ONTARIO LOCAL
BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Brussels sprouts continue with steady supplies. Pricing remains stable with strong demand. Quality is very good.
HARD SQUASH: Pepper (Acorn), butternut, spaghetti, buttercup and delicata squash continue with good volume, however volume is declining. Pricing is steady.
PEELED BABY CARROTS: Peeled baby carrots continue with excellent quality. Pack size is 6x5lb cases. The season will continue for at least the next 7-10 days.
POTATO: The majority of growers have finished harvesting. Yields are down significantly in some regions, due to the hot, dry growing conditions. However, parts of the province that received adequate rain produced above-average yields. Reports indicate that the size profile has been disappointing in some areas. Chef Large #1, “A”, “B” and “C” (creamers) sizes are all available.
PEARS: Both Ontario Bartlett and Bosc pears continue. Both are packed in 8x2L clamshells. Supplies are good, with excellent quality. Bosc pears will run until December, while Bartletts will wrap up over the next 7-10 days.
BUNCHED CARROTS & BEETS: Bunched carrot harvest continues and will continue until consistent freezing temperature return. Quality remains good. Bunched beets are finished for the season.
LEEKS: Supplies are steady with good demand. Quality is very good.
CELERY: Ontario celery continues from Chips Gardens in Bradford. Overall quality is very good. The season will end by the end of the week. This item is available by special order.
HERBS: Cilantro and dill production is finished. Curly and plain parsley and methi will finish this week. Quality remains good.
BROCCOLI: This will be the last week for broccoli production. Pricing is easing as import prices ease. Quality continues to be very strong.
GREEN ONIONS: Supplies are steady as the season nears the end. Pricing is inching up with moderate demand. Quality is very good.
CHINESE VEGETABLES: Baby Shanghai bok choy, regular bok choy and nappa continue, however, the season will end over the next 7-10 days. Quality is good with steady demand.
GREENS– Ontario bunched spinach, collards, green kale, red kale, black kale, green and red swiss chard packed in 12ct cases are all still available with strong supplies with very good quality. Dandelion is done for the season.
BUNCH RADISH– Bunch radish supplies are good with good quality. The season will end over the next 10-14 days.
WAX TURNIP (RUTABAGA) – New crop rutabaga continues with good supplies. Prices remain steady.
CARROT– The majority of carrot growers have finished harvesting. Quality is very good and prices are slowly inching down as supplies increase. Heirloom multi colored and red carrot supplies are very good with good quality.
MUSHROOMS– Recent production issues have caused some shortages, however with cooler seasonable weather, supplies are good with no disruptions in supply expected.
CABBAGE– Ontario new crop green, red and savoy cabbage supplies are very good. Pricing is steady with good demand. Harvest will continue through November as growers put product into storage.
APPLES– Apple harvest is complete with supplies now shipping out of storage. Gold Delicious, MacIntosh, Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire, Spartan, Cortland, Red Delicious, Ambrosia and Fuji ae 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 very strong demand. Quality is very good; however, berry size is on the smaller side. Supplies should improve in the new year.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– Production remains steady with the return to more seasonable temperatures. Quality is very good. Pricing remains steady at lower levels. Sizing is more balanced with mediums being the predominant size with good supplies of large and extra-large.
HOTHOUSE TOMATO– Ontario grown supplies are winding down as growers pull crops for the winter. New crop will start again in March. Supplies are arriving from Mexico.
HOTHOUSE PEPPER– Ontario greenhouse production will wind down through November. Supplies have improved with lower pricing and good quality as growers pull crops for the winter. Transition to Mexico will start over the next 10-14 days.
Tariff Update
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, clementines, lemons, limes, pomelos, papaya, watermelons, peaches, nectarines, cherries and plums.
A new round of US tariffs took effect Friday August 7th that will affect imports from the USA for pineapples from Costa Rica; rate was 10% now 15%, bananas from Ecuador, rate was 10% now 15%. 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
Broccoli: Although markets are softening due to increased supplies in several growing regions, prices will inch back up as the Salinas season ends. Value-added broccoli products still have triggers. The Ontario season is winding down and this week will be the last week of harvest.
Baby Broccoli (Broccolini): Baby broccoli / broccolini supplies are gradually improving, though more rain is forecasted in Salinas for this week. Yields have slightly increased this week as supplies recover from recent weather events.
Baby Squash: Vessel delays are disrupting the movement of Guatemalan products, while ongoing weather challenges in Guatemala are further pressuring production and quality. As a result, availability remains affected for Baby Peeled Carrots, Colored Baby Peeled Carrots, and French Beans.
Snow Peas / Sugar Snap Peas: Supplies from Guatemala remain limited due to adverse weather; quality is reported as fair at best. Peruvian production is very low as the season winds down. US availability is also low following recent rainfall, keeping overall supply tight. Prices remain elevated, with limited supplies. Relief on supplies is not expected until mid-November.
Eggplant: Short-term tightness is likely, but rising Florida and Mexican supplies should ease markets and support promotions into December.
Celery: We continue to see limited supplies across the industry. This market is strong in both northern and southern regions, with higher pricing on all value-added items.
Green Onions: Green onion supplies remain inconsistent at best.
Cauliflower: Supplies are increasing amid favourable weather and weakening demand, but supplies are expected to remain limited as we near the end of the Salinas season and local deals finish. Value-added cauliflower products still have triggers.
Spring Mix, Baby Spinach and Baby Arugula: Supplies of tender leaf and spring mix varieties are limited in the California growing regions. Prices have risen with the limited supplies. Demand has shifted to arugula and tender leaf items due to shortages on lettuce and leaf items in California. Arugula supplies are the tightest within the tender leaf category due to sensitivity to abnormally low temperatures. Quality is average; yellowing leaves and product breakdown are main quality challenges.
California Iceberg: Current production is in Huron, Yuma, and Salinas, with minimal output from Southern California. Demand continues to exceed supply. Value-added iceberg products are in extreme trigger, with reduced shelf life due to raw material quality.
California Romaine / Leaf: Expect light supplies of romaine, green and red leaf throughout the week, with romaine hearts very limited. Value-added leaf and romaine products are in extreme trigger, with reduced shelf life due to raw material quality.
Canadian Potatoes: Most of the country’s potatoes are grown in the four eastern provinces, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. Several growing regions in those provinces did not receive the rain needed during August and early September. As a result, yields and size profile are expected to be down over 2024 by 9%.
Honeydew: The fall California melon season is winding down. Honeydews will ship through November 22. The transition to offshore production will begin over the next few weeks.
Cantaloupe: The fall California melon season is winding down. Cantaloupes will ship through November 18. The transition to offshore production will begin over the next few weeks.
Stone Fruit: The California peach, nectarines and plum season is done. Italian black plums are now available. Chilean fruit will arrive mid-December.
Brussels Sprouts: Prices are steady, but poised to advance with any increase in demand. Supplies are steady across West Coast growing regions of Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys.
Grapes: California grape harvesting has wrapped up. Growers will ship out of storage for the remainder of the season. Quality will be mixed through the reminder of the season, high shatter, waterberry and shorter shelf life are to be expected as the fruit ages.
Hothouse Peppers: Ontario greenhouse production is quickly winding down and will finish over the next two weeks. Growers have started transition to Mexican operations for supply.
Hothouse Tomato: Ontario greenhouse production is quickly winding down and will finish over the next two weeks. Growers have started transition to Mexican operations for supply.
Blueberries: Steady Peruvian arrivals are putting downward pressure on the market, while Mexican production continues to increase into November and is expected to peak in December.
Raspberries: We continue to see strong demand on raspberries due to weather-driven demand and light supplies. They are also being used as a fill item to help offset shortages across multiple commodities, including strawberries.
Strawberries: Strawberry supplies remain limited. Rain is forecast from Wednesday, November 12 through Saturday, November 15 in Santa Maria and Oxnard, California. While current conditions remain dry and harvests are on schedule, multiple days of rain could lead to reduced or delayed harvests and adjustments to loading schedules. Quality is just average, with very short shelf life.
Gold Pineapples: Overall, pineapple supplies remain limited and will stay tight for the rest of the year. Availability of fruit in the market has improved on both 6s and 7s with larger sizes; 4s and 5s having better availability.
Lemons: Price relief is expected to start next week as new crop lemon production has begun in the California desert region. New crop California lemons are in full swing.
Mature Green Field Tomatoes: Moderate supply and soft demand are keeping prices steady to slightly lower. However, we are watching a strong cold front come across the south that will bring close to freezing temperatures to South Georgia and Northern Florida Monday Nov. 10th and Tuesday Nov. 11th. Overnight temperatures are expected to be in the mid-low 30’s and daytime highs struggling to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watermelon: Watermelons are nearing the end of their season across the US, with prices starting to rise as supplies decline.
VEGETABLES
West Coast Supply and Quality General Update
We’re starting to see the first harvests out of the California-Arizona desert growing regions but volume remains limited, and quality continues to vary; additional suppliers will begin harvests this week. Yuma has also experienced rain and unusual weather patterns, so transition is expected to be bumpy. Early quality is good; however, size and weight continue to be challenges. Average 24-count pack iceberg weights are 34-36 lb. while romaine is 33-36 lb. Heads will increase as almost perfect growing conditions are forecast. Markets are still elevated on iceberg, romaine, and green leaf, as Salinas Valley winds down and production shifts south. All value-added lettuce items have several price triggers. Most growers are still targeting the week of November 17 for a full desert transition. Spring mix and baby leaf availability remain limited. Yields were impacted by the storms earlier this month, and quality concerns are still being reported in arugula and tender leaf items. That said, some growers have stabilized with good color and texture reported in newer lots. Field inspectors will continue to assess fields and report back with an additional outlook as growers make a full transition to the Arizona-California desert region over the next 710 days.
WEST COAST LETTUCES
Markets remain extremely elevated amid low yields, reduced quality and increased demand in the Salinas Valley as the season ends. Valueadded packs are still seeing early breakdown and discoloration with several triggers. Salinas, California: Quality is fair at best. Low weights, disease pressure, and mildew are reducing yields with another 7-10 days left in the season. Huron, California: Production is ongoing. Quality and weights are good. Oxnard, California: Production is supplementing any shortages. Quality is good, but weights are low. ArizonaCalifornia Desert Region: Production started last week and continues to ramp up. Most growers will begin harvesting this week. We will make the final transition the week of November 17. Expect markets to remain elevated through November, until this season ramps up.
ICEBERG– Value-added leaf and romaine products are in extreme trigger, with reduced shelf life due to raw material quality. This is expected to continue through the week. Overall demand exceeds supplies. Current production is in Huron, Yuma, and Salinas, with minimal output from Southern California. Suppliers continue to face challenges with light weights, rib discoloration, and misshapen heads, with weights ranging from 34–39 pounds depending on shipper and region. Expect markets to remain elevated through the transition to the Arizona-California desert season the week of November 17th.
ROMAINE / LEAF– Expect light supplies of romaine, green and red leaf throughout the week, with romaine hearts very limited. Value-added leaf and romaine products are in extreme trigger, with reduced shelf life due to raw material quality. Common quality issues include tip and fringe burn, discoloration, and light weights. Production continues in Huron, Salinas, and Yuma. Expect markets to remain elevated through the transition to the Arizona-California desert season the week of November 17th.
SPRING MIX/BABY SPINACH/BABY ARUGULA/BABY KALE– Supplies of tender leaf and spring mix varieties are limited in the California growing regions. Prices remain higher with the limited supplies. Recent rain/hail events in California have taken a toll on all tender leaf items. The hail has really affected quality, and you will see the damage in some packs. Demand has shifted to arugula and tender leaf items due to shortages on lettuce and leaf items in California. Arugula supplies are the tightest within the tender leaf category due to sensitivity to abnormally low temperatures. Quality is average; yellowing leaves and product breakdown are main quality challenges
BABY BROCCOLI / BROCCOLINI– Baby broccoli / broccolini supplies are gradually improving, though more rain is forecasted in Salinas for this week. Yields have slightly increased this week as supplies recover from recent weather events. Quality is fair; yellowing, premature flowering, and excessive pith are still being reported. Rain is forecast for the second half of this week across western growing regions, which may impact the improving supply. Stronger demand over the next two weeks is expected to keep markets elevated and overall supplies limited
MUSHROOMS– Mushroom supply has stabilized with no issues on the horizon.
BROCCOLI– Although markets are softening due to increased supplies in several growing regions, prices will inch back up as the Salinas season winds down. Value-added broccoli products still have triggers. Ontario / Quebec: Supplies continue to slow; the season will wind down this week with only bunched product being available. Prices remain fairly steady with demand being very good. Quality is very good, with few defects being noted on arrival. California: Quality is okay, and supplies are still limited. Growers are starting to move to Yuma so things should improve in a few weeks. We have still had reports of browning, pin rot and Diamondback larvae. Most growers are still prorating. The Salinas weather and the fact that growers are harvesting the last of the Salinas fields is affecting yields and quality. Mexico: Markets are trending lower as supplies ramp up for the winter season. Weather is favourable for growth; minimal precipitation is forecast for the next few weeks. Quality ranges from fair to good; hollow core, mechanical damage, and some purple cast are present. Expect markets to continue easing through November. East Coast / Midwest: Production will wind down in Maine over the next week; Indiana stocks are tightening as well. Supplies out of North and South Carolina will support the market until Florida and Georgia growers begin harvesting in the late fall/early winter. Prices will continue to soften as the southernmost growing seasons progress.
ASPARAGUS– Fields in Mexico and Peru are gearing up for the upcoming holiday season. Mexico: Mexico’s volume continues to rise with easing prices while weather is limiting yields. Supplies should tighten by mid-December until Caborca starts in late January. Peru: Peru has a 10% tariff for product destined for the USA. New fields in the North are opening and with improving temperatures, we’re projecting excellent volume with heavier arrivals expected by early December through February. The south region remains active, harvesting steadily through December, and keeping the sourcing balanced across both regions. Overall supply is improving but still below normal, keeping markets firm, especially on larger sizes.
BEANS– Supply and quality are expected to be mixed this week. Demand was light as most growing regions deal with weather-related pressure. Georgia green beans are now available. Prices are expected to remain steady, but might change as demand increases for the US Thanksgiving pull. Yellow beans are in very light supply, with good quality. Snipped: Snipped green bean supplies continue to be tight. We are also seeing quality issues and shorter shelf life. We expect this to continue into next week.
GARLIC– Whole cloves and peeled garlic prices are steady as new crop supplies from China, Mexico and California continue. Overall demand is light. Supplies exceed demand. China: Supplies are starting to back up as demand is light and arrivals continue. Pricing remains stable, however quality checks are required. North American: California garlic is progressing with good quality, complemented by ongoing Mexican supplies. U.S. tariffs on Chinese garlic have shifted demand to Mexico and California.
CABBAGE– Ontario: New crop green, red and savoy cabbage harvesting continues with very good quality with strong supplies. Prices are stable as demand from US buyers increases demand. California: Supplies are extremely tight with just okay quality. We are seeing poor yields in the value-added category as growers are trying to limit the core in the finished product. Value-added cabbage items have triggered to second level triggers. Growers are starting to hold to averages. The weather has affected harvesting and overall quality. This is causing additional supply issues. Yields will continue to decrease as we get closer to transition. Production in the Arizona/California desert region will begin in late November/early December. Expect elevated prices for the next 7-10 days. Midwest/East Coast: Regional shipments from Michigan, New York, and Ohio will wind down through mid to end of November pending a hard freeze. Southern regions will be starting over the next 7-10 days; North Carolina will start this week, followed by Georgia in mid-November. Winter production will start in Florida in early December. Texas/Mexico: Imported supplies from Central Mexico continue to cross into South Texas with generally lower pricing. The domestic South Texas season will begin in late November/early December. Overall quality is good.
CELERY– We continue to see limited supplies across the industry. This market is strong in both northern and southern regions, with higher pricing on all value-added items. Large sizes remain the most available across packs. Salinas production will continue with some suppliers for another two weeks before shifting to Southern California, with Yuma production starting in late December. Mexico is looking at mid-November when quality volume will become available. Growers will begin production in Belle Glade, Florida in December. Elevated markets are anticipated until the Oxnard season starts in mid-November. Expect the market to strengthen weekly ahead of the US Thanksgiving. Canadian: Quebec celery production is in the final week. Currently, supplies are light as most growers have finished. Quality is just fair. Pricing remains steady.
CANADIAN POTATO: Estimates indicate Canadian growers 3.8 million hundred weight less than the country produced in 2024. If the forecast is accurate, this is Canada’s third-largest potato crop on record, behind 2023 and 2024. The projection is based on early October harvest reports. Increases are being seen in New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. Production estimates for PEI are lower, while projections remained unchanged in Ontario and Saskatchewan. Harvest conditions have been mixed across Canada. Though conditions in general have been favorable, harvest progress was slow in some regions due to high temperatures. Growers in several provinces have finished harvesting this year’s potato crop. Others should be able to wrap up next week. Ontario: Some growers have already finished harvesting, while others still have 10%-15% of this year’s crop left to dig. In general, harvest conditions have been mostly favorable. There were a few hot days, but some growers continued digging through the heat. Recent rains this past weekend could improve harvest conditions. Yields are down significantly in some regions, due to the hot, dry growing conditions. However, parts of the province that received adequate rain produced above-average yields. Crops under irrigation also produced favorable yields. Reports indicate that the size profile has been disappointing in some areas. Packout rates will be lower for at least part of Ontario’s table potato crop. We expect Ontario growers to harvest 40,000 acres of potatoes this year. That is 1,240 acres more than the harvested area for the 2024 crop. Crop estimates fall short of Ontario’s 2024 potato crop. P.E.I.: Prince Edward Island did not receive the late-summer rain needed to size up this year’s crop. The Island has received very little rain since early July. Reports indicate that yields are down 25%-30% in some areas. Growers have been pleased with production on irrigated fields, but only about 10% of PEI’s potatoes are grown under irrigation. Crops are also better on the west side of the Island, which received more rain. Potato quality appears to be average, but the size profile is smaller than usual. The local processor has been importing potatoes from Maine and New Brunswick to cover the raw-product supply gap. Yields were so light in some fields that growers chose not to dig them. We expect growers to harvest 87,100 acres of potatoes this year; 2,000 acres more than they harvested last year. Production for the 2025 potato crop is forecast to be 14.4%, less than the 2024 crop. Approximately 75%-80% of the potatoes have been harvested. The Island received 1-3 inches of rain last week which improved digging conditions. Most growers should be finished harvesting by the end of the week, which is about a week earlier than normal. New Brunswick: Nearly all growers have finished harvesting. Yields have been mixed for the 2025 potato crop. Part of the southern growing region, which received very little rain during the summer, produced below average yields. Yields were average or slightly above average in most other parts of the province. Reports indicate that yields were exceptional in some of the northern growing areas. Yield estimates for New Brunswick’s 2025 potato are expected to be slightly less than the yield for the 2024 crop. Though processors reduced contracts, growers did not cut acreage. We expect New Brunswick growers to harvest 51,900 acres of potatoes this year. That is 950 acres less than they harvested in 2024. When combined with this year’s expected yield, that would generate less than the province harvested in 2024, a 2.4% reduction. Local processors should have enough raw product to operate plants at planned levels. Overall, quality appears to be good, even in areas with poor yields. Recovery rates are expected to be above average. Some open processing potatoes are expected to be shipped to PEI. Quebec: Around 75%-80% of Quebec’s potato crop has been harvested. Harvest conditions have been mostly favorable. Growers did shut down for a few days due to high temperatures. Some growing areas experienced freezing temperatures one night, but that did not affect the crop, and growers were able to dig by noon the next day. Reports indicate that yields and size have exceeded earlier expectations. However, they are below average in some parts of the province that received very little rain during July and August. Overall, quality appears to be good. Yield estimates for the province have increased, however, yield will be less than the 2024 provincial average yield; however, it is more than the five-year average. We believe that growers will harvest approximately 47,500 acres of potatoes this year, 1,067 acres more than the 2024 harvested area. The 2025 estimate falls 1.3%, short of Quebec’s 2024 production. Saskatchewan: Most growers were able to finish harvesting slightly ahead of schedule due to the dry conditions. Reports indicate that the size profile and quality of this year’s potato crop are close to average. Yield estimates will match the 2024 yield. We estimate that growers will harvest 7,200 acres of potatoes this year, 200 acres less than they harvested for the 2024 crop. The expected yield and acreage combination less than the 2024 crop; a 2.1% reduction. Alberta: The 2025 potato harvest is virtually complete. Some seed potatoes are still in the ground, but growers are out of storage space. Harvest conditions were nearly ideal. Processors and growers have been pleased with the quality of this year’s potato crop. Reports indicate that Alberta’s seed potato crop is one of the best in several years. Overall, yields are expected to be average or slightly above average. Yield estimates for the province exceeds the 2024 yield and would be a record-breaking crop. Raw product supplies are more than sufficient for local processing needs, due to increased acreage and strong yields. One processor has been purchasing open processing potatoes to send by rail to its plants on the east coast for next spring.
US CARTON BAKING POTATOES– Harvest is complete, and growers are now shipping storage crop with good supplies and steady demand. We will see demand start to increase over the next week or two as everyone tries to get ahead of the American Thanksgiving pull; pricing will remain. Burbank potatoes are slowly becoming available, with Norkoths as the main variety. Washington potatoes are producing excellent quality, peaking on mid sizes, while large and small counts remain tight. The long-term outlook mirrors last season, when the market remained relatively soft until late spring, at which point tighter supply led to higher pricing.
CAULIFLOWER– Supplies are increasing amid favourable weather and weakening demand, but supplies are expected to remain limited as we near the end of the Salinas season. Value-added cauliflower products still have triggers. Ontario/Quebec: The local Ontario / Quebec seasons have ended. Supplies will be depleted this week. Quality is just fair on remaining stocks with some discolouration, black spot and mould being reported. Salinas and Santa Maria, California: Yields are slowly rebounding as weather and growing conditions improve. Quality is fairly good; minimal discolouration, brown bead, mould, and mildew are being reported. Insect damage, from Diamondback moth pupa/larvae, is a decreasing issue due to cooler weather. Inconsistent sizing and smaller heads persist as a result of lower nighttime temperatures. Despite weaker pricing, expect supplies to remain tight until the Arizona/California desert season begins in mid-November. East Coast/Midwest: Markets remain fairly high amid supply gaps between growing regions. Production is winding down in Maine. Minimal yields out of North and South Carolina will support the market until harvesting starts in Florida and Georgia in the late fall/early winter. Prices will remain slightly elevated until production shifts further south within the next few weeks.
EGGPLANT– Short-term tightness is likely, but rising Florida and Mexican supplies should ease markets and support promotions into December. East Coast: Cooler temperatures in Georgia are keeping production light, while Florida starts adding small volumes this week. Mexico: Eggplant crossings through Nogales are increasing, with strong volume expected.
SNOW PEAS / SUGAR SNAP PEAS– Supplies of Guatemalan snow peas and sugar snaps remain extremely limited as adverse weather continues to impact production, and availability is not expected to improve until mid-November. Peruvian volumes also remain light due to normal seasonal declines, while US supplies are limited and prices remain very elevated. Mexican production is expected to begin within the next two to three weeks, which should provide some relief to the market once volume increases.
FRENCH GREEN BEAN / BABY SQUASH– Vessel delays are disrupting the movement of Guatemalan products, while ongoing weather challenges in Guatemala are further pressuring production and quality. As a result, availability remains affected for baby peeled carrots, colored baby peeled carrots, and french beans.
ASSORTED CHILI PEPPERS– Imports: Supplies were lighter again this week as last week’s rain has caused harvest delays and ongoing quality issues on several varieties. Sinaloa, Mexico will slowly start this week and should relieve some of the upward market pressure coming from California and Baja. We are still seeing firm markets on Anaheim, Tomatillo, Serrano, and Red Fresno were the tightest this week.
FIELD PEPPERS– Red pepper supplies are moderate; California’s recent poor weather has affected quality. Green peppers are available on both coasts; new crop harvesting is starting up in Florida and Coachella, California this month. Green Peppers: California’s Coachella season is underway. Quality is good and all sizes are available. Limited quantities of choice-grade peppers remain available from the San Joaquin Valley and Arroyo Grande. Growers in Central Mexico are shipping low volume into South Texas. The Nogales season will start with very low volume in mid-November. Production will wind down over the next couple of weeks in Georgia; cooler weather in South Georgia makes peppers more prone to bruising. Florida harvests have begun; supplies will increase over the next two weeks. Expect steady but low prices over the next week as new regions are now in production. Red Peppers: This week’s lower temperatures and recent inclement weather have affected overall quality in California’s coastal regions. Current shelf life is slightly reduced. Tighter inventory turns are recommended over the next two weeks. The Coachella season is expected to start in mid-November, which will improve overall quality. Growers in Central Mexico are shipping low volume into South Texas. Canadian greenhouse supplies are winding down and growers start pulling plants; Quality remains good. Expect prices to increase over the next two weeks.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS– Imports: Prices are steady at higher levels, but are poised to advance with any increase in demand. Supplies are steady across West Coast growing regions of Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys. Quality ranges from fair to average; discoloration, excessive seeder, and small size continue to be reported. Jumbo sprouts have been especially affected by excessive seeder (long internal stems), skewing yields towards smaller sizes. Weather interruptions on California’s Central Coast and Diamondback moth pupa/larvae continue to reduce overall volume. Value-added products continue to have three triggers. Expect higher pricing and tight availability as US Thanksgiving holiday demand increases over the next several weeks. Production in California will run into early December, before growers move south to Mexico. Ontario: Growers continue to harvest and pack brussels sprouts. Demand is strong; supplies will be steady into next week. Quality is very good, compared to California.
CORN– Sweet corn volumes remain high in the Southeast, with prices expected to stay low in the near term. Georgia will finish up for the season in a couple of weeks.
HOTHOUSE PEPPERS– As the Ontario greenhouse pepper production begins to wind down, supplies remain steady. Growers continue pulling crops; a process that will take about three weeks. The season will be fully finished by the end of November. Product from Mexico has started to take over supply as the season winds down. Pricing is steady with light demand.
GREEN ONIONS– Imports: Green onion supplies remain inconsistent at best. Weather in the Baja region has impacted quality and reduced yields. Expect the market to stay slightly elevated into next week until supplies normalize over the next 7-10 days. Quebec: Supplies are very good however the season is winding down and will be finished sometime this week. Quality remains very good.
ENGLISH CUCUMBERS– Pricing and supplies remain steady. The sizing profile is balanced, with all sizes available. Mini Cucumbers: Production has improved with better supplies and steady pricing. Quality remains very good.
ONIONS– Imports: The onion market is expected to remain stable into January. With harvest concluding, all product will ship exclusively from storage from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. While we may see a modest increase occur, no significant market movement is anticipated. The outlook remains steady, and any potential changes are unlikely to occur. Overall, supply, quality, and pricing should continue to favorable, with plenty of availability expected barring unforeseen disruptions. Ontario / Quebec: Ontario continues shipping good supplies of new crop cooking onions and red onions; prices have eased as supplies increase. Quality is very good.
ZUCCHINI– Supply will be mixed this week; plentiful in the west while the Southeast struggles through transition. We are seeing a split in the markets. We could see further variances between the two markets should the cold weather in the forecast impact production in the east. Mexico: Green zucchini volume is rising, easing prices, while yellow remains tighter with higher prices expected mid-month. Georgia: Production is slowing as the season winds down, though quality remains strong; warmer temperatures last week provided a slight boost, however, colder weather is forecast for this week. Florida: Central Florida is ramping up, with stronger volume expected in 1–2 weeks.
COLLARDS/CHARD/KALE– Supplies continue to be very good from Ontario, but will begin to wind down over the next 7-10 days. Green, red and black kale as well as green. red and rainbow swiss chard are in excellent supply, packed in 12ct cases. Quality is very good.
FRUIT
PEARS– The Northwest pear harvest has made a tremendous comeback from last year’s crop and is back on its feet with a 60 percent increase over 2024; with the entire US pear crop estimated at a 22 percent increase. Continue to promote pears into the winter months, as the abundant high-volume yield will be available to support further activity. Washington, Oregon and California will be shipping some outstanding quality pears in all varieties. The ideal time to promote pears is during the Christmas holiday periods. Current pear demand is moderate with a steady market out of Washington, Oregon and California. Washington: Anjou pears are now in good production. Regular storage Bartletts are beginning to show lighter color and have shorter shelf life compared to a few weeks ago. Bosc and Red pears remain in good supply. Harvest has a way to go and will continue into November this year. Ontario: The Ontario pear season continues with good supply and very good quality of Bartlett, D’Anjou and Bosc. Bosc pears will run through December, while Bartlett and D’Anjou will wrap up in about 7-10 days. Pack size is 8x2L clamshells.
WATERMELON– Watermelon supplies are tight. While supplies are available on both coasts, supplies are light with rising prices as volumes decline. Mexican melons through Texas and Nogales are limited, with quality still affected by last month’s rain. Florida has a small fall crop. We will have supplies from Northern Mexico through November.
MANGO– Industry supply is coming from Brazil and Ecuador, and approximately 2.5 million boxes are expected to arrive to ports in Canada and the USA this week. The main varieties available include Tommy Atkins, with limited volumes of Ataulfo (Honey), Keitt, and Kent. Demand is stable, and pricing continues to decline on small sizes while remaining steady on large sizes. Ecuadorian arrivals have now begun on both coasts, bringing mostly small fruit and creating price relief on 10 and 12 count rounds. Brazil continues to supply the market with larger fruit, which remains at a premium due to limited availability. As the industry moves further into the fall, overall supply is expected to increase, opening up more promotional opportunities on smaller fruit.
RASPBERRIES / BLACKBERRIES– We continue to see strong demand on both raspberries and blackberries due to weather-driven demand and light supplies. They are also being used as a fill item to help offset shortages across multiple commodities, including strawberries. Raspberries: Production continues across Central Mexico, Baja, and Oxnard. Supplies have tightened following recent rainfall in the growing regions and as the Watsonville season ends and Oxnard volumes decline. Overall quality remains good, though some soft or overripe fruit is being observed due to recent heat, rain, and humidity. Loading delays continue due to road blockades caused by ongoing labor strikes in Mexico. Supply is expected to remain steady over the next two weeks. Blackberries: Strong volumes are coming out of Baja and Central Mexico, while California production has nearly finished. Supplies from Central Mexico are expected to build steadily through December. As growers move past Mexico’s monsoon season, overall quality should improve in the coming weeks.
BLUEBERRIES– Peruvian supplies remain steady at both East and West Coast ports, with markets softening. Central Mexico is ramping up production crossing through McAllen, Texas. Mexican quality and sizing continue to be very good, contributing positively to market stability.
POMEGRANATE– There are offshore pomegranates from Israel and Egypt as California is in full season. California supplies are plentiful with a great variety of all sizes. The California harvest season runs from early September through November while supplies will be available into February with later supplies being shipped out of storage. Ordering will need to be adjusted as imported case sizing is 8lbs (8-12ct) while California ships 22lb cases (40-44ct).
GRAPEFRUIT– Florida: The Florida season has started with great quality reported with excellent internals. Some growers were affected by hurricanes last season so yield expectations vary; overall, volume should be similar to last season. Sizing should also be similar to last year, peaking on 40/48/56 counts, leaving larger fruit more limited. Texas: The Texas season has started with great quality reported and a similar sizing to Florida, peaking on 40/48 counts. Availability is limited but expected to ramp up in November with colder weather helping fruit maturity. California: Rio reds will start this month with a few growers. More growers will ramp up grapefruit availability in late February when harvesting increases. Imports: Grapefruit from South Africa and Peru are still available with good volume. Larger sizes (32–40 counts) are more prevalent, with limited availability on smaller fruit (45–55 counts). Fruit is reported to be with solid internal quality. Steady import supplies are expected through November.
STRAWBERRIES– Strawberry supplies remain limited. Rain is forecast from Wednesday, November 12 through Saturday, November 15 in Santa Maria and Oxnard, California. While current conditions remain dry and harvests are on schedule, multiple days of rain could lead to reduced or delayed harvests and adjustments to loading schedules. Supplies are beginning to improve in Mexico as weather and quality conditions stabilize there. Santa Maria/Oxnard: Oxnard peaked last week and will see a gradual decline, while Santa Maria is winding down quickly. Quality ranges from fair to good; size ranges from small-medium to medium. Some issues include soft skin, bruising, pin rot, and misshapen berries. Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; we recommend ordering for quick turns. Expect tight supplies and elevated markets. Mexico/South Texas: Central Mexico is slowly increasing production heading into December and Baja is expected to start crossing fruit through San Diego and Otay Mesa in early December. Yields are improving. Supplies are limited but are expected to increase mid-November. Quality problems include white shoulders, skin bruising, and pin rot. Expect low volume and high prices. Florida: Florida is 2–3 weeks away from starting. A few growers are harvesting small volumes as fields are prepped. Ontario Hothouse: Hothouse production continues to be very light. Disease has caused the industry to pause and consider better growing options to avoid future disease. Retail is taking most of the production. Quality is good and sizing is on the smaller side. Expect to see stocks tighten and markets increase. Supplies will improve in the new year with new crops, grown using new techniques.
GRAPES– California grape harvesting has wrapped up. Growers will ship out of storage for the remainder of the season. Demand has been steadily driving pricing higher. Quality will be mixed through the reminder of the season, high shatter, waterberry and shorter shelf life are to be expected as the fruit ages. There is very limited supply available on greens while reds and blacks are still readily available. Autumn Kings, Autumn Crisp. Red Varieties; Autumn Royals, Scarlets, Globes. Blacks; Sweet Saphire. California green grapes will ship through early December. Offshore Peruvian green and red grapes have started arriving on the East Coast, while Chilean grapes will enter the market in early December. Quality of the Peruvian product is noticeably better than the California product. Markets will inch up through the end of the California season.
GOLD PINEAPPLES– Costa Rica / Honduras: US tariffs are now in place for pineapples from Costa Rica (10%) and Honduras (15%) that transit through the USA. Pineapples are expected to remain short over the next 12 months at best due to poor weather impacting planting schedules this year. There continues to be high demand for crownless pineapples. We can expect substitution, cancelations and changes with orders. Currently, there are limited volumes of 8ct, better volume of 6ct and 7ct; 5ct and 4ct have very good volume. Brix levels remain stable, with an average of 14.7. Values below 13 brix do not exceed 5%. The external shell color is aligned with client specifications. Fruit continues to show good internal condition. In the case of crownless fruit, intensive sampling is ongoing due to sugar accumulation at the base, which is causing variations in internal coloration. Weather conditions remain unchanged compared to the previous week, with a total precipitation of 42 mm. Notably, 32 mm occurred in a single day. High temperatures persist, exceeding 34°C. Demand is improving in the US Market as retailers plan US Thanksgiving Day ads. Market prices will be increasing as the holiday season pull approaches. Growers are ramping up shipments of fruit for the holiday season, starting with Europe and followed by the USA. Mexico- There is little to volume out of Mexico crossing into the US due to low market conditions versus Mexico’s internal market. Market in the US remains low but improving slightly. Production is higher but little incentive for Mexico to ship to the US. Sizing curve is trending now more into the middle of the curve with most supply 6s and 7s. Transportation out of Mexico is stable with good availability of trucks to service pineapple; no delays happened last week. Mexican fruit quality is good with some availability.
CANTALOUPE– The fall California melon season is winding down. Cantaloupes will ship through November 18. The transition to offshore production will begin over the next few weeks. Arizona-California Desert Region: Harvests will wrap up over the next 7-10 days. Size is dominated by nine-count fruit, followed by jumbo nine-counts. For the most part, quality is good, although some dirt may be visible on rinds. Expect prices to remain elevated, as desert acreage is down this year and offshore production is just getting started. Supplies will remain limited, and most suppliers will only cover contract volume; open-market opportunities will be minimal. Central America: 15% US tariffs are now in place for all melons from Central America that transit through the USA. The first shipments of offshore cantaloupes will arrive in Southern Florida the week of November 10. Offshore shipments into Northeastern and West Coast ports will begin arriving the week of November 17. Expect prices to climb over the next two to three weeks during the transition period.
HONEYDEW- The fall California melon season is winding down. Honeydew melons will ship through November 22. The transition to offshore production will begin over the next few weeks. Arizona-California Desert Region: Harvests will continue through November 22, extending slightly longer than cantaloupes. Size is dominated by five-count fruit, followed by jumbo five-counts. Quality is mostly good, with some scarring being reported. Expect prices to remain elevated, as desert acreage is down this year and offshore production is trailing slightly behind cantaloupes. Sonora, Mexico: Mexican supplies are available for loading in Nogales, Arizona; prices are slightly lower compared to California fruit. Mexican honeydews can be used to supplement orders until offshore production ramps up. Central America: 15% US tariffs are now in place for all melons from Central America that transit through the USA. The first shipments of offshore honeydews will arrive in Southern Florida the week of November 24. Offshore shipments into Northeastern ports will begin arriving the week of December 1st. Expect prices to climb over the next two to three weeks during the transition period
STONE FRUIT– California: November marks the end of stone fruit season. Peaches, nectarines and plums are all finished. Imports: Black plums from Italy have arrived and the only option for stone fruit until imported peaches and nectarines arrive sometime mid-December.
ORANGES– California Navel orange prices are easing; supplies are becoming more plentiful as multiple growing regions are now producing fruit. California: Crop volume is projected to be down 10% from last season but an increase in carton production is expected due to larger average fruit size. Harvesting has begun in a small way with better availability by late November. Much of this fruit will be harvested green and subjected to longer gassing hours to bring out the orange color. Gassing hours typically shorten as the season progresses through November. Fruit will color up naturally with warm temperatures during the daytime coupled with cooler nights. Initial harvests should peak on 72/88/113 counts before seeing more 56 count. Later season sizing is expected to peak on 56/48 counts. Navel quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix. Fruit is expected to be clean and favoring more fancy than choice grade. Expect easing markets and increased supplies. Mexico: Mexican imports (crossing in Nogales, Arizona) are expected in mid-November. Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 12-13 Brix. Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and Texas. Texas: Early variety seeded oranges will ship through February before the start of the Valencia season. Harvesting has been slowed due to an unexpected rain event earlier this week. Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix. Expect elevated markets and limited supplies. Florida: The new crop Hamlin season has begun. Supplies are dominated by 138ct and smaller sizes. Larger sizes are expected to remain more limited. Supplies are projected through most of January with a smooth transition to Valencias. Quality is fair; sugar levels range from 10-11 Brix. Choice and standard grades will dominate the crop. Imports: Import supplies from Chile, South Africa, and Uruguay are tightening as the season comes to an end. South African-seeded Midnight-variety oranges are shipping. Primarily large fruit (40/48/56 counts) remaining. Most importers will prioritize covering program commitments into November with the season finishing up late-November. Sugar content remains consistent at 12–14 brix.
BLOOD ORANGE / CARA CARA: Offshore: Volume remains available on larger fruit from Chile. Supplies are expected to be available into early through pending demand and programs. California: California Cara Caras and Blood Oranges are expected to ramp up in December.
MANDARIN / CLEMENTINE: Imports: Good availability but starting to see more demand as we enter the end of the Southern Hemisphere import season. Murcotts from Chile continue with steady supplies through October and will start to wind down early November. Chilean product is yielding more small fruit, peaking on 32/36 counts. Moroccan early-season varietals are expected to arrive late November/early December, with Murcotts and Nadorcotts to become available early next year. California: There is a good outlook on volume for early- and mid-season varietals; Clementines, Pages, and Leanris. Crop sizing expected to be slightly larger, peaking on 21/24/28s. A reduction in mid- to late-season varietals is anticipated; Tangos and Murcotts. However, the later season varietals are anticipated to have larger sizing, peaking on 18/21/24 counts. No quality issues are reported at this time. Some growers will start in November, with more volume picking up late December or early January.
LEMONS– California, District 3 lemons are hitting their stride, with more consistent volume and improved quality compared to the last few weeks. California: District 2 has finished, with harvesting picking up in Districts 1 and 3. Quality is reported to be great as the crop yields predominately fancy grade, with few choice grade. Availability is starting to improve with more District 1 yields strengthening in volume. District 3 fruit is peaking on 140/165/115 counts while District 1 is peaking on 140/115/165 counts. Mexico: The crop is winding down but continues to show mostly choice-grade fruit, with lighter volume on fancy-grade fruit. Fruit has sized up some with better availability on 95/115 counts. Overall, not enough supply to meet demand. Florida: Lemons out of Florida are reported to have strong quality this year with bright yellow color and good internal condition. Rains over the past weeks have limited harvesting and allowed fruit to size up, with sizing is peaking on 95/115 counts. The season should run through November, pending demand and movement. Offshore: Offshore fruit from Argentina, South Africa and Chile are past their peak. Quality is average; brown spotting, early decay, and scarring are being reported. Expect higher pricing compared to California and Mexican fruit.
ONTARIO HOTHOUSE TOMATO– Red Tomato On-The-Vine & Beefsteak: As we approach the end of the Ontario season, growers have started pulling vines while continuing to pack the last of the supply. Ontario production will resume late March. Growers have started utilizing Mexican operations for supplies. Demand remains steady with supplies easily meeting demand. Bite Size (Cherry, Grape, Cocktail, Medley): Hothouse production of all bite sized tomato has transitioned to Mexico. Quality is good, with supplies meeting lackluster demand.
LIMES– The market is trending lower as more limes shift from the Mexican national market to export, increasing cross-border volume. Quality may vary, so be cautious with lower-priced offers. Fruit continues to peak on 110/150s; smaller fruit remains tighter. Due to recent rains, the fruit is increasing in both size and maturity. The market should stay stable through mid-November before production declines. New crop begins in January. Offshore Colombian and Honduran fruit remain available in the East.
BANANAS– 15% US tariffs are now in place for all Bananas from Central America that transit through the USA. Banana supply remains stable despite continued strong demand for school business. There are rumblings that prices will increase in December. Overall, banana quality has been very good. Any bananas transiting through the USA will see an additional 5%, on top of the 10%, American tariff applied.
AVOCADO– Industry supply out of Mexico remains stable, with continued strong volumes this week. Demand is high, driven by robust retail promotions and attractive pricing across the category. The size curve continues to show a balanced distribution, creating promotional opportunities on all sizes including large and jumbo fruit. With Mexico’s production outlook remaining solid, the industry anticipates favorable supply conditions to support promotional activity throughout the fall. Due to the rain during this time of the season, there is an increased presence of Lenticel. Mexico– A 59.9-million-pound harvest was reported last week, with 54.7 million pounds crossing the border. Both the Main Crop and the Off-Bloom Crop are showcasing consistent sizing, peaking on 48ct and 60ct with 28.3% dry matter. Chile– The Chilean season is underway. Most shipments are destined for the European market, and limited volumes are landing to North American ports. Quality is good, and dry matter is averaging 26%. Colombia– The Principal Crop remains in full swing, with most volume headed to the European market. If market conditions shift, additional fruit may be directed to North America in the coming weeks or months. California– The California season is essentially complete, with minimal harvest anticipated through November.
APPLES– Ontario: Ontario growers have finished harvesting and are now packing and shipping out of storage. Golden Delicious, MacIntosh, Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire, Spartan, Cortland, Red Delicious, Fuji and Ambrosia. Quality is excellent, with good color, excellent crunch and high brix. Prices have stabilized and should hold steady into the New Year. Washington: Growers are now in the final stretch of the apple harvest and should finish the harvest this week. The weather is holding up, and it looks like we will get all the apples off the trees before the first freeze sets in. The earlier varieties like Royal Gala and Honeycrisp are now off the trees. The Royal Gala harvest came in a little shorter than projected but will have good color and will peak on 100 counts, so there won’t be many larger trays this year. Currently, growers are showing more Royal Galas in storage than last year but less than the year before. Honeycrisp also came in a little shorter than projected but we still have a good crop. Currently, growers are still harvesting Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Cosmic Crisp and Golden Delicious, along with several other varieties. Overall, the crop is still expected to be an above average crop of apples this season but maybe not the bumper crop that we were anticipating a month ago.
MATURE GREEN FIELD TOMATOES– Moderate supply and soft demand are keeping prices steady to slightly lower. Mexican supply from Baja is adequate, with steady volumes from Jalisco, Mexico crossing through Nogales, Arizona and McAllen, Texas across all varieties. Eastern Florida production is increasing, and Nogales, Arizona is expected to start in in January. East Coast: We are watching a strong cold front come across the south that will bring close to freezing temperatures to South Georgia and Northern Florida Monday Nov. 10th and Tuesday Nov. 11th. Overnight temperatures are expected to be in the mid-low 30’s and daytime highs struggling to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Round tomato supply continues ramping up out of Ruskin and Palmetto; South Georgia production has also been stable; however, we are keeping a close eye on the freezing temperatures; this could potentially end the Georgia season prematurely. Roma tomato supply is also ramping up. Overall quality is mixed and should improve as volume increases out of Florida. Quality is good on both rounds and romas. There are ample supplies of grape, cherry and gourmet medley tomatoes as growers continue the transition to South Georgia and Florida. Quality is outstanding. Mexico: Mexican tomatoes crossing into the USA have a 17.9% duty. Mexican tomatoes placed in bond, destined to Canada are duty free. Round tomato volume is steady crossing through McAllen, Texas and Otay Mesa, California. Quality is good. Roma tomato volume is improving with good quality. Demand is weak on grape and cherry tomatoes. Quality is mostly good.
WILD FORAGED PRODUCTS:
Wild Mushrooms
** DONE ** Porcini: We are in a supply gap.
** DONE ** Lobster Mushroom: Season ended.
Yellowfoot: From Sweden. Prices lower. 6lb baskets.
Black Trumpet Mushroom: From France. 5lb basket. Pricing steady. Call for pricing.
Sweet Tooth / Hedgehog Mushroom: From British Columbia.
Bluefoot Mushroom: From France. Light supplies. 5lb basket Call for availability and pricing.
Pine (Matsutake) Mushroom: From Oregon / British Columbia. Supplies light. Prices are holding steady. Call for pricing.
Yellow Chanterelle: From British Columbia or Oregon. Top quality. Supplies are good with lower pricing. Medium size readily available while buttons are short. 2.2lb or 6lb basket. Call for pricing.
Truffles
White Truffles (tuber Magnatum): Season is just starting. Excellent quality now. Call for availability and pricing.
Burgundy Truffles (tuber Uncinatum): From Italy. Good quality. Prices lower. Call for pricing.
