a record 20.83 million cwt (hundredweight). That is 34.4%, more than the province had in storage the previous year. Intended use data show that the increase was across the board. Alberta’s February processing potato disappearance reached a record usage. The processing sector had 32% more than the 2025 inventory. At the February usage rate, Alberta’s remaining processing potatoes would last through November 15. The province also had more table potatoes left in storage on March 1 than the prior year. February table potato disappearance exceeded last year’s pace by 30.4%. At that rate, the remaining table potatoes would be cleaned up by April 25.
GARLIC- Supplies from China, Mexico and California continue. Quality from all remains very good. China: Because the Chinese garlic harvest happens in late spring/early summer, the peeled garlic currently being processed and exported is drawn from cold storage inventories of the 2025 crop. China experienced a massive bumper crop in 2025; overall production rose by roughly 30% to 35% compared to 2024. Consequently, cold storage inventories entering 2026 were exceptionally high; estimated at roughly 3.5 million tons, or 67% capacity over the winter. Due to the sheer volume of garlic in storage, Chinese suppliers are pushing heavy volumes into the export market at very low prices to avoid a backlog before the new 2026 crop arrives in June. Looking ahead to the new crop currently in the ground, the total planting area for 2026 expanded slightly to around 2 million acres. Heavy autumn rains delayed some planting, meaning some late-planted seedlings had weaker root systems entering the winter. However, overall 2026 output is still projected to remain immense; around 15.95 million tons. We should not expect a sudden spike in prices for the upcoming summer contracts unless severe late-spring weather anomalies devastate the current crops. 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’s supply continues to be severely impacted by last month’s freeze, leading to extreme shortages and market volatility over the coming weeks. “Act of God” declarations are being issued as market prices continue to rise daily, and the quality of available produce is fair at best. Mexico is also experiencing lighter availability due to cooler weather slowing production. We expect market shortfalls and challenges through early to mid-April.
MUSHROOMS– Quality and supplies are very good with lighter demand. At this time, we do not see any supply issues.
US NEW CROP RED / WHITE / YELLOW POTATO: Southern Florida has adequate supplies, as plants were at peak maturity when the freeze hit, but Northern Florida had to replant. The front end of the Northern Florida season will be tight in supply from mid-April to mid-May. Supplies should increase by mid-May when the replanted stocks are expected to hit the market.
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.
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: The Florida season is progressing well. Texas was seeing a lot of heat last week which may force things to end earlier than normal. The transition out west is expected to be rough which could cause markets to fluctuate.
ASSORTED CHILI PEPPERS– Florida chili pepper production is nearly nonexistent following freeze damage. Cubanelles, Long Hots, and Hungarian Wax supplies are at historically high market levels, while Jalapeños, Serranos, and Poblanos remain very expensive. Mexican yields are extremely low for numerous chilis, including Anaheims, Jalapeños, Poblanos, and Serranos, due to past weather and humidity that caused plant viruses and insect pressure. Supplies are extremely limited and markets are soaring.
FIELD PEPPERS– Florida supply is extremely limited, with mostly lower-grade product and declining volume as the season winds down. Mexico crossings are very light, with sizing challenges and growers harvesting red peppers while they are green, tightening future red supply. Markets are expected to remain high and very tight for the next 3–5 weeks, with meaningful relief unlikely until mid-April when California production begins out of Coachella.
BROCCOLI– Broccoli markets continue to be steady again this week, with a balanced supply and demand across the market for both California and Mexico product. Yuma, Arizona harvests remain active, with growers reporting strong quality and consistent production, supporting reliable availability on crowns, bunch, and florets. The warmer weather that Yuma experienced last week is expected to lead to browning and pin rot as well as supply issues. Mexican crossings continue to supplement the market, with iced crowns available. Overall, supply from Arizona, California growing regions, and Mexico is sufficient to meet demand, and market conditions remain stable with no major supply disruptions anticipated in the near term.
HOTHOUSE PEPPERS– Local Ontario bell pepper production continues to increase to start the week with all colours. Demand continues to be very strong. Production is beginning to slowly outpace demand, creating slight downward pressure on the market. Demand is very good with the supply issues with field peppers.
CELERY– The market is soft for this commodity. Production in Yuma is light, while Oxnard and Santa Maria remain the primary growing regions offering the best deals. Value-added items are no longer triggered. Quality and texture remain above average across most suppliers.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– English cucumber production continues to improve week over week. However, strong demand is maintaining elevated market levels to start the week. Sizing is leaning to the smaller sizes, however, medium and large are more and more available. Mini Cucumbers: Mini cucumber production also increased last week, though demand continues to absorb the additional supply, keeping the market firm. Baby cucumber availability remains limited.
CAULIFLOWER– Cauliflower supplies remain solid across all regions, with the market expected to ease slightly heading into the weekend.
CORN– We continue seeing historically high prices across all markets. Corn supplies remain extremely limited in South Florida following freeze damage. Florida has lost an estimated 80 percent of its current production cycle due to the freeze while Mexican production remains very light. Quality will be fair at best and we are seeing attributes such as small ear and immature kernels amid this production shortfall as growers in Florida are basically salvaging what they can from their crops. Volume will be virtually non-existent for the upcoming several weeks. Act of God clauses have been invoked on contract business. Relief is not expected until early to mid‑April when spring production begins in Sonora and the California desert. Mexican corn is available but priced at a premium.
FENNEL / ANISE: Lower field yields have caused a shortage in supply. Pricing will remain escalated until supplies improve. Some growers are holding to 8-week averages and / or prorates.
SNOW PEAS / SUGAR SNAP PEAS– Civil unrest and roadblocks at the entrance to the Port of Santo Tomás and on major roadways throughout Guatemala City are causing major delays, preventing trucks from picking up imported containers or dropping off export equipment, severely bottlenecking the landside of the supply chain. Recent frost events in Guatemala have impacted supplies of Sugar Snap Peas and Snow Peas, further tightening already limited supplies due to logistics. Mexican snow pea and sugar snap supplies are showing improvement as production conditions stabilize. This week, Mexico, Central and South America won’t be working ( Latin Holiday and they don’t work the whole week )
FRENCH GREEN BEAN / BABY SQUASH / BABY PEELED TOP CARROTS– Previous frost events in Guatemala have impacted the supply of French Beans, Sugar Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Baby Peeled Carrots, further tightening already limited supplies. Cold weather and frost in Guatemala, combined with port congestion and unrest in Guatemala and Honduras, are contributing to these issues. French Green bean markets remain elevated, driven by reduced green bean supply, strong holiday demand, and very limited supply. Mexican French bean availability is also constrained as cooler temperatures continue to impact yields.
EGGPLANT– Florida’s winter crop is nearly finished, with minimal production remaining. Mexican crossings are very light, keeping supply tight. Markets are expected to remain elevated until the Florida spring crop begins in early April.
ONIONS– Storage crop onions are available in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Fresh-run onions are available in Texas. Pacific Northwest: Washington, Idaho, and Oregon growers expect storage supplies ship through the week of April 20; several suppliers may continue to ship into early May. Quality ranges from good to fair; growers are sorting for common end-of-season issues such as internal browning, bruising, decay, sprouting, and translucency. We recommend ordering for quick turns and limiting inventory to avoid quality problems. White onion markets will slowly increase until California production begins in late April. Both the Mexican and local storage seasons are ending. Some growers have begun transferring fresh-run white onions from Texas to fill orders. Expect steady red and yellow prices over the next 7-10 days. Utah: Storage supplies have been depleted. Some sheds will remain in operation, transferring product from other regions to fill orders as needed. Mexico: Yellow, red, and white onions are sporadically crossing into South Texas. White onion shipments are decreasing as the season will wrap up over the next three to four weeks. Quality varies by supplier; green cast, soft texture, mechanical damage, and thin skins are to be expected with fresh-run onions. Prices will increase slightly next week due to decreased production in observation of Holy Week and Easter. Texas: Fresh-run red, yellow, and white onions are available. All sizes and colours are available. White onions are tightening. Demand has increased as the Mexican season is ending. Quality is good due to ideal growing conditions; fresh-run onions will exhibit higher moisture content, thinner skins, and overall shorter shelf-life. We recommend ordering for quick turns. Expect steady red and yellow prices over the next 7-10 days; white onions could see a market increase, depending on demand.
GREEN ONIONS– Green onion supplies continue to improve, easing the market. Quality is good. Availability is expected to remain steady into next week, depending on temperatures.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS– Brussels sprout supply and quality continues to be very strong. Pricing continues to ease and are priced very reasonably.
COLLARDS/CHARD/KALE– All varieties of greens have good quality and supply. The weather forecast is looking excellent as we head into the Easter pull. Ample supply will be available.
ZUCCHINI– Mexico is transitioning from Sinaloa to Sonora, with volumes expected to improve. Florida’s spring crop is starting with strong fields and growing availability. Markets are expected to continue to ease as soon as supply increases.
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. Anjou and Red pears are projected to be available year-round and will be promotable through at least June. Bartletts are wrapping up out of the Pacific Northwest and there are now new-crop imported Bartletts from Argentina that are available. Smaller foodservice sizes are less available than in recent weeks. Bosc pears and Anjou are projected to be available until the new crop starts in September, this year and will be promotable through May 2026.Pricing and quality are both attractive and we expect them to remain promotable for the next several months.
BLACKBERRIES– Supplies remain tight, with most volume currently coming out of Mexico. Blackberry demand remains moderate, with pricing holding steady. The overall quality remains good. California production is expected to begin adding limited support by mid to late April.
BLUEBERRIES– Blueberries are extremely limited; prices are elevated. The offshore season has ended. Florida/Georgia production is delayed due to recent freezing temperatures. Mexican fruit will be shipped until California’s San Joaquin Valley season begins in late April. Offshore : Both the Chilean and Peruvian seasons have officially ended; quality is poor. There are some light supplies from Morocco, however quality is poor. The market is elevated; supplies are limited. Mexico: Volume has increased 60% 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: Abnormally low temperatures over the past month have delayed the season by three to four weeks. Southern Florida experienced approximately 20% damage from the freezing temperatures. Other areas north of Orlando saw 40-50% damage. Suppliers are assessing damages and expect significant losses. Markets are up; stocks are scarce.
RASPBERRIES– Supply and availability will remain limited as we finish March and most of April. Prorates and potential cancellations should be expected based on daily supply conditions, and substitutions may occur on labels, organics, and pack styles when necessary. Several factors are contributing to the tight market, including Central Mexico reaching its lowest production levels as volumes decline from peak levels and fields are pruned in preparation for the next crop cycle. Additionally, ongoing reports of political unrest, violence, blockades, and operational disruptions continue to affect key growing regions, although these issues are receiving less national attention than in previous weeks. Central Mexico volumes are expected to remain low for the next 2-4 weeks, with meaningful recovery not anticipated until late April or early May. Some additional volume from Baja is expected to begin supplementing supply in early to mid-April. Overall production remains limited, though quality has been generally good.
STRAWBERRIES– Supplies continue to be light due to the recent heatwave in California, resulting in quality challenges. Production is expected to improve over the next four to five weeks as temperatures moderate and fields normalize. Central Mexico and Florida have largely concluded for the season, limiting additional supply support in the near term. Santa Maria: In Santa Maria, several days of extreme heat have stressed plants, increasing the risk of sunburn, softer fruit, and reduced shelf life, while uneven ripening is creating short-term production volatility and lighter harvests. Overall supplies are light. Counts range from 12-16 per 8/1-pound clamshell; berry size is medium to medium-plus. Markets will remain strong. Oxnard: Quality is good. Counts range from 14-16 per 1-pound clamshell; berry size ranges from medium to medium-plus. Defects are minimal; growers report some misshapen, bruised fruit from packing. Markets will remain strong. Watsonville/Salinas: Although Watsonville and Salinas have experienced slightly milder conditions, rising sunburn and field clean-up efforts are also reducing volumes, despite generally stable quality. Temperatures have been higher than normal. Counts range from 10-15 per 1-pound clamshell. Volume is lighter due to the excessive heat. Quality concerns from the heat will include soft skin, decay, sunburn, and bruising. Markets will remain strong. 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, arrivals reached approximately 2.86 million boxes. Supply is coming from Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. The main varieties available are Tommy Atkins, Kent, and Ataulfo (Honey) with limited volumes of Haden. Demand is currently light, while pricing is trending lower across the market. The industry is seeing ample supply across all origins, with higher-than-expected crossings from Mexico combined with steady volumes from Central America contributing to overall market availability. As a result, promotional opportunities are widely available across all sizes. Volumes are projected to continue increasing in the coming weeks, which may provide the industry with additional opportunities for promotions.
GRAPEFRUIT– Florida grapefruit is exhibiting good quality, but crop has been impacted by the February freeze. Most growers are finishing out the season this month. Texas grapefruit is peaking on large sizes which will limit supply on mid-sized and smaller fruit. The California Star Ruby variety is being harvested out of District 1 (California Central Valley). Harvesting will run through August. The crop is currently dominated by 48ct and 56ct fruit. Expect steady markets and good-quality supplies. Imports: There are arrivals of grapefruit from Turkey, Morocco and Israel. Overall quality is good.
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.
GRAPES– Imports: Chile’s primary growing region received up to two inches of rain on Tuesday, March 17, which will drive up prices significantly for the month of April. For now, fruit availability should improve slightly this week. However, green grapes remain much tighter than red. Spot-market pricing is expected to stay around last week’s levels despite the increase in volume; however, prices may jump toward the end of the week if volume continues to move. 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– Demand across remains exceptionally strong, reaching historically high levels, driven by aggressive retail promotions across a wide range of sizes and pack styles. Mexico continues to supply solid harvest volumes, but the intensity of demand is pushing field prices higher as packers compete to secure sufficient fruit. This upward pressure is also reflected in rising market prices, with tighter availability at the border for most sizes. Despite these increases, demand is expected to remain resilient, particularly for mid- and large-size fruit, supporting continued strength in pricing. In Mexico, fruit maturity is expected to remain elevated through the remainder of the season, resulting in faster ripening and reduced shelf life, reinforcing the need for steady movement through the supply chain. California production is gradually ramping up, as stronger field prices incentivize additional early-season harvesting. The current size curve in California is trending toward medium and small fruit. With consistent supply continuing out of Mexico and demand holding firm, promotional activity is expected to remain active in the near term, even as the market adjusts to higher price levels. Mexico– A 78.1-million-pound harvest was reported last week. The Main Crop is averaging 34.6% dry matter, and sizing continues to peak on 48s. As is typical for this point in the season, the percentage of Grade 2 fruit is gradually increasing. Lent continues until Easter on April 5th, when the industry typically sees increased avocado consumption in Mexico’s national market. Mexico continues with a strong harvest this week ahead of a shorter harvest and packing schedule this week due to Holy Week observances. During this time, local harvesting groups are expected to operate for three days (Monday through Wednesday), while packinghouses are expected to run for three and a half days (Monday through a half day on Thursday). California– The California avocado season is beginning to gradually pick up, with harvest last week reported at 4.7 million pounds. Dry matter is averaging 26%, and the current size curve is peaking on 48s, while on-tree sizing continues to trend smaller. Record-high March temperatures have prompted some growers to begin harvesting, while the majority of the California industry continues to wait for additional fruit size and yield, as well as improved market conditions, to harvest. Colombia– Colombia is transitioning into the Traviesa crop, with volume availability expected to increase as the industry approaches early April. Sizing is currently focused on smaller fruit, and the majority of volume is being shipped to the European market.
CANTALOUPE– Cantaloupe markets are firm; demand is shifting from honeydew, tightening stocks. Central America: Availability remains workable but is tightening; growers are experiencing some vessel delays at loading. Although overall coverage remains limited, a wide range of sizes are available. Quality is strong; sugar levels range from 13 to 15% Brix. Markets will continue to rise as demand increases.
HONEYDEW– Honeydew prices continue to be very strong as supplies start to improve. Central America: Supplies are starting to show signs of improving. Growers still have invoked the “Act of God” clauses in contracts. Production issues will restrict availability through March. Increased supplies are expected to continue into April. Prices are steady, but poised to ease. Mexico: Production is slowly improving. As Northern Mexico gains momentum, expect increased availability of five- and six‑count fruit. Markets will remain high until production is more consistent.
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. Expect to make size, grade, and Country of Origin substitutions, as well as date changes to fill orders of small fruit. Late-season Navel varieties will remain available until mid- to late June. Quality is good; sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix. Meanwhile, suppliers have begun shipping limited quantities of Valencias; the season is expected to ramp up in late April. Large fruit (56ct and 88ct sizes) will be tight to start the season; small oranges (113ct and 138ct sizes) will be more plentiful. Early production will require gassing for 24-48 hours for the fruit to color up. Quality is very good; sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix. Florida Juice Oranges: Limited availability on small California navels has pushed demand on Florida juice oranges. Valencias are available with peak sizing on 80/100/125 counts. Florida groves experienced freezing temperatures last month which have 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 into April late varieties will continue until the end of their season in June, when South African fruit will start.
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. Supplies should improve when the mid-season variety. The Sanguinelli season has started. Overall quality is excellent with good color; current sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix.
CARA CARA– Sizing continues to peak on 56/72 counts and is expected to trend larger as the season concludes. Rains have contributed to size growth, further limiting availability of smaller fruit, 113/138 counts. 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.
LIMES– The lime market is extremely short and is expected to be for the next 3-4 weeks. We expect to see harvest delays as well as border delays due to Holy Week celebrations in Mexico this week. Mexico: Market conditions continue to firm as new crop fruit costs rise. Warm and humid conditions are expected throughout the week. During the first few days, heavy rains may occur, accompanied by partly cloudy skies. Toward the end of the week and the beginning of the following week, conditions are expected to become more stable, with a lower probability of precipitation. Maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 80 °F and 90 °F, while minimum temperatures will remain between 62 °F and 68 °F. Overall availability is tightening, with the most pressure on large sizes. Peak sizes are 175/150/230; with size distribution: 110-1%, 150-5%, 175-14%, 200-18%, 230-32%, and 250-30%. Holy Week is expected to significantly restrict harvesting. For the month of April, we anticipate reduced volumes, as this crop bloomed in December during a period of heavy rainfall and low temperatures. Colombia: Supply remains constrained, with availability still limited. Heavy rainfall disrupted harvesting and shipping schedules. Volume gaps are expected to surface in the coming weeks due to transit timing. Quality is generally good, with occasional oil spotting reported. Markets remain elevated but continue to trend below those in Mexico. Hawaii: Excessive rainfall is slowing production. Longer lead times and tighter planning remain necessary.
WATERMELON– Offshore melons are finishing up, causing pricing to increase while we wait for USA product to start in the next couple of weeks. This is leaving Mexico as the main supplier. Prices remain elevated due to lower yields and border challenges, while warmer national temperatures are driving higher demand.
POMEGRANATE– Supplies of offshore fruit are starting to arrive from Peru. 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– Lemons remain one of the more stable categories at the moment. District 3 (California desert /Arizona) is finished. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is now the main growing region, peaking on 115/95/140 count with excellent quality, and volumes are gradually building. With some District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura) fruit entering earlier than anticipated with volume ramping up toward late March/early April. Markets are starting to rise on 165 and 200 count as the product continues to size up.
STONE FRUIT– Imports: Imported peaches, plums, and nectarines are winding down. Nectarines are finished, and peaches are nearly done, with only small amounts expected late in the week. Imported plums will continue into April. 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 right around April 15, 2026. 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 mid-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– Pineapple supplies are tightening as demand rises ahead of Easter, putting pressure on the market. Costa Rica: Availability of 6/7 count crowned fruit is very limited, with improvement expected in 2–4 weeks. Overall supply is slightly lower than previous weeks, making it challenging to meet Easter volumes. Contracts remain the priority. Crownless 8 and 10 count fruit are tight. An increase in Bunker fuel costs for inbound vessels will be a key factor for future pricing. 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. Imports: Quality concerns with Moroccan fruit have slowed though product is still arriving on the East Coast. Egypt’s halt on exports to Japan has shifted additional demand toward California. Until Peruvian fruit enters the market, California will continue to control the driver’s seat. California: Rain and prolonged fog earlier this year has impacted quality, resulting in softer fruit and growers estimating anywhere between 10-40% fruit drop. Supply is tightening quickly while demand stays strong. Tangos are currently shipping, with Murcotts starting earlier than expected to help bridge the gap. Until Peruvian fruit enters the mix, California will continue to hold the driver’s seat.
APPLES– Ontario: Ontario growers continue packing and shipping out of storage. Overall supplies remain good. 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 are stable and should hold steady for April, then start rising as supplies dwindle. Washington: 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. The latest report shows the crop is down over 20% from last year. This item has really tightened up in the last month, and prices are very high for this part of the season. Expect Gala availability and pricing to continue to rise as we progress through this month 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. There are plenty of apples to sell and select promotional opportunities on some of the varieties. Import apples will also give us some relief as we begin to get limited arrivals in the next week or two. Although we don’t expect the import crop to lower prices, we are hoping that it stabilizes prices a little over the next couple of months.
HOTHOUSE TOMATO– Red Tomato On-The-Vine & Beefsteak: Ontario hothouse tomato production remains steady; however, demand continues to significantly outpace supply, keeping the market elevated; with tight supplies comes lighter color. Vine production is improving across all regions, though strong demand continues to absorb the additional supply and maintain firm market conditions. Pro rates possible during this time. Heirloom tomato production has improved, allowing supply to slightly outpace demand. As a result, the market is beginning to show modest softening. Bite Size (Cherry, Grape, Cocktail, Medley): Grape tomato production has normalized. While demand remains very strong, this category remains the most competitively priced within the snacking segment. Continued demand strength could support firmer markets moving forward. Cherry tomato demand continues to exceed production, keeping the market elevated. On-the-vine snacking varieties remain limited due to ongoing low production cycles. Hothouse cocktail tomato production continues to trail other large tomato categories. With demand remaining elevated, the market continues to hold strong. Expect daily pro rates until mid-April
MATURE GREEN FIELD TOMATOES– Supplies remain critically short. Mexican crossings have been minimal since mid‑March, and Florida volume is severely limited due to freeze damage. This combined with ongoing blight, transitioning crops, and adverse weather conditions in Sinaloa have significantly impacted the entire tomato category. All varieties are affected, with rounds, romas, grapes, and cherries in extremely tight supply. We are dealing with a severe supply shortage. Over the next 3 to 5 weeks, we anticipate a highly volatile period with reduced availability across all varieties. Some relief is expected as Obregon, Mexico production begins in early April, though volume will be limited. Florida: We are dealing with a severe supply shortage. The delay in shortage is due to the fact that most of the freeze damage was done in the younger plants that were still several weeks away from being harvested. We are in those plantings now and there is little to no fruit to harvest. Florida has no romas available. Warm weather should help the spring crop out of Ruskin / Palmetto start on time but that will be end of April at the earliest. Mexico: Mexico is transitioning from Sinaloa to Sonoroa on their crops with baja is still several weeks away. Romas are becoming more available with jumbo and x-large sizes but demand is very good with rounds being so short. Fewer rounds were grown this year with uncertainty around duties. They are still coming mostly from Sinaloa or Jalisco with most being in shadehouse or greenhouse environments. Sizing is heavier to smaller sizes on vine ripes. Very few large sizes 4×4,4×5. Roma Tomatoes: Romas will be the most limited item. We recommend substituting with round varieties in the short term until new production begins to ramp up around April 15. Round Tomatoes: Volume from Sinaloa is declining rapidly. We expect reductions of 50% or more from now through April 15, with potential supply gaps until the transition to new growing regions around the second week of May. We are closely monitoring crop development and remain hopeful that improving conditions will allow a transition back to Romas where needed. Grape, Cherry, Cocktail (Campari) and Gourmet Medley: Current supplies are declining quickly, and full availability is not expected until new production begins in late April or early May. Grape tomatoes, in particular, will be inconsistent industry-wide and will require daily review for availability.
WILD FORAGED PRODUCTS:
Wild Mushrooms
Bluefoot Mushroom: From France, 5lb basket. Supplies are very light. Call for pricing and availability.
Cultivated Morels: From Asia (Near Tibet). Great product. Regular steady supplies. Pricing sharp and steady. 5lb or 2.2lb baskets. Call for pricing.
Foraged Products
** NEW ** Fiddleheads: From Oregon. Season just starting
White Asparagus:From Holland. 5kg cases. “AA” sizing. 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.
Truffles
Winter Truffles (tuber Melanosporum) $$: Pricing higher as season ends. Supplies are very tight. Whole (25g-250g per piece), cuts (large pieces with “open face”) also available. Call for pricing.
