APPLES Prices are unchanged. Storage crop Washington Braeburn, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Red Delicious Apples are plentiful. Quality is very good. Michigan’s Honeycrisp season will wrap up in early March but stocks will remain available from Washington.
ASPARAGUS Markets have eased. Peruvian imports are tight but Mexican new crop supplies are abundant; quality is excellent.
AVOCADO Prices remain high; demand is strong and volume is low.
BELL PEPPERS Green bell pepper prices are weak. Ideal weather has aided growth in Florida. Red bell supplies are increasing on both coasts; markets have fallen.
BLACKBERRIES The market is level. Mexican stocks are sufficient. Quality is good; small size, soft skins, and red cells have been reported.
BLUEBERRIES Prices are steady. Mexican supply is meeting demand. Chilean and Peruvian fruit is also available. Quality is very good; fruit is plump and juicy
BROCCOLI Markets are steady at low levels. Warmer day and nighttime temperatures are increasing yields and crown size. Mexican-grown Broccoli is available in South Texas; quality is very good.
CANTALOUPE Elevated prices persist. Offshore stocks will remain tight through the month, potentially returning to normal levels in early March. Quality is good despite longer travel time.
CAULIFLOWER Markets are steady to slightly lower; supplies are increasing and demand is weakening. Quality is very good.
CELERY Low prices persist; stocks are plentiful in all harvesting regions. Quality is very good; disease pressure is minimal.
CHILI PEPPERS The market is unchanged. East Coast growers are harvesting in South Florida. Mexican supplies are adequate. Anaheim, Habanero, Jalapeno, Pasilla, Red Fresno, and Serrano Chile Peppers are available.
CUCUMBERS Prices are level. Offshore supplies are shipping from Honduras. Mexican supply is meeting demand in Baja, Sinaloa, and Central Mexico. Quality is very good.
GRAPES The market is starting to inch down. Offshore stocks are increasing. Quality is very good; sugar levels will rise as the season progresses.
GREEN LEAF Prices have eased following last week’s strong Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day demand. Epidermal blistering and peeling are being observed less frequently in green leaf compared to other head lettuces.
HONEYDEW Mexican supplies are increasing, easing markets slightly. Offshore stocks will remain tight through the month, potentially returning to normal levels in early March. Quality is good despite longer travel time.
ICEBERG Prices have eased following last week’s strong Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day demand. Warmer weather has increased industry stocks but quality issues such as epidermal blistering and peeling will persist through the month.
LEMONS Markets are weak; 165- through 235-count sizes are ample. Seedless lemons are available.
LIMES Prices will inch up through the month; low seasonal volume typically occurs each February. Quality is average.
ONIONS The market is steady. Medium and jumbo sizes are most abundant; white jumbos are snug. Quality is excellent.
ORANGES California prices are expected to remain stable through February; stocks are plentiful. Navel quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12 to 13 Brix.
PEARS The market is elevated; storage volume is low. Quality is very good. D’Anjou Pears will ship out of Washington through June.
PINEAPPLES The market is up. Yields are low in Costa Rica; low temperatures have impeded growth. All sizes are limited; order flexibility will help with coverage.
RASPBERRIES Prices are unchanged; Mexican stocks are adequate. Warm weather is increasing growth and improving quality.
ROMAINE Markets have eased following last week’s strong Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day demand. Quality is strong; epidermal blistering and peeling are occasional issues due to lettuce ice events earlier in the month.
STRAWBERRIES This week’s California rain is expected to cause harvesting delays or cancelations; early signs of decay and bruising are being reported. Expect tight supplies and strong markets through next week. Stocks are ample in Florida and Mexico.
TOMATOES Supplies are abundant, quality is great, and markets should remain low for the next two weeks; this is an excellent time to promote the category.
TREE FRUIT Prices for imported fruit are high. Chile nectarines, peaches, and plums are being shipped into the U.S. The domestic season will begin in California this summer. Sugar levels will increase through the spring.
WATERMELON The market is fairly steady; domestic supplies are sufficient. Florida’s spring season will start in early April, further increasing yields. Quality is very good.
ZUCCHINI Zucchini prices are low; supplies have increased. Yellow squash stocks are meeting demand in Florida, but tight in Mexico. Quality is very good; bruising and scarring are occasional problems.