ONTARIO LOCAL
** SOON ** FIELD STRAWBERRIES: Field strawberries have sized up and are just staring to ripen. They may be some light supplies mid this week, pending mother nature.
** NEW ** GREEN ZUCCHINI: Ontario green zucchini has started with light supplies to start the week. Supplies will build through the week with pricing holding fairly steady. Quality is outstanding.
** NEW ** CHINESE VEGETABLES: Baby Shanghai bok choy and regular bok choy have started with light supplies, which will increase throughout the week. Quality is outstanding.
ASPARAGUS– Ontario green and purple asparagus continues to be available. Warmer weather has brought stronger supplies. The recent rains have also encouraged growth. Expect the season to continue to the end of June or early July.
LEAF/ROMAINE- Ontario supplies continue to increase with favourable growing conditions. Overall quality remains good.
GREENS– Ontario dandelion, green kale, red kale, black kale, green and red swiss chard are all available with stronger supplies. Collards and bunched spinach have now started as well.
BUNCH RADISH– Bunch radish supplies remain strong with exceptional quality and strong availability.
FIELD GROWN RHUBARB– Supplies are strong with exceptional quality as we are in peak season. The season will run until mid-July.
FIDDLEHEADS- Ontario is done for the season.
WAX TURNIP (RUTABEGA) – Ontario rutabaga continues with good supplies out of storage.
CARROT– Ontario orange carrots are done for the season. The only option at this point is heirloom multi coloured carrots. The quality of these is good, however sizing is getting smaller as the season winds down.
MUSHROOMS– Supplies of all varieties are very good with no concerns of any issues in the foreseeable future.
CABBAGE– Ontario supplies are done. New crop green cabbage will start late July.
APPLES– MacIntosh, Empire, Gold Delicious, Red Delicious, Cortland, Ambrosia, Fuji, Ida Red and Royal Gala continue to be available out of storage. Quality on all is very good.
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.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– Supplies remain very good with moderate demand. We can expect supplies to tighten up as we move through June as growers start pulling crops to plant for the fall. Quality is very good.
HOTHOUSE STRAWBERRIES– Very light supplies of Ontario hothouse strawberries continue. Quality is very good; however, berry size is on the smaller side.
HOTHOUSE TOMATO– Beefsteak tomatoes will be limited this summer, due to lighter supplies grown in Ontario. Ontario, red vine, heirloom and grape tomatoes continue to be available in good supply with steady pricing.
VEGETABLES
GARLIC– China: Supplies of peeled garlic from China continue to become lighter supply as the old crop winds down. New crop harvest has begun in a light way, and will increase as we move through June. Quality could be an issue on the last of the old crop and it will not hold as long. Buy only as needed. We won’t likely see new crop arrivals until mid-July. Imports: New crop, Mexican whole garlic continues to be available with excellent quality. California storage garlic is also available. Demand remains strong with good supply.
WEST COAST LETTUCES A brief heat wave last week brought the warmest temperatures of the year to the Salinas Valley. Most crops have come through in decent shape from the short-lived hot spell. Texture and overall shelf life will likely be impacted for the short term especially in the tender spinach, spring mix and baby leaf items. Growers continue to battle mold, mildew and soil disease in the fields as we move into summer harvests. While overall quality remains generally good the warmer weather has been conducive for insect populations to thrive. Aphids, thrips, small flies and gnats continue to be problematic for growers. Thrips are the vector that transmits the Invasive Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV). Growers are seeing some signs of INSV in current acreage, but it is not a significant problem currently. Field personnel will be on the lookout for thrips and INSV as the virus can spread rapidly and cause significant crop loss. Growers are doing their best to mitigate the insect pressure with traps, repellent and increased inspections in the fields and plant.
ICEBERG– There is heavy availability throughout the week, with multiple shippers offering flexibility on volume orders. Both Northern and Southern California serve as loading locations. Good weights and consistent quality are expected to continue with several shippers, as supplies clearly exceed industry demand.
ROMAINE / LEAF– Supplies of romaine, green leaf, and red leaf remain steady. Some fringe and tip burn issues have been reported upon arrival, though shippers are doing their best to clean the product during field packing. Romaine hearts are experiencing similar challenges but availability remains above average. Demand across all leaf items is softer with schools preparing for summer holidays. Weights and sizing continue to be above average.
SPRING MIX/BABY SPINACH/BABY KALE– All tender leaf lettuce varieties are in good supply with overall excellent quality. Fields are producing more consistent sizing, along with strong texture and vibrant color. Expect supplies and quality to remain steady through the weekend.
CANADIAN LETTUCES – Quebec Iceberg: Quebec iceberg harvest will start this week, with first arrivals next week. Romaine/Leaf: Quebec: Quebec romaine harvest will start around June 10th with hearts starting a few days later. Green and Red leaf will start this week. Ontario: Ontario romaine will start this week. Green leaf supplies are light and growers are packing 12ct only. Quality is good.
BROCCOLI– California: Broccoli continues to be harvested in California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys. Markets are steadily increasing but remain at or below seasonal averages. Sufficient supplies are forecast for the next two weeks, though acreage will drop off slightly through June and July, as regional/local deals spring up across North America. Quality is good; brown bead/pin rot, yellowing, hollow core, branching, and insect pressure are minimal. Mexico: Mexican-grown broccoli continues to ship into South Texas. This market is more volatile than California, yet prices remain comparable in both regions. Quality is good; sporadic hollow core following high heat and mechanical damage from packing oversized heads have been noted. East Coast/Midwest: Production in Georgia is done. The North Carolina season will continue well into June. Markets are steady at average levels. Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York will begin production by late June and carry into August. Ontario/Quebec: Production will begin late June / early July.
ASPARAGUS– Ontario: Ontario green and purple asparagus continues to be available. Warmer weather, with rain showers has allowed for steady growth providing excellent quality and good supplies. Demand is down slightly. Expect the season to continue to the end of June or early July. We will transition back to Peru when the Ontario season concludes. Imports: Supplies are available from Michigan. The Washington season has ended. The market is expected to remain steady this week, supported by consistent production from Mexico and Peru.
CAULIFLOWER– Markets are steady as supplies increase in the Salinas and Santa Maria Valley regions. Favorable weather and weak demand have allowed fields to size up. Overall quality is good; discoloration and yellowing are occasional issues. High temperatures are expected through the weekend, further aiding growth. Current plantings for June are promising in terms of quality and volume; ample yields are forecast for several weeks. Regional supplies out of Maine, North Carolina, New York, Quebec, Ontario and New Jersey will come online in early July. Weather has been ideal for growth. Plentiful supplies are expected. Low prices will persist for the next two weeks as ample supplies and steady demand continue
CABBAGE– Canadian: The Ontario storage cabbage season is done. We can expect the first new crop green late July. Imports: Georgia supply continues with large and medium size available. Quality is good.
BEANS– There is an over-abundance of supply of top quality green and yellow beans available out of Georgia. Coachella will continue to ramp up supplies., Quality is very good. Supplies far exceed demand. Snipped: Value-added snipped/trimmed green bean supplies are steady with good quality.
FRENCH GREEN BEAN / BABY SQUASH– Guatemalan production continues to show improvement, with a gradual recovery in overall volume and consistency. Meanwhile, Mexico is providing a steady supply of French beans, supporting current demand across the marketplace.
CELERY– The Salinas Valley season is ramping up. Oxnard production is winding down; the Oxnard season will conclude mid-June. Santa Maria production continues year-round. The Michigan season will start in early to mid-July and continue into October. Markets should remain steady during the transition from Oxnard to Salinas Quebec is scheduled to start around the 10th of July.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS– Markets continue to decline, as supplies increase and quality improves from Mexico. Improved weather is increasing supplies in several Mexican growing regions. The majority of supplies are being harvested in Mexicali region. Growers are supplementing with product out of Central Mexico as well. Softer demand has alleviated the market; large sizes are more plentiful. Quality is average; there are fewer reports of insect pressure, seeder, and elongated heads. Supplies are adequate out of Oxnard, California, but acreage is minimal for this short season. The Salinas, California season will begin in July. Expect pricing to ease further within the next two weeks.
CARTON BAKING POTATOES– Old Crop Storage: Supplies of russets, reds and yellows out of multiple regions, including Ontario, Manitoba, PEI, Quebec, Idaho, Washington, and North Dakota remain very good with excellent quality and steady pricing. Deals are available out of Idaho and Washington as suppliers clear out the storage crop ahead of new crop arrivals. With Norkotahs cleaning up, supply will shift solely to Burbanks, leading to a notable drop in production. As production decreases, we anticipate some market increases. However, if demand increases, the market could strengthen significantly, though that remains uncertain. Given the depressed market conditions this season, there is some concern about similar supply levels next year, particularly if yields remain consistent. Planting is well underway across most regions, including Eastern Idaho; new crop harvest will start in August. Ontario, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba continue planting as well.
FIELD PEPPERS– Green Pepper: Strong volumes and excellent quality continue across both the Eastern and Western growing regions. Georgia is now in peak season, while North Carolina is projected to begin harvesting in the last week of June. In the West, the California desert is providing a steady supply, which is expected to continue through July before transitioning to the Bakersfield region. Red Pepper: There is good supply available in McAllen, Texas as well as crossing from Baja. The Coachella, California desert region also producing light volumes. South Georgia should ramp up production on reds over the next week. Quality is good from all shipping points.
HOTHOUSE PEPPERS– Supplies of Canadian greenhouse red, and orange pepper have improved for this week. Prices are slightly lower than last week. Quality remains excellent.
ASSORTED CHILI PEPPERS– Supplies in general are good with most varieties out of Mexico, but quality is mixed. Shippers should start harvesting in new fields in Sonora over the coming weeks which will improve supply and quality. Jalapeño and Poblano were lighter this week. Habanero, Tomatillo and Shishito will be the shortest and could see some supply interruptions. California should start production this month and South Georgia over the next 7 to 10 days.
GREEN ONIONS– Green onion supplies continue to be plentiful again this week, with excellent quality overall. This market is expected to remain steady heading through the week. Quebec will start with green onions the third week of June.
EGGPLANT– Production is in transition, with Plant City, Florida nearing the end of its season and Georgia wrapping up. California desert harvest remains strong and consistent in both volume and quality. The desert region will continue to supply through mid-June before shifting to Central California.
ZUCCHINI– There is a good supply of zucchini available from multiple regions, including Mexico, Santa Maria, Selma, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey and now Ontario. As Mexican production winds down, prices have edged slightly higher in the West, but supply and quality remain strong. Expect more local programs to ramp up over the next 7-10 days.
ONIONS– The Southern California desert onion season remains strong but will wind down starting this week, with high temperatures raising some sunburn concerns. Central California harvest began June 2, with Stockton starting this week with strong yields expected. New crop pricing will follow. Onions of all colors are available. New Mexico’s season will begin soon, adding to supply, with weather as a key factor in summer availability. Vidalia Onions: Vidalia onion growers continue shipping this year’s sweet onion crop. It was unexpected that the crop would endure a tropical storm, a hurricane, floods and even 6 inches of snow. Despite these unpredictable conditions, the crop has managed to withstand the challenges with only minor damage. Vidalia onions thrive in a unique growing region spanning 20 counties in South Georgia. Their sought-after flavor results from a delicate balance of specific weather patterns and soil conditions found exclusively in this area, creating an optimal environment for their growth. The season will run until early September.
TABLE POTATOES– Florida will continue with reds and yellows through June as long as the weather cooperates. Demand has been sporadic, and some shippers are looking to move out product while others are nearly sold out.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– Ontario grown English cucumbers continue to have excellent availability, quality and reasonable pricing on all sizes. Mini Cucumbers: As with regular English cucumbers, production continues to be very strong, with light demand, keeping pricing very reasonable. Quality remains very good.
CORN– Quality and volume on corn is excellent as we move into the first weeks of June and official start of summer. Supplies exceed demand and pricing reflects that. Florida is done for the season and Georgia and California both have good volume. Quality is excellent.
COLLARDS/CHARD/KALE– Supplies are very good, with many areas now producing. New Jersey and Ontario are now just starting production.
FRUIT
SEEDLESS WATERMELON– Watermelons are currently available in Florida and are expected to begin in California by the end of June. Mexican watermelons remain in good supply amid low demand. Suppliers anticipate strong demand for the upcoming summer holidays, with volume deals available. June is a great time to promote watermelons.
PEARS– Offshore: The import season from Argentina and South Africa continues with Bartlett, Bosc, Packham and Anjou available. There are good supplies arriving and, although pricing is higher than normal, the quality is reported to be good, and sales are brisk. Pacific Northwest: The Pacific Northwest pear crop this season is very small and supplies are almost tapped out. Growers have now finished shipping Bartletts and Bosc pears. Growers are currently shipping the remaining Anjou with a very few red pears. Prices are extremely high this season and we don’t expect to see significant changes to this until imports start and California begins mid-July.
MANGO– Approximately 3.5 million boxes are expected to arrive into North American markets from Mexico this week, as Guatemala has now fully exited the market. The main varieties currently available are Ataulfo (Honey), Kent, and Tommy Atkins. Demand remains high, but overall supply is tight across all sizes. As production transitions from southern regions (Oaxaca and Chiapas) to northern areas like Sinaloa, availability is expected to remain limited over the next two weeks. Prices are continuing to rise due to reduced volume and ongoing strong demand.
BLUEBERRIES– Multiple regions are currently in production, including Mexico, Central California, and Georgia. Expect the market to remain steady. Mexico: Mexican production has passed the seasonal peak as they enter their rainy season. Quality is good with consistent sizing. California: Harvesting has begun in California’s San Joaquin Valley; quality is very good. Florida: Florida volume is down; the season has been shortened due to weather. Georgia: Georgia stocks have been directed to the frozen market due to quality. North Carolina: Volume is steady, but not excessive, with Georgia coming off peak we should see better movement out of North Carolina. Small gap with early varieties ending and Legacy not quite starting yet. New Jersey: It is looking like June 10th start with a normal crop. Pacific North West/British Columbia: Looking like a June 20th start, cooler weather has slowed down early expectations
RASPBERRIES / BLACKBERRIES– The Mexican mixed berry-growing regions are shifting from extreme heat to their rainy season. Quality will improve due to these cooler temperatures. Raspberries: Medium-sized berries dominate availability. Quality is good; expect strong red color and firm texture. California’s Watsonville/Salinas region will begin harvesting in July. Expect markets to inch down. Blackberries: Supplies have increased significantly with steady demand. Quality is good; heat-related issues include cell regression (which is when the black cells shrink and become red) and softness. California growers have started limited harvesting in the San Joaquin Valley. Expect prices to remain low.
GRAPEFRUIT-25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs continue to be in place for Citrus from the United States. The California grapefruit season is in full swing, with fruit exhibiting deep red color and sweet, tangy flavor. Availability is good across a range of sizes, varying by grower. There will be some offshore options as Chile and South Africa starts. Volume is still limited with good quality.
STRAWBERRIES– Santa Maria and the Salinas/Watsonville growing areas in California are currently in production, but several Santa Maria shippers may start moving fields to processors and the freezer due to weaker markets. The Salinas/Watsonville region has been enjoying great weather, creating high-quality fruit. Salinas/Watsonville: Mild weather with no rain is forecast for this week. Quality is excellent; good color, light bruising, and odd shape are occasional issues. Size ranges from medium to medium-large; 12-16 berries per 1-pound clamshell packs. Expect markets to remain steady. Oxnard/Santa Maria: The forecast calls for clear, mild weather for the rest of the week. Quality is good; some green shoulders have been reported. Size ranges from small-medium to medium; 18-24 berries per 1-pound clamshell. The Oxnard and Santa Maria seasons are past their peaks; volume will start to decline. Ontario Hothouse: Hothouse production continues to be very light, with retail taking most of the production. Quality is good and sizing is on the smaller side. Expect to see stocks tighten and markets increase. Ontario Field: The Ontario field season is expected to start with light volume this week.
GOLD PINEAPPLES– Costa Rica / Honduras: 10% US tariffs are now in place for pineapples from Costa Rica and Honduras that transit through the USA. Pineapple supplies, both crowned and crownless, are currently abundant with much lower pricing. Good quality fruit is being exported to North America and the EU. The market is low as demand remains slow. After the first week of July, volume will start decreasing.
CITRUS– California Oranges: 25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs continue to be in place for Citrus from the United States. Ongoing labor challenges continue as a significant number of workers have transitioned to harvesting cherries and stone fruits, affecting the availability of workers to work for citrus growers. This situation is likely to persist until the conclusion of the California cherry season. Navel: The season is nearing its end, with supplies expected to last for another week to 10-days. Smaller sizes (113- and 138-counts) are particularly limited, and prices are rising as supplies tighten. Quality remains good, with sugar levels ranging from 12 to 13 brix. Valencia: The California Valencia season has begun, with the volume projected to ramp up in late June. Early production features excellent color and does not require gassing. Larger sizes (56- and 88-counts) are scarce, while smaller sizes are more abundant. Sugar levels are high, ranging from 12 to 14 brix. The California Valencia orange forecast for the 2024-25 season is projected to be down approximately 20% from last season. The forecast is the result of the 2024-25 Valencia Orange Objective Measurement Survey conducted from mid-January to early February in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the USDA. Survey data indicated an average fruit set per tree of 552, a 4.3% increase from the previous year and 1.1% below the five-year average of 558. The average March 1 diameter was 2.392 inches, down 1.7% from the previous year and down 2.8% from the five-year average of 2.461. Overall acreage is at 25,000 acres down from 25,500 acres the prior season. Final estimates project production at 15 million cartons compared to 18.6 million last season. Light harvests have begun, as the Navel season quickly winds down around by mid-June, Valencia’s will take over production for the summer and fall. Florida Valencias: The season is concluding, with supplies dominated by 80- to 100-count sizes. Quality is average, and growers are contending with regreening issues. Expect elevated prices and limited stocks as the season wraps up. Offshore Navels: The Spanish and Moroccan Navel orange seasons are winding down quickly. Quality is good to fair. Supply will transition to Chile and South Africa for the summer. Navel supplies out of Chile are anticipated to be down this season. South African navel supply should be comparable last year. Overall, imports may be active this summer with uncertainties in the global trade markets. First arrivals are anticipated for mid-June, with more availability picking up after the first week of July. Cara Cara Oranges: Cara Cara oranges are still being packed in California but will be finishing for the season in early June. Sizing is running small. Imported options will be available in July, so there will be a gap in supply. Blood Oranges: Similar to Cara’s blood oranges are still being packed but will be finishing for the season in early June. Sizing is running small. Mandarin/Clementine: Supplies on California Mandarins (Tangos and Murcotts) have lightened up significantly, market is very strong and will be finished mid-late June. As temperatures rise, puffiness is becoming more common, particularly in larger sizes. Imports: Early-season Peruvian varietals are available, with some Chilean and South African clementines trickling in. Peruvian Murcotts are scheduled to set sail on June 18th, with the first vessel expected to arrive at the Port of Wilmington between July 10th and 15th. Import mandarin supply should pick up mid to late June.
CANTALOUPE– The California / Arizona cantaloupe season out of Yuma Arizona, El Centro, California and the greater Phoenix region is now in full swing and sizing will improve as we start to see a more typical pattern of 9s followed by 12s. Jumbo fruit still has not made an appearance as of yet, but we will likely start to see those once the next block of fields break by early next week. Field reports show excellent quality from the desert. Fruit is strong externally with very good color and internal brix levels mostly in the 13-15% range consistently.
HONEYDEW– Honeydew production has started off strong and is coming in with an excellent mix of 5s and 6s. Similar to the cantaloupe, no jumbo fruit has been seen yet, but those will be right around the corner as well. The fruit is mostly clean with occasional scarring showing which is common in the desert due to higher winds in the region throughout the growing cycle. Brix levels on the dews are mostly in the 12-14% range.
LEMONS– California: 25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs continue to be in place for Citrus from the United States. Markets remain on the stronger side, with 165-count and smaller sizes continuing to be somewhat tight. Harvest remains steady from Districts 1 and 2. While fruit from District 1 is beginning to soften, it still maintains good quality as harvesting there has concluded. As we transition into fruit from District 2, we anticipate a shift in size structure, with increased availability of 140s to 200s. Offshore: South African and Argentinian imports have started in a small way with primarily larger fruit available 95/115ct. Chilean product should follow with first arrivals in June.
LIMES– Extreme shortages continue on large sizes (110’s, 150’s and 175’s) The recent high temperatures and lack of rain in the growing areas have accelerated fruit maturation, leading to the prevalence of smaller-sized limes (200’s, 230’s and 250’s). The lime market remains steady on smaller sizes, while larger sizes are elevated. Promotable volume is available on small fruit. Rain is anticipated soon as the rainy season is just starting. Peru is winding down its season, and Colombia continues to supply the market but with declining quality and shrinking availability.
GRAPES– Mexican green and red grape supplies continue to tighten. Early estimates indicate growers lost 50% of harvest on red grapes and 30% on green grapes due to damage from tropical storm Alvin. Red grapes are seeing most immediate damage as they were in peak maturity with high brix levels. High brix levels combined with rain will cause splitting of the grapes. Growers are directing crews to focus on red grape harvest, in turn slowing harvest on green grapes. Quality is expected to be good however mold and split grapes are expected. Quality control crews will double their efforts to ensure the best quality available upon shipping. The California season is expected to begin mid-July. Expect extremely low volume and elevated markets for the next six weeks.
HOTHOUSE TOMATO– Red Tomato On-The-Vine & Beefsteak: Spring production continues with good supplies. Supplies are expected to tighten as production slows in Ontario and growers are unable to utilize volume from US greenhouses, as they had planned, due to the tariffs. The size profile on beefsteak is more balanced as the season progresses. Bite Size (Cherry, Grape, Cocktail, Medley): Flavor and quality continues to be strong from Canada, Mexico and Florida. Production levels are expected to remain stable, with overall quality and flavor expected to continue to be good. We expect to continue seeing good volume, quality and pricing.
AVOCADO– Market conditions remain steady this week. Demand is consistent across most channels and is expected to increase throughout June. Imports from Mexico continue to decline as the season nears its end. Mexican fruit is showing high dry matter content, and a significant portion of the crop is being consumed domestically due to strong internal demand. California production remains stable and continues to deliver excellent quality. Arrivals from Peru are increasing on both coasts, and the season is now underway with strong summer program interest across all sizes. Mexico: Predominantly small fruit and a high percentage of grade 2 fruit are available in the field. The rainy season has officially begun, which may affect harvest volumes in the coming weeks. The Main Crop currently has a dry matter estimate of 37%. There are approximately 4 weeks remaining of the 2024-2025 crop. The Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico recently revised its crop estimate down by 28,558 metric tons, or about 63 million pounds, significantly reducing average projected weekly shipments from about 50 million pounds to about 27 million pounds. Increased national consumption within Mexico, up 10% to 27 pounds per capita, according to the USDA has contributed to faster-than-usual crop depletion and sustained record field prices. The new Off-Bloom Crop (Loca/Mendez) is set to begin around the traditional July 1st start date. The Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico has published Jalisco’s Mendez 2025-2026 Crop estimate, which is up 7.8% from last season. Michoacán’s Loca 2025-2026 Crop estimate is up 19.6% from last season. Peru: The 2025 Peruvian season is underway with strong volumes destined for all global markets. Promotional opportunities are expected throughout the summer. California: Approximately 9.8 million pounds were harvested last week. Dry matter is averaging 27%. Sizing is peaking on 48s and 60s. The California season is in full swing, with the industry expecting steady availability through summer. Supply is anticipated to taper off gradually beginning in July. Eating quality remains excellent. Colombia: The Traviesa Crop is well underway with promotional activity available on medium and small sizes. Dry matter continues to improve as the season progresses.
BANANAS– 10% US tariffs are now in place for all Bananas from Central America that transit through the USA. Banana supply is expected to be volatile over the next several weeks due to a labor strike in Panama effecting Chiquita, impacting the global supply chain. We do not expect major shortages at this time; however, prices are increasing. We are keeping a very close eye on this situation. Banana quality has been good and improving as we enter the summer grow cycle. Overall inventories are light, and we are seeing higher turns at the port and ripening centers; some of the fruit may not reach optimum color prior to arrival. We are advising distributors and customers to keep a close eye on ripeness; there may be some need to keep a heavier than normal inventory on hand and self-manage color to protect from shorts.
FIELD TOMATOES– 25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs remain in place for all tomatoes from the United States. South Florida is finished with late spring production. We will be loading out of South Georgia for the rest of the month. In Nogales, Arizona and McAllen, Texas, Mexican volume is steady on tomatoes. Jalisco, Mexico and Baja Monterey, Mexico will take on a majority of the Mexican volume on tomatoes. Quality is very good out of Mexico; We have had a relatively smooth transition to South Georgia and South Carolina. Tomatoes out of Coachella, California should start early next week. Overall quality and volume are mixed but expected to improve as more regions come online and stabilize supply. East Coast: We have started the transition to Bainbridge, Georgia and parts of South Carolina. We may see some volatility over the coming weeks, barring any major weather events due to these transitions. Current quality will be mixed. Tennessee expected to start mid to late June. Grape, Medley and Cherry Tomato supplies are light due to recent rains, quality remains good. West Coast: There is plenty of new crop production available out of Jalisco, Mexico Baja and parts of Central Mexico. Markets are firm and demand higher on larger fruit. Seems the size curve is spreading out on the crop. Quality is outstanding on new crop while there are still some lingering quality issues with residual winter production. Cherry, Grape and Medley Tomato supplies are steady with light demand. This has put downward pressure on pricing; quality remains good.
STONE FRUIT– California: Peaches, plums, and nectarines are all in good supply, with improved sizing and a wider variety becoming available. Apricots are quickly winding down. There are also peaches available in the east out of Georgia and South Carolina. California cherry growers are now harvesting the Brooks and Bing varieties in the Lodi area after wrapping up in the southern valley. Yields are at 60% of expectations, making this one of the shortest cherry seasons in recent years. The Washington cherry season are just starting, with harvest expected to gain momentum next week.
APPLES– Ontario: Ontario growers continue packing top quality apples out of storage. Most varieties continue to be available including MacIntosh, Empire, Gold Delicious, Red Delicious, Cortland, Ambrosia, Fuji, Ida Red and Royal Gala. Honeycrisp are still Canadian, from Nova Scotia but in very light supply and priced very high. Ontario Pink Lady, Spy and Mutsu are finished. Color and sizing and overall quality is excellent. Washington: Growers are currently shipping apples out of storage, and we still have good supplies of most varieties available from Washington. Most varieties are still promotable, and growers are looking to push apples. However, some varieties have tight supplies as we enter the summer season. All Honeycrisp packs, sizes, and grades are tight and continue to increase in price. We expect this trend to continue until the new crop arrives in mid-August. Other items that are firming up are premium Gala size 80 and larger, as well as premium Fuji size 72 and larger. The import season has now started with good quantities of apples arriving on the East Coast. The arrivals this time of year are mostly Gala and Honeycrisp varieties. Although this is a welcome new supply, we don’t expect to see a drop in market pricing in the near future. The imports should provide a stabilizing effect and keep the market from any significant price increases. Some varieties to push that are promotable for the next month include Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Cosmic Crisp, and Fuji. Overall, growers still have a large crop of apples to sell and expect to see attractive pricing on most varieties into early summer this year.
WILD FORAGED PRODUCTS
Wild Mushrooms:
Morel Mushroom: From British Columbia. 5lb basket. Call for pricing.
Porcini Mushroom: From Oregon. Top quality. Grade A buttons, Grade B Med/Large, Grade C Large all available. Pricing lower.
Mousseron Mushroom: From Bulgaria. Pricing stable.
Yellow Chanterelle: From Bulgaria. New season. 6lb basket. Good supplies.
Truffles:
** NEW ** Winter Truffles: From Australia. Season just starting. Call for availability and pricing.
Summer Truffles: From Italy. Top quality at lower prices. Call for pricing.
Vegetables:
** SOON ** Garlic Scapes: Garlic scapes should start late this week or early next week.
Ramps: The season has ended. Fiddleheads: Product from Oregon / British Columbia continues but is winding down. 5lb bags. Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia are done.
Wild Asparagus: From France. Peak season. Prices lower. 200g bunches.
